Ladies, The Right Bike is Out There For You.
And it might not be a Sportster®. So many women have trouble finding the right bike for them. They are uncomfortable and unimpressed. The truth is that motorcycles are as unique as the women that ride them. There are plenty of tools online and in our shop to ensure that we can help you find the bike that is right for you.
The key to finding the right motorcycle for you is to sit on everything. Pick the bike up off it’s kickstand. Start it. Push buttons. Ask questions. Ride everything if possible. Take a test ride of any and all models. The only real way you will know if a bike is truly for you, is to ride it.
Ask yourself a few questions. What are you going to be using the motorcycle for? Riding to work? Traveling across the country? Fun, little trips on the weekends? What is the riding position of the motorcycles you like? Are your feet stretched out? Are they tucked under your body? Are your arms stretched out? Where are they most comfortable? How heavy is too heavy? Where is the motorcycle’s center of gravity? Can you sit comfortably with your feet on the ground? These are all things that need to be taken into consideration, but they aren’t deal breakers.
One of the most amazing things about your motorcycle is all of the things you can change on it to make it truly your own. Fitting the motorcycle to your body and riding style are just as important as wearing the proper sized clothes. Too big and your clothes will fall off you. Too small and you won’t be able to breath. Even if the size of your clothes are slightly off in one direction or the other, you are uncomfortable wearing them. The same is true of a motorcycle. The key is to pick a motorcycle that fits your needs and wants. And then tweak it to fit you better. That might include lowering it a bit so that you can more comfortably touch the ground. That might mean installing a windshield or sissy bar to make longer trips more comfortable. That might mean adding bling or accessories to fit your personality better. That might mean adding performance parts to make you more comfotable riding in traffic.
So if you are looking to buy a new motorcycle, whether you know what you want or not, come by the shop and talk to one of our sales associates. We want to determine the best fitting motorcycle for you. Maybe it is a Sportster®. Maybe it’s not.
What concerns do you have about picking out the right motorcycle?
A Sportster® Is A Girl’s Bike
Most people suggest a Sportster® to an unexperienced individual because it is currently the smallest Harley-Davidson® bike still in production. But let’s throw out some facts about the alleged “girl’s bike”, the Harley-Davidson® Sportster®.
- The first Sportster® was introduced to the public in 1957 and within one year of its debut it because known as the first of the ”Superbikes”.
- It raced all through the 1970s helping to set land speed world records.
- The 883cc and 1200cc engines were used in the design and manufacture of the American sport bike, Buell motorcycles.
- The XR1200X currently has it’s own AMA road racing series.
So next time someone suggests that you get a Sportster® because it is a girl’s bike, don’t be offended. Just kindly inform them that you would be proud to ride a Sportster®. They have a classic style. They are agile and powerful. They are fantastic machines.
What else is impressive about the Sportster® motorcycle?
Battle of the Glides – Which one fits you?
We get the question a lot. Road Glide® Custom vs. Street Glide®. Which one is better? What are the differences? It’s about time you found out.
These models are identical from the fuel tank back. Same seat height (95in). Same Rake (26 deg). Same fuel capacity (6 gal). Same luggage capacity (2.26 cu ft). Same engine (Twin Cam 103™). Same fuel system (ESPFI). Same stock exhaust (Chrome, 2-1-2) and wheels (Black, Slotted 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum). Same price for a Vivid Black at MSRP ($19,499).
The difference is found in the fairing. The Street Glide® has a Bat-Wing Fairing. Originally designed by Chief Styling Officer Willie G. Davidson, the fairing on the Street Glide® is fork-mounted and has symbolized American-made touring motorcycles for over forty years. The Road Glide® Custom, on the other hand, has what is called a Shark-Nose Fairing. This fairing is frame-mounted, a relatively new style for the Harley-Davidson® lineup.
Fork-mounted vs. Frame-mounted. Bat-Wing vs. Shark Nose. What’s that mean when you are riding down the road? When you turn the handlebars of a Street Glide® the fairing turns with you. When you turn the handlebars of a Road Glide® Custom, the fairing stays straight.
As you are riding down the road on the Street Glide®, the force of the wind is being transferred from the fairing, to the handlebars, up your arms and into your bike. You, as the rider, are feeling (and in some cases fighting) the force of the wind you encouter on the ride. This can lead to hand, arm and back fatigue earlier in the ride. As you are riding down the road on the Road Glide® Custom, the force of the wind is being transferred from the fairing, to the forks, to the frame of your bike. As a rider, you are left sitting on the bike, in complete control, enjoying the ride for as long as the road continues.
