The Remarkable History of Harley Davidson

Owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle is a dream for most American riders. It is one of the oldest motorcycle brands with a rich history of around 120 years. Despite several tough times and ups and downs that the company has faced since its introduction, Harley Davidson has still managed to be the most favorite and top-selling American motorcycle brand. It has a strong hold over the U.S. motorcycle market with a huge fan base all over the world.

Harley Davidson carries a classic heritage and a traditional style, which is loved by most Americans. The company has always remained successful in producing unique and modern-classic motorcycles with long-haul capabilities and soul-satisfying rumble. Harley Davidson’s brand strategy has also remained in line with the customer’s liking, preferences, and requirements. Harley Davidson specializes in producing the most iconic cruisers, touring bikes, and baggers, shaping American riders' interests and making the Grand American Touring lineup one of the most successful categories in the U.S. market. The success didn’t come overnight, the company has gone through a remarkable journey and has taken several tough decisions in the past to reach this spot. Read this article to learn about the remarkable history of Harley Davidson.

Like most notable motorcycle manufacturers in the world, Harley Davidson also started by producing a small clip-on engine to install on a bicycle. William S. Harley, one of Harley Davidson’s founders, was only 20 years old when he produced a 116 cc (7.07 cu in) engine to power a bicycle.

William Harley, with his childhood friend, Arthur Davidson, started working on a new project to build an engine-powered bicycle (moped) while working in a small Milwaukee machine shop located at Henry Melk’s home, who was a mutual friend. Walter Davidson, Arthur’s brother, also joined them to offer his skills and expertise.

As a result of the combined effort, they were successful in building an engine-powered bicycle in 1903. Despite being a remarkable joint effort, the motorized bicycle could not produce adequate thrust around Milwaukee without being pushed forcefully by the pedals. However, it turned out to be the start of a new beginning and a great learning experience.

William Harley and Davidson brothers then started working to design a bigger engine, having a displacement of 405 cc (24.74 cu in), and a loop frame inspired by the Milwaukee Merkel motorcycle by Joseph Merkel, produced in 1903. This machine paved the way for the future motorcycle design.

In the same year, William Harley and Arthur Davidson decided to register a company together with the name that came from the surnames of both founders, Harley Davidson. Walter Harley became the first president of the company and also a top contender for Harley Davidson in motorcycle racing.

After the continuous efforts put in by William Harley and Arthur Davidson, the first Harley Davidson prototype motorcycle with a loop-frame design was made functional in 1904. Due to the lack of a mechanic shop, this prototype was prepared in the backyard of Davidson’s home. It immediately came to the limelight after taking part in the State Fair Park Milwaukee motorcycle race and securing the fourth position.

In 1905, the production of Harley Davidson complete motorcycles started in limited numbers. The company started advertising its motorcycles. The first advertisement was published in the Automobile and Cycle Trade Journal.

In the same year, Harley Davidson sold its first three motorcycles out of five, thanks to Carl H. Lang, the first Harley Davidson dealer.

In 1906, Harley Davidson successfully established its first manufacturing facility on Chestnut Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which later became renowned as the Juneau Avenue facility. It was a small factory with a wooden structure. However, Harley-Davidson raised its production to 50 units in the same year. These motorcycles were fitted with a 440 cc (26.84 cu in) single-cylinder engine.

In 1907, after William Harley completed his mechanical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he decided to devote all his focus and energy to the business. The founders then decided to expand the Juneau Avenue facility to increase the number of motorcycles produced per year. In the same year, Harley-Davidson successfully produced 150 motorcycles.

In the same year, William Davidson, who helped the company by providing several parts to build its prototype, left his job at the Milwaukee Road railroad to join Harley Davidson.

1907 marked the year in which Harley Davidson produced its first V-Twin engine-powered motorcycle after a successful display at the Chicago Automobile Show. The first V-Twin engine produced by Harley Davidson had an angle of 45° between the two cylinders and a displacement of 880 cc (53.68 cu in) capable of delivering a horsepower of 7 hp. These V-Twin engine-powered motorcycles were fast enough to attain a top speed of 60 mph. The horsepower these V-Twin engines could produce was double what a single-cylinder engine could produce.

