I know attendance was down about 20,000 people at Stugis.
I know that Indian seems to be making inroads and growing.
NOT sure if any of the bad things happening at/to H-D have anything to do with going woke because I think some of the handwriting was on the wall over the past few years. While Robbie Starbuck has a huge following and is credited with exposing Tractor Supply and John Deere, and causing them to reevaluate their 'woke' positions and policies, I'm not sure that his new exposure of H-D's woke-ness had anything to do with the drop of attendees at Sturgis, since attendees plan for months ahead of time to attend. And again, Indian's resurgence, has been years in the making so H-D being exposed as woke within the past week is not why Indian is making progress.
I know that the GOP is still planning a campaign event at the HD museum. I don't see them changing the venue.
From FOX
Harley-Davidson is facing a Bud Light-level backlash at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, the world's largest gathering of bikers, over concerns the company has gone woke.
www.foxnews.com
Harley-Davidson faces 'woke' accusations from Sturgis bikers: 'Breaks my heart'
Iconic American motorcycle's muscular image and value of its bikes face headwinds
August 7, 2024 4:00am EDT
Harley-Davidson is facing biker backlash over fears that the American motorcycle manufacturer born with the renegade image is now identifying as woke.
"@harleydavidson has been one of the most beloved brands in America but recently on CEO Jochen Zeitz’s watch, they’ve gone totally woke," filmmaker Robby Starbuck shared with his more than 528,000 followers on X in late July.
The bike brand's apparent decision to volunteer for the culture wars in America has been a high-octane topic at the 84th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota this week, according to both attendees and numerous social media postings.
"It’s branding suicide," Vinny Terranova, the owner of Pappy’s Vintage Cycles in Sturgis, South Dakota, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
"A lot of bikers are switching over to Indian," he said. "They killed Harley. It breaks my heart."
People walk along Main Street lined with American flags on Aug. 6, 2020, a day before the start of that year's Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
The situation has drawn comparisons to the Bud Light "unforced error" of 2023 in the wake of the beer brand's decision to partner with Dylan Mulvaney, a social media influencer and trans activist.
Joe Six Packs launched an organic nationwide boycott against America's then most-popular beer brand in response. Bud Light has not recovered.
‘Not a good look’
Harley riders have been concerned about the direction of the company since the German-born Zeitz took over as CEO at the height of the COVID pandemic in May 2020, say motorcycle enthusiasts.
"A Harley valued at $30,000 just a few years ago is now getting only $4,000."
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have faced a sharp decline in perceived value among bikers since his arrival, said Terranova, who ran a Harley-Davidson dealership in Colorado for over 40 years.
"A Harley valued at $30,000 just a few years ago is now getting only $4,000," said Terranova.
"People don’t even want to be associated with Harley anymore," he added, expressing his opinion. . . STORY CONTINUES
nypost.com
