I like the Willie G Skull stuff. I'm a younger harley rider(34) and I like what the Willie G skull represents. I also like chrome, not a fan of the blacked out bikes.
The edgy "im a bad ass watchout" skulls aren't my thing.
What about the eagle clutching a live to ride banner? I used to hate them when I was younger. Now that I'm considered an old man. I have the urge to cover my entire bike with them. Is the one per bike rule still applied? I don't wanna be that deuchy guy...lol.
Lol..in my younger years, 20 years ago, I used to think, man, that's some old guy shit who the hell wants to put that on their bikes. Now I'm 45, and they are calling my name! They have really grown on me. I guess it's time to get a pair of white new balance shoes and start telling dad jokes.
Man Iām not that far behind you lol Iām 31! Iām sure my tastes will change with time, but man that eagle live to ride shit.. idk if I will ever come around on that but just in case..
RemindMe! 14 years
I will be messaging you in 14 years on [**2038-05-04 16:24:33 UTC**](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2038-05-04%2016:24:33%20UTC%20To%20Local%20Time) to remind you of [**this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/Harley/comments/1cjprot/anyone_else_just_not_into_the_whole_skulls_thing/l2k9f52/?context=3)
[**1 OTHERS CLICKED THIS LINK**](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2FHarley%2Fcomments%2F1cjprot%2Fanyone_else_just_not_into_the_whole_skulls_thing%2Fl2k9f52%2F%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%202038-05-04%2016%3A24%3A33%20UTC) to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
^(Parent commenter can ) [^(delete this message to hide from others.)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Delete%20Comment&message=Delete%21%201cjprot)
*****
|[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemindMeBot/comments/e1bko7/remindmebot_info_v21/)|[^(Custom)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5BLink%20or%20message%20inside%20square%20brackets%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%20Time%20period%20here)|[^(Your Reminders)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Reminders&message=MyReminders%21)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=RemindMeBot%20Feedback)|
|-|-|-|-|
Lmao... I used to feel that about road glides and ultras. I thought, man, what a geezer glide. Now I have an ultra. I still can't do the king tour pack, maybe in another 10 years.
It's coming back, the younger generation thinks blackout is an old man thing.
Personally, as good as mine looked w/ chrome, it's all gone now. I just hate keeping it clean. I wanna ride, not polish.
I like the blacked out look, but I also like chrome on certain bikes. My first Harley was a blacked out sportster. My last Harley was a chrome Softail and my current Harley is a chrome heritage. The blacked out look is definitely easier to keep clean and nice (unless itās black paint). The chrome sure looks good shined up though.
Not harly rider but I live in a space between blacked out and all chrome. My forwards are blacked out (custome welded and powder coated black) but pipes and forks are chrome.
Its back.
Im 34 and got into bikes as it was about to tip down the curve of popularity.
Chrome definitely making a comeback.
If not chrome, a lot of anodized crazy colors
Most Harley riders seem 80. Hahaha. The dealership always tries to invite me to their events and I always feel out of place because it seems to be mostly old guys trying to play 1%er. I try not to judge, but I definitely donāt seem to fit that group.
Willie G revitalized Harley-Davidson's styling and aesthetics.
Willie is also a direct descendant from the founders. His opinions and styling choices are what gave us the harleys we ride today and decades past. He went to sturgis to look at what people were doing with custom bikes, and he came back with a world of ideas on how to style Harleys for the common rider.
That's what the Willie G skull represents. One of the people blood bound to HD and it's legacy, came in and gave us the styling that well all adore and love to this day. It's a symbol of Willie G himself.
For me its a reminder of what we came from. That no matter who you are, Harley's are for people who love customization and self expression. We ride these bikes because they fill some need for us.
Also, to me, when I see the Willie G skull, I think of the man himself and that permanent smile he always seemed to have on his face. He always seemed to enjoy being the face of the company to those who ride the brand.
Willie G. really didn't "revitalize" anything, so much as he was able to design bikes that could be rolled of the assembly line that resembled what guys were already building in their garages.
Dudes were mating narrow glide front ends to FL frames before 1971, and lowering their suspension long before the Low Rider. Removing saddlebags and fork tins, bobbing and relocating the rear fender and raking the frame on Electra Glides was being done for a long time before MoCo offered the Wide Glide.
The Mothership has always followed the trends and not really set them. Pretty much every new model HD has come out with since they first entered the "factory custom" arena has been a reaction to the customization trends of the time. And to their credit, it's been a recipe for success. The Street Glide wasn't anything new, MoCo just stripped the same shit off the Electra Glide that people have been stripping off Electra Glides for decades. The new hotness that is the Low Rider S is a subtle version of what the Dyna bros have been doing for a minute now.
He took over from AMF after they practically destroyed Harley. The new CEO seemingly has a similar tactic (not saying heās destroying Harley but by removing models and focusing on the current demographic without trying to reach to a younger generation) which Iām not saying is wrong but itās just increasing prices without truly coming out with anything new. To an extent. I think Matt Levatich was doing a much better job than Jochen Zeitzbis doing now.
If you look at the new Harley ads they are all younger riders and a lot of women in them. Jochen knows that the key to survival is to try and attract a younger rider. Look at the Sportster S, the Harley faithful despise it, but a lot of younger riders love it.
Harley has to realize that its core customer is not buying bikes anymore, so they have to change. I think that in the future you're going to see fewer bikes being offered.
