Dear Harley-Davidson,

I appreciate that you guys are coming out with the "2007 Patriot Special Editions" for members of the military. I was excited to see what they looked like when I first heard the news. What I found when I went to your website though, did not impress me at all. I don't think that taking a plain black bike and putting one of the military medallions on it constitutes a Special Edition. If I wanted a black bike "customized" to my military branch, I could save a few hundred dollars by buying a plain black model and spending $75 on a pair of the "Coast Guard Medallions" to stick on the sides of the tank. The paint job and design on these models is very unimpressive, and obviously did not involve much thought.

The prices of these are also not impressive. I am going to assume that these models are actually going to be sold at the MSRP listed on your website, instead of the usual markup, which is very common in military-prevalent areas. I am almost afraid to assume though, since we all know what that stands for. For the price of one of the Patriot Edition models, I could buy a standard model and use the money I saved to replace the poor performing and poor sounding stock pipes, and possibly still have cash left over to buy the service medallions to go on the tank.

If you really want to do something for the US military (other than the overseas vehicle sales, which I am very very appreciative of), how about giving a certain percentage military discount on either the purchase of a new bike, or on parts and accessories. I just think that the 2007 Patriot Editions are not very desireable. I appreciate the fact that you were thinking about us servicemembers, but you guys could come up with something better than this.

One last issue I would like to address is that none of the Military Collection timer covers, derby covers, or air cleaner trim pieces will fit a pre 2003 Sportster model. I personally know several military Sportster riders, and more of them own pre-2004 models than 2004+ models. When the Military Collection was first introduced, I was quite interested in a set for my 2001 Sportster, only to find out that they were not offered. If I did own a bike that would be able to fit the Military Collection accessories, I would definitely be interested in them, but I will have to wait since I plan on keeping mine for at least a few more years.

PuddlePirate


http://www.harley-davidson.com/PR/MOT/2007/07_Special_Landing.asp?section=patriot&locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US&HDCWPSession=wyShFMPHW6w6vhv5GQWNxYsgGyjpKK13L2HvD 5YVchZpTQFDDf9T!-476567670!-1033536103

Well said PuddlePirate. Matt

Face it: Since 9/11 American business has capitalized on the renewed popularity of our military. I've seen more American flags waving since 9/11 than during the previous 47 years of my life. I looked at their USMC medallion and while nice, it's not nice enough that I'm sticking the drink coaster on my machine.

I totally agree. If you want to honor the military you need a bit more then a few cheesy emblems. The first time I saw these on the HD website they turned me off.

I don't think that taking a plain black bike and putting one of the military medallions on it constitutes a Special Edition. If I wanted a black bike "customized" to my military branch, I could save a few hundred dollars by buying a plain black model and spending $75 on a pair of the "Coast Guard Medallions" to stick on the sides of the tank. The paint job and design on these models is very unimpressive, and obviously did not involve much thought.

Exactly. These special editions are completely underwhelming. Zero, and I mean ZERO, thought went into them. How about a custom, but tasteful, paint job? Maybe in each branch's colors?

Just issue Marines XL1200R's with a holstered 1911, .45ACP on the tank and a scabbard with a Mossberg 590, 12 gauge.

Seriously, the bike in branch colors with the tank nicely painted in the branch insignia would be something to take pride in. Oh, and a .45ACP and Mossberg 590 to "protect the paint"!

If HD would have got off their asses and designed a much more unique bike for the military branches, I would have probably jumped all over one! All we are really talking about is more attractive paint jobs...something designed for each branch!

Watching them do what so many other companies have done though is depressing. I do not support companies I feel are feeding off the military in my local community, and I will not do it elsewhere either. Do not slap military members in the face with a substandard product! You coul dhave done better!

If it weren't for the American military man (and woman) Harley Davidson may never have become popular to begin with. Without the military, they would surely not be in business today, as I belive the USA wouldn't exist!

I have 3 months remaining before I hit my 20 year mark...Do yourselves a favor, and do the military right! I might buy a new bike as a retirement gift for myself if you pull it off this next time!

The whole concept is a disrespectful marketing gimmick and it makes me sick.

You don't honor servicemen by making more things to sell them. Making a profit off of a group by stooping to false patriotism is insulting and low.

Donate to vet's groups, send active servicemen care packages, help widows and children of those killed in duty... That's "support", selling military branded shit is not.

Make good products, sell and service them well, and stop flailing around with transparent and obnoxious marketing gimmicks.

Meh. I just got an foil Eagle Globe and Anchor sticker at the fair and put it on the oil tank. Looks sharp only cost me a hand shake.

The whole concept is a disrespectful marketing gimmick and it makes me sick.

You don't honor servicemen by making more things to sell them. Making a profit off of a group by stooping to false patriotism is insulting and low.


I can't agree with you more on this GrumpyCoyote. If they really want to support the servicemen how about selling to active duty members at cost plus a small percentage to cover shipping and handling. Afterall I'm sure they would still make more than enough profit from non military buyers. Active military can't be that large of a percentage of their business.

If they really want to support the servicemen how about selling to active duty members at cost plus a small percentage to cover shipping and handling. Active military can't be that large of a percentage of their business.

I do believe when you are getting out of active duty, many companies offer a discount especially on vehicles.
With active military or shall I say recently deactivated military, motorcycles are extremely popular. I dont know how many guys got out and bought a bike right away. In the grand total, it probably isnt that large of a percentage though.

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=88207
The number of motorcyclists in the army including civilians and family members has risen to 100,000 in the past year.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20080506.aspx
Over ten percent of army and marine personnel own a motorcycle, and that number has increased rapidly since the invasion of Iraq.

