The company is also sponsoring hundreds of clubs and special events for Harley owners, to encourage repeat sales.

"Harley owners like the sound of their bikes," said Mr. Kuykendall, a SoHo marketing executive, as he parked his relatively quiet 1983 silver Beamer on West Broadway.

Though I am not a Harley owner, I had wanted to come along for the celebration.

Or, to cite a Booz Allen example, it might entail buying a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and indulging in a collective Easy Rider fantasy with other Harley owners.

Could Pierson, who rides a Moto Guzzi, have a meaningful friendship with a Harley owner?

One in five Harley owners is 55 or older.

Star of Davidson is not limited to Harley owners, and even those who don't own motorcycles can join the, er, gang (they borrow others' bikes).

One of the six Harley owners in America who wears a helmet.

Richard F. Teerlink, the chief executive, said a lot of Harley owners were investors, but added, "We have no hard data on this."

HOG members typically spend 30% more than other Harley owners, on such items as clothing and Harley-Davidson-sponsored events.