The company
The origin of Harley-Davidson dates back to 1901, when a 21-year-old William Harley, along with his childhood friend Arthur Davidson, started working on a small engine for a pedal bicycle. Finding it very exciting, the duo soon started working on a second generation machine, which was basically an improved and more powerful version of the first one they built. In 1905, they were able to produce complete motorcycles, although in very small numbers. In 1906, they built their first factory to make Harley-Davidson motorbikes. To date, it remains the corporate headquarters of the company.
Timeline
In 1907, William Harley and Arthur Davidson decided to expand their factory to improve the production. Not satisfied with the single cylinder models they were producing at that time, they started producing V-Twin models, which gave better performance. Within a few years, their sales increased considerably. It was during this period that they started selling Harley-Davidson motorbikes to policemen. Even today, Harleys are used by a huge number of policemen in the country.
During the First World War, the company started making motorbikes for combat service. It sold more than 15,000 motorbikes to the armed forces during this period. Soon after the war, it became the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world and expanded its presence in more than 60 countries.
During the Great Depression, the sales figures plummeted for Harley-Davidson motorbikes. The company, however, did not give up and kept developing new models. During this period, it introduced the popular ‘Knucklehead OHV’ engines.
During the Second World War, the company produced a huge number of motorbikes for the US Army, including a customized military specific version called the WLA. Upon the request of the army, the company developed its first and only shaft-driven model named Harley-Davidson XA.
After the war, the company introduced various models including the Hummer, Confederate Edition, Sturgis, and Fat Boy. Most of these models were quite successful and helped boost the overall sales figures.
Interesting facts
• Harley-Davidson was one of the two American motorcycle manufacturers, the other one being Indian, to survive the Great Depression.
• Harley-Davidson motorbikes withstood the onslaught of Japanese motorbikes that flooded the market in the eighties.
• It is probably the only brand that sustains a huge, extremely loyal brand community that has a global presence.
• A number of other motorcycle manufacturers have tried to copy the design of Harley-Davidson motorbikes and develop their own version of Harleys from time to time and all of them have failed with alarming regularity.
• Harleys hold the distinction of being the only ‘tough cop bikes’ in the country. As the company rightly says ‘there is something undeniably right about a cop on a Harley’.
Following
Harley-Davidson is probably the only motorcycle brand to have a massive global following. The Harley Owners Group (HOG), founded in 1983, has grown rapidly and now has over a million members who are extremely passionate about Harley-Davidson motorbikes. Most Harley owners do not think of it as just another motorbike. They think of it as a lifestyle. This passion is something that unites Harley lovers in different parts of the world.