Published: Friday, April 24, 1998  - Stillwater Ocolly

Priceless hogs

Chrome, handlebars, tires and a loud reputation.

Harley-Davidsons are seen screaming down the streets of many cities, big and small, and there's a Harley store in Stillwater.

But don't expect to go home with one when visiting 3512 S. Boomer Road — there's a waiting list.

Tommy Forman sells new and used Harley-Davidsons, parts and accessories and Harley apparel ranging from T-shirts to headgear to leather jackets at his store, Forman Harley-Davidson.

Forman said the demand for Harleys is outrageous — so outrageous that the factory cannot keep up with customer demand.

"There's up to a three-year waiting list to get a new bike, depending on the model," he said.

"You can get one quicker than that, but they can cost up to $8,000 over retail."

Forman said the factory built and sold 140,000 Harleys last year, which still did not keep up with demand.

"They (Harley-Davidson factory) keep building more every year, but the factory can't keep up," he said.

Forman said used models often cost more than new models.

"When it rolls out the door, it's worth more," he said.

David Conway, customer and Oklahoma State University aviation instructor, has been on the waiting list for four months.

He said his 1998 Harley had just arrived.

"That's fast. Some places a year isn't uncommon. I could've gotten one in Dallas for a lot more money — a lot more money," he said. "And those guys aren't even embarrassed.

"For the one I'm getting here (Forman Harley-Davidson), they wanted four grand more," Conway said.

Conway said the Harley image has changed for riders.

"You'd be surprised how many professionals ride them," he said.

Forman said the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was built in 1903, and Harley-Davidson will celebrate its 95th anniversary this year.

Forman has been interested in Harleys all his life and said he remembers hearing a Hog for the first time as a young boy.

"I heard it, and then I saw it," he said.

Even though the demand for Harleys has skyrocketed and is still on the rise, Harleys were not always so popular, Forman said.

Forman said that in the early 1950s, Harley-Davidson had an image problem created by Hollywood.

"The Wild One," starring Marlon Brando, portrayed Harley-Davidson riders as being "bad boys," Forman said.

"What's funny about it, the motorcycles used in the movie weren't even Harleys," Forman said.

He said the movie hurt Harley-Davidson's and all other motorcycle companies' sales.

"It was totally, socially unacceptable to ride a motorcycle. It didn't matter what brand," he said.

Forman said it was even dangerous to be seen riding a motorcycle.

"I had to be careful in the '60s riding a cycle in Oklahoma," he said. "People would try to run you off the road and throw bottles at you."

Forman said it took 30 years to turn the negative image into a positive one.

Through much effort by highly respected people in society — including Malcolm Forbes, Elizabeth Taylor and Jay Leno — the image has been turned around, Forman said.

"Now it's like it was back in the 1940s," he said.

"Anybody who's anybody has a Harley."

Forman said he estimates close to 500 Harley-Davidsons are roaring through the Stillwater area.

"People tell other people they want Harleys, and they tell other people. It just keeps escalating," he said.

Forman said he has been in business since 1971, first located at 115 N. Main St., and then moved to the present location in 1990.

Forman said his business is in a much better location than it was previously.

"There's more space. It's easier for customers to get in and out without all the traffic," he said.

Forman's son, Nathan, has worked alongside him since he was "that big," Forman said, holding his hand a foot above the floor.

"He (Nathan) didn't come home from the hospital. He came here," Forman said, laughing.