Harley Davidson Motorcycles

From humble beginnings: Harley Davidson motorcycles

Harley Davidson motorcycles are world renown. These bikes are so well known that if you were to tell an American that you've never heard of Harley Davidson motorcycles, they would not only look at you funny, but probably call their friends and tell them the interesting story about the time they met someone who had never heard of Harley Davidson.

Because the company is so famous and successful now, it is almost impossible to believe that it all started with 2 people in a wooden shed. In 1903, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson got together in a 10x15 foot wooden shed to create the first ever Harley Davidson motorcycle. They were both 21 and 20 years old respectively at the time and sold their first bike to a childhood friend of Harley, Henry Meyer.

By 1907, Harley Davidson motorcycles had won numerous awards and after William and Walter Davidson, brothers of Arthur Davidson, joined the team, the company was incorporated. They had 18 full time employees at the time and had a new factory. In the 1908 Federation of American Motorcyclists Endurance and Reliability test, Walter Davidson receives a perfect score of 1000 points. Three days later, he would also set the FAM record for economy with 188 miles per gallon. It didn't take long for the news of Harley Davidson motorcycles to spread and the first Harley used for police duty was delivered to the Detroit police department.

From these humble beginnings rose the worlds most popular and well know motorcycles. You aren't considered a collector or enthusiast until you own a Harley. For more information regarding the history of Harley Davidson motorcycles, visit the official web site linked below.

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