Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson’s history reaches back to 1903 when William Harley and Arthur Davidson completed their first prototype motorcycle in a shed workshop in Milwaukee. This modest start led to a more substantial machine in 1904, and by 1905 Harley-Davidson was able to release its first new motorcycle. In 1906 the first factory was built, and in 1907 the Harley-Davidson company was incorporated. That year the brand also released its first V-twin bike. 

Subsequent years saw H-D expand its model offerings and dealer network. Harley was a major military supplier and partner in World War I and World War II. During the 1930s the brand released its R-series motorcycles, and then after the war concluded it debuted its Panhead V-twin in 1948. In 1957 the iconic Sportster came to market, and nearly a decade later in 1965 the FL Electra Glide made its debut. The following decades saw staple models come to life, such as the Low Rider, Softail, and Fat Boy street bikes. 

Throughout, Harley-Davidson was also cementing its place in popular culture, with H-D bikes appearing in movies such as The Wild One and Easy Rider. It also became a popular marque for customization. However, being part of the cultural zeitgeist was not enough to fend off some lean times in the 1970s, but a shift of ownership in 1980 saw the brand make a positive turn. Models like the V-Rod and Street series motorcycles came to market and the brand made efforts to introduce more modern technology. 

This focus has continued to the present day, with Harley-Davidson most recently moving into the realm of electric motorcycles with its LiveWire bike and brand. It is also diversifying its model offering with mounts such as the Pan America adventure motorcycle, moving beyond its V-twin cruiser base. Today Harley-Davidson offers a robust selection of touring machines, sport-biased V-twins, heritage-inspired cruisers, and electric bikes with its investment in Stacyc.