In 1908, the company improved its production cycles and successfully built 450 motorcycles.

The production capacity of Harley Davidson increased further and the company was able to produce 1,149 motorcycles in 1909.

Harley Davidson made certain improvements in their V-Twin engine design to make it perform better and lighter. It replaced automatic intake valves with mechanically operated intake valves. However, the displacement was reduced to 811 cc (49.48 cu in).

The company introduced the concept of spring preload adjustable seats to improve the level of comfort, known as the “Full-Floating Seat”. This seat featured a coil spring attached to the seat tube, offering 76 mm of travel, and could be adjusted as per the rider’s weight. It was a successful invention and was widely used in most Harley-Davidson motorcycles until 1958.

In 1912, Harley Davidson started selling Harley motorcycles in Japan.

The production increased in 1913 thanks to the company’s new manufacturing facility consisting of five floors near the Juneau Avenue factory. Harley Davidson successfully produced 16,284 motorcycles in 1913.

Besides the increase in its production capacity, Harley Davidson also managed to conquer the racing tracks starting from 1914 while leaving behind its toughest competitor, Indian Motorcycle.

In 1914, Harley Davidson introduced the H-D 10-F model, which featured a two-speed transmission and a step-starter.

The successful journey was going smoothly until World War I surfaced on the face of the earth and Harley Davidson was demanded to contribute to the war efforts. The company delivered more than 20,000 motorcycles to the U.S. Army.

In the same year, Harley Davidson also started producing bicycles to keep the interests of commercial buyers alive. Several bicycle models were introduced for females and young riders. However, it turned out to be a flop business idea and was discontinued completely in 1923 due to poor sales.

In 1918, Harley Davidson’s first-ever overseas dealership was established in Australia. It is considered to be one of the oldest H-D dealerships that is still operational.

Soon after World War I ended in 1918, Harley Davidson worked extremely hard to push its boundaries further to expand its operations and production capability. As a result, the company became the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer of that time in 1920, producing more than 28,000 motorcycles with a vast dealership network in 67 countries.

In 1921, Harley Davidson became the first motorcycle to win a race while maintaining an average speed of above 100 mph thanks to Otto Walker, who was one of the biggest names in the motorcycle racing world of the 1910s and 1920s.

In the same year, Harley Davidson introduced a more refined and bigger V-Twin engine with a displacement of 1,216 cc (74 cu in).

1925 was the year when Harley Davidson started producing motorcycles with a teardrop-shaped fuel tank.

In 1928, the company introduced the front brake in motorcycles to ensure better stopping power and improved safety.

In 1929, Harley Davidson introduced one of the most stylish motorcycles of its time, called the Harley D model. It was also known as the “three-cylinder Harley” as the generator was installed parallel to the cylinders, giving the Harley Davidson D a three-cylinder look. This motorcycle featured a 737 cc (45 cu in) flathead V-Twin engine. The Harley Davidson D model was introduced to compete with the Excelsior Super X and the Indian 101 Scout.

In the same year, Vivian Bales, also known as “The Enthusiast Girl”, who used to perform motorcycle stunts and cover long miles on her motorcycle, set a record on the Harley Davidson D model by riding it for 5,000 miles across the U.S. and Canada.

The Great Depression era started in 1929 and like every other company in the U.S., Harley Davidson was also severely impacted during this era. Harley Davidson sales, which were recorded to be 21,000 units in 1929, dropped continuously.

In 1933, Harley Davidson was only able to sell 3,707 units. To survive the Great Depression era, the company came up with several ideas to grow its business. It started producing new motorcycles with 740 cc (45 cu in) flathead V-Twin engines and industrial power plants.

Another prominent innovative Harley product that the company introduced in the Great Depression era was the three-wheeled motorcycle, known as the Servi-Car. The Servi-Car laid the foundation of modern Harley Davidson three-wheeled motorcycles, called “Trikes”. Despite being a three-wheeled motorcycle, it came with a solo rider seat. Towards the rear, a large trunk was attached to the motorcycle, making it a utility motorcycle. The Servi-Car proved to be a successful invention by Harley and it remained in production until 1973.

