One of the Biggest Motorcycle Manufacturers in the World

by John Stumpner

is Harley Davidson, Incorporated. Just about anyone who rides a motorcycle has heard of Harley Davidson, whether it’s the motorcycle brand they ride or not. Even people who don’t ride motorcycles are fans of the Harley Davidson brand and like to wear clothes and use products with the Harley Davidson logo on them.

Harley Davidson was founded in Milwaukee in 1903 by two friends named William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. At first, the two friends tried putting a motor, that Harley had made, on a bicycle. But the motor wasn’t powerful enough to take the bicycle and rider up hills without pedaling. So, with the help of Ole Evinrude, the inventor of the outboard motor for boats, they developed a larger, more powerful motor and started making actual motorcycles. Their first motorcycles were built, with the help of Arthur Davidson’s brothers, in a tool shed in the Davidson’s back yard. The motorcycles proved to be so popular, that by 1913 they had to build a factory five stories tall and two city blocks long.

At first, Harley Davidson tried to sell its motorcycles mostly to wealthy and refined people. Even so, many of the working class bought and rode Harley Davidsons, sometimes instead of a more expensive automobile. By the 1960’s, Harley Davidson changed their advertising to show that they were the motorcycle choice of the working people of America. While most of us tend to think of Harley Davidsons as heavy cruising or touring motorcycles, they have at times made sportier and sometimes smaller motorcycles. Also, in response to customer needs, Harley Davidson has made other vehicles, including bicycles, three wheeled utility vehicles and even boats.

Harley Davidson, throughout its history, has made motorcycles for all types of people and all types of riders, both in America and all over the world. Almost anywhere you go around the world, the people know what a Harley Davidson is. By working tirelessly to preserve the freedom of the road for motorcycles, ABATE of Wisconsin helps to make sure that everyone, rich or poor, can continue to enjoy riding their Harleys, both now and in the future. And not just Harleys, ABATE wants to make sure all motorcycles of any brand can continue to safely enjoy the freedom of the road and people who ride any brand of motorcycle are welcome to join ABATE of WI. And help preserve those freedoms.

John