Because of the difference in fairing designs, the Road Glide® Custom has dual headlights where the Street Glide® only has one. Because they are different models, they each have an array of paint options. Accessories for the two models, are typically interchangeable as long as they don’t conflict or compliment the different fairings. Some say that the Street Glide® is designed more for the jaunts around the city, whereas the Road Glide® Custom is better designed for the endless days of riding across country. We think where you ride and how you ride is not dictated by the bike, but by the rider. What this all comes down to is the feel of the ride. And the only real way to figure out your personal preference is to take these cold-blooded motorcycles out on the road for a spin.
So, when would you like to schedule your free test ride?
Your bike won’t be like everyone else’s bike. Not with H-D1 Factory Customization.
Are you just like everybody else? We didn’t think so. Why should your bike be just like everybody else’s? Customization is key to making your motorcycle fit not only your body type but also your style. What a lot of people don’t think about is all of the changes they want to make to a bike before they even buy it. But with Harley-Davidson’s new and innovative H-D1 factory customization process, you can customize your motorcycle before it even shows up at the dealership.
There are seven diferent option categories you can customize on this XL1200C Sportster Custom. Pick what wheels, handlebars, foot controls, seats, security, paint and graphics, and engine finish you are looking for. Further customize your bike by choosing from the thousands of additional parts and accessories that fit your new bike. There are 10 complete collections if you want to choose a particular theme and load your bike up with all of the good stuff.
Here’s how the ordering process works. Sign on to the online H-D1 Bike Builder and build your motorcycle, picking out the perfect accessories. Print out the description of your motorcycle and bring it in to one of our Sales Associates. We’ll use our expertise and offer constructive feedback we might have or make suggestions on some of your choices to make sure that you are ordering the exact motorcycle you want. We’ll send the order our and it will be shipped to our shop in as little as 4 weeks.
What accessories would you add?
Rainbows. Lolly Pops. Unicorns. Not with the Black Label.
Rainbows, lolly pops, fluffy kittens and unicorns. Just kidding. Did you puke in your mouth a little bit? Come to the dark side with the Black Label Collection from Harley-Davidson®. Tradional Harley® clothes usually have a lot of eagles, flames and fringe. Denim and black leather is common. But what do you wear when you have an edgier style? You’ve got nothing against vintage or nostalgic, but you dig the more modern trends. Black Label Collection is for you. 
All of the clothing, for men and women, in the Black Label Collection still has that iconic Harley® feel but also has a touch of more modern aesthetic. New features to this collection include new looks, new styles, a new men’s slim fit and an all new women’s offering of clothes. Shop the whole Black Label Collection online now.
Do you already have a Dark Custom Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, like a Blackline or a Forty-Eight? Match up the latest fashion trends with the model in your garage.
The Only Surprise in the Finance Office Should Be How Easy It Is
Have you ever tried buying a car or a house and as soon as you get to the paperwork, all excited to buy, you get slapped with a thousand decisions you haven’t thought about before? We can’t give you a full run-down of payments, money down and interest rates because they are completely different from one customer to another and from one bike deal to another. But what we can give you is a brief run-down of what goes on when you get into the finance office so the only surprise is how easy it is.
- Submit Credit App – The first things one of our financial consultants will do is submit a credit application to our banks. You can fill out this credit application online and get pre-approved or you can come by the shop and fill one out. We typically find the best finance offers through Eaglemark Savings Bank which is a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson® Financial Services, but we do have other lending sources available. Eaglemark Savings Bank offers competitive rates and payment plans that are designed specifically for owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. They allow you to finance other options such as Harley-Davidson Genuine Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® apparel and Protection Plans into your motorcycle loan. They also have convenient online account access and DirectPay Bill Payment Services so making your monthly payments is as easy as possible.
- Down Payments – More often than not the bank will require a 10% down payment. You can also consider trading something in to cover your 10% down payment if have a motorcycle, car, boat or other item of value to trade in or to sell.
- Insurance – If you currently have motorcycle insurance you will typically have automatic binding (details depend on the policy). You have to check with your particular carrier to confirm your terms of coverage. Harley-Davidson® works with Progressive to get our customers exclusive rates to insure their motorcycles. Even if you currently have motorcycle insurance, it really can’t hurt to shop rates to try to save a few bucks.