In 1932, Harley Davidson introduced the H-D R series to replace the Harley D model. The Harley R series received several styling upgrades that became the trademark of modern Harley motorcycles.

After recovering from the Great Depression Era, Harley Davidson made a comeback by releasing the H-D ULH model, which featured a four-speed transmission and a 1,303 cc side-valve V-Twin engine capable of delivering a horsepower of 39 hp at 4,200 rpm. This motorcycle could reach a top speed of 140 km/h and weighed around 240 kg.

Soon after the Great Depression era ended, Harley Davidson had to undergo another tough period with the advent of World War II. Harley Davidson was one of the two major American motorcycle manufacturers, along with Indian Motorcycle, that survived the World War II era. Being one of the top American motorcycle companies, Harley Davidson took the responsibility to assist the U.S. military and allies. Consequently, the company began delivering Harley Davidson WL models powered by a 740 cc (45 cu in) engine, known as the H-D WLA (A for Army). Upon the start of World War II, Harley Davidson started producing the H-D WLA and the H-D WLC (Canadian model) in large numbers to deliver them to the U.S. Army and allies. More than 90,000 motorcycles were produced and delivered by Harley Davidson to contribute to the war efforts.

The Harley Davidson XA was specifically produced by the company on special request by the U.S. military. The military requested to design a motorbike inspired by a shaft-driven BMW R71 model with side valves. As a result, the Harley Davidson XA was introduced with a 750 cc engine and a shaft drive, inspired by the BMW R71. This motorcycle had superior cooling efficiency. However, the Harley XA was only produced in limited numbers and it never entered full production. The Harley Davidson XA is the only shaft-driven Harley Davidson motorcycle ever built.

Due to a huge contribution to the war efforts, Harley Davidson was awarded the Army-Navy “E” Awards in 1943.

Harley Davidson received another award in 1945 to appreciate its efforts in World War II and its excellence in production.

The 1948 Harley Davidson FL came with several new features and technological advancements, including a Peanhead V-Twin engine with overhead valves and rocker covers. The V-Twin engine also received aluminum heads to ensure low weight and better engine cooling. The Knucklehead engine design also featured a better oil circulation system and hydraulic lifters to ensure durability. The company was able to sell 31,163 Harley Davidson FL models in a single year (1948).

Due to tough competition being provided by the “Big Four” Japanese motorcycle brands, including Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki, Harley Davidson filed a petition to impose a 40% tax on imported motorcycles. The Japanese motorcycle brands were becoming immensely popular worldwide due to being reliable, cheaper, and more performance-oriented. The Big Four’s popularity was hurting the sale of Harley Davidson, particularly in the North American market.

The application to the U.S. Tariff Commission backfired and Harley Davidson was charged with restrictive practices as a result.

The reputation of the brand continued to tarnish after the outlaw gangs surfaced. The outlaws, including the most infamous, Hell Angels, were found guilty of committing heinous and violent crimes. The Harley Davidson’s brand image was further smudged by Hollywood movies, showing Harley Davidson riders committing violent crimes and being involved in illegal activities.

The early 1950s was the time when Harley Davidson was slowly progressing towards modern motorbike designs with a classic round-shape headlamp and chrome finish. This motorcycle was a race model and was made lighter than previous models. The idea of introducing the Harley K model was to compete with fast and sports-style motorcycles that were gaining popularity at that time. This motorcycle was fitted with a 750 cc V-Twin engine capable of generating a horsepower of 30 hp. The Harley K model featured hydraulic front and rear suspensions for the first time in civilian motorcycles.

In 1955, Harley Davidson produced one of its most notable models with a single-cylinder 125 cc engine, called the Harley Davidson Model 125, also known as the Hummer. Later, Hummer became common to refer to all the small-displacement Harley Davidson single-cylinder models. The 125 cc single-cylinder engine could produce a horsepower of 3 hp. The Hummer had a top speed of 50 mph. Later, BSA, the British motorcycle manufacturer produced the BSA Bantam inspired by the Harley Davidson Hummer.

