Does H.O.G.® need to change?

[Broken Spoke]

Originally Posted by hardluk1

Broken spoke. I remember when many hd dealer/owners also owed other brands and some with less clout were made to sell them . And then they have to move to high traffic area's and then build large pricey dealerships or they would lose there dealership. Also the dirt bag's that did own Lummus told me when i moved up there i could only have discount if i became a member of there group That did me in on HOG. My old chapter in florida also owned a couple big multi-brand bike dealerships and had to sell them and build a new bigger/fancier hd dealership to get more blikes or loss it. We had a mutibrand chapter, someriders had several brand bikes and would ride what they felt like. Good group ,had some great long weekend rides. But we also had our meetings at a local lions halls not the dealer. Just don't use the dealer for much of anything except what i need on short order just like the *** bike dealer. You can get just as good a group ride with your local abate or cba or southern cruisers chapter as with HOG. And better protecton with AAA while on the road. The were better when they had to work for your money in smaller friendlier shops with some great almost every weekend have'n a grill burning dogs and cold drinks for custmers and discounts for any hog card carrier. And i know some big dealers or great but most aren't . Rat Price seems to have many good get to gethers with bands and seems to work at makeing you want to come around. Also the dealer in gastonia nc, but not most.

hardluk,
Trust me, you don't own other brand and participate in the Lummus dominated HOG group. At least you better not show up on anything that was supposedly not made by US hands. Which you know as well as I that is pure BULL **** and has been for years.

Since he became a dealer for the CHINESE LIQUOR CYCLE'S I have been unable to get an answer whether these folks will be allow to paticaipate in dealer functions or not.

I listen at Lummus piss and moan about having to build a new 7 million dollar dealership near I-40, while in the same breath purchasing 3 vacations homes at Myrtle Beach and numerous, numerous, numerous high dollar vehicles.

After purchasing two touring models from this dealer I was told one day at the parts counter that I must participate in the local chapter to qualify for his silly ass 10% discount. No problem, I just picked up the phone and called Chicago H-D from their dealership and placed my order. By the way, my discount was 20% and I didn't have to kiss anybody's ass or spend another $39,890 on another two new motorcycles.

I now ride with a group of bikers who for the most part enjoy the same things, ie, ride locations, bars, resturants, events, rallies, etc. I could go on and on but you probably get the message. When I need help I can generally call a riding buddy, if this is not the case then I pull out my little Road America card and they will drag me away whether I am on my H-D FLHTCI, X Brand 1800 or my xxxxxx brand cars.

I understand that Lummus has sold a percentage of both dealerships, that is possibly the reason for the name change to the one in Swannanoa. I did ask the question of why the name change, but as usual, I don't participte and (never have) in their CLICKS, so I am not privy to the answer.

Oh well, still spending my dollars with Chicago and having what wrenching that I am to stupid to do performed by one of my riding buddies, who just happens to have a successful business within 7 miles of my home.

So far so goooooooooooooood!!!

[hardluk1]

Broken spoke I to Hate there dealership and don't carry a hog card,ain't worth nothing around here at any of the dealers. I have got'n a couple things from smith only because the parts guy is also a fxr guy and knows the bikes well or will look up crossrefernce's for me . But nothing costly . Most anything i buy is aftermarket. I know why gene sold and the maga store, a,a,a, lets see something to do with a, family and health. The race team stopped because of that and helped make the sell easy. He did sell the major part of both dealerships.
Yes we did have guys that owned hd's and otherbikes and did go on rides and were card carriers , But like i said in my post ,we did not have our meetings at the dealer it was at the lions club. We had our meetings and then had a ride and some just might show up on what ever there other ride was. Just better times then . That was 11years ago and more. I carry AAA with RV coverage. If you plan a ride up burnsville way drop a line

[FLHX - 07]

Originally Posted by ROADKING-05

Of course you can ride with a HOG Chapter if you ride a metric but only as a guest of a HOG member.
Remember, H.O.G. = Harley Owners Group.

I've read a lot of posts on this subject of HOG vs non-HD bikes. There seems to be some confusion with regard to riding a non-HD in a HOG chapter, so I'll try to explain.

In order to become a National HOG member you must give them a legitimate HD VIN. They do check the VIN is valid with factory records, they don't however verify ownership. This is the only HOG requirement for memship. On to Local Chapters....

You of course must be a member of National to join a Local Chapter. The local chapter must verify your National membership. The local chapter must have you fill out a "General Membership Enrollment Form and Release Form". And that's pretty much it for the local chapter.

So what I am saying is, yes you have to hold a HOG card but, nowhere does it state you MUST ride an HD. Yes it's the Harley *Owners* Group, it's not however the Harley Riders Group.

In our chapter, one of the wives (associate member) rides a Yamaha scooter. Several of our members own antique Harleys but, they ride Boss Hoss's, and other assorted non-HD choppers and metrics.

If there are any Local Chapters out there that has a "Ride a Harley only" requirement, that would end quickly if any HOG member bitched to National.

Bottom Line: You have to Own a Harley to be a HOG member. You don't however have to ride one to/from or during any chapter ride or event.

[03flstfi]

Part of HOG's marketing strategy is to get others to buy the HD brand as well... so we bring them into the fold and let peer pressure/penis envy take over.

[kennyroadglide]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Bagger

I try to stay away from debatable topics as a rule.

But, I'm a HOG member and rarely ride on the rides due to safety. I don't really like riding with strangers unless I've had a few miles to feel them out.

HOG is a click all to it's own. I have, like most been riding for over 35 years and these folks that are in HOG have just discovered riding, I think someone called them weekend warriors. My problem is first safety, then they diss you like you are a newbie and you need to beg to be apart of their click. My buds and me are just fine not sewing on a patch that states how many miles we've ridden.

We just ride.

No flames please.

I have been to two local chapter meetings, a Meet and Eat, and on two rides. No one has ever been the first to say "Hello" "Want to join?" or "Kiss My Butt". I am not socially inept. I am experienced in public communication and I am not a new rider. I bought my first bike in 1957. My first Harley was a 1939 I got in 1972. I ride an 07 Road Glide daily so not a weekend warrior. It seems like at one of those events someone would would have indicated they were glad I was there. At the last meeting, they read a letter from another club about how friendly the Road Captains were and the membership applauded and cheered. Maybe if I wore a tuxedo instead of leathers someone would return eye contact. I'm going to give it one more shot and if I get the same non-feedback I'm going to say, "Screw it", keep my basic HOG membership and try the Kiwanis club.

[03flstfi]

In our chapter, the old timers are always first to welcome the new members.