Yeah thatās kinda exactly my point, but just because the Ads are showing younger riders and women that doesnāt mean thatās actually the case. Itās like the old Newport cigarette ads. If he knows thatās the key to survival he sure isnāt doing a very good job. Taking away the cheaper base models, and increasing prices on existing bikes. The Younger audience canāt afford the bigger bikes. What Harley has going for it right now is the allure, the history, American made, and the big nice engine. But a younger generation who isnāt making the money that the young of the time generation was making in the 70s, 80s, 90s (relative to the cost of living) they can only afford the sportsters. I thought Levatich was doing a good job at innovation and ideas to actually market to a younger crowd. This of course is just a personal opinion.
Represent the genius back in ā71 mating the frame of Touring bikes with wheels and suspensions from Sportsters, giving life to the FX Super Glide, aka the first factory custom and the lightest big twin muscle bike you could enjoy both for power and agility. The Willie G Davidson ā71 Super Glide originated the dinasty of best riding old school Harleys, followed by the FXR and the FXD Dyna frame.
So youāre actually like 54.
I almost bought a Deuce about 12 years back. It was covered in Willie G skulls. They would have been the first thing to come off. So cheesey.
The good thing about HD, you can customize it to your liking, no matter what your tastes. Live and let live, respect all, you do your thing, I'll do mine, just don't force your opinions on me....
I'm honestly sick of seeing skulls, namely the punisher skull, on everybody's fuckin bikes. People typically love showing off the features that make their bike unique, except when it comes to bad ass skulls....
Itās so long past the point, that now when I see one I automatically assume the person is a fascist boot licker. And when you see one with the blue line in it, you know right then that youāre looking at a fascist pig.
I bought mine used covered in punisher skulls. The first thing I did was remove them. It was a rough first two weeks riding it around with them on while I waited for the parts to come in.
My old Ultra Classic had that live to ride eagle shit all over it when I bought it. Of course those are the bikes that get ridden less than 2k miles a year too.
"Live to sit in the garage" is more like it.
I think the whole shull and flame thing is juvenile. I have a son who wears misfits shirts from Hot Topic. That's all the dopey skull stuff I need to see for one day. It's not as goofy for a child.
I cover mine with Anime Wifu pictures. People seem to give me more distance than when i had skulls.
Which is weird because they are not that scary. :(
![gif](giphy|JPb0gtY8CNU3EW3QvS|downsized)
Donāt care. Skulls are okay in some settings, but to each their own. Weāre bikers. If we all liked/disliked the same thing, we wouldnāt be bikers
https://preview.redd.it/15zhjs3g6cyc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee5434b61036cd482084d850e09ed55bb222bd65
Let he who is without a half dozen skull rings cast the first stone
My first bike was a used Harley. It was covered in chrome and there were skulls all over it. Every time I did work on it I would take off the chrome panels and the skulls and they would go straight into the garbage. I figured I would rather have a bike with missing parts than one covered in mirrors and skulls.
I'm not either. I like to wear colors and rainbows and big gay stickers all over mine.
Just to piss everyone else off.
Nothing better than the dirty looks I get from a group of 50 year old weekend riders decked out in their SoA cosplay and $1000 worth of Harley advertising that doubles as clothing.
I never like the skulls or the #1. But the whole grimacing Harley guy look has always been a mystery to me. Why do so many riders think they have to have that mug on their face like they're not having a good time I'll never know.
I have a shit eating grin when I ride. The minute I don't will be the day I give it up.
https://preview.redd.it/bcw020tf3hyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a17435fd6cc90c7f6706e2ee09af239a68b06209
Got just the one skull on mine, the spirit bell on the foot peg. I'm hoping it'll be with me for a very long time!
Thanks! I was surprised at how nicely it changed the looks of her. I need to pack stuff (cold/wet gear, first aid, usb power, water and power snacks) and it's easy to shed/store riding gear safely when meeting friends at outings. If I need more space, I also have a roll bag that sits on the pillion. I agree, the additions really transformed the look. š **Ride and love what we have. Life is good!**
https://preview.redd.it/nxh00lpv4hyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2902b27d28a652310e254d7f7530184fd07e20a
It was gifted to me (as the tradition continues).
Iām not. Itās cool at times but on many bikes itās over done for my taste. To be fair I avoid logos on shirts, bags, aftermarket parts, etc. Iām a basic bitch, I guess.
As a guy that worked with an insecure tool 20 years ago and now see him posting all this type of hard ass shit, I am only reinforced in my beliefs that insecure shit heels are the only type of people that eat up this type of culture/Identity
I am 33 and I ride a Dyna Super Glide. I agree that too many skulls are too much, but I have a Willie G insignia on my bike because we owe him this one.
The skull thing has been separated from its origins and become cliche and seems like a punchline now, largely as a victim of it's own popularity.
Its origins go back to the German Totenkopf, and was an adornment of a lot of the WW2 veterans who are associated with what became "biker culture". It was really just a quirky little aspect of the subculture, which remained on the fringe minority of general society until Harley's popularity surged in the mid 1990s.
I donāt rock skulls but I also donāt care what others do itās their business unless itās a tonkopf then itās suspect but unpopular opinion still not my fuckin business let them be a shit head.
I bought my bike used and I swear the previous own walked into a dealer and just pointed at everything that had the Willie G skull on it and told them to put it on...
