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Harley Davidson: King of Motorcycles

Harley Davidson. The name means motorcycles.impression that the viewer is watching
In business for over a hundred years, thegreatness drive by.They figure prominently in
company is universally acknowledged as thethe major rallies, the Daytona in Florida in
manufacturer of some of the world's finestMarch, the Laconia in New Hampshire in June
motorcycles, and justly so.Beginning in theand the Sturgis in South Dakota in August.
mind of William Harley and the backyard ofThousands of Harley owners attend and there
his friend, Arthur Davidson, the pair createdare inevitably a few dropped jaws at the
a 'motorized bicycle' that has evolved intosight of some of the customized versions.The
the standard for fine two-wheeledHarley 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 havemillion members worldwide. Many don't even
enough power to make it up the small hills ofown a bike. But the passion for this exemplar
the town without pedal assistance. The pairof motorcycle engineering is the same, even
were undaunted. Within a few years they wereso. You don't have to own a Rolls Royce to
producing vehicles for the military fightingappreciate one as an example of excellence in
WWI and it's been the standard for militarymotoring design.Beyond the bikes themselves,
and police bikes ever since.From 50there are co-branded jackets, helmets and
motorcycles produced at the original factoryhundreds more items carrying the Harley
in 1906, the company has grown to produceDavidson winged emblem recognized the world
millions that are sold around theover. Though they contribute a modest
world.'Harley', 'Choppers', 'Hogs' and otherpercentage 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 forkanyone 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 wereHarley Davidson forums online - three times
ridden around on the back seat after winningas many as there are for Yamaha. One of the
a race. But whatever you call them, Harleyfew serious competitors for the crown of
Davidson motorcycles - with the exception ofmotorcycle design. BMW, Victory, Honda...
a short-lived hiccup in the 1970s - havemany strive - some come close - but Harley
always been the gold standard of bikes.TheirDavidson remains the champion. A title they
large, powerful engines and distinctive pipeare unlikely to relinquish anytime soon.After
sounds make them recognizable before theyall, there's only room for one at the summit
even round the corner. Seeing one cements theof the tallest peak.



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