Harley Davidson-100 Years as the Motorcycle Real Deal

By Jill Sprouse

Harley Davidson, the most respected and most popular motorcycle manufacturer in the United States has been going strong for over 100 years! Debuting in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harley Davidson offers racing bikes, military bikes and most importantly the Harley roadsters. Harley's birth is remembered every year when hundreds of thousands of motorcycle fanatics converge on Milwaukee, Wisconsin to pay their respects and homage.

Arthur Davidson and William Harley founded Harley Davidson in 1903. With their first Harley being constructed in a tiny wooden shed in Wisconsin, the first ever Harley dealership was started in 1904 in Chicago, Illinois by C.H. Lang. Henry Meyer was the first individual to ever buy a Harley Davidson and he bought it directly from Milwaukee.

1905 was a watershed year for the Harley Davidson Company. That's when Harley won its first motorcycle race. After getting the taste of a victory, Harley Davidson continued to enter off-road races, lap races, and endurance competitions. 1913 saw the creation of the Harley Davidson racing department.

One-third of all Harley Davidson motorcycles were purchased by the United States Military in 1917. And, within one year, fifty percent of the motorcycles used by the military were Harleys. By the end of World War One, 20,000 motorcycles were put to the test during combat with the majority of those motorcycles being manufactured by the Harley Davidson Company. H.O.G. (short for Harley Owners Group) was formed in 1983 by a group of Harley enthusiasts. HOG is the largest motorcycle club on record with over five hundred thousand members on the book in 2000.

The year 2010 will surely be another ground breaking year for Harley Davidson. Enhanced accessories, improved technology and unsurpassed quality will propel Harley into another record breaking year. - 30329

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here