| The motorcycle is widely regarded as a symbol | | | | motorcycle, but by exploiting the appeal of |
| of the rebel, a representation of youth, and | | | | their older designs. Marketing the re-worked |
| an icon of Americana. The first recognized | | | | designs as distinctly American machines, the |
| motorcycle design was made by a pair of | | | | company rapidly regained its former customer |
| German engineers in 1885, in what was, | | | | base. They increased their hold further by |
| essentially, a bicycle with an engine. While | | | | appealing to collectors, such as comedian Jay |
| Japanese manufacturers like Suzuki dominate | | | | Leno, and making their machines easy to |
| the motorcycle market globally, in America, | | | | customize and re-tool. In fact, it is the |
| the Harley-Davidson company has firm control | | | | customization market that has really allowed |
| over the market.It was during the late | | | | Harley-Davidson to stay so long in the game |
| eighties and early nineties that Japanese | | | | despite stiff competition from the likes of |
| manufacturers such as Suzuki, Kawasaki, | | | | Kawasaki and Honda. There is a saying that |
| Honda, and Yamaha gained a foothold in the | | | | goes to state that the rarest type of Harley |
| worldwide motorcycle market that they have | | | | one can find is one that is completely stock; |
| never let go. They were designed and built | | | | that is, one that has not been modified in |
| with better performance, better handling, and | | | | any way. Indeed, many Harley enthusiasts |
| better quality. It is no secret that their | | | | believe that the main weakness of Japanese |
| promotional campaigns during the early years | | | | bikes is that they are not as easily |
| also targeted the negative reputation of the | | | | customizable as a Harley is.Regardless of |
| Harley-riding bikers and the public fear of | | | | whether or not one believes the reputation of |
| biker gangs. While such attacks ceased | | | | Harley biker gangs or enjoys being able to |
| quickly, the tarnish it left in the | | | | customize their personal motorcycle, these |
| reputation of the Harley has not been | | | | machines are here to stay. Production of both |
| removed. That alone is speculated to be the | | | | Japanese and American bikes have not slowed |
| cause of Japanese manufacturers holding such | | | | down and there are, statistically, more bike |
| a strong presence, even with the American | | | | owners than automobile owners. That statistic |
| buying public. Also, by reputation, the | | | | holds especially true outside the US, where a |
| Japanese machines were easier to maintain and | | | | bike is a more common means of private |
| the general public did not associate them | | | | transportation for the average citizen than a |
| with leather-clad degenerates, though the | | | | car is. This embracing of the motorcycle is |
| biker stereotype is drastically | | | | happening despite the higher accident rate |
| incorrect.However, competition has not driven | | | | for bikes than any other private land vehicle |
| the main American manufacturer, | | | | out there. It doesn't seem to matter what |
| Harley-Davidson, into the background. After | | | | country one goes to; the youth of every |
| taking time to formulate the proper strategy, | | | | culture seems to view these two-wheeled |
| the American manufacturer returned to take | | | | machines as symbols of teenage euphoria and |
| back its market share. The company did so not | | | | thus, the adrenaline rush associated with a |
| by attempting to match the more | | | | bike ride is, as they say, like nothing in |
| family-friendly reputation of a Japanese | | | | this world. |