- Extended Service Plan – As a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owner you have the benefit of several programs offered exclusively to you. The first of which is the only H-D® factory approved Extended Service Plan. This plan protects you from costly repairs for years down the road and includes in some instances a rental, towing….. Should you ever decide to sell or trade your motorcycle, you can transfer any remaining coverage to the next owner increasing your resale value or cancel the policy and receive a refund for the unused portion. Check out the full range of protection by clicking here.
- Optional Tire and Wheel Coverage – This is an additional coverage you can purchase that replaces tires and wheels if damaged while you are riding down the road. See the full details here.
- GAP Protection Plan – Ever thought about what happens if your motorcycle was stolen? Chances are you would have to pay the “gap” between the balance of your loan and what your insurance company will cover. This protection plan covers your insurance deductible and that “gap” up to $25,000. This plan also gives you $,1000 towards your replacement Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Check out the full details by clicking here.
- Pre-Paid Maintenance – This plan takes care of all of your future scheduled maintenances down the road. If you ride, whether it’s a few miles to and from work, only on the weekend, or on long trips across the country, this plan pays for itself. It’s even good nationwide at any Harley-Davidson® dealership anywhere in the U.S. Check out the full details by clicking here.
- Harley-Davidson® VISA –Earn rewards points on all of the purchases you make anywhere and earn double or triple points when you use your card at Harley-Davidson® dealerships, grocery stores, restaurants, bars and hotels. They even have monthly drawings for brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Apply on-line today or come in and fill out an application.
- Gateway Harley-Davidson Rewards - Separate from the Harley-Davidson® VISA card, our program rewards customers for their loyalty to our dealership. For every dollar you spend, you earn 1 point, excluding purchases such as motorcycles and items covered by warranties or insurance. As you rack up the points, you can cash them in for gift certificates in the store. Check out the full details for the program by clicking here.
What questions do you have about what is talked about in the finance office?
Steps to Buying a New (or Pre-Owned) Motorcycle
- Assessment – Have you thought about what you want? Really, what would make you the happiest? We encourage all of our customers to come in and have a little chat with our sales associates. We’ll ask you a series of questions. What kind of riding do you want to do? What kind of functionality do you want the motorcycle to have? Are you planning on riding with a passenger? Are you planning to take long trips? How long is “long”? What kind of styling features do you prefer? Chrome or black? Skulls or eagles? Two-tone or single color paint? Mid-controls or forward-controls? Windshield? Saddlebags? Do you want it to be low to the ground? These are all questions that we take into consideration when we think about what motorcycle would fit you best. Our main priority is to get you on a motorcycle that fits your riding style, your body type, your personal flair and your budget. So let us help you find the perfect one.
- Online Research – Have you checked out all of the resources online? We have hundreds of video walk-arounds of our pre-owned inventory. There are countless tools online to see what a bike looks like with different customizations added on to it. Do you know what kinds of accessories are available from the factory? Is it possible to order directly from the factory? Check out the H-D® Inspiration Gallery, or the Guide to Customizing for ideas. Maybe for you the internet just doesn’t cut it. Or maybe you’d like some help. Make an appointment with our Chrome Consultant to figure out exactly what you like. Our parts department has catalogs upon catalogs of options and our associates get feedback from customers who have purchased similar accessories. They’ll be able to tell you what works for others.
- Test Ride – You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive. How can we expect you to buy a motorcycle without letting you sit on our bikes and test riding them? Test rides are available at Gateway Harley pretty much any day and any time. For FREE. Test ride as many as it takes to find that perfect fit.
- Make an Appointment – You’ve probably already talked to one of our sales associates but at this point, set an appointment. Buying a motorcycle is a big decision and things should not be done lightly. By making an official appointment you can be assured that your motorcycle associate won’t be bothered by other tasks or customers. This is YOUR time to get through the process. This also allows us to have everything ready by the time you come in, which expedites the sales deal and finance process.
- Trade-In – We take pretty much anything in on trade. Of course there are always deals working that involve a few cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles but it doesn’t stop with items with VIN numbers. Some of the stranger things have included tool boxes, paintings, jewelry, guitars, firearms, swords, remote controls cars, bobcars, lawn mowers, saw mills, houses, land and even a wedding dress. Some of the stranger things require a little extra time on our end to process because we have to find out specifically how much your valuables are worth to other people. No matter what you are trading in, send your sales associate pictures and descriptions on what you have. If possible (obviously a house is a little hard), bring the item in and show it to us. If it is a vehicle, let us know what accessories come with it, how the vehicle has been kept and where the maintenance has been performed. These are all things that will allow us to get the best deal possible for your trade.
Do you have any advice for people who are new to the buying experience?
