Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson. The name means motorcycle. In business for over a hundred years, the company is universally acknowledged as the manufacturer of some of the world's finest motorcycles. And justly so.
Beginning in the mind of William Harley and the backyard
of his friend, Arthur Davidson, the pair created a
'motorized bicycle' that has evolved into the standard for
fine two-wheeled transportation.
Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, their first bike didn't
even have enough power to make it up the small hills of the
town without pedal assistance. The pair were undaunted.
Within a few years they were producing vehicles for the
military fighting WWI and it's been the standard for
military and police bikes ever since.
From 50 motorcycles produced at the original factory in
1906, the company has grown to produce millions that are
sold around the world.
'Harley', 'Choppers', 'Hogs' and other nicknames became
attached over the years. Choppers are bikes that have a
front fork angle extended, moving the handlebars back.
'Hogs' came into being when live pigs were ridden around on
the back seat after winning a race. But whatever you call
them, Harley-Davidson motorcycles - with the exception of a
short-lived hiccup in the 1970s - have always been the gold
standard of bikes.
Their large, powerful engines and distinctive pipe sounds
make them recognizable before they even round the corner.
Seeing one cements the impression that the viewer is
watching greatness drive by.
They figure prominently in the major rallies, the Daytona in
Florida in March, the Laconia in New Hampshire in June and
the Sturgis in South Dakota in August. Thousands of Harley
owners attend and there are inevitably a few dropped jaws at
the sight of some of the customized versions.
The Harley Owners Group, H.O.G., founded in 1983, now has
over 1,000 chapters with over a million members worldwide.
Many don't even own a bike. But the passion for this
exemplar of motorcycle engineering is the same, even so. You
don't have to own a Rolls-Royce to appreciate one as an
example of excellence in motoring design.
Beyond the bikes themselves, there are co-branded jackets,
helmets and hundreds more items carrying the Harley-Davidson
winged emblem recognized the world over. Though they
contribute a modest percentage to the over $5 billion in
annual revenue, the advertising is priceless. As if anyone
needed to be told that Harley-Davidson makes motorcycles!
There are thousands of Harley-Davidson forums online - three
times as many as there are for Yamaha, one of the company's
few serious competitors for the crown of motorcycle design.
BMW, Victory, Honda... many strive - some come close - but
Harley-Davidson remains the champion. A title they are
unlikely to relinquish anytime soon.
After all, there's only room for one at the summit of the
tallest peak.