| When most motorcyclists head out to enjoy an | | | | innovation geared towards the engine as well as the |
| afternoon of free riding, they think of the allure of | | | | structure, composition, and suspension of the bikes. |
| the open road. No time tables, no meetings, nothing | | | | By the time the company reached their 100 year |
| at all - just freedom. More often than not, | | | | anniversary they had gained world renown as a |
| enthusiasts can regale you about the joy of just | | | | successful brand, operating in 67 different countries |
| cruising. That is why the cruiser motorcycles are so | | | | with four major plants in the United States. Their |
| prevalent in the market today. In this article, we'll | | | | brand recognition has spurred a chain of |
| look at some of the history behind one of the most | | | | Harley-Davidson motorcycle stores that operate in a |
| famous American motorcycle brands: Harley-Davidson. | | | | franchise manner throughout the United States. They |
| Harley-Davidson was founded just after the turn of | | | | created a special feel like a chartered organization |
| the 20th century from the combined effort of | | | | with the camaraderie of brothers and sisters focused |
| William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. The two | | | | on those who share their enthusiasm for the road. |
| formed the first three production motorcycles in a | | | | The longest running motorcycling magazine The |
| 10x15 shed. Just a couple years after their inception | | | | Enthusiast is still kept up by their company, and |
| as a company, a motorcycle store in Chicago opened | | | | overall records indicate they will continue to be |
| and sold all three of the motorcycles. C.H. Lang sold | | | | prominent well into the future. Their ad campaigns |
| those first motorcycles. | | | | make sure that you understand their longstanding |
| These motorcycles were coming out with the first | | | | heritage and dedication to their loyal demographic |
| cars ever built, so they were presumably incredibly | | | | that is comprised almost 90 percent of males. Recent |
| investigatory. The goal was to create a sustainable | | | | changes to their portfolio include a site specifically |
| engine. Their vehicle won a perfect score of 1,000 | | | | geared for women and possible adaptations to their |
| points at the 7th Annual Federation of American | | | | favorite rides to accommodate their increasing |
| Motorcyclists Endurance and Reliability Contest. The | | | | popularity. |
| name was a mouthful, but the prestige was | | | | Overall, Harley-Davidson has been an exceptionally |
| immense. Winning the national competition from the | | | | successful company. They enjoy 42 years of sole |
| small town bike makers helped to propel the brand | | | | pioneering in the motorcycling world in the United |
| into the production stage. Another significant | | | | States and have proven themselves resilient and |
| accomplishment that helped to propel them to | | | | applicable in every decade since their inception. Their |
| prominence was the setting the Federation of | | | | motorcycle stores represent the most recent push |
| American Motorcyclists at 188.234 miles per gallon. | | | | to exert their brand name influence and affluence on |
| The combined strength of these two awards in 1908 | | | | the seemingly rebellious set of men who purchase |
| set the company on the way to success. The first | | | | their goods. With public charity programs and the |
| police motorcycle was also sold that year to the | | | | ability to produce a quality motorcycle, it is unlikely |
| Detroit police department. | | | | they will die out any time soon. |
| Throughout the years, the company continued | | | | |