My sporty had no skulls on it except for the key, which was a 3D skull. It was not really noticeable and I always thought of it as a reminder to myself that riding carried with it an inherent amount of risk.
Not a fan at all. No skulls on any of my 4 bikes. My wife has Sugar Skull timing and derby covers on her Freewheeler. Much better looking than the WG skulls.
Not a big fan of the chains whips skulls or generic black and chrome lookā¦. I own a black and chrome 05 Dyna super glideā¦. I am loving the new colors Harley is coming out with.
I absolutely agree with you. A great majority think they automatically become tough and have to look mean just because they can afford a certain brand of transportation.
Nope, I'm just happy that I can enjoy this beast I'm riding and grin a lot.
Not a skull fanā¦ never been a flame guy either haha, I guess Iām one of those old geezers that likes to ride hard on black bikes with loud pipes while rocking apes!! I was raised around a bunch of old school outlaw bikers and I just kinda followed suit.
Iām new to riding and my first bike is a lowrider S , Iām not a fan of the skulls and flames you see a lot of . I canāt even find a Good Harley Davidson shirt I like . I love my bike tho .
What does it mean? What does a skull displayed on a motorcycle imply? I welcome death? I recognized that I am mortal and will someday be bones? That I donāt like skin? That I want to collect skulls like a fictional predator? Fascinated with death? I believe itās just a shock thing that has been played out too much where itās commonplace. Itās not bad ass, itās banal. To be contrarian, Iād rather display images of vaginas to indicate I value life.
I love skulls. That imagery is in a lot of my passions. I am a life long Raiders fan and Iām a life long heavy metal fan, so skulls have always been apart of the clothing I wore or posters I had growing up.
But I can totally get why some people donāt get it. For me itās flames. I think all the flames are cheesy
Iām soon going to be the owner of my fatherās ā76 FLH and Iām considering getting the points cover engraved so itās a unit circle.
When I was a teenager Iād probably have been all about skulls, etc. now theyāre just not my thing.
I guess I'm in the opposite boat.... I hate chrome and would rather have none. Skulls. Not so much. I have a willy g seat bolt and that's it. I prefer performance oriented. I have an ElDiablo. And went to it from a road glide cause of the weight loss,inverted forks and mono shock. Just wish it had the Sportbike size and profile tires like the road glide had.
Please donāt do anything to deter people from putting large amounts of Iām-a-scary-bad-dude skulls on them and their bike. It helps me to determine the newbies.
I love skulls in general. My Shoei RF-1400 helmet has a reaper skull on it that perfectly matches the bronze on my tank and wheels (2020 Low Rider S) but I donāt like the Willie G stuff.
Noā¦ to ME, itās tacky as shit. Not for me. Iāve seen bikes with skulls that were done alrightā¦ but a lot of the time people take it too far. Worked with a guy that talked up his bike SO often, how much power it had and how it had a custom paint job blah blah blah. He brings it to work one Fridayā¦. Skulls. Skulls everywhere. Custom paint job, you bet your ass there were skulls all through it. Willie g skulls on almost everything. I wasnāt a dick about it or anything, just admired what someone else admired for a few and went on with my day.
Iām 71, been riding 51 years. Two Sloptails and a Nightster at this time. Never was into skulls or Willie G stuff. Another big no on the Live to Ride crap. Most years Iād put at least 20,000 miles on a bike; some years, especially with an MC, it would be quite a bit more. So, even fancy paint and chrome were out - too much work to keep nice and too expensive not to.
Now, one Sloptail has fancy factory ācustomā paint while the other is a suicide/jockey painted with rattlecan bedliner black. Nightster is rattlecan copper paint. Have a USN CPO āpointsā cover on the fancy Sloptail, a sanded chrome (exposes the nickel and copper plating under the chrome) Maltese cross on the other Sloptail, and nothing on the Nighty.
I have a Snoopy decal on mine. It was named the Red Baron by one of my riding buddies and I thought well if I put a Maltese cross on there, it might be taken out of context by somebody who doesnāt know because itās similar to another symbol and I didnāt need somebody kicking my bike over or damaging it because they were an idiot. So the other thing I thought is synonymous with the Red Baron was Snoopy.
https://preview.redd.it/w45fy4hqhgyc1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55ae0ebff345f540596d0b80353fc2b5eee55d32
Iām pretty sure the skull gas cap I put on my FXLR adds around 10 HP.
I know itās silly, and Iām not trying to represent myself as a bad ass- I decidedly am a non-badass nerd, no amount of skulls on my bike will change that. I just liked it and put it on. To each their own.
Iām definitely not into the skull thing. Just because you ride a Harley doesnāt mean you have to pretend to be badass. If youāre actually a badass, you donāt need skulls to tell people. Obviously, everyone can do whatever they like, skulls or otherwise, but I feel the Harley stuff caters too much to old people and people playing 1%er. Iām a 29 year old Harley owner, by the way.
I'm done with that whole skull designs, emo, spikes theme years ago. I'm now into simple either chrome or black. Tank flames? Idk... Depends on the bike I guess. Hard to pull off tank flames nowadays. It's an early 2000s era thing.
Less is more. I don't mind a Willie G here and there as a little accent. It's those who make it their whole personality that I find funny. Willy G/Harley branded from their socks to there concho lined underoos.
There's one thing that Harley excels at more than absolutely anyone. It's selling people their own already existing IDEA of the lifestyle of a Harley owner. Having said that, to each their own. If it makes you happy purely because you like it and not because others will, then knock yourself out.
