Best Western and Harley-Davidson Reward Riders

One of the curious things about traveling by motorcycle (and particularly by Harley-Davidson) is the mixed bag of perceptions and receptions that one encounters along the way. Some friendly folks stride right over before you even have time to kill the ignition and eagerly chat you up about where you've been, where you're going, and what kind of bike you're riding. Others clutch their purses a little tighter, whisk their kids into the minivan, count their precious little heads, lock the doors, and zoom off, careful not to make eye contact along the way. This dichotomy of attitudes pertains to business owners as well. Some actively court the patronage of the biker, and others suddenly claim that the "vacancy" advertised by the neon sign outside has just been filled.

Now in all fairness, whether we roll up attired in Power Ranger track leathers, black & bad biker gear, or hazmat-yellow jumpsuits, as viewed through the eyes of the average civilian, motorcyclists are a rather strange looking lot. And truth be told, after a long day of riding, we don't always smell so great either. So, I understand why my entrances may raise an eyebrow or two whenever I saunter into rooms. But on the plus side, we do travel a lot, we do return frequently to our favorite haunts, and we do recommend that friends and fellow travelers do the same. And overall, from a business perspective, we make for an attractive (if occasionally pungent) demographic....