| Harley Davidson. The name means motorcycles. | | | | impression that the viewer is watching |
| In business for over a hundred years, the | | | | greatness drive by.They figure prominently in |
| company is universally acknowledged as the | | | | the major rallies, the Daytona in Florida in |
| manufacturer of some of the world's finest | | | | March, the Laconia in New Hampshire in June |
| motorcycles, and justly so.Beginning in the | | | | and the Sturgis in South Dakota in August. |
| mind of William Harley and the backyard of | | | | Thousands of Harley owners attend and there |
| his friend, Arthur Davidson, the pair created | | | | are inevitably a few dropped jaws at the |
| a 'motorized bicycle' that has evolved into | | | | sight of some of the customized versions.The |
| the standard for fine two-wheeled | | | | Harley Owners Group, H.O.G., founded in 1983, |
| transportation.Founded in Milwaukee, | | | | now has over 1,000 chapters with over a |
| Wisconsin, their first bike didn't even have | | | | million members worldwide. Many don't even |
| enough power to make it up the small hills of | | | | own a bike. But the passion for this exemplar |
| the town without pedal assistance. The pair | | | | of motorcycle engineering is the same, even |
| were undaunted. Within a few years they were | | | | so. You don't have to own a Rolls Royce to |
| producing vehicles for the military fighting | | | | appreciate one as an example of excellence in |
| WWI and it's been the standard for military | | | | motoring design.Beyond the bikes themselves, |
| and police bikes ever since.From 50 | | | | there are co-branded jackets, helmets and |
| motorcycles produced at the original factory | | | | hundreds more items carrying the Harley |
| in 1906, the company has grown to produce | | | | Davidson winged emblem recognized the world |
| millions that are sold around the | | | | over. Though they contribute a modest |
| world.'Harley', 'Choppers', 'Hogs' and other | | | | percentage to the over $5 billion in annual |
| nicknames became attached over the years. | | | | revenue, the advertising is priceless. As if |
| Choppers are bikes that have a front fork | | | | anyone needed to be told that Harley Davidson |
| angle extended, moving the handlebars back. | | | | makes motorcycles!There are thousands of |
| 'Hogs' came into being when live pigs were | | | | Harley Davidson forums online - three times |
| ridden around on the back seat after winning | | | | as many as there are for Yamaha. One of the |
| a race. But whatever you call them, Harley | | | | few serious competitors for the crown of |
| Davidson motorcycles - with the exception of | | | | motorcycle design. BMW, Victory, Honda... |
| a short-lived hiccup in the 1970s - have | | | | many strive - some come close - but Harley |
| always been the gold standard of bikes.Their | | | | Davidson remains the champion. A title they |
| large, powerful engines and distinctive pipe | | | | are unlikely to relinquish anytime soon.After |
| sounds make them recognizable before they | | | | all, there's only room for one at the summit |
| even round the corner. Seeing one cements the | | | | of the tallest peak. |