One of the most popular American brand of motorcycles is Harley Davidson. The company was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it made history as being one of only two American motorcycle companies to not go bankrupt during the Great Depression. Harley has also survived strong competition from the Japanese motorcycle market and, in fact, has actually become fairly popular in some overseas markets.
Harley Davidson was founded by William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. Twenty-year-old Harley created plans for a small engine that could be attached to a standard bicycle frame, and for two years, he and Davidson worked to create a prototype. The two, along with Arthur's brother Walter, eventually perfected the motorcycle and began selling Harley-Davidson brand bikes in 1905.
Harley Davidson took off like a rocket, and just a year later, the company built its first factory. The company's corporate headquarters still sits on this location. Throughout World War I and World War II, Harley produced some motorcycles for the military, and they would eventually make bikes for other organizations like the police. Of course, the company has had its down times, too, such as when American Machine and Foundry purchased Harley Davidson and started producing bikes that were of very low quality. Fortunately, that didn't last long.
Harley Davidson riders are very protective of the brand. You'll always be able to pick them out they'll be the bikers wearing the jackets covered in orange and black, the official Harley colors. You'll probably see some patches with the logo on it, too, like the large Harley Davidson Monogram Chenille patch.