Quickest Way to Earn $25 and Ride a Motorcycle
We know that our customers spend a decent dollar or two keeping up their motorcycle, so we’ve compiled a list of money-saving and money-earning tips.
- Tell everyone you know (friends, family members, neighbors, etc) to buy a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle from Gateway Harley-Davidson. When they tell us that you refferred them, you’ll be the proud owner of a $200 gift card you can use to buy parts, accessories, gear and service. Refer as many people as you like. No limit. Know someone that wants to ride? Just enter their information on our website.
- Apply for a Harley-Davidson® VISA® credit card and take advantage of earning Harley® Chrome Cash on your purchases. Earn points, not just at Harley-Davidson® parts, accessories, gear and service, but also on purchases you make from the gas pump to the grocery store. Apply in-store before August 31, 2011 and receive a $25 credit on your account. See the Harley-Davidson® VISA® website for full details.
- Use your Gateway Rider Rewards account when you make purchases at our store. Every dollar you spend on almost anything other than motorcycles and tax earns you 1 point in our program. Wait for your points to accumulate and cash them in for Gateway Rewards Certificates, good like cash in the store. Not a member? Not a problem. It’s free. Sign up now. Already a member? Track your point balances.
- Be a fan of Gateway Harley-Davidson on Facebook. You wouldn’t believe the offers we’re making exclusively to our Facebook fans. Be the first to post the correct answer to weekly trivia contests, participate in our online events, and get others to “like” our page. You’ll be the first to hear about all of the great stuff we have going on, inlcuding new products, services, demos, events and promotions. Not a fan of Facebook? Check out Twitter.
- Have you taken a Rider’s Edge® New Rider Course at Gateway Harley-Davidson? Did you know that by referring your friends and family members to take the class too, you could earn a $25 gift card? Make sure they mention your name and have them sign up today!
- You own a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle right? Chances are pretty good you could benefit from being a member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). That little membership fee of $45 a year gets you access to all kinds of discounts that are especially helpful if you are someone that knows the definition of travel. Discounts to HOG members are offered at AT&T Wirelese, Best Western, and H-D® Insurance to name a few. You can also take advantage of their Roadside Assistance program, Mileage Rewards and entrance to exclusive concerts, events and giveaways. Sign up today!
- Buy a new 2011 Harley-Davidson® Touring model and we will give you a $3,000 gift card towards all the gear, parts and accessories to fit your bike to your riding needs. It’s a limited time offer that can’t be combined with any other offer. Why? Because it’s just that awesome.
How many referral bonus gift cards have you gotten? How many of your friends have told you, “I’ve been thinkin’ about getting a bike…”?
5 Tips for Hitting the Road on a Long Trip
As the Summer revs up here in St. Louis, we’ve noticed the annual rush of bikes looking to get pre-trip maintenance. School’s out for the summer. Summer vacation time has been approved. The bikes are hitting the road.
Here are 5 tips to your next great two-wheeled adventure, whether it’s across the country or across town.
5. Check your bike. If you’ve ever gotten a flat tire or needed a light bulb going down the road, you understand how important it is to keep your bike running right. A flat tire in a car will set you back a little bit of time and money but your trip probably won’t be ruined. No guarantees when you are on the bike. It’s important to get it checked out before any really long trips. Don’t forget to pack your maintenance manual and your HOG membership card in case you break down.
4. Check yourself. Are you ready to ride? How many miles have you put on your bike? How long has it been since your last long ride? Need to take a class and brush up on a few skills?
3. Check your stuff. You always forget something right? Rain gear? Toothbrush? Cell phone charger? Print out a “What to Pack Checklist“. Double check you got everything on the way. Pack less than your bike can handle and then you have room for anything you buy or forget. Going for a long trip? Pack a couple day’s worth of clothes, buy more when you run out and ship your dirty laundry home.
2. Check your route. Got any idea where you are going? Ever ask for advice from a friend? Ever get advice on where to stay, what to eat or what to do? Now you can get the same advice about where to ride from people all over the country. Go check out the Harley-Davidson Ride Planner before you leave on your trip. Just like you know where some sweet back roads are in your neck of the woods, riders from all over are sharing the sweet back roads in their areas. It’s a great way to leave all of the high-traffic tourist areas and maximize your ride.
1. Check your friends. Are they as ready as you are? Do you know what the laws are for motorcyclists wherever you are going? Do they know how to prep themselves, their stuff and their bike for the long haul?
Do you have any tips for the motorcycle traveler?
