105th Celebration – Day 1

I noticed tents, generators, porta-potties, and the usual detritus of a bike “event” in the parking lot of my local H-D dealership this morning. Sure enough, it is Day 1 of the 105th Celebration.

I’ll start out by noting that in many respects, Harley has learned a lot since the 100th Celebration. and not only in terms of hiring an actual American rock star to headline their party. Some things I noticed:

1) Juneau Avenue. Last time thousands of bikers showed up at Harley’s headquarters, which is located in a decidedly downmarket part of the city, and found nothing to do. No chance of getting a peak inside. This time they actually are conducting tours of an annexe building (“Harley-Davidson University”) where they train technicians. Supposedly quite interesting. Still no getting inside the actual headquarters building, but thats not much of a loss, since its really just six floors of cube farm.

2) Signage: Ride around town, and there are actually signs on the freeway pointing you to various Harley-orientated facilities and events.

3) Length: For the 100th, the celebration lasted a whole week. Too much for most vendors, too much for most residents, and too much for most visitors. Four or five days is plenty.

4) Web Info.: Much, much better information available on the web than before.

Harley to 105th Visitors: Rumble Not Roar

Concerned about too many loud bikes has prompted Harley-Davidson to work with local communities to encourage bikers to to “cruise politely” through neighborhood streets during the upcoming 105th Celebration.

According to a story in today’s Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel the company has printed up signs welcoming riders, but also “Thanks for the Rumble, Not the Roar” and “Throttle Down in Town.” These have been distributed in neighborhoods including Story Hill, near Miller Park. A billboard at Wisconsin Avenue and 45th Street says “Please Don’t Rattle the Cages.”

Actually, Harley has been concerned for some years about the level of noise created by some bikers.

In 2004, Harley-Davidson started urging dealers to stop selling modifications to mufflers to make their bikes noisier, using so-called straight pipes. In Wisconsin, they’re against the law. And in 2006, the company changed the bikes’ design to make popping on a loud muffler more difficult

Harley executives head for the doors

Rumor has it that the Executive floors at Harley’s Juneau Avenue headquarters will be eerily deserted over the next next few days.

Actually, many of the Motor Company’s top honchos have left town to assemble at the various (105 in all) starting points for the 105th “Ride Home” which officially starts today, August 17.

Having so much of the leadership participate in riding events such as the ride home is one of the things that separates Harley from many other companies. Its a chance to meet dealership personnel, consumers, and give the product extended real-world testing. Marketing and design guys can see the current trends as far as customizing. Engineers can hear gripes about rattles or leaks.

If you see a cavalcade of Harleys headed in the general direction of Milwaukee in the next few days – give ‘em a wave. Harley’s Executive Vice President – Latin America T-Shirt Sales may be part of the group.

In the meantime, all you Harley employees still at your cubes – keep working hard!