The world's wealthiest Harley-riding crew has taken to the streets of Shanghai... for coffee!
Harley Davidson badge Image: Mathias Schack |
Every Friday night, a group of self-made millionaires - who call themselves “Harley Owners Group, Shanghai” (or simply HOGS for short) - cruise the city's boulevards on their two-wheeled steeds. Hardly Hells Angels, the bikers “generally just drink coffee and sit around and talk”, according to the well-mannered road captain Jim Rice, China CEO of the Dutch Food company CSM.
The rest of the gang are no more threatening: “Frank makes sweaters … Chen Jun makes clothes – designer cloths. Tony Tang is a diamond wholesaler and Winston has a shipping company that ships coal around”, says Rice. This rabble of rich rebels are some of the most well-connected people in Shanghai, but are most content when making some noise - well, at least some gentle engine revving at the “Street of Eternal Happiness” and “Rich People” intersection.
In China, being a multi-millionaire certainly helps if you wish to purchase one of these iconic American motorcycles. A Harley-Davidson will typically set you back between $8,000 to $20,000 in the US, while stiff duties will see you paying between $20,000 to $45,000 in China. Price isn't a factor for Cashmere sweater company owner Zhu Zhongling, however, who owns more than a dozen motorcycles, including a $90,000 Harley.
Jerry Gong, who builds prisons for the Chinese government, enjoys the “sense of freedom” that the Harley brings. More so, one might think, than the inhabitants of his inventions...