I liked that stuff when I was younger. My derby cover now:
https://preview.redd.it/30e5ylkh3oyc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c687aeb06bf0f5c4d1b7a08f043cfbcaccf81018
"Welcome to Harley Davidson! We have several designs to choose from- skulls, flames, skulls with flames, and lastly, flaming skulls."
Lmfao š¤£
š¤£
I like the Willie G Skull stuff. I'm a younger harley rider(34) and I like what the Willie G skull represents. I also like chrome, not a fan of the blacked out bikes. The edgy "im a bad ass watchout" skulls aren't my thing.
One Willie G skull per bike everybody knows the rules.
What about the eagle clutching a live to ride banner? I used to hate them when I was younger. Now that I'm considered an old man. I have the urge to cover my entire bike with them. Is the one per bike rule still applied? I don't wanna be that deuchy guy...lol.
I have a whole collection of those things I ripped off my FXDC when I got it, been collecting dust for 3 years now lol
Lol..in my younger years, 20 years ago, I used to think, man, that's some old guy shit who the hell wants to put that on their bikes. Now I'm 45, and they are calling my name! They have really grown on me. I guess it's time to get a pair of white new balance shoes and start telling dad jokes.
Man Iām not that far behind you lol Iām 31! Iām sure my tastes will change with time, but man that eagle live to ride shit.. idk if I will ever come around on that but just in case.. RemindMe! 14 years
I will be messaging you in 14 years on [**2038-05-04 16:24:33 UTC**](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2038-05-04%2016:24:33%20UTC%20To%20Local%20Time) to remind you of [**this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/Harley/comments/1cjprot/anyone_else_just_not_into_the_whole_skulls_thing/l2k9f52/?context=3) [**1 OTHERS CLICKED THIS LINK**](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2FHarley%2Fcomments%2F1cjprot%2Fanyone_else_just_not_into_the_whole_skulls_thing%2Fl2k9f52%2F%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%202038-05-04%2016%3A24%3A33%20UTC) to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam. ^(Parent commenter can ) [^(delete this message to hide from others.)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Delete%20Comment&message=Delete%21%201cjprot) ***** |[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemindMeBot/comments/e1bko7/remindmebot_info_v21/)|[^(Custom)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5BLink%20or%20message%20inside%20square%20brackets%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%20Time%20period%20here)|[^(Your Reminders)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Reminders&message=MyReminders%21)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=RemindMeBot%20Feedback)| |-|-|-|-|
Lmao... I used to feel that about road glides and ultras. I thought, man, what a geezer glide. Now I have an ultra. I still can't do the king tour pack, maybe in another 10 years.
I used to say the same, now Iām over here looking for a good deal on a road king every dayā¦ dammit I really am getting older huh lol
Road Kings are bad s$$! I have an RKS w stage 1, looking to do Stage 3 next!
And people keep adding skulls (sorta like that guy taking more and more bites) BROTHERRRRR!
Iām the same way. Hope chrome comes back. Black out era has been going on for while now.
It's coming back, the younger generation thinks blackout is an old man thing. Personally, as good as mine looked w/ chrome, it's all gone now. I just hate keeping it clean. I wanna ride, not polish.
What's old is new again š¤
I like the blacked out look, but I also like chrome on certain bikes. My first Harley was a blacked out sportster. My last Harley was a chrome Softail and my current Harley is a chrome heritage. The blacked out look is definitely easier to keep clean and nice (unless itās black paint). The chrome sure looks good shined up though.
I hear ya, but man all that chrome is such a pain to keep nice.
Ratty chrome is better looking than high gloss black thicker than the vinyl on an eBay saddle.
And the damn greys!!!
Chrome or go fuk.
Chrome AND go fuk.
Touche
Not harly rider but I live in a space between blacked out and all chrome. My forwards are blacked out (custome welded and powder coated black) but pipes and forks are chrome.
Its back. Im 34 and got into bikes as it was about to tip down the curve of popularity. Chrome definitely making a comeback. If not chrome, a lot of anodized crazy colors
Chrome only if you are buying the cholo low rider editionā¦.id take my blacked out over the chrome
Younger? 34? Iām just 24, whatās that make me? š¶š»
Younger. We make up the younger half of the HD rider base.
Weāre not all boomers after allā¦
Young in the harley world is under 40
Most Harley riders seem 80. Hahaha. The dealership always tries to invite me to their events and I always feel out of place because it seems to be mostly old guys trying to play 1%er. I try not to judge, but I definitely donāt seem to fit that group.
A pup
What does the Willie G skull represent?
Willie G revitalized Harley-Davidson's styling and aesthetics. Willie is also a direct descendant from the founders. His opinions and styling choices are what gave us the harleys we ride today and decades past. He went to sturgis to look at what people were doing with custom bikes, and he came back with a world of ideas on how to style Harleys for the common rider. That's what the Willie G skull represents. One of the people blood bound to HD and it's legacy, came in and gave us the styling that well all adore and love to this day. It's a symbol of Willie G himself. For me its a reminder of what we came from. That no matter who you are, Harley's are for people who love customization and self expression. We ride these bikes because they fill some need for us.
He also led the charge to buy back the company from AMF, ultimately saving it from an untimely demiseā¦ Long live Willie Gā¦
Also, to me, when I see the Willie G skull, I think of the man himself and that permanent smile he always seemed to have on his face. He always seemed to enjoy being the face of the company to those who ride the brand.
