The Harley-Davidson Motor Company began very unimpressively in 1903. Harley’s founding fathers, Bill Harley and Arthur Walter Davidson, began with a small engine prototype that was too weak to climb the modest hills outside of Milwaukee. It is from these humble beginnings that two schoolboys came to help shape the culture and spirit of America.
The notion of the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was well ahead of its time in view of the fact real live horses were the still backbone of transportation with automobiles still being improved upon. Yes, motorcycles were around but the industry was in its infancy and floundering to gain traction when young Bill and Arthur burst onto the scene.

The initial prototype is to be viewed as a success but it was obvious that stronger engines were needed. Two years later they improved the power of the Harley Davidson engine and made 11 motorcycles.  This production number jumped to 154 in 1908 as the thriving young company began to find broader acceptance.
Each year witnessed the company making more innovations.  In addition, the young company found a market that was increasingly hungry for its product.  Harley Davidson was soon, without question, the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

Harley-Davidson caught the eye of the US government in both World War I and II when they were called upon to produce motorcycles for the military.  It was during this time that the Harley Davidson motorcycles came to be known for their endurance and dependability.

After more than 100 years of making motorcycles, Harley-Davidson is among the most highly sought after motorcycle brands in the world. This was evidenced in 2003 by the more than 250,000 people who attended Harley Davidson’s 100^th year celebration party in Milwaukee. Each year Harley Davidson continues to bring improvements and help further define the American spirit.

-Live by it