The History of Harley-Davidson®
There may not be a more iconic motorcycle manufacturer than Harley-Davidson®. This brand has come to symbolize the freedom and independence of American rider and their bikes. Over the years, Harley-Davidson® has both shaped and been shaped by American culture, and somehow, while other brands have folded under the pressure of financial recessions and changing customer demands, Harley-Davidson® has continued to evolve and adapt. Today, they’re a leader in motorcycle design, construction, and engineering, and represent the true American Motorcycle.
You might be able to tell that we here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® we take Harley-Davidson® bikes seriously. Read on to learn about this legendary brand’s history, and stop by our Eugene showroom and dealership when you want to take a Harley for a test ride!
Founding & The Early Days
Harley-Davidson® started as a drawing on the desk of a 20-year-old William S. Harley. This original plan was for a single-cylinder, 116cc engine that could be strapped to his pedal bike. Harley soon teamed up with childhood friend Arthur Davidson to design a complete bike. Their first model was so weak that it couldn’t even push a rider up a hill, which gave the duo a valuable lesson: power is king. They soon began working on a new, large engine design that could be used on a bike without pedals. Their first true motorcycle was released in 1904 and the team never looked back.
Then, in 1906, the team opened their first factory. This began Harley-Davidson®’s accent towards becoming a major competitor in today’s motorcycle market. During this time, Harley-Davidson® developed a V-Twin engine to greatly increase the power of their motorcycles. By 1911, they had an improved model to introduce to the public which effectively doubled the horsepower of previous single cylinder models. By 1914, Harley-Davidson® was the dominant force in motorcycle racing among American brands.
The War Years
War brought chaos to just about every industry in America, and it was no different for Harley-Davidson®. The U.S. government bought 20,000 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson® after the country’s entry into World War I in 1917. The demands of producing so many motorcycles for the war helped Harley-Davidson® expand even further, and by 1920 they were the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. In 1929, Harley-Davidson® released their biggest stock engine yet with the 737 cc V-Twin.
The early 1930s brought the Great Depression and with it, a huge decrease in sales for American motorcycle manufacturers. Where other manufacturers failed, Harley-Davidson® was one of only two major American motorcycle companies that were able to survive. When World War II broke out, Harley-Davidson® was ready to supply more motorcycles to the war effort. The company sold some 90,000 bikes to the U.S. government and other Allied countries.
Harley-Davidson® in Pop Culture
Harley-Davidson® has featured prominently in American popular culture throughout its storied existence. Rock and Roll superstar Elvis Presley famously loved motorcycles, and none more so than his 1956 Harley-Davidson® KH. Legendary stuntman Evel Knievel road an XR-750 for many of his most famous jumps, including his famous 1971 19 car jump. The movie Easy Rider prominently featured a customized “Captain America” Harley-Davidson® chopper. More recently, Harley-Davidson® was prominently featured on the FX original series Sons of Anarchy.
Modern Motorcycles
Today, Harley-Davidson® still produces some of the most powerful, best-looking bikes on the market. Harley has continued their legacy of mean bikes with a bad attitude with models like the Road King Special, the Street Glide, and much more! Their all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ engine puts out incredible power, while their liquid-cooled High Output Revolution X engine pushes the brand forward towards new technology and engineering innovations.
If you want to be part of the Harley-Davidson® story, stop by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®. We carry a broad selection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and we’re passionate about helping our customers find the perfect model for their personality and riding style. We can also work with the factory to help you design and customize your own Harley. If you live in Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Roseburg, Bend, Coos Bay, or Medford, stop by today to check these bikes out for yourself!