Harley Owner's Group®

June 29, 2010

Spotlight – Ricky Robertson

Posted in Spotlight by Ricky Robertson

I could tell you that I’m a HOG member because of the roadside assistance and reimbursement program, the ride planner software that’s available on members.hog.com, HOG magazine, or even being able to call member services for the occasional question that I may have.  If I told you this, I would be telling you the earnest truth.

However, when I really think about why I’m a Life member of HOG, it has everything to do with people.  Because I’m a HOG Member I’ve had the privilege of meeting friends from all over the world who enjoy the same motorcycle that I do.  The member benefits are great, but it’s the other members whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet that make my membership experience more relevant.

My 14 years of membership tell me that I can go into any dealership that sponsors a HOG chapter, inquire about their HOG chapter or a ride, and be able to do something with one of their members.  Sometimes it’s as simple as an introduction to a member who is milling around the dealership, or maybe it’s a phone call to the Director or Membership officer.  After that, I’m on my way to another experience that I can tuck into my memory bank of things that I would never have done or seen had it not been for the Harley Owners Group.

I bought my bike to ride and tour this beautiful country that we have.  I don’t always know the coolest roads, the best local restaurants, or the things to see and do, but the local chapter members sure do.  It’s been my little secret for a long time, but I thought it was time to share it with some of my other friends!

April 30, 2010

Why I am a H.O.G. Member

Posted in My Story by Sara Hanaway, member since 1997

Today we’re celebrating a first for H.O.G.: the launch of our new H.O.G. blogs, a variety of blogs intended for members to get the most out of the H.O.G. experience, but more importantly, to interact with one another by sharing comments about the stories you read and to provide input on future blog entries we should have.

This blog will be open to both members and non-members. Our other blogs are for members only. “Why?,” you may ask. We hear this question every day: “Why should I be a H.O.G. member?” And we thought, What better way to answer that question than to have our members answer it? This is your chance to tell the rest of the world why you’re a H.O.G. member.

Our plan is to have a variety of members write this blog. We’ll randomly select members to write for the blog based on the comments posted. Or you can send your blog entry to info@hog.com. Please put Why I Am a H.O.G. Member in the subject line.

Now onto why I am a H.O.G. member.

I became a H.O.G. member back in 1997 when I purchased my first Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle, a blue Sportster® Hugger. Man, thinking about that bike brings back some pretty fond memories. While I work for the Motor Company, that is not why I am a HOG member. When I purchased that first motorcycle, I wasn’t sure that H.O.G. was for me. I prefer to ride solo and the times I do ride with a group it’s with a few friends and usually no more than four bikes. When I first joined H.O.G., I thought that you had to be part of a chapter and go on large group rides. Which just isn’t for me. How wrong I was!

I learned after that first year that you make your H.O.G. membership whatever you want it to be. There is no prescribed way to be a H.O.G. member. That was a welcome relief for me. It’s just like the motorcycle. We each make our motorcycle our own by customizing it with different parts, accessories, and paint so that no two motorcycles are exactly the same. H.O.G. membership is just like that – no two members have to follow the same path. And that is why I’m a H.O.G. member, because I can be involved or not involved in whatever level I want. Some years, I’m more active then others, it just depends what is going on in my life. The great thing about H.O.G. is you can enjoy riding solo or riding with just some friends. Or maybe you want to ride with a chapter, it doesn’t matter. The path you take in H.O.G. is up to you.

So what are some of the benefits I’m enjoying? I really like the new AT&T benefit. I just switched over to an iPhone so the savings in my cellular plan allows me to put a few more tanks of gas in the motorcycle. Actually, when you add up the savings, it pays for my membership. That’s pretty cool. I also like the Roadside Assistance. As I mentioned, I like to ride by myself; having Roadside Assistance is my security blanket. I love that H.O.G. provides one free tow but also has discounted prices if I want to upgrade my service (which, of course, I did!). I really like Million Mile Monday, I don’t have to ride in a big group to participate or even have to register for an event. All I have to do is go for a ride that day. Twist my arm! It’s a perfect event for people like me who like to ride solo and perfect for those members who like ride with their chapters. It’s so easy to participate, it’s really hard to say, no, sorry I can’t ride that day.

And while I may like to ride solo, I still like to meet other members. H.O.G. is about connections and people I’ve met around the world who I would never have met if I were not a H.O.G. member. For years, members had to interact and connect in person at a dealership, chapter ride or H.O.G. event. But now with the Internet we can interact online. I’m excited for the launch of these blogs, as it gives our members around the world a chance to interact with each other – without being in the same location.

So let’s kick things off. Why are you a H.O.G. member? Or if you aren’t a member, what questions do you have about membership? Our members would be happy to answer them.