parade exclusion : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

sporty2go · 02-23-2003, 02:29 AM

Is anyone as ticked off as I am about the exclusion of thousands of harley owners in the 10th bash parade. I guess spending your hard earned dollars on bikes,accessories, clothing, etc., not to mention the rallies poker runs, fund raisers and donations over the years just doesn't quaify us as "MDA" HEROES. IF my parents (who are in their 70's) and just purchased a 2003 anniversary dresser and I, who just purchased a 2003 anniversary Sportster had known, we could have saved ourselves thousands by just giving $5,300 apiece, and driven our 1993 anniversary edition bikes in the parade instead. Thank you very much H,D,

Habanero Kid · 02-23-2003, 08:23 AM

I can see you're pissed. But I need more info, what's going on? Who can or can't ride?

anox3 · 02-23-2003, 08:57 AM

Right or wrong I can see why they limited the parade for the 100th. I really do not think HD had alot of control over this. I and this is my opinion think the city of Milwaukke made them limit it. They had a heck of a fiasco in 1998 for the 95th. They tied up major highways and interstate for the better part of a day. We were automatically entered into the parade lottery when we bought tickets. Even if we were to get an entry into the parade i doubt i would do it. I knew a few people when we lived up there that screwed their clutches up from having to ride their clutches for the better part of a day. What I do not agree with though is HD stating that the credentials are not transferable. Why not? If I do not want to use the credential why am I not allowed to give it to someone that wants to ride in it? assuming my wife and I would obtain one. That is corporate crap at it's best. this is our party and you will do what I say. I have no problem with rules as long as they make sense.

anox3 · 02-23-2003, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Habanero Kid
I can see you're pissed. But I need more info, what's going on? Who can or can't ride?

Lottery from all ticket sales. If I am not mistaken about numbers they are whoever HD gives tickets to as far as Leno etc. 5,000 riders out of lottery from ticket sales. 500? riders that have done special fundraisers for MDA. Should still total 10,000 riders by the time they are done.

hezgon · 02-25-2003, 09:42 AM

They have also opened the parade up to a rider from each HOG Chapter as well. This was not the case a few months ago. This will be a very long long parade. I did the 19th National and the opening 100th parades in Atlanta last year. Two laps around the speedway and we staged for close to 3 hours for each one. I would also bet the non-transfer issue has a great deal to do with liability. I signed waivers left and right to do last years.

Jshuster · 02-27-2003, 03:00 PM

Who the Hell wants to ride with people you don't know 2 inches from each other on 90degree day going 2 miles an hour on aircooled bike? Not Me

rammer · 03-04-2003, 12:24 PM

The main reason Harley has limited the parade is from pressure from the FEDs. All of the highways that were used in the 95th had to be shut down with permission from good 'ol uncle Sam. They actually tried limiting the 95th, but when more and more people kept showing up it got out of hand. We actually pulled off and sat for a while as the bikes cooled off, and it was just way out of control. Harley caught allot of flack from some locals, the state and government for having several main highways closed down as long as they did. Harley is doing what it can to have a parade, but unfortunately their hands are tied and they are trying to put more control over it this year. We should be thankful that they didn't cut it completely. I for one am really not going to miss it because it was cool at first (95th), but then it quickly got too crowded, too slow and the bikes took a beating...

DIRTY · 03-04-2003, 09:20 PM

I agree Jshuster, Ill be taking pics, and watching the women....

DIRTY

Jshuster · 03-05-2003, 10:10 AM

Cool stand next me lolol we can have 4 sets of eyes HaHa

BobT · 03-05-2003, 11:46 AM

I had my brand spankin' new 1997 Road King with about 700 miles on it and when the parade was half over(the part where we were going the wrong way on the expressway(if you were there you know what I am talking about) I had to pull over because I started to leak oil. Not bad but she was -a - smokin'. the parade started in Milw brewers stadium area and went all the way to/from 49th st to past 60th str(National Ave) and that was as far as I could see behind me. I,personally,will never(including Tomahawk) do a parade again for fear of damaging my bike. I will watch the silly people drive by looking cool revving the p**s out of their engines doing an occational burnout. Meanwhile I will slug down a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon or two.Parades are not for me anymore. Hell, I don't even like rides that have long/drawn out staging times. If the people running it cannot coordinate it well ,I will just help the cause by being a signal man/ticket seller/road crew/ect. and that will be my participation. I do not think it is a bad attitude ,this is a re-adjustment due to it nearly costing me cash to fix the bike back in 98. Pealed some of the chrome right of the front cylinder /valve cover . BUT, I still do like the parade stuff,it's just not for me to participate in any more.
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On a different note,I think the city is not currently pleased that H-D is not building that museum downtown anymore, Unstable/too costly/possibly unsafe sort of thing. They did have the city actually begin to move an Expressway(not a highway-an expressway)That is what I heard anyway.Along with a big deficit in state spending,that is causing local gov't shortfalls due to alot of state funded programs being drastically cut.