I liked this story about Harley Davidson making bikes for women, because the changes they've made aren't stupid things like makeup mirrors or pink paint. They're mostly practical modifications that women riders actually need:
“Fifty percent of the population is female and there is pent-up demand,� said James L. Ziemer, Harley-Davidson’s chief executive. “We need to remove barriers.�So they are producing more motorcycles that are low to the ground — so women can plant their feet firmly at rest — with narrower seats and softer clutches, and adjusting handlebars and windshields to make bikes more comfortable for smaller riders.
Ok, so they're also selling rhinestone-studded merchandise and decorating with more plants. Gag. But thank god their marketing site for women isn't pink. And the changes to the actual product seem truly beneficial to real women -- unlike some prototype cars "for and by women," which feature crap such as changeable seat covers to match your outfit and computer-aided parking (because y'all know men don't need the help). In contrast, Harley-Davidson's more practical changes to their motorcycles, along with the stated mission to treat women as serious buyers when they enter the showroom, is a great tactic. Way to market to women without condescension.
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Well done Harley - that website has a nice 'online community' feel with all the history and highlighting of women riders. I noticed their new print ad campaign in Jane a couple of months ago and actually kinda liked it too. Their clothes are pretty badass and seem functional. Hopefully other companies will take note...
And if you think about it, this type of marketing makes a lot more sense -- women who are into motorcycles probably aren't likely to be into pink and would be driven away by making everything pink and fluffy! Too bad other companies can't get the same clue Harley got.
Ahhh...this post was refreshing to read. Kudos to Harley Davidson.
I think I might have noticed the same advertisement in a random magazine at the gym - but I recall the woman in the ad was putting lipstick on in the reflection of a motorcycle. I could be way off - that coulda been a lipstick ad. Eh...
Yay for Harley! My dad just bought one a couple of weeks ago...glad he gave his money to this company!!
Harley is very practical, and we can learn a lesson from this: Why does Harley not bother to condescend to women? What happens when you belittle a female biker? You get stabbed. Take note....if you do not accept second-class status, sometimes you leave stupid males no choice but to respect you. Women don't always need to ask for respect. Sometimes, demanding it is the only way.
I agree about other companies taking note of this, since Harley bikes aren't actually all that good!
Mind you, the idea that women have different proportioned frames to men has been around for a while: www.sarahulmerbrand.com
I do mini women's triathlons, these bikes are all over the place now. My training buddy & I have exactly the same model!
Adrienne, that is a Harley ad, the woman putting on lipstick.
All I can say is I'm glad HD is denying that they intend to introduce bikes with less power for their female market. That's contrary to the point. No one buys a Harley for LESS power.
I've been a motorcycle rider for about 20 years, and I don't pay much attention to marketing -- I physically try 'em on until I find one that fits. Being able to put my feet down is very important, and so is being able to pick the bike up! It's great that they are teaching people this -- hopefully the men are learning, too.
In defence of the seat covers: the article deliberately made a really practical idea sound stupid. The idea is that they can be removed for cleaning (they are attached by magnets), instead of having your car professionally detailed.
Now, if you're going to get cranky about the Volvo car, start with the idea that the hood is FUSED down. You cannot open it; only a professional mechanic can. I find it deeply insulting that someone assumes that not only would I not want to look under the hood of my car, but that I shouldn't. Last time I checked, any driver needs to look under the hood to check fluid levels. Who the hell wants to go to the mechanic to top off coolant? If the car overheats, who the hell wants to get a tow, no matter what, instead of figuring out why?
So, in short, yay for Harley for making a woman's vehicle - or rather, one for smaller-framed people.
I just read this article and I thought the same thing. Good on them.
Electronics manufacturers could really take a cue from Harley Davidson here. If I see any more pieces of technology marketed towards women that are essentially the same as the "manly" version except smaller, or pink, or "easier to use", I am going to vomit blood out my eye sockets.
fantastic! Harley are also one of the few companies that you can rent bikes from for the day. I tried to do so a few weeks ago, and found their smallest bike to be far too large and hard to manage for me (I'm about 5'2"). I'm glad they'll finally have some smaller alternatives