1957 marked the year of the introduction of one of the most popular Harley Davidson series, called the Sportster lineup. The 1957 Harley Sportster XL was designed to build an easily maneuverable, lightweight, slim, sporty, and economical Harley motorbike for all riders. The 1957 Harley Sportster XL featured an 883 cc OHV V-Twin engine with the capability to produce a horsepower of 40 hp at 5,500 rpm. This motorcycle had a dry weight of 225 kg and could attain a top speed of 100 mph.

In 1960, Harley Davidson purchased 50% shares of the motorcycle division of the Italian manufacturer, Aermacchi.

In 1961, Harley Davidson returned to the basics by introducing a lightweight, simple, and entry-level motorcycle, called the Harley Super 10. This motorcycle featured a 165 cc single-cylinder engine and a three-speed gearbox. The Harley Super 10 had a telescopic front fork but to cut the cost and weight, it came with a rigid rear frame. To ensure the rider’s comfort, springs were attached under the seat for damping. This motorcycle had an exceptionally low weight of 88.45 kg (195 lbs).

The introduction of the Harley Davidson Electra Glide FLH 1200 in 1970 marked the beginning of the Harley American Grand Touring era which ultimately became the most popular motorcycle lineup in the future and shaped the bagger lineup. The Harley Electra Glide came with several advanced stock features, including a batwing-style wide fairing, a large windscreen, crash bars, hard saddlebags, a saddlebags protection cage, a comfortable solo rider seat, and chopped large fenders. The 1,207 cc V-Twin engine installed in this motorcycle was capable of producing a horsepower of 58 hp at 5,150 rpm and a torque of 95 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

In 1968, Harley Davidson introduced a scrambler-style dirt bike with a powerful V-Twin engine fitted inside a lightweight and simple frame. This motorcycle was designed to participate in dirt track racing. This motorcycle featured a 748 cc V-Twin engine capable of delivering a horsepower of 82 hp and could attain a top speed of 115 mph. Being a dirt bike racer, the Harley XR-750 Dirt Tracker had a slightly higher clearance and the exhaust pipes were also installed at a good height.

The Harley XRTT Road Racer was the race bike version of the Harley XR-750 Dirt Tracker. It came with a streamlined and smooth fiberglass fairing and a fiberglass fuel tank, having a capacity of 6 gal, to ensure low overall weight. The Harley XRTT-750 Road Racer is one of the most iconic and successful motorcycles in the history of road racing with the most number of wins.

In 1969, when Harley Davidson sales dropped to the lowest level and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was acquired by the American Machine and Foundry (AMF), which was one of the largest American machine manufacturers, producing a wide range of diversified products, including yachts, atomic reactors, and garden equipment. After the acquisition, AMF made several attempts to regain Harley’s lost reputation through downsizing and streamlining its production. However, the strategies to recover backfired as it resulted in several labor strikes. In an effort to reduce the cost of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the quality became poorer which ultimately led to the popularity of Japanese motorcycles.

The Harley Davidson Easy Rider, also known as Easy Rider Captain America, is one of the most popular customized Harley motorcycles ever made and has a separate fan following among chopper lovers. It was built by two custom builders, Ben Hardy, and Cliff Vaughs, on the instructions provided to them by Peter Fonda, Dan Haggerty, and Tex Hall to use the motorcycle in the movie, Easy Rider. This motorcycle had an unusually long wheelbase thanks to its chopper-style extended front fork design. Being a classic chopper, the rear frame was rigid, along with a tall sissy bar. The Harley Easy Rider also had ape-hanger handlebars and a single-piece step-up saddle extended to form a backrest for the passenger. Two separate fishtail-style mufflers and an American flag gas tank gave the Harley Easy Rider a unique and iconic look.

The early 1970s era marked the beginning of the custom chopper trend. Harley Davidson became the first motorcycle manufacturer to introduce the first-ever factory-made custom chopper, called the Harley FX 1200 Super Glide. This motorcycle featured a big 1,207 cc OHV V-Twin engine capable of delivering an impressive horsepower of 65 hp at 5,500 rpm, along with a four-speed transmission. Being a custom chopper, it came with a stylish paint scheme, buckhorn handlebars, and a raked-out front end. Despite weighing 584.2 lbs, the Harley FX 1200 Super Glide was an easily maneuverable motorcycle.