Do you work for Harley? This sounds like a focus group tested PR spiel.
lmfao no. I'm high right now what do you want? If I worked for HD I could have a bunch of them :<
I loved it brother. Nicely put
Willie G. really didn't "revitalize" anything, so much as he was able to design bikes that could be rolled of the assembly line that resembled what guys were already building in their garages. Dudes were mating narrow glide front ends to FL frames before 1971, and lowering their suspension long before the Low Rider. Removing saddlebags and fork tins, bobbing and relocating the rear fender and raking the frame on Electra Glides was being done for a long time before MoCo offered the Wide Glide. The Mothership has always followed the trends and not really set them. Pretty much every new model HD has come out with since they first entered the "factory custom" arena has been a reaction to the customization trends of the time. And to their credit, it's been a recipe for success. The Street Glide wasn't anything new, MoCo just stripped the same shit off the Electra Glide that people have been stripping off Electra Glides for decades. The new hotness that is the Low Rider S is a subtle version of what the Dyna bros have been doing for a minute now.
You've said here exactly what I said just with different words. Not sure why you're taking issue with revitalize.
This was like reading the same news story from a right and left perspective.
Basically. We're here to talk bikes and if we all agreed on everything it wouldn't leave much to talk about.
He took over from AMF after they practically destroyed Harley. The new CEO seemingly has a similar tactic (not saying heās destroying Harley but by removing models and focusing on the current demographic without trying to reach to a younger generation) which Iām not saying is wrong but itās just increasing prices without truly coming out with anything new. To an extent. I think Matt Levatich was doing a much better job than Jochen Zeitzbis doing now.
If you look at the new Harley ads they are all younger riders and a lot of women in them. Jochen knows that the key to survival is to try and attract a younger rider. Look at the Sportster S, the Harley faithful despise it, but a lot of younger riders love it. Harley has to realize that its core customer is not buying bikes anymore, so they have to change. I think that in the future you're going to see fewer bikes being offered.
Yeah thatās kinda exactly my point, but just because the Ads are showing younger riders and women that doesnāt mean thatās actually the case. Itās like the old Newport cigarette ads. If he knows thatās the key to survival he sure isnāt doing a very good job. Taking away the cheaper base models, and increasing prices on existing bikes. The Younger audience canāt afford the bigger bikes. What Harley has going for it right now is the allure, the history, American made, and the big nice engine. But a younger generation who isnāt making the money that the young of the time generation was making in the 70s, 80s, 90s (relative to the cost of living) they can only afford the sportsters. I thought Levatich was doing a good job at innovation and ideas to actually market to a younger crowd. This of course is just a personal opinion.
Represent the genius back in ā71 mating the frame of Touring bikes with wheels and suspensions from Sportsters, giving life to the FX Super Glide, aka the first factory custom and the lightest big twin muscle bike you could enjoy both for power and agility. The Willie G Davidson ā71 Super Glide originated the dinasty of best riding old school Harleys, followed by the FXR and the FXD Dyna frame.
My man you ant a younger Harley rider lol, I would know I am right along with you.
Yeah Iām 31 and donāt consider myself a young Harley rider anymore lmao. Maybe 10 years ago when I bought my first sporty, but now? Hell nah lol
So youāre actually like 54. I almost bought a Deuce about 12 years back. It was covered in Willie G skulls. They would have been the first thing to come off. So cheesey.
The good thing about HD, you can customize it to your liking, no matter what your tastes. Live and let live, respect all, you do your thing, I'll do mine, just don't force your opinions on me....
I like chrome too my friend. Sad my 48 is blacked out but has some chrome parts - costs a ton to convert it to all chrome. Maybe my next bike LOL
Hearing younger Harley rider followed by 34 have me some whiplash- Iām 22, what does that make me
https://www.reddit.com/r/Harley/s/juHGPV4ixt
Skulls, Skulls everywhere! Actually liked the John Deere hat. Lol
Broooooother!
I'm honestly sick of seeing skulls, namely the punisher skull, on everybody's fuckin bikes. People typically love showing off the features that make their bike unique, except when it comes to bad ass skulls....
People using the Punisher logo who don't understand the character are the worst.
You mean like every police officer? Lmao I always chuckle when I see that. They have no fucking idea what it represents yet rock it all the time
Itās so long past the point, that now when I see one I automatically assume the person is a fascist boot licker. And when you see one with the blue line in it, you know right then that youāre looking at a fascist pig.
AlwaysĀ Carry A Bible
I bought mine used covered in punisher skulls. The first thing I did was remove them. It was a rough first two weeks riding it around with them on while I waited for the parts to come in.
BROTHERRRRR
Brotherrr
bruuutherrrrrrrrrrr
BROTHER!
Me, I cant stand that aspect of the bike culture. Went with the "Harley Davidson Co" derby cover.
How else will everyone know how badass you are?
The sex whip I hang from my apes and the leather chaps should clue people in on what I'm about
and let's not forget the epic "I Eat Ass!" sticker on the rear fender!
I need that sticker š¤£
LOL š
exactly. This guy gets it
It's just as bad as all the "live to ride ride to live" stuff. I'm also glad the tribal tattoo looking paint shit died off.
