| Motorcycles; when the subject is brought up the | | | | Harley celebrated its golden anniversary (50 years). |
| picture that comes to mind is guys in black leather | | | | The Electro-glide debuted in 1965 and is available with |
| jackets, motorcycle boots, helmets and gloves | | | | an electric start. They merged with AMF in 1969. The |
| straddling a big motorized bike. We think of the guys | | | | stock was repurchased by the company in 1981. The |
| in West Side Story, the Hell's Angels, and today's | | | | Fat Boy and the Road King both debuted in the |
| baby boomers riding their new Harleys. | | | | 1990's. in1998, it was the 95th anniversary and the |
| There are about 200 million motorcycles on the road | | | | king of motorcycles bought its first plant outside the |
| today. They do not use as much gas as the most | | | | U.S. (Brazil). |
| efficient car and in some societies are the most | | | | The new millennium was ushered in by the |
| popular form of transportation. The biggest | | | | introduction of the Soft Tail (2000) deuce. In 2006 |
| motorcycle societies are India, China, Indonesia and | | | | the first dealer opened on mainland China. |
| Vietnam. They have even made taxis built like a | | | | 109 years after a dream, Harley Davidson is still the |
| three wheeled motorcycle. | | | | preferred brand of most motorcycle riders. |
| Some people ride motorcycles strictly for pleasure. | | | | Even small cities have a big motorcycle superstore. |
| They take them for trips to the mountains and other | | | | Depending on the area, they may specialize in off |
| rural areas. Urban riders prefer motorcycles because | | | | road racing, snow cross, or pleasure riding. It might |
| they can ride down the sidewalks if necessary during | | | | seem unusual but even brands that are no longer |
| a traffic jam. There are street legal and non street | | | | made are highly prized and costly to purchase. In |
| legal motorcycles. | | | | motorcycles, the most important thing is the |
| One of the most well known motorcycle names is | | | | expertise of the builder. Smaller and less weighty |
| Harley Davidson. Two guys (Harley and Davidson, of | | | | motor cycles like Suzuki and Yamaha are often called |
| course) developed the first engine for a motorcycle | | | | "bikes" because they are smaller, lighter, and easier to |
| in 1901 and made it available to the public two years | | | | use. |
| later. The first store opened in Chicago in 1904. | | | | Buell became part of the organization many years |
| Production models were sold there. Four years later | | | | ago yet its name is still widely recognized. One |
| the first Harley Davidson for police use was sold in | | | | competitor that once rivaled Harley Davidson is Indian |
| Detroit to their police department. By 1920, Hogs (as | | | | which was started in 1901, two years before HD. |
| these motorcycles are called) is the largest | | | | The company is currently experiencing a comeback |
| motorcycle dealer in the world with dealers in over | | | | after going bankrupt in 2003. With the introduction of |
| 60 countries. | | | | its 2009 styles the company is "on the warpath" |
| In 1941, the production of the private owner Harley | | | | again and back into the competition in a big way. |
| Davidson was stopped because of WWII. It won | | | | No matter what the brand, it takes a certain kind of |
| four production awards during the war. In 1957, | | | | person to ride a motorcycle. |