So what exactly is a CEO worth to a troubled motorcycle manufacturer? Harley-Davidson feels that number would sit at 6.4 million dollars.

While that number wasn't written across any paychecks, it is the total compensation package for the latest Harley-Davidson CEO, Keith E. Wandell who took the position as of May 1st, 2009.

According to information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the package boiled down to a base salary of $650,025, a bonus of $780,030 and stock and option awards valued at $4.9 million at the time they were issued.

To put this in perspective, Wandell's predecessor received a pay package valued at $2.9 million in his final four months of CEO. James L. Ziemer, who retired last year after 40 years with the Milwaukee motorcycle manufactuer and four years in the role of CEO was paid a base salary of $455,144, a matching bonus and stock and options valued at $1.9 million when they were granted.

Of course another perspective would be the Harley-Davidson workers across the company's manufacturing network that face cost-cutting measures and in some cases, factory closures to fend off the tough economic climate which has challenged motorcycle sales.

Yet another view would be the discontinued line of Buell Motorcycles, owned and later closed down by Harley-Davidson.

The issue of executive compensation isn't new, nor unique to Harley-Davidson. It is a controversy long familiar to corporate America, which has grown as the disparity of compensation between the lowest and highest paid employees has increased disproportionately over the last few decades.

When the economy was strong and the stock market vibrant, the argument was given that executive teams of Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers should be rewarded for success. But this left many asking if the same reasoning is true when a company experiences falling sales or the company's stock fails to perform.

Alternatively, company officials claim executive talent comes with its own price tag with a certain level of compensation required to attract the needed qualified employees. This argument has been heard loudest with the controversy over salaries and bonuses paid to failing financial institutions.

And it could be used in the case with Wandell who reportedly played a major role in turning the fortunes of his prior company, Johnson Controls where he served as President and CEO before joining Harley-Davidson.

But the news of the compensation does contradict the otherwise 'everyday biker' role Harley-Davidson has marketed itself as so well. A poster child (or children) for this effort would be decendants of the company's founder Arthur Davidson currently employed at the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer who are never far from roaming among and riding with bikers at motorcycle events and rallies. Even the legendary Willie G has always been approachable and attentive towards riders, lending an ear and generous with his smiles for photo opportunities.

Its those everyday riders however that understand the stress that comes with job uncertainty, something faced by many workers at Harley-Davidson. The company does enjoy a customer base that recognises the cost of quality, with Harley-Davidson motorcycles considered the premium ride of the road. But many would say that in the absence of any apparent bionics, Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson's very own six-million dollar man does have some intangible timeline to bring that tangible value to the shield and bar emblazoned table.