Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE: HOG, formerly HDI), often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression.

The company sells today only heavyweight motorcycles with over 700 cc, designed for cruising on highways. Harley-Davidson motorcycles, or "Harleys", are noted for the tradition of heavy customization. Harley-Davidson's attempts to establish itself in the light motorcycle market have met little success and have largely been abandoned since the 1978 sale of its Italian Aermacchi subsidiary.

In 1901, William S. Harley, age 20, drew up plans for a small engine with a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) and four-inch (102 mm) flywheels. The engine was designed for use in a regular pedal-bicycle frame. On a practice, though, it was only experiment, somewhat unsuccessful but a start for more. So first "real" Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a bigger engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405 cc) with 9.75 inches (25 cm) flywheels weighing 28 lb (13 kg).

In September 8, 1904, Harley competed in a Milwaukee motorcycle race held at State Fair Park. This is the first documented appearance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the historical record.

Production in 1905 and 1906 were all single-cylinder models with 26.84 cubic inches (440 cc) engines. Starting from 1907, V-Twin engines appeared, having 53.68 cubic inches (880 cc) and producing about 7 horsepower (5.2 kW).

In 1911, an improved V-Twin model was introduced. The new engine had mechanically operated intake valves, as opposed to the "automatic" intake valves used on earlier V-Twins that opened by engine vacuum. With a displacement of 49.48 cubic inches (811 cc), the 1911 V-Twin was smaller than earlier twins, but gave better performance. After 1913 the majority of bikes produced by Harley-Davidson would be V-Twin models.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with 28,189 machines produced, and dealers in 67 countries.

During the 1920s, several improvements were put in place, such as a new 74 cubic inch (1,212.6 cc) V-Twin, introduced in 1922, and the "Teardrop" gas tank in 1925. A front brake was added in 1928 although notably only on the J/JD models. In the late summer of 1929, Harley-Davidson introduced its 45 cubic inches (737 cc) flathead V-Twin, "D" model. An 80 cubic inches (1,300 cc) flathead engine was added to the line in 1935, by which time the single-cylinder motorcycles had been discontinued.

After World War II, as part of war reparations, Harley-Davidson acquired the design of a small German motorcycle, the DKW RT 125, which they adapted, manufactured, and sold from 1948 to 1966. Harley experienced changes in ownership in the ‘60s, going public in 1965 and eventually merging with American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1969. The ‘80s and ‘90s saw the introduction of model families that continue to this day, like the Softail, FLT and Road King lines, joining classic models like the Electra Glide. The story continues today.

Moto blog

Dodge City 300 Looking To Celebrate Centennial Anniversary In 2014

In 1914 the city of Dodge City, Kansas held a motorcycle race, the Dodge City 300, attracting over 17,000 spectators. By 1921 there were more than 20,000. The race was held on a two-mile dirt oval and was sanctioned by the FAM (Federation of American Motorcyclists).

Laconia Harley-Davidson and New Hampshire Motor Speedway to Raise $76K for Boys & Girls Clubs in World Record Attempt

Laconia Harley-Davidson and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) have teamed up to make the 90th Anniversary of Laconia Motorcycle Week even more historic through an effort to raise over $76,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Hampshire and set a new Guinness Worlds Record. Laconia Motorcycle Week attendees and New Hampshire residents will play a key role in this endeavor by purchasing tickets for a Community Appreciation Parade at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on the final Saturday of Bike Week, June 15th. Participants will have the unique opportunity to ride around the New Hampshire Motor Speedway track, continue on a police escorted, scenic 32-mile ride around the Lakes Region, set a new Guinness World Record and most importantly, raise significant funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Hampshire.

Motorcycle Buying Tips For Women

Over the past few years, especially since the height of the economic crisis, more and more women have turned to motorcycling both as a way to save on fuel costs, but also to experience the joys of the open road. In an article recently published by Consumer Reports, some tips are provided for women looking to enter the sport for the first time. The first bit of advice is to “Sit on a lot of different bikes first,” says Angela Annamalai of Shelby’s Powersports in Bronx, New York.

Mexico City Celebrates H-D 110th Anniversary With City’s Largest Motorcycle Parade

As part of Harley-Davidson’s global 110th anniversary celebration, over 5000 motorcyclists descended upon Mexico City to join in the festive occasion, making this Mexico City’s largest motorcycle parade in history. Serving as Grand Marshalls for the parade, Mayor Dr. Miguel Angel Mancera, Minister of Public Safety Dr.

Blues Brothers Too Old for Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration?

Comedian Dan Aykroyd says he offered to bring his Blues Brothers act to Harley-Davidson‘s 110th Anniversary celebrations but was turned down because H-D executives said the act was too old for the company’s target demographics. Aykroyd, playing the role of Elwood J. Blues with the late John Belushi playing “Joliet” Jake Blues, posted a statement on his official Facebook page suggesting Elwood is trading in his Harley-Davidson motorcycle for a Can-Am Spyder.

Rockstar Energy Announces Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sweepstake

Rockstar Energy is sponsoring Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary celebration, supporting several events through the year including the Aug. 28-Sept. 1 anniversary party itself.

2013 Harley-Davidson World Ride Scheduled for June 23-24

Harley-Davidson riders around the world will head out on the road June 23-24 for the 2013 Harley-Davidson World Ride. The event is organized by the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), but non-members are invited to join in to celebrate Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary as well as H.O.G.’s 30th anniversary. “Harley-Davidson is celebrating two big anniversaries this year, and the World Ride is a great way for riders around the world to celebrate them with us,” says Ken Knuteson, H.O.G.

Harley-Davidson Tops 2013 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index

Harley-Davidson dealers outscored dealers from other brands to take the top spot in the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index U.S. Motorcycle Industry Study for the second consecutive year. The annual study measures the effectiveness of motorcycle dealerships, rating them on how they perform in different categories, such as inviting customers to sit on a floor model, offering demo rides and asking for a customer’s contact information.

H-D 110th Concert Tickets on Sale Today

Tickets for headlining performances during Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary in Milwaukee, including music superstars Toby Keith, Aerosmith and Kid Rock, go on sale today. Headlining performances will be hosted at Marcus Amphitheater, located on the south end of Milwaukee’s Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds). Keith performs Thursday, Aug. 29; Aerosmith takes the stage Friday, Aug.

Q1 2013 US Motorcycle Sales Results – Sales Down 14.7% from 2011

U.S. motorcycle sales were down 14.7% over the first quarter compared to the same period last year, reports the Motorcycle Industry Council. The industry group, which collected data from 20 reporting manufacturers, says American consumers bought 93,375 motorcycles and scooters in the first three months of 2013, down from the 109,425 vehicles purchased in the same period of 2012.