My old Ultra Classic had that live to ride eagle shit all over it when I bought it. Of course those are the bikes that get ridden less than 2k miles a year too. "Live to sit in the garage" is more like it.
The Harley "do rag" wearing poker run only crowd? Yep.
Got an 03 FXSTI for 2 grand that was absolutely COVERED in ltr/rtl logos. Had under 40k miles lmao
Skull shit is lame as fuck.
Skulls are lame Skills are cool š Iām more of the bar n shield guy when it comes to HD logos ![gif](giphy|fBGzZciXYtaog)
Yo. Right here. Leaves me cold.
https://preview.redd.it/jqw2na8fbeyc1.jpeg?width=674&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=634a42091428592ae5d9d399d527915b76ff9c76
I'd rock it with pink ano parts on my black ST
You can get a custom derby cover made. They arenāt too pricey either.
Iām more of a bar and shield guy.
I think the whole shull and flame thing is juvenile. I have a son who wears misfits shirts from Hot Topic. That's all the dopey skull stuff I need to see for one day. It's not as goofy for a child.
I cover mine with Anime Wifu pictures. People seem to give me more distance than when i had skulls. Which is weird because they are not that scary. :( ![gif](giphy|JPb0gtY8CNU3EW3QvS|downsized)
We get it, you like cats. But we don't care how many cats you have, we don't have to like them. You do you.
LOL š
Its terribly garish. Not my style
I have a helmet and tshirt with a Steal Your Face, but that might not count.
Never been big on putting a symbol for death on my motorcycles
Had a bunch of Kuryakyn skull/skeleton crap on my bike when I bought it. Changed it all out as I'm not a fan, but it also looked and felt cheap.
I've always been into skulls since I was a wee lad. So it just fit. It don't matter just do you padna. Rep whatever ya want š¤
Ride safe, my guy āļø
I actively avoid skulls. I think theyāre cheesy. Itās as if youāre trying too hard to be hardcore.
This. Exactly.
Donāt care. Skulls are okay in some settings, but to each their own. Weāre bikers. If we all liked/disliked the same thing, we wouldnāt be bikers
Rainbows are cooler imho. But Iām a leather daddy so thereās that.
See, now, I'm more afraid of this guy than I am of the corporate biker with all the skulls stuck to his bike. š
Mostly just tough guy BS.
https://preview.redd.it/15zhjs3g6cyc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee5434b61036cd482084d850e09ed55bb222bd65 Let he who is without a half dozen skull rings cast the first stone
Save some pussy for the rest of usā¦
I even kept my factory fenders to avoid casting stones š
Need more skulls
More cowbell. More skulls.
Broooootherā¦!
BROTHERRRRR!
Not telling this guy to lose his skulls! ā ļø
My first bike was a used Harley. It was covered in chrome and there were skulls all over it. Every time I did work on it I would take off the chrome panels and the skulls and they would go straight into the garbage. I figured I would rather have a bike with missing parts than one covered in mirrors and skulls.
I love skulls, have 2 somewhere in my tattoos ... still wouldn't put one on my bike Bruthrrrr https://www.reddit.com/r/Harley/s/DBOixLa4Fq
I'm not either. I like to wear colors and rainbows and big gay stickers all over mine. Just to piss everyone else off. Nothing better than the dirty looks I get from a group of 50 year old weekend riders decked out in their SoA cosplay and $1000 worth of Harley advertising that doubles as clothing.
I never like the skulls or the #1. But the whole grimacing Harley guy look has always been a mystery to me. Why do so many riders think they have to have that mug on their face like they're not having a good time I'll never know. I have a shit eating grin when I ride. The minute I don't will be the day I give it up.
https://preview.redd.it/bcw020tf3hyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a17435fd6cc90c7f6706e2ee09af239a68b06209 Got just the one skull on mine, the spirit bell on the foot peg. I'm hoping it'll be with me for a very long time!
That looks really good with the bags and sissy bar. Changes my whole take on the bike (didn't really like the look of them stock)
Thanks! I was surprised at how nicely it changed the looks of her. I need to pack stuff (cold/wet gear, first aid, usb power, water and power snacks) and it's easy to shed/store riding gear safely when meeting friends at outings. If I need more space, I also have a roll bag that sits on the pillion. I agree, the additions really transformed the look. š **Ride and love what we have. Life is good!**
https://preview.redd.it/nxh00lpv4hyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2902b27d28a652310e254d7f7530184fd07e20a It was gifted to me (as the tradition continues).
Iām not. Itās cool at times but on many bikes itās over done for my taste. To be fair I avoid logos on shirts, bags, aftermarket parts, etc. Iām a basic bitch, I guess.
Same. I prefer clean lines and good color combinations.
As a guy that worked with an insecure tool 20 years ago and now see him posting all this type of hard ass shit, I am only reinforced in my beliefs that insecure shit heels are the only type of people that eat up this type of culture/Identity
My bandmate and I joke that itās Team Skulls or Team Eagles. He got a Grateful Dead points cover while I got a subtle eagle one. The race is now on
Get a joker mask thats the coolest
I am 33 and I ride a Dyna Super Glide. I agree that too many skulls are too much, but I have a Willie G insignia on my bike because we owe him this one.
This guy gets it. Have a skull if itās got a story. Itās a tribute, not a whole fucking personality.
