MOTORCYCLE MAKEOVER

Photo Courtesy Medialink Features (MF)

Motorcycle Makeovers Help Parents Go From Zero to Nifty

(MF) - For millions of Americans who grew up in the boom days of television, James Dean and The Fonz are still the last word in cool. The words mom and dad hardly invoke the same reaction. Until now.

In today's TV world where makeover madness is the fast track to instant style, even mom and dad now can go from fool to cool with a little help from a "motorcycle makeover".

Rebecca Bortner of Harley-Davidson says numbers of participants in the Rider's Edge new rider training program are up and both the MotorClothes clothing line and motorcycles rentals program are attracting new customers to the biker lifestyle. What's involved in getting your folks to stop spinning their style wheels? Parental fashion victims start their journey from stodgy to cool as plaids and pastels are switched for leather and denim - the official uniform of coolness. Whether it's jeans or jackets or a bold t-shirt, these materials offer a classic look that transports even the oldest of fogies back to the glory days. As they begin to dress younger, they feel and act younger.

The next step in this metamorphosis is taking the training wheels off - by learning how to ride. It's off to "hog high school" - as many folks receive riding lessons as a present from their erstwhile rug rats. Courses involve interactive, hands-on training - including classroom instruction and actual riding experience on a controlled range. It's a learning environment that may surprise some old-schoolers, since men aren't the only pupils.

"The idea that men are the riders and women the passengers is outdated," Bortner said. "More than one-third of the graduates of Harley-Davidson's Rider's Edge program are women. Good to think about when looking for a fresh gift idea for mom that she may not expect."

The final step in the transformation is adding a set of wheels to the garage for a few days - without paying a fortune. That's not as difficult as it seems. Many dealerships now offer bike rentals that work just like car rentals, with some even offering credits toward purchasing a bike.

"It's a common misperception that Harley-Davidson motorcycles cost $20,000," Bortner said. "Jaws drop when I tell people that Sportsters start at $6,495."

In the end, it's all about getting mom and dad back in the saddle and helping them regain their youthful spirits. Motorcycle makeovers are a good-natured way to poke fun at their flagging sense of style and adventure and to ignite a spark that could create memories for years to come.

On the Net: Rider's Edge site: http://www.ridersedge.com