Letters

LETTERS

Milwaukee 53201

I wholeheartedly agree with “Letter to Willie G. No.2” in the July ’95 issue. I ride Harleys because my father wrenched on old Knucks and Pans back in the ’50s. Many of the new-wave Harley riders seem to have mounted up because it makes a bold “fashion statement.” To have the Motor Company choose this type of rider over the hardcore faithful who have supported it for the past 90 years is not only unbelievable, but truly bizarre.

When I visit my local Harley dealership for replacement parts, I hardly appear as a blip on their radar. But if I browse over their selection of $20,000 Evolution “Yuppie Glides,” Eve got salesmen standing in line to lick my engineer’s boots.

If Harley wants to copyright the sound of a V-Twin motor, what’s next? Will it copyright the pickup truck I use to bring my old ’77 iron beast home because it broke down (again)?

Rod ice Painesville, Ohio

Bravo! Harley-Davidson’s recent “take-no-prisoners” approach to defending its trademarks has given that great American company a self-inflicted black eye. Certainly, it must protect its trademarks, symbols and other properties, but overzealous attacks on small businesses using the terms “Hog” and “Hawg” have been ridiculous in the extreme.

Character matters. I want motorcy cles with character. I also want the company that builds my motorcycle to have some character. If the Motor Company continues on its current course, I will happily find a different company to provide me with my mo torcycles.

Spencer Farrow Mountain View, California

Re: David Edwards' Up Front col umn, "Letter to Willie G, No. 2." Damn straight.

CS. Hancock Seattle, Washington

I remember when "Hog" was a derogatory word that offended H-D owners and dealers alike. I remember when Harleys were really U.S.-built. I remember when H-D dealers treated customers like royalty. (Shows how o~.

Don Person Kirkland, Arizona

Thanks for the open letter to Harley. I know I'm speaking for quite a few Harley owners when I say I totally agree. Harley is getting ready to lose a large part of its core riders if it doesn't get its act together. I currently own two bikes, an `82 FXR and an `86 Heritage, but I'll be looking for a new bike soon and it won't be a Harley. Triumphs are looking real good. Guess I'll have to get that Harley tattoo covered up.

V2Rider America Online

Patenting the sound of a Harley? I suggest 1-larley stop worrying about sound patents and start focusing atten tion on making the best machine American know-how can produce. I have no doubt that H-D can compete with any other manufacturer in the world. But, apparently it can't stop counting its bucks long enough to see that the ship is headed for the beach.

B.R. Braden Washington, D.C.

If Harley-Davidson "The Motorcy cle" was as fast and reliable as I larley Davidson `The Legal Department," they might win some Superbike races.

Derek L. Row Atlantic City, New Jersey

I understand new Harleys are in short supply. Just to check, I went to the local dealer to see what was on the floor. Three new Harleys stood proud in the showroom. However, all had red "sold" tags on them. By Harley's own admis sion (annual report), it has lost market share due to an inability to produce enough motorcycles to meet demand. As a first step, I suggest the firing of a few lawyers and the hiring of some production personnel.

Joseph C. Dille Telford, Pennsylvania

I had always wanted an older Harley and bought a basketcase 45 Flathead to restore. I am a mechani cal engineer and technically adept, but there came a time when I needed a little help. At the local l-I-D shop all I got was 10 seconds of a dealer's time and a, "We can't help you," not even a reference for who could. I then turned to a small independent cycle repair shop that specializes in Har leys. These guys went out of their way to provide technical support and references. They will get my current and future business, although I will keep Harley-I)avidson dealers in mind if I need "boutique" clothing or a Christmas ornament.

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Keith Montone West Bloomfield, Michigan

While I agree that attempting to trademark a sound is downright silly, I think you are off base in crit icizing Harley-Davidson for defend ing itself against misuse of its already established trademarks. If Harley-Davidson ignores all seem ingly innocent trademark infringe ments, it could eventually result in the company losing its right to cxelusive use of those trademarks. If that were to happen, then it would forfeit ownership of the only truly marketable assets it has.

Clayton W. Crawford Oakland, California

You assail 1-larley-Davidson management for protecting its trade marks. You point an accusatory finger at Harley-Davidson for turning its corporate back on its loyal, core supporters and embracing the new legion of Rich Urban Bikers who buy new Harleys.

Well, duh.

Harley is doing just fine, pre-selling its entire production run these days. And it is not the old-time faithful who are doing the buying. As the leader of a prospering motorcycle company, what would be your strategy, ignore and possibly alienate your new money market, or build your marketing around those who cannot afford to buy your product? Harley looks in good shape to roll into the next century, with or without that original core buyer. The small, struggling motorcycle company that made leaky engines is no more.

I think Harley-Davidsons management can stand on its record of success.

Mike MacDonald North Hills, California

Sorry, but July's editorial got it wrong, completely wrong. Harley Davidson and its dealers are in business to make money for their shareholders and owners. Business is about exploiting opportunities to extract the most profit from the least effort. If Harley can trademark the sound of its engine or prevent dealers from selling anything but authorized products and can do it legally, why not? Sorry, but business just isn't very sporting. The biggest advantage Harley has right now is that its product is very popular, most of its buyers won't even consider buying anything else and they have the money to pay for it. Sounds to me like a dream for any business.

As for the so-called Harley faithful who have been riding Harleys exclusively for years and feel slighted: Wake up! Stop sewing your patches on upside down and go buy a motorcycle from the competition. As long as you don’t act like a customer you won’t be treated like one. Vote with your dollars and let 1 l-D dealers sit on some inventory for a while—they'11 get the message.

Robert L. Danley Collingswood, New Jersey

Har/ei'Davidson %i `OS given the opportuniti' to respond in /fliflt to Jui5' s Up Front column, but declined to conunent.