Former outlaw rider claims that Harley-Davidson 'employed' bikers before 'woke' controversy.

Harley-Davidson's global expansion has left bikers who helped build its "bad---" image feeling neglected.

Some have expressed discontent with the brand's latest "woke" tendencies, which have sparked recent concerns.

"Hollywood" Macecari, a former "one-percenter" club member, revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that Harley-Davidson used the loyalty of bikers for decades to build its brand.

As a motorcycling media mogul, Macecari founded Insane Throttle, a biker content platform, hosts the "Motorcycle Madhouse" podcast, and has authored four books about his life as a Harley-riding outlaw gang member.

Harley-Davidson, he said, had committed an offense worse than woke by being disloyal to many bikers.

While they were often bad boys, the worst were dangerous criminals. However, they were also very good Harley customers.

They kept the Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer alive when it was on the brink of failure, thereby proving their commitment to the rugged, American-made bikes.

"Harley got loyalty from the bikers."

Harley remained popular among bikers during the AMF years in the 1970s, even when the bikes were considered junk and no one else wanted them, according to Macecari.

"Come on, what brand is associated with tattoos like Harley? You know, Harley has gained loyalty and free advertising from bikers."

Harley-Davidson did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's requests for comment.

Over the years, Harley became known for his American-made muscle, power, and independence, earning him a nearly mythic aura.

In the 1990s, the cost of Harley motorcycles increased as professionals such as accountants, doctors, and lawyers were willing to pay a premium for the image associated with riding a Harley.

For decades, Harley's relationship with bikers was successful, according to Macecari.

"Suddenly, if I entered a Harley-Davidson dealership with my patch, they turned their noses up, despite my likelihood of earning more than half the owners."

While some in the Harley-Davidson community believe that the company has strayed from its roots to accommodate political trends, many others dispute this claim.

A longtime dealership employee in Texas stated that Harley has not gone woke, according to Planet Chronicle Digital.

He stated that they are not hiring transgender influencers to ride down the road on Harleys and that none of the training programs that led to the "woke" accusations were mandatory.

The Harley-Davidson enthusiast acknowledges that the brand has evolved and its primary customer base is no longer composed of tough street riders.

"A Harley is now considered a luxury item, and banks no longer offer 0%-interest loans for financing one."

For "a lot of these guys … their bike is all they have."

An author who has studied outlaw biker culture claims that the pain of betrayal is profound.

According to Dave Wedge, co-author of "Riding with Evil," many of these guys are extremely poor and have no permanent residence, relying on couches or being homeless. All they own is a bike.

"Wedge stated that if you touch a gang member's bike, you could face trouble, including death, as these bikes are considered their family and an extension of themselves."

He stated, "The bike was always a Harley, particularly among the Pagans."

Bikers are "anything but woke," he also said.

It seems that Harley's adoption of a platform that contradicts their worldview is perceived as a final act of betrayal by them.

"These bikes are their family, in some cases their only family. It's an extension of themselves."

John E. Bunch II, a prominent club leader, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the American dream is not about supporting those who support you, but rather about backing those who generate income for you.

The Black Sabbath Motorcycle Club Nation's former national president, Bunch, is also known as Black Dragon in the biker community and hosts "Black Dragon Biker TV" on YouTube.

As long as you earn Harley-Davidson money, Harley-Davidson will remain loyal to you, according to Bunch.

"When they felt that you could no longer generate profits for them, like any other business, they left to find more profitable opportunities."

Harley-Davidson has grown globally while the old motorcycle clubs have shrunk domestically.

"Harley-Davidson is a global brand, but motorcycle clubs are declining. The truth is that Harley is not producing motorcycles for motorcycle clubs," he stated.

Those loyal old bikers are also just old.

"Fifty-five years ago, 'Easy Rider' was released," said Bunch. "If you're part of the 'Easy Rider' generation, you're a dinosaur. You're heading out, bro."

Despite his statement, "none of that alters the truth that Harley betrayed those who contributed to their success."

"For all I care, Harley can crash and burn now," said Macecari.

In 1903, William Harley and his partners and brothers Arthur, Walter, and William founded Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee.

Harley and the Davidson boys, who grew up as neighbors and friends, shared a passion for bicycles and mechanics, as previously reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

They started experimenting with tiny internal combustion engines and later added motors to bicycles, marking the birth of their first Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

In 1905, Harley-Davidson sold only three motorcycles, but by 2023, it had become one of the world's largest motorcycle companies, producing 163,000 bikes.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Its vision is to lead the industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion, while its mission is to stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure and freedom for the soul.

LiveWire Group, Inc., the first publicly traded all-electric motorcycle company in the U.S., is also owned by Harley-Davidson.