Guy Adams: Harley – bailed out but beautiful
LA Notebook
The Harley Davidson "Road King" is a resolutely American vehicle which, like all great brands, mirrors the character of the nation that created it. The motorbike is large, noisy and expensive. Some call it stylish; others brash. For better or worse, it tends to stand out in a crowd. Last week, I drove a chrome-covered "Hog" almost the entire length of California's Pacific Coast Highway. It was a meandering journey along one of the world's most majestic coastlines. And it was also an education.
Lesson number one: it's hard to feel out of place on a Road King. You can bestride its saddle in a leather waistcoat, with tassels, plus an actual bandana, and not think yourself overdressed. You can roar into the quietest village, and remain convinced that heads are turning in envy, rather than anger. No man will ever open the machine's beefy throttle and not crack a smile.
Lesson number two: the Road King is technically flawed. It boasts a 1,500cc engine (bigger than many London cars), yet remains bizarrely sluggish. It guzzles petrol so fast you need to refill every couple of hours. It has the cornering capability of an oil tanker. A small child could break into the saddle-bag.
This doesn't prevent Harleys being beautiful, star-spangled machines, of course. But neither does it help their commercial prospects. Being expensive-yet-quirky makes them luxury goods. Buying one represents a careless expression of consumer confidence. And right now, we all know what that means.
Last year, Harley Davidson's share price dropped 62 per cent. Its most recent quarterly earnings were down 58 per cent and 1,100 members of its workforce are being made redundant. The firm's credit wing, which has for years financed the purchase of bikes on the never-never, is losing $25m each quarter.
The other day, meanwhile, Warren Buffett ploughed $300m into the company, to keep its head above water. It was a bold move. But it also underlined a pressing fact: right now, Harley Davidsons really do mirror the nation. They are large, noisy, expensive – and scraping by on bailouts.
Drivers make poor shots
The trip provided an opportunity to peruse the California Driver's Handbook. Among the many local rules of the road: "Never shoot firearms on a highway, or at traffic signs." Just in case you were tempted!
Costume not included
Passing through Las Vegas at the weekend (it's a hard life), a startling discovery: the City of Sin's major hotels have introduced "topless" swimming pools, where guests may sunbathe "in the European style". Entry generally costs $30 if you're a man – but just $10 for women. Canny.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP logged and may be used to prevent further submission. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by the Independent Minds Terms of Service.
- Print Article
- Email Article
-
Click here for copyright permissions
Copyright 2009 Independent News and Media Limited
Also in this section
- John Walsh: 'If a politician lays a wreath at the Cenotaph, it's a mark of respect'
- Dom Joly: Where exactly is the fun in a fun-run?
- Dom Joly: One five-course dinner and I'm running on empty
- Dylan Jones: 'For a period in the Sixties, Eel Pie Island became so popular it even began issuing its own passports'


Comments
OK the occasional sound of the ear-splitting detonations is only mildly irritating, but when processions of these clowns ride around country roads shattering the peace for miles in every direction it's beyond a joke. And to add insult to injury the brain dead who ride them wear ear plugs.
Noise is one of the last remaining major pollutants, and it's time to do something about it.
No wide brushstrokes in that thar comment, are there?
Being a biker of 20 years, and a hard core, dyed in the wool Hinkley Triumph owner, rider and fan for 75% of those 20 years, I do agree with the statement that "...when processions of these clowns ride around country roads shattering the peace for miles in every direction it's beyond a joke...", but that isn't always restricted to just Harley riders, it can be applied to almost any grouping of motor vehicle fans, Triumph owners, Sportsbike riders, Volvo drivers, lawnmower racers, even Caravan owners!
I have been told that my bike can even wake the neighbours at 6 in the morning, hence why I push the thing to the end of the road when that situation arises.
When it comes down to it, yes, Harleys CAN be tainted with the fact that a lot of the tech in the majority of their bikes is old, but that, for most of their clients is WHY they buy.
I am not sure that they deserve(d) being bailed out, but they DO need to still be around. Freedom to do what you choose is what I will fight for, even if I do not agree with your choice. Why the hell would you want to ride a Harley in the UK (we have corners, better bikes that are British, such as the Rocket III, to do the same job), why would you want to pay for a hideous rolling road block on two wheels (that's a caravan for the unaware, NOT a Harley) and why the hell would you want a car thats logo is the symbol for blatant masculinity (Volvo, for the unaware, go search for it!), but if you do, that is your choice, and I am happy to fight for you to have that choice, just don't force that choice onto me!
Cheers y'all, I am off to ride past you in stationary traffic this weekend!
is more than adequate. I can cruise effortlessly at 80 mph all day with plenty of reserve to roll on the throttle. Check out the technolgy hidden behind the old style looks. Active EFI, abs, cruise control, belt driven, etc. If you want more confort, check out the Electra Glides with AM/FM/MP3/Weather band stereos and more.