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

Top 10 Album Covers featuring Motorcycles

1 of 11Next Last   Motorcycles and rock ‘n’ roll. Ever since The King threw his leg over his ’56 Harley-Davidson and the Black Rebels rolled into Carbonville, the combination of motorcycles and rock have been as combustible as gas and spark. Early moto-rock lived for the most part on the fringes of pop music, in the pomped-up rockabilly of guys like Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent.

Harley-Davidson and Marvel Comics Team Up Again for Iron Man 3

Harley-Davidson and Marvel Comics are teaming up once more for another cross-promotional promotion, this time in support of the upcoming film “Iron Man 3“. Harley-Davidson had previously worked with Marvel for last year’s “The Avengers” and before that, with 2011′s “Captain America: The First Avenger“. For the third installment of the Iron Man series starring Robert Downey Jr., Harley-Davidson and Marvel announced the “Iron Man 3 – Man & Machine” contest.

Preliminary Lineup for Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Concerts Announced

Harley-Davidson released a preliminary list featuring some of the musical acts performing during the company’s 110th anniversary celebrations. The acts will share the stage at Milwaukee’s Henry Maier Festival Park (A.K.A. Summerfest Grounds) from Aug.

Survey Says Harley-Davidson and BMW Motorcycles Less Reliable Than Japanese – But Owners Don’t Care

A new survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center finds BMW and Harley-Davidson  owners are much more likely to report major problems with their motorcycles than owners of Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha motorcycles. The survey, which will appear on the April 2013 issue of Consumer Reports, says one in three BMW owners reported experiencing a major problem with their bikes in the last four years. Harley-Davidson owners were slightly better, with one in four reporting serious issues.

Harley-Davidson Extends UFC Sponsorship; UFC 164 Added to 110th Anniversary Celebrations

Harley-Davidson has renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The new agreement will see the mixed martial arts company hold its UFC 164 event Aug. 31 in Milwaukee’s Bradley Center during Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary celebrations over the Labor Day weekend.

More Miles From Dunlop’s 2nd-Gen American Elite Tires

Dunlop says its second-generation of American Elite tires provide increased mileage, and come in a variety of new styles. Designed with Dunlop’s MT Multi-Tread technology, with a long-wearing center compound and grippier compounds on each edge, the new American Elite’s should pique the interest of Harley FL owners. The second-gen series of American Elites are also now available with narrow white bar sidewalls and wide white walls along with the original black sidewall, providing FL owners more choices.  For riders of Harley-Davidson FL Touring bikes, model year 2009 and later, the new second-generation American Elite tires with Multi-Tread are available in 130/80B17 and 180/65B16 black sidewall, 130/80B17 and 180/65B16 narrow white sidewall, 130/90B16 and 180/65B16 wide white sidewall, with the 130/70B18 front tire available for select CVO bikes. For recent-model Softail owners, including models such as the Fat Boy, the MH90-21, 140/75R17 and 200/50R17 sizes of American Elite are also available.

2013 Harley-Davidson Breakout Unveiled at Daytona Bike Week

In a rare move, Harley-Davidson has unveiled a base version of its Breakout months after first launching the exclusive Custom Vehicle Operations version. Presented at the 2013 Daytona Bike Week, the 2013 Harley-Davidson Breakout offers a similar low and muscular profile as the CVO version but at prices starting at $17,899 compared to the premium model’s $26,999 price point. Tom Roderick reviewed the 2013 Harley-Davidson CVO Breakout last August, saying it “continues the tradition of exclusivity, performance and style customers have come to expect from Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations.” But take away the premium CVO features and what do you have?

Bike Week Is Here!

It’s been a long, cold winter in most of the US, but it’s always sunny in Florida. And that’s why every year around this time tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts descend on Daytona Beach for Bike Week! Motorcycle.com will have our boots – and wheels – on the ground.

Harley-Davidson to Assemble More Models in India

Harley-Davidson is expanding its assembly operations in India, increasing the number of models imported as complete knockdown kits to nine. Harley-Davidson will now assemble the Fat Boy, Fat Boy Special and Heritage Softail Classic in India, joining six models already being assembled in India. The move follows India’s new budget which increases import duties on motorcycles with engines larger than 800cc to 75% from the previous rate of 60%.

India Raises Import Duty on Motorcycles to 75%

The government of India has laid out its budget for 2013-2014, increasing the import duty for large motorcycles. The news will impact several major manufacturers hoping to gain a stake in the world’s second largest motorcycle market. India has become the hotspot for manufacturers but one of the biggest obstacles they face is the duty India levies on luxury goods.