| The Harley Davidson motorcycle was and always will | | | | roads of the United States and around the world. |
| be an American icon. Although other American | | | | Motorcycling, however, was about to get something |
| motorcycle companies have flourished, none has had | | | | it never had before... a bad reputation. |
| the staying power of Harley. Over a hundred years | | | | During the fifties, Americans viewed the release of |
| after it's inception, the Harley Davidson motorcycle | | | | movies depicting motorcyclists as less than honorable |
| company is stronger and better received by the | | | | citizens. The term biker gang was introduced to the |
| American public than ever before. Its line of | | | | world and there was no going back from here. |
| motorcycles is diverse enough that it appeals to both | | | | Rebellious bikers had come to be associated with |
| men and women and priced for those on a wide | | | | Harley Davidson motorcycles thanks to a bit of |
| range of budgets. The bikes themselves are only the | | | | Hollywood make-believe and the imaginations of the |
| start. The clothing, accessories, and memorabilia are | | | | movie goers. The success of these biker flicks fueled |
| an extension of the motorcycle and the entire | | | | even more bad-boy biker films especially during the |
| concept of the Harley lifestyle reaches outward to | | | | sixties and seventies. Movie goers would have a |
| interest just about anyone with a fascination of | | | | better chance of finding a needle in a haystack than |
| two-wheeled transportation. | | | | finding movies with honorable and honest bikers. The |
| Harley Davidson began its illustrious history in | | | | whole concept of the Harley motorcycle would never |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin back in 1903. The pioneers | | | | be the same from this point forward. The attitude, |
| were Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson and the | | | | the attire, the tattoos, and the owner loyalty would |
| entire operation was located inside of a wooden barn | | | | go well beyond that of any other brand of |
| built by Mr Davidson's father. They would remain in | | | | motorcycle. To this day, regardless of innovations in |
| the barn manufacturing their motorcycles until 1912 | | | | imported motorcycles, Harley remains as good |
| when they would relocate into a multi-level building, | | | | motorcycle as any in the world. Harley owners rarely |
| reportedly six stories high. | | | | defect to different brands. |
| The Harley Davidson motorcycle company was | | | | The motorcycle's simplicity and timeless design help |
| started with the design of a one cylinder engine | | | | promote the brand loyalty. To many owners, very |
| which developed specifically for racing and grew from | | | | simply the concept of riding a symbol of American |
| there. In 1905 they had produced eleven motorcycles | | | | ingenuity through the city streets or country roads |
| and by 1908 the number had grown to one hundred | | | | of America is enough. Harley sounds like no other |
| fifty four. By 1912 they had begun to export their | | | | bike, looks like no other bike, and feels like no other |
| motorcycles with the first motorized bike being sold | | | | bike. Most Harley owners would agree that it's the |
| overseas in Japan. The quest for world peace also | | | | only motorcycle for them. Biker rallies and |
| fueled the sales of Harley motorcycles in the coming | | | | get-togethers draw more and more motorcycle |
| years. Harley was the largest supplier of motorcycles | | | | enthusiasts every year. Whether you consider the |
| for the United States military. Their patriotism and | | | | motorcycle a means of transportation, or a means of |
| reliable motorcycles helped the war effort and added | | | | relaxation, depends on your overall opinion of |
| to the company's ever-growing group of enthusiasts. | | | | two-wheeled travel. Harley Davidson, however, is |
| Two wheeled transportation was proving to be a | | | | guaranteed to remain at the forefront of the |
| viable means of moving about versus traveling by | | | | industry for decades to come based purely on owner |
| automobile. Over the next few decades, the | | | | loyalty and genuine love for the ultimate American |
| company continued its growth and presence on the | | | | motorcycle. |