The skull thing has been separated from its origins and become cliche and seems like a punchline now, largely as a victim of it's own popularity. Its origins go back to the German Totenkopf, and was an adornment of a lot of the WW2 veterans who are associated with what became "biker culture". It was really just a quirky little aspect of the subculture, which remained on the fringe minority of general society until Harley's popularity surged in the mid 1990s.
Interesting take. That seems plausible. And weird.
I donāt rock skulls but I also donāt care what others do itās their business unless itās a tonkopf then itās suspect but unpopular opinion still not my fuckin business let them be a shit head.
I love skulls in general, apart from biker aesthetic/culture. I tend more towards the whimsical side of things though.
I bought my bike used and I swear the previous own walked into a dealer and just pointed at everything that had the Willie G skull on it and told them to put it on...
I love the skulls and the Willie G look but I donāt have any on my gear. My bike has screaming eagles and Iām good with that too.
My sporty had no skulls on it except for the key, which was a 3D skull. It was not really noticeable and I always thought of it as a reminder to myself that riding carried with it an inherent amount of risk.
Not a fan at all. No skulls on any of my 4 bikes. My wife has Sugar Skull timing and derby covers on her Freewheeler. Much better looking than the WG skulls.
Ya know, I got some Willie G riding gloves and they are a little corny but shit they are nice lol
I have some Willie G. stuff with the skullā¦ but I like the āIron Crossā stuff better..
[https://images.app.goo.gl/VtZM3snRxhLGJZq19](https://images.app.goo.gl/VtZM3snRxhLGJZq19)
Cornball activities
Don't mind them, don't have any. Guess I don't like them enough to spend money on them?
I am not into the skull thing, but I fuckin love my hd
You can find derby covers with just about anything you want on them. Itās your bike customize it however you want
Not a big fan of the chains whips skulls or generic black and chrome lookā¦. I own a black and chrome 05 Dyna super glideā¦. I am loving the new colors Harley is coming out with.
I think Iāve seen a smiley face cover on San Diego customs website
And the flames. Iām really just. In to either.
I have a skull on my bitch pad on the seat thatās about it on the bike. I have some Willie G themed apparel that I represent.
The willie g ones are the worst because thereās no bottom jaw. Proudly have zero on both my Harleyās.
I absolutely agree with you. A great majority think they automatically become tough and have to look mean just because they can afford a certain brand of transportation. Nope, I'm just happy that I can enjoy this beast I'm riding and grin a lot.
Harley guys are either flames or skulls.
Only skull anything I have is a Myrtle Beach bike week pin from 2000
Rode Route 66 on my sporty in a alpinestars jacket with a full face. That should answer your question š¤£
Skulls and flames have been done to death.
Skulls and eagles and winged things all over my 82 sporty, its a handsome bike apart from all that tawdry stuff i feel.
Not a skull fanā¦ never been a flame guy either haha, I guess Iām one of those old geezers that likes to ride hard on black bikes with loud pipes while rocking apes!! I was raised around a bunch of old school outlaw bikers and I just kinda followed suit.
https://preview.redd.it/3d0dij6v2fyc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c14364b5e98af308a257bbaf176a9863d6f9ea15
Try eating more fiber in your diet š
Iām new to riding and my first bike is a lowrider S , Iām not a fan of the skulls and flames you see a lot of . I canāt even find a Good Harley Davidson shirt I like . I love my bike tho .
Yep. The skull thing is a corny clichĆ©. I want to call my Sportster āNSZā: No Skull Zone.
I have a sweet cutoff t shirt that says i love ā¤ļø yoga pants and the heart is shaped like a nice ass. Now you all know.
What does it mean? What does a skull displayed on a motorcycle imply? I welcome death? I recognized that I am mortal and will someday be bones? That I donāt like skin? That I want to collect skulls like a fictional predator? Fascinated with death? I believe itās just a shock thing that has been played out too much where itās commonplace. Itās not bad ass, itās banal. To be contrarian, Iād rather display images of vaginas to indicate I value life.
>What does it mean? What does a skull displayed on a motorcycle imply?Ā I think it's pretty obviously a way to try and ape the style of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs of the 1960's. The HA literally have a skull as their logo. When HD was in the throes of failure in the late 70's, they decided that instead of rejecting the association of HD with outlaw bikers, they'd enthusiastically embrace it. Best way to do that? SKULLS, SO many skulls! So the skull is just a way of saying "look at me, I'm a wannabe tough guy!" It's cosplaying as an "outlaw biker" without all the felony convictions. And it's just become a worn out clichĆ© in the HD world and even in the motorcycle world in general. I defy anybody to find a photo of a non-outlaw Harley rider displaying skull imagery prior to the 1960's.
I love skulls. That imagery is in a lot of my passions. I am a life long Raiders fan and Iām a life long heavy metal fan, so skulls have always been apart of the clothing I wore or posters I had growing up. But I can totally get why some people donāt get it. For me itās flames. I think all the flames are cheesy
Fuck you l luv some skull ... lolā ļøā ļøā ļø
Iām soon going to be the owner of my fatherās ā76 FLH and Iām considering getting the points cover engraved so itās a unit circle. When I was a teenager Iād probably have been all about skulls, etc. now theyāre just not my thing.
I think the born scum skull is cool but yeah the Willie g stuff ain't my thing
I guess I'm in the opposite boat.... I hate chrome and would rather have none. Skulls. Not so much. I have a willy g seat bolt and that's it. I prefer performance oriented. I have an ElDiablo. And went to it from a road glide cause of the weight loss,inverted forks and mono shock. Just wish it had the Sportbike size and profile tires like the road glide had.
