Since the dawn of transportation man has searched for true freedom on the road. The hot blooded feeling a man craves when driving down the sheet roads, but the feeling which was never achieved. That is until two young Americans by the names of William Harley and Arthur Davidson made blueprints to fit an engine into a bicycle in 1901. And so the phenomenon which we all know as the Harley Davidson was born. In this feature of The Devils Steed, we dive head first into the dangerous world of the Harley Davidson.

In the year 1903 William Harley and Arthur Davidson perfected their design and opened it to the public. The first design was a racing model they made for an old school friend by the name of Henry Meyer. Even though the production line was run by these two in a wooden shed with the name ‘Harley Davidson Motor Company’ carved on the door, their first production bike caught the public eye in 1905 when they hired there first employee, a motorcyclist who eventually put them on the map with a string of race victories in Chicago.

Harley Trivia -The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.

Since then the Harley had a huge impact in the international racing circuits as well as the military. Harleys were used by the US military for both transportation and war uses. In 1916 they used Harleys fixed with machine guns at Pancho Villa, along the US Mexican boarder. The military also went on to use them in World War I and II. Many of these were sold as war surpluses later, which were quickly snapped by veterans.

Harley Trivia – Harley Davidson built over 90,000 motorcycles for Allied troops in World War II.

The 1950’s were a great epoch of time for Harley Davidson Motorcycles, with numerous magazine covers featuring the bikes alongside the likes of Elvis Presley, and a steady string of race victories. But through the 60’s Harley Davidson suffered tremendous losses as the US Motorcycle market was at an all time low.

Yet the year 1965 was a memorable year for Harley Davidson as they introduced the Electra-Guide. The Electra-Glide was the first ‘Big Twin’ model produced by Harley. This was the first model to be fitted with an electric starter motor. This was also the last model to come out with the ‘Pan Head V Twin’ engine. In the same year George Roeder set the world land speed record for 250CC motorcycles at 177.225 MPH, with a significantly modified Harley Davidson.

Harley Trivia – During the 1960’s drastically low sales in the US motorcycle market Harley actually expanded into the golf-cart market and became the third-largest manufacturer of golf-carts.

In the Year 1983 ‘The Harley Owners Group’ was founded by the company, from which the famous name HOG was given to the riders. In six short years this would grow up to a whopping 90,000 people making it the largest motorcycle club in the world. In 1987 they were listed in the New York Stock Exchange, by which time the owners realized what a valuable investment they had made.

As the years went by the Harley Davidson kept winning races and selling more and more production vehicles than any other manufacturer in the world. They appointed there first dealer in china in 2006.

Today Harley Davidson produces a wide range of motorcycles. With there recreational, racing, and touring models that come in a wired variety of colors. The best of the touring bikes being the Electra Glide which now comes equipped with an advance audio system.

Harley Trivia – The Harley Owners Group currently numbers at over a million members worldwide.

Harley Davidson, while being well know for their bikes, also manufactures a full line of accessories.  Sidecars, saddlebags and pouches, chrome covers, windshields, seats, mirrors, backrests, hand controls and sissy bars  to name a few of their products. They also manufacture a full line of clothing including leather goods, warm, cold and wet weather gear, helmets, gloves, jackets, vests, shirts, pants, boots, eyewear, as well as racing attire.

When talking about Rock and Roll Transportation, you can’t help but mention the Harley Davidson. It has won a place in the hearts of Metal Heads and Petrol Heads alike. Some of the most out going enthusiasts of the vehicle being Rob Halford of  Judas Priest and Vince Neil of Motley Crew, both enjoy the ride of the Hogg as well as the esthetic value of it. As an iconic beat in the hearts of many Rock and Roll fans and artists, the Hogg appeals to almost every age group in the most primitive sensual feeling in the brain.

Stay tuned to the Devil’s Steed as next edition we delve into the best alternatives for those of you who have trouble acquiring a Harley.

Photo credit – Nordlichter4