Shilling for Harley

[DaleFranks]

Yesterday, right out of the blue, I got an email from some Harley Davidson PR person, wanting me to talk about the new XR1200 on my motorcycle blog.

OK, first, how does anyone at Harley know about me?  Second, since I was finishing off my Master's degree, I haven't had much of a chance to do anything at the blog, so it was moribund for a while, so why even contact me, and my unread, un-updated, old blog?  I don't own a harley any more, I dumped it for an FJR, so how am I the guy they think is interested in pushing a new Sportster model?

I guess the Harley marketing people have every motorcycle blog staked out, and are just shotgunning everyone for a big push for the XR1200.

Anybody else here get a contact like that?

I guess it shows the Harley people do keep their hands on the pulse of the industry, right down to the grass-roots level.

I guess it works, too, because I was interested enough to accomodate them.

And, it kick-started me back into blogging again, since I now have graduated, and got some time back.

[Rincewind]

Where's the shilling?  Sounds like they got free advertising out of you.

[scottzilla]

I think they will sell the allotted 750 units regardless of their marketing effort.

I find the XR thing strange.  People have been screaming for a flat track replica sportster for years. It's a cool looking, cool performing motorcycle-why have reservations about selling it here in the U.S.?
Harley usually has excellent marketing skills, yet seems to be "Confused" regarding this bike.

[1moreroad]

Ask them for an extended test ride.  Take it out for a few hundred miles and report back to your blog fans.

That would be a win-win.

BTW -- Bike magazine did not particularly like it.  The Moto Guzzi was much better.

[DaleFranks]

Where's the shilling?

Well...me, I guess.

BTW -- Bike magazine did not particularly like it.  The Moto Guzzi was much better

I am not shocked to learn this.

Ask them for an extended test ride.  Take it out for a few hundred miles and report back to your blog fans.

I'm way ahead of you, my friend.

[Brad1445]

Harley Marketing is the best.  This shows they are staying up on the newest methods.

[FZ1 Matt]

The mother ship is lurking about here and everywhere. Believe it!  Do you hear that? It's the sound of freedom.

It sounds like potato potato potato.

Go to your HD dealer and purchase your freedom asap!

[Prubert]

The mother ship is lurking about here and everywhere. Believe it!

...prove it.  

[ride+dive]

So how much did they pay you for advertising for them.

You all know the words "Show me the $"

[Geoff]

I once participated in a Harley focus group that was conducted by an independent marketing research firm. It was interesting and I got paid.

[gtmg]

The problem is this is the same bike in alot of ways that people see in Europe and want in the US from the Jap manufacturers. You see boards calling for them, talking about how good they look, bemoaning the fact they are not here in the US and what happens when they get here.....everybody talks about how pretty they are, I remember riding something like that and then goes and buys cruisers or true sport bikes.

[surfsup]

And, it kick-started me back into blogging again, since I now have graduated, and got some time back.

really enjoyed your "list of losers" -  

[Snowbird]

on my motorcycle blog.

OK, first, how does anyone at Harley know about me?

You answered your own question.

Just pointing it out...