The part that bugs me, is the fact that the medalions & such are all made in China. Memorial day flags placed on graves, made in China... Boooooo

I do believe when you are getting out of active duty, many companies offer a discount especially on vehicles.
With active military or shall I say recently deactivated military, motorcycles are extremely popular. I dont know how many guys got out and bought a bike right away. In the grand total, it probably isnt that large of a percentage though.

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=88207
The number of motorcyclists in the army including civilians and family members has risen to 100,000 in the past year.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20080506.aspx
Over ten percent of army and marine personnel own a motorcycle, and that number has increased rapidly since the invasion of Iraq.
Hey there-
Best way to get a bike cheap is the PX. AFEES has an arangement to buy the bike overseas and you pick it up in the states. Dunno if it's changed since I was in...but that was a long time ago.
http://aafes.com/
http://militarycars.com/MCSCM/DocLib.nsf/0/665EFE5AFC8E99D18525703D007536FB/$File/hd_brochure_06-26.pdf?OpenElement

Hey there-
Best way to get a bike cheap is the PX. AFEES has an arangement to buy the bike overseas and you pick it up in the states. Dunno if it's changed since I was in...but that was a long time ago.
http://aafes.com/
http://militarycars.com/MCSCM/DocLib.nsf/0/665EFE5AFC8E99D18525703D007536FB/$File/hd_brochure_06-26.pdf?OpenElement

Thats exactly what I was talking about. Thanks for the info!

Hey there-
Best way to get a bike cheap is the PX. AFEES has an arangement to buy the bike overseas and you pick it up in the states. Dunno if it's changed since I was in...but that was a long time ago.
http://aafes.com/
http://militarycars.com/MCSCM/DocLib.nsf/0/665EFE5AFC8E99D18525703D007536FB/$File/hd_brochure_06-26.pdf?OpenElement

Yes, they still have this program but, the prices aren't special. I do think that you avoid paying sales tax but, that's it.

What amazes me is that anyone is surprized by the any of the stunts the MoCo is pulling...

Here is an Air Force edition Fat Boy that was on display at Ramstein AB, Germany during the summer of '06. I'm not certain if it is an '06 or '07 model. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of Fat Boys but this one right here is perhaps the only one I've ever desperately wanted. Granted, I think this one has the full military edition paint shop package, and as I recall the price was around $24K.

But if you want a bike that shows your military pride and affiliation, this one ought to do it.

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/AirForceFatBoy3.jpg

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/AirForceFatBoy2.jpg

Just in these pics, you can see the special paint, what looks like Pewter Pearl over whatever they call that sky blue color, with a dark blue separation stripe. It has a painted on tank graphic of a fighter formation behind the company logo. It has the Air Force cover emblems. It has the old US aircraft flash on the front fender and a US flag on the rear. It has special military edition embroidery on the seat. It obviously has some custom chrome bits and H-D accessories added. Those are just the visible parts. As I recall there was some nice details which aren't really visible here. Seems to me that there was maybe a ghost image of something on the rear fender, but I don't recall for sure.

By the way, I purchased my '07 883R during my last deployment to Afghanistan at the end of last year. Went through AAFES sales rep Brian Huygens at Ramstein AB, Germany. Never saw him in person, or even spoke on the phone for that matter...all done through e-mail and fax, and he couldn't have been more helpful in the process even though communication was a bit inadequate at times. I don't know that I saved a lot of money, but it was enough to make me happy in addition to the relatively painless process as opposed to dealing with a stateside dealership, and he was able to locate me a suitable bike out of all of H-D's military allotment of bikes. The bike was delivered by my request to a local dealership a few months later and I've been impressed with their support even though they didn't sell me the bike directly. Military sales also have certain consumer protections that regular retail sales don't provide. They are, however, less adequate at providing Buells on short notice, as I was originally seeing if he could hook me up with an '08 Ulysses.

when are the marketing nazis at moco going to figure out that, we as consumers, (not
units), are intelligent enough to see thru bs and half hearted attemps to polish a terd.

semper paratus

They will most likely stop treating us as units when we stop acting like one and purchase only there Made in America parts and doo-dads and poorly altered special edition bikes. Until then, they will continue to do what they please and make tons of money off of us "units"

They will most likely stop treating us as units when we stop acting like one and purchase only there Made in America parts and doo-dads and poorly altered special edition bikes. Until then, they will continue to do what they please and make tons of money off of us "units"


here, here. wow an educated consumer that demands thru not buying crap an ignoring the status quo. It has never worked before, a novel
concept, and it's time has come.

As long as we treat the vets better than we treated the vietnam vets, I doubt that they would care what HD does or doesn't do.
Also I thought that the Marines carried a 9mm, cause the 1911A1 is too rough for them to handle. (just a joke guys)
18th Brigade 69 70 71 72

As long as we treat the vets better than we treated the vietnam vets, I doubt that they would care what HD does or doesn't do.
Also I thought that the Marines carried a 9mm, cause the 1911A1 is too rough for them to handle. (just a joke guys)
18th Brigade 69 70 71 72

You got that right. I am more concerned with finding a job before mid Nov, than what the MoCo does. I bought a bike form them, and thats it...

They get no more of my money....

Either way, its irrelevant...

I wouldnt be upset to a US Armed Forces(generalized model scheme), as a tribute to vets, available ONLY with a good DD214 or current orders. Then, have the dealership(or mothership) make you a badge that says branch, years served, top three medals, and rate/rank, and warfare designator, something that denotes years served, etc...

When you buy a new Caddy, after the first one, they put a badge on the hood of your car, stating how many new caddy's you have bought.... its something the dealership offers, as a gift... doesnt cost a dime... you know, the whole customer loyalty thing...

Doesnt have to be a major thing, just... you know.... hell, they could make that retro-active to those who bought brand new bikes from them, and a cost option for current HD owners(if bought used)...

My 2 cents....
Chase