[Junko]

Who ever thought they would see an NPR link on a Harley forum Ok that's condescending, maybe

http://www.npr.org/2014/06/28/326434594/harley-hopes-an-electric-hog-will-appeal-to-young-urban-riders

There are some interesting quotes from project lead Ben Lund.

 

[Yusef]

I mean people who like electric bikes probably would like NPR. I certainly do.

 

[Hawkman]

Its funny because I bet traditional Harley customers are the type of people who hate NPR.

 

[Junko]

yes but they hate NPR for the wrong reasons. They don't like the people who listen to NPR, what they should be upset about is the quality of content, or lack there of. Its about as strong a varnish of intelligence as osmosis

Oh and if you want the livewire to succeed we need to get away from statements like Yusef just made

I mean people who like electric bikes probably would like NPR. I certainly do.

that is so damaging to the viability of e-bikes moving forward. See when you say something lie that it creates a "benchmark" for being into e-bikes. I like e-bikes because I like X, people who like Y are into e-bikes, people who behave in Z way are into e-bikes. It creates a limiting archetype. Now a 50 year old grease monkey cannot like the livewire because whats been painted as a Livewire "liker" does not mesh with who he is. How can he like the livewire if he's not into X or Y or Z...

Its the same thing that has happened with the big harleys, the culture has become exclusive, not exclusive like ultra limited availability, but actually excluding based on belief. You can't ride a Harley unless your image is tied to skuls leather and chrome, which turns alot of potential riders off because they don't jive with the crowd.

This is what harley is trying to get away from with the livewire, lets not bring it back on the other side now...

 

[Yusef]

yes but they hate NPR for the wrong reasons. They don't like the people who listen to NPR, what they should be upset about is the quality of content, or lack there of. Its about as strong a varnish of intelligence as osmosis

Oh and if you want the livewire to succeed we need to get away from statements like Yusef just made



that is so damaging to the viability of e-bikes moving forward. See when you say something lie that it creates a "benchmark" for being into e-bikes. I like e-bikes because I like X, people who like Y are into e-bikes, people who behave in Z way are into e-bikes. It creates a limiting archetype. Now a 50 year old grease monkey cannot like the livewire because whats been painted as a Livewire "liker" does not mesh with who he is. How can he like the livewire if he's not into X or Y or Z...

Its the same thing that has happened with the big harleys, the culture has become exclusive, not exclusive like ultra limited availability, but actually excluding based on belief. You can't ride a Harley unless your image is tied to skuls leather and chrome, which turns alot of potential riders off because they don't jive with the crowd.

This is what harley is trying to get away from with the livewire, lets not bring it back on the other side now...

I think you are exaggerating the impact of saying that electric motorcycle people are more likely to like NPR. I just don't think that people are really going to be deterred from buying a bike because there is some loose notion that electric bikes are connected to NPR, or the environment, etc...

I like Radiolab that is sponsored by NPR. You guys should check it out.

 

[Junko]

I think you are exaggerating the impact of saying that electric motorcycle people are more likely to like NPR. I just don't think that people are really going to be deterred from buying a bike because there is some loose notion that electric bikes are connected to NPR, or the environment, etc...

I like Radiolab that is sponsored by NPR. You guys should check it out.

Then you obviously don't know harley people. We're not discussing a mere image, this is dyed in the wool LIFESTYLE. when you assault the life style with a diametrical proposition you just deepen the chasm and force the traditionalists to double up and hunker down harder than ever in their History.

You don't want the conventionals to feel that their lifestyle is threatened otherwise the risks are two fold. Traditionalists feel like the brand is cratering and will abandon en mass or the new "progrssive" type buyers will feel unwelcomed by the brand and move their money elsewhere making this entitre project a waste of time.

I like 2 wheels, from pushys, to e-bikes, to scoots to supersports, can't stand NPR. Never underestimate the power of consumer perception, "true" or not...

 

[L!VE]

That is true, while they do have to build what's needed to keep them alive and well in the industry that may not always stay true to their roots, they still have to keep the lifestyle in the brand to a point that it doesn't feel as if what the brand originally stood for is being threatened.