| Harley Davidson motorcycles have long since made | | | | World War I, many Harley Davidson motorcycles |
| an indelible impression on popular culture. There is a | | | | were shipped overseas for use in combat situations. |
| unique sense of freedom that these bikes provide | | | | This forgotten piece of history aided in adding to the |
| and that is why so many people have a love and | | | | adventurous image these cycles achieved. All of |
| fondness for "biker culture". Unfortunately, many | | | | these factors contributed to the growing popularity |
| people have a negative opinion on bikers and this | | | | of the cycles and more and more people began to |
| negative opinion can be traced back to one single | | | | purchase them. |
| event in 1947. Or, more accurately, the negative | | | | The Harley Davidson myth |
| opinion can be traced back to the over the top, | | | | This led to a weird myth that circulated in the late |
| inaccurate reporting of the event. | | | | 1940's about Harley Davidson motorcycles and the |
| So, let's turn back the clock and examine what | | | | men who enjoyed riding the cycles. This myth was |
| happened in 1947 that altered the public's perception | | | | the notion that the majority of the people forming |
| forever towards people who love Harley Davidson | | | | motorcycle clubs were lonely, disaffected men who |
| bikes... | | | | rode the highways looking for their niche in the world. |
| The Hollister Riot | | | | While it is possible that a certain percentage of riders |
| The event has become known as the Hollister Riot | | | | embodied such an antisocial image, the vast majority |
| and it occurred on July, 4th 1947 in Hollister, CA. The | | | | were simply having fun. However, stereotypes |
| event was a motorcycle rally that featured 4,000 | | | | persisted and the Hollister Riots established the very |
| members of the American Motorcycle Association. | | | | negative (albeit) inaccurate opinion of such riders. |
| Motorcycle rallies had become increasingly popular in | | | | Really, there were no riots that occurred during the |
| the post World War Two era as more and more | | | | event. The main problem was lack of planning. The |
| men were taking up the hobby of group motorcycle | | | | 4,000 people who showed up for the rally were far |
| riding. In this instance, the crowd organized to | | | | more than what was initially expected. This led to |
| celebrate the American holiday. But why did | | | | disorganization and overcrowding which, in turn, led to |
| motorcycle clubs become so popular? | | | | a little rowdiness, drunken behavior and a lot of |
| The popularity of Harley Davidson | | | | reckless motorcycle racing. Unfortunately, the news |
| There were a number of reasons why motorcycle | | | | media reported tales of biker's trashing the town, |
| riding became popular. Obviously, they are fun to ride | | | | causing riots and committing acts of violence. Such |
| and offer a different experience than riding in a car. | | | | exaggerations were incredibly inaccurate but the |
| Most importantly, Harley Davidson produced excellent | | | | damage from the reporting was done. It led to a |
| motorcycles that handled well on the road. This aided | | | | stereotype of Harley Davidson motorcycle owners |
| in promoting their appeal in the marketplace. Also, | | | | which permeates to a certain degree to this very |
| Harley Davidson motorcycles had developed a unique, | | | | day. So, for better or worse, the Hollister Riots were |
| adventurous image over the prior decades. During | | | | a major defining moment in Harley Davidson history. |