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

Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Induction Class

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame announced it will induct five new members for 2013. The Hall also announced it will add one new member to its Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame. For 2013, the Hall will welcome to its ranks motorcycle attorney Russ Brown, custom chopper builder Rick Fairless (pictured above), Harley-Davidson dealer Bill Gikling, actor Marjoe Gortner of the television special “Sturgis: The Great Ride”, and antique motorcycle expert Lonnie Isam, Sr.

Harley-Davidson and Best Western Expand Partnership

Harley-Davidson and Best Western have announced a three-year extension to their partnership which will now expand beyond North America. The two companies have been working together since 2006, providing benefits to customers of both brands. Under the new agreement, Best Western becomes the official lodging partner of Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary celebrations as well as the preferred lodging partner of Harley-Davidson’s rentals and tours division.

Harley-Davidson Donated $4.5 Million to Various Causes in 2012

Harley-Davidson donated more than $4.5 million to support various charitable groups in 2012. The donations, which include both grants and merchandise, went to several organizations, including those around Harley-Davidson‘s bases in Milwaukee, Wis., York, Pa., and Kansas City, Mo., but also to groups across the nation. The Milwaukee chapter of Habitat for Humanity received a $200,000 grant for its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, helping fund housing projects in the Washington Park community.

2012 US Motorcycle Sales Results – Industry Reports 2.6% Increase

The Motorcycle Industry Council reported a 2.6% increase in motorcycle sales in the U.S. market for 2012. According to the industry group’s figures, American consumers purchased 452,386 motorcycles in 2012 compared to 440,899 motorcycles in 2011.

Metzeler Me888 Marathon Ultra Introduced At V-Twin Expo

    At V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati this past weekend, Metzeler released the ME888 Marathon Ultra, a high-mileage tire with increased wet and dry performance intended of complement the top-selling ME880 Marathon. Also known as the Triple 8, the ME888 Marathon Ultra features newly processed compounds, updated structure and an innovative tread pattern, resulting in increased mileage while maintaining stability, handling, traction and safety in wet conditions. “We fine-tuned all the features that made the ME880 such a success, and then focused on significant mileage improvement,” Chris Wall, Metzeler Director of Marketing and Key Accounts, said.

Harley-Davidson Delivers Strong Growth For Fourth Quarter And For Full Year

Harley-Davidson released today its fourth quarter financial statements, revealing the company’s fourth-quarter income from continuing operations was $70.6 million on consolidated revenue of $1.17 billion, compared to 2011 income from continuing operations of $54.6 million on consolidated revenue of $1.18 billion. Fourth-quarter 2012 earnings per share were $0.31, up 29.2% compared to EPS of $0.24 in the year-ago quarter. For the full year, Harley-Davidson income from continuing operations was $623.9 million on consolidated revenue of $5.58 billion, compared to full-year 2011 income from continuing operations of $548.1 million on consolidated revenue of $5.31 billion.

Leave Your Mark with H-D’s 110th Anniversary Logo Builder

Excitement is building for Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary celebration. In fact, events are already happening worldwide, and starting soon in places like Goa, India and Auckland, New Zealand. In March, the party comes ashore in Florida at Harley’s Daytona Bike Week festivities and the whole shebang culminates in Milwaukee on August 29-31 with a massive blowout that includes a concert, the World’s Largest Bike Night at the H-D Museum, and more.

Brazilian Police In Search of Carjacking Suspect: First Name Harley, Last Name Davidson

Brazilian police made what they thought was a breakthrough in an investigation into a string of carjackings. The key evidence was a baseball cap bearing what police believed was the suspect’s name: Harley Davidson. Sergeant Cunha, chief of police in the town Guapo in central Brazil, appeared on a television news station Goiania with an appeal to the public for help in finding a Mr.

Harley-Davidson Museum Opens Exhibit Commemorating History Of Company’s Anniversary Celebrations

As 2013 marks Harley-Davidson’s 110th anniversary, this year’s H-D lineup will have a special ode to the occasion, just like past anniversary models. To commemorate this event, the Harley-Davidson Museum is giving visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the design and planning process that supports its legendary anniversary celebrations in its latest exhibit, Designing a Celebration, opening Friday, Jan. 18.

New Harley-Davidson Sportster for India to Use 500cc V-Twin

When Harley-Davidson first entered the Indian market, The Motor Company decided to import existing models as complete knockdown kits for final assembly in the burgeoning market. Considering the average motorcycle in India has a displacement smaller than 200cc, it was inevitable Harley-Davidson would eventually have to produce a small-displacement model rather than rely on its existing product line which currently lists the 883cc sportsters as its smallest bikes. Despite a denial last May by Harley-Davidson India’s Managing Director Anoop Prakash, it now appears Harley-Davidson is set to announce a new small-displacement model to be produced in India at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo next February.