Harley Owners Group: Difference between revisions
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{{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}} |
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}} |
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{{Importance|date=January 2007}} |
{{Importance|date=January 2007}} |
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The '''Harley Owners Group''' is a club for [[Harley-Davidson]] [[motorcycle]] owners. It is frequently known by its initials, '''HOG.''' |
The '''Harley Owners Group''' is a club for [[Harley-Davidson]] [[motorcycle]] owners. It is frequently known by its initials, '''HOG.''' This is apropos considering that many Harley® riders are considerably overweight. |
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Harley-Davidson® established the Harley Owners Group® in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley® riders for an organized way to share their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the country, with a total membership of 60,000. |
Harley-Davidson® established the Harley Owners Group® in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley® riders for an organized way to share their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the country, with a total membership of 60,000. |
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Rapid growth continued into the 1990s, and in 1991 H.O.G.® officially went international, with the first official European H.O.G. Rally in Cheltenham, England. Worldwide membership numbered 151,600, with 685 local chapters. |
Rapid growth continued into the 1990s, and in 1991 H.O.G.® officially went international, with the first official European H.O.G. Rally in Cheltenham, England. Worldwide membership numbered 151,600, with 685 local chapters. As the '90s continued, H.O.G. hysteria spread into Asia, including new chapters in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By 1999, worldwide membership had hit the half-million mark, and the number of local chapters totaled 1,157. Today, more than a million members make H.O.G. the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world. |
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In the last five years due to worldwide anti-Americanism, exports of Harleys® has declined from the peak export year of 2002. |
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Harley-Davidson® owners have a unique demographic profile: most of them are older (over 45) white males suffering from feelings of inadequacy due to advancing age, overweight, and physical limitations. In their attempts to compensate, they try desperately to look "tough." The quasi-Nazi helmets, the shaved heads, and facial hair are examples of this. In addition, they modify their motorcycles to emit as much noise as possible. |
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As the '90s continued, H.O.G. hysteria spread into Asia, including new chapters in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By 1999, worldwide membership had hit the half-million mark, and the number of local chapters totaled 1,157. Today, more than a million members make H.O.G. the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world. |
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A study was made of Harley® owners in the United States in 2005 by Zogby International. Findings were that owners tended to be male Republicans, most had voted for George W. Bush, and most supported the Iraq war. Additionally, Harley® owners were strong advocates of gun ownership, rarely attended church services, and were vehemently anti-gay. Typically, riders were from 15 to 75 pounds overweight. As one would expect, few riders reported being involved with a regular exercise program. Nearly all Harley® riders reported that they ate large amounts of meat, regularly drank large amounts of domestic beer, and watched television as their primary recreational activity. As part of the study, an IQ test was administed to owners of various brands of motorcycles. Not surprisingly, Harley® owners scored poorly- European motorcycle owners scored highest, followed by owners of Japanese motorcyles, with owners of U.S. made motorcycles scoring at the bottom. In spite of these indictments of Harley® owners, they proclaim themselves to be smart, strong, healthy and fit. Harley® ownership and the renegade lifestyle it presents help them to compensate psychologically for real-life shortcomings. |
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For more information, see the HOG topic in the [[Harley-Davidson#Harley Owners Group|Harley-Davidson article]]. |
For more information, see the HOG topic in the [[Harley-Davidson#Harley Owners Group|Harley-Davidson article]]. |
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Revision as of 05:30, 17 June 2007
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The Harley Owners Group is a club for Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners. It is frequently known by its initials, HOG. This is apropos considering that many Harley® riders are considerably overweight.
Harley-Davidson® established the Harley Owners Group® in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley® riders for an organized way to share their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the country, with a total membership of 60,000.
Rapid growth continued into the 1990s, and in 1991 H.O.G.® officially went international, with the first official European H.O.G. Rally in Cheltenham, England. Worldwide membership numbered 151,600, with 685 local chapters. As the '90s continued, H.O.G. hysteria spread into Asia, including new chapters in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By 1999, worldwide membership had hit the half-million mark, and the number of local chapters totaled 1,157. Today, more than a million members make H.O.G. the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world. In the last five years due to worldwide anti-Americanism, exports of Harleys® has declined from the peak export year of 2002.
Harley-Davidson® owners have a unique demographic profile: most of them are older (over 45) white males suffering from feelings of inadequacy due to advancing age, overweight, and physical limitations. In their attempts to compensate, they try desperately to look "tough." The quasi-Nazi helmets, the shaved heads, and facial hair are examples of this. In addition, they modify their motorcycles to emit as much noise as possible.
A study was made of Harley® owners in the United States in 2005 by Zogby International. Findings were that owners tended to be male Republicans, most had voted for George W. Bush, and most supported the Iraq war. Additionally, Harley® owners were strong advocates of gun ownership, rarely attended church services, and were vehemently anti-gay. Typically, riders were from 15 to 75 pounds overweight. As one would expect, few riders reported being involved with a regular exercise program. Nearly all Harley® riders reported that they ate large amounts of meat, regularly drank large amounts of domestic beer, and watched television as their primary recreational activity. As part of the study, an IQ test was administed to owners of various brands of motorcycles. Not surprisingly, Harley® owners scored poorly- European motorcycle owners scored highest, followed by owners of Japanese motorcyles, with owners of U.S. made motorcycles scoring at the bottom. In spite of these indictments of Harley® owners, they proclaim themselves to be smart, strong, healthy and fit. Harley® ownership and the renegade lifestyle it presents help them to compensate psychologically for real-life shortcomings.
For more information, see the HOG topic in the Harley-Davidson article.
External links
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