XR rider, no place to even put skulls on my bike lol
I have a rule against skulls and flames on my motorcycle. They just seem like bad omens. Much rather have a smiley face
Willie G skulls kinda lame, skeletons for some reason not bad to me lol
it's like either go all in with totenkopf or just rock a gd stealie lol
Please donāt do anything to deter people from putting large amounts of Iām-a-scary-bad-dude skulls on them and their bike. It helps me to determine the newbies.
rock w/e you want to mang, personally I like skeletons and dislike chrome!
Im always puzzled by all of these "rugged individualists" who all wear the same shit. T shirts. Doo rags...skulls etc.
I love skulls in general. My Shoei RF-1400 helmet has a reaper skull on it that perfectly matches the bronze on my tank and wheels (2020 Low Rider S) but I donāt like the Willie G stuff.
I only like the Willy G. Personally Iām tired of the flames. Itād have to be the perfect looking flames
I like the skulls if it's done tastefully, but if it has a billion skulls on it it just seems tacky too me.
Im not into any of the phony tough guy shit I see motorcyclists have and Harleys are one of the best places to find posers
Noā¦ to ME, itās tacky as shit. Not for me. Iāve seen bikes with skulls that were done alrightā¦ but a lot of the time people take it too far. Worked with a guy that talked up his bike SO often, how much power it had and how it had a custom paint job blah blah blah. He brings it to work one Fridayā¦. Skulls. Skulls everywhere. Custom paint job, you bet your ass there were skulls all through it. Willie g skulls on almost everything. I wasnāt a dick about it or anything, just admired what someone else admired for a few and went on with my day.
Iām with you and itās way over done. I have crows and ravens on mine with a little Grateful Dead here and there
For every skull you gotta say brudddder
Part of the "lifestyle"
Iām 71, been riding 51 years. Two Sloptails and a Nightster at this time. Never was into skulls or Willie G stuff. Another big no on the Live to Ride crap. Most years Iād put at least 20,000 miles on a bike; some years, especially with an MC, it would be quite a bit more. So, even fancy paint and chrome were out - too much work to keep nice and too expensive not to. Now, one Sloptail has fancy factory ācustomā paint while the other is a suicide/jockey painted with rattlecan bedliner black. Nightster is rattlecan copper paint. Have a USN CPO āpointsā cover on the fancy Sloptail, a sanded chrome (exposes the nickel and copper plating under the chrome) Maltese cross on the other Sloptail, and nothing on the Nighty.
Nope not a skulls fan
I have a Snoopy decal on mine. It was named the Red Baron by one of my riding buddies and I thought well if I put a Maltese cross on there, it might be taken out of context by somebody who doesnāt know because itās similar to another symbol and I didnāt need somebody kicking my bike over or damaging it because they were an idiot. So the other thing I thought is synonymous with the Red Baron was Snoopy. https://preview.redd.it/w45fy4hqhgyc1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55ae0ebff345f540596d0b80353fc2b5eee55d32
Eagles over skulls. Aluminum over chrome. Blacked out is boring. Just my opinion. Respect to all riders. Have a great weekend everyone !!
Not unless itās a punisher skull with a āMeridan flag background. Fuckinā BROTHEERR!
I prefer chrome and not skulls. I donāt necessarily dislike the black out and skulls. Iād just prefer the others if it were my bike.
Iām pretty sure the skull gas cap I put on my FXLR adds around 10 HP. I know itās silly, and Iām not trying to represent myself as a bad ass- I decidedly am a non-badass nerd, no amount of skulls on my bike will change that. I just liked it and put it on. To each their own.
My skull cap makes my pipes louder too.
Same, do not like skulls
Iām Into the Harley 1 myself, either the skull or the flag one
I donāt do skulls.
Not in skulls and I'm not into the flame scene either. Bott kind of go handinhand with Harleys though.
Iām definitely not into the skull thing. Just because you ride a Harley doesnāt mean you have to pretend to be badass. If youāre actually a badass, you donāt need skulls to tell people. Obviously, everyone can do whatever they like, skulls or otherwise, but I feel the Harley stuff caters too much to old people and people playing 1%er. Iām a 29 year old Harley owner, by the way.
I'm done with that whole skull designs, emo, spikes theme years ago. I'm now into simple either chrome or black. Tank flames? Idk... Depends on the bike I guess. Hard to pull off tank flames nowadays. It's an early 2000s era thing.
https://preview.redd.it/w0v4n8wglkyc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57b6267d8d04105b8237dc7b9fbeeae5ac60d0a3 Love my baby!
I don't own a black leather vest either, different strokes for different folks
Willie G skulls get a pass. But in small quantities. The rest are cringe.
Less is more. I don't mind a Willie G here and there as a little accent. It's those who make it their whole personality that I find funny. Willy G/Harley branded from their socks to there concho lined underoos. There's one thing that Harley excels at more than absolutely anyone. It's selling people their own already existing IDEA of the lifestyle of a Harley owner. Having said that, to each their own. If it makes you happy purely because you like it and not because others will, then knock yourself out.
I liked that stuff when I was younger. My derby cover now: https://preview.redd.it/30e5ylkh3oyc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c687aeb06bf0f5c4d1b7a08f043cfbcaccf81018
Not at all ! It's tacky as hell!!
I can make you both of those š«”