This is not what Harley Davidson is known for but it once produced a competitive scrambler-style motocross motorcycle in 1976, called the Harley MX-250. It had a basic construction with taller suspensions, high ground clearance, knobby tires, and a flat saddle. The Harley MX-250 was fitted with a 242 cc two-stroke engine that could produce a horsepower of 32 hp at 9,000 rpm and a torque of 18.91 lb-ft at 9,000 rpm.

Introduced in 1977, the Harley Davidson FXS Low Rider became a top-selling motorcycle instantly after its launch. It was an upgraded and more refined version of the Harley FX Super Glide with more extended front forks to give it a classic chopper look, a step-up saddle for two-up riding, and a two-into-one exhaust system. It was fitted with a fat rear tire and a slim front tire to ensure better linear performance and stability. The 1,207 cc V-Twin engine could produce a horsepower of 58 hp at 5,150 rpm. The Harley FXS Low Rider could attain a top speed of 98 mph (158 km/h) with an exceptional fuel mileage of 47 mpg.

In 1977, Harley Davidson experimented to make something new and different from their traditional designs. As a result, the Harley Davidson XLCR was launched in 1977. It was a cafe racer-style motorcycle with an aerodynamic front fairing, extended wheelbase, solo rider seat, and an extended rear muffler. The Harley XLCR cafe racer was powered by a 1,000 cc V-Twin engine with the capability to generate a horsepower of 68 hp and a torque of 81 Nm.

In 1980, Harley Davidson introduced a limited-edition model, specially designed for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Only 1,500 units of this motorcycle were produced. The Harley FXB Sturgis received a 1,337 V-Twin engine capable of delivering 67hp of horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 69 ft-lb of torque at 3,000 rpm. This motorcycle was one of the most stylish chopper bikes with a lustrous black paint job, racked-out front end, buckhorn handlebars, separate dual short exhaust pipes, and a sissy bar with a backrest for the passenger.

As a result of poor sales performance, AMF had to sell the company for $80 million to a group of businessmen, headed by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals. Several improvements were made to the manufacturing processes and branding strategy to improve the motorcycles’ quality and sales.

After the successful implementation of new and improved manufacturing processes and the inclusion of technological advancements, Harley Davidson emphasized its claim to the U.S. Tariff Commission another time to impose an additional tax on imported Japanese motorcycles. As a result, a 45% tax was imposed on imported motorcycles with a displacement of above 700 cc by the newly elected U.S. President, Ronald Reagan. The decision provided Harley Davidson some time to rethink its brand strategy to build more reliable motorcycles and ensure better performance.

The new management decided to transform its manufacturing strategy. It stopped making motorcycles that were mere clones of successful Japanese models. Instead, it started producing motorcycles that were inspired by Harley Davidson's old models and deliberately termed them as retro-style motorbikes. Apart from retro looks, Harley Davidson started outsourcing the production of several motorcycle parts to notable manufacturing companies, resulting in more powerful and technologically advanced motorcycles. This transformed strategy helped regain the interest of potential buyers and Harley Davidson’s sales started increasing.

In 1984, Harley Davidson introduced its first Softail model, called the Harley FXST Softail after purchasing the "Sub Shock" cantilever-swingarm rear suspension technology from Bill Davis, a Missouri engineer. The distinctive feature of the Softail model was its hidden rear shocks to give it a hardtail look. Apart from the look, the Harley FXST Softail featured a 1,337 cc V-Twin engine capable of delivering a horsepower of 45.68 hp at 5,000 rpm.

In the same year, the company also produced a special version of the Harley Davidson Electra Glide, called the Harley FLHX Electra Glide Special Edition with several additional features, including a more comfortable seat, better intake, a large rear trunk, passenger grab rails, and a backrest for the passenger. The engine was also upgraded with a more powerful 1,337 cc V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 50 hp at 4,000 rpm and a torque of 94 Nm at 3,000 rpm.

The first model of the Harley Softail Heritage Classic was introduced in 1986 and it instantly became a successful and fan-favorite model due to its vintage styling and retro look. It is one of the oldest Harley motorcycles that is still being produced. However, it has received several upgrades, which makes the Harley Heritage Classic a modern classic cruiser. Despite the old-school styling, the Harley Heritage Classic has several promising modern features to make your ride fun, safe, and comfortable. It features a large windscreen, leather saddlebags, rider floorboards, leather seats, Hiawatha headlamps, fat tires, and mid-mounted pulled-back handlebars. The 2023 Harley Heritage Classic comes with a 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine capable of producing a horsepower of 94 hp and a torque of 161.3 Nm at 3,000 rpm.

In 1987, Harley Davidson started a close association with the American sports bike manufacturer by providing the company with 50 XR1000 engines to be used in Buell motorcycles. The partnership resulted in the success of Buell motorcycles. The company became well known for its low-powered, low-cost, and reliable beginner-friendly motorcycles.

Harley Davidson rose to popularity again and became the sales leader after the successful launch of the Harley Fat Boy in the heavyweight motorcycle category. The name “Fat Boy” came from its wider structure when viewed from the front. However, speculation surfaced regarding the name “Fat Boy” that it was taken from the atomic bombs, Fat Man and Little Boy, detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, to defame Harley Davidson. The Harley Fat Boy received a powerful 1,338 cc V-Twin engine capable of generating a horsepower of 67 hp at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 97 Nm at 2,350 rpm.

In 1992, Harley Davidson introduced another limited edition model to honor Daytona Beach, called the Harley Dyna Glide Daytona. It was produced in small numbers and received a pearl paint job. The Harley FXDB Dyna Glide Daytona had the same engine and specs as the Harley FXDB Daytona.

Harley Davidson continued to supply engines to Buell until 1993 when it decided to purchase almost half of Buell’s shares.

Harley Davidson motorcycles are well-known for their distinctive sound thanks to the large V-Twin engines with a single crankpin design. The company filed a petition in an attempt to trademark its distinctive sound. However, the company had to drop this idea as all the competitors opposed Harley Davidson’s stance to register the sound trademark.

In 1994, Harley Davidson stunned the world by introducing its first-ever pure sports bike for road racing after 90 years, the Harley VR1000. This sports bike was named one of the coolest sports bikes of the 1990s with a trendy streamlined design and aerodynamic features. However, despite huge efforts being put in by the company, the Harley Davidson VR1000 could not make a huge name in sports racing and therefore, completely vanished from the scene before the start of the 21st century.

The Harley Davidson VR1000 received a 1,000 cc 60° V-Twin engine capable of generating a horsepower of 135 hp at 10,000 rpm. To ensure better handling and cornering performance, this motorcycle was fitted with Öhlins upside-down front suspension and Penske rear shock absorber.

In 1998, Harley Davidson became the owner of 98% shares of the Buell Motorcycle Company.

To target the motorcycle market in the southern hemisphere, Harley Davidson decided to establish an overseas manufacturing facility in Manaus, Brazil. The factory was built in the free economic zone in Manaus to have several tax benefits.

After working on its fairing technology to make the motorcycle perform better, Harley Davidson launched its premium bagger, called the Harley Road Glide in 1998, which shaped the future of the touring bike market. This bagger brought back the iconic 1980s frame/chassis-mounted sharknose fairing to reduce the load from its front end and to make steering easy.

In 1998, a renowned custom race car builder, John Buttera, designed a reverse-trike motorcycle while working with Harley Davidson as a design engineer. He was responsible for producing unique designs and prototypes for the company. The Harley Davidson Penster Trike had two front wheels and a single rear wheel in a Y-configuration. Unlike the Can-Am reverse trikes, the Harley Davidson Penster Trike had an old-school appearance with an exposed engine. The design of the Harley Davidson Penster Trike was further improved over the years and the final look was revealed in 2006. However, the Harley Davidson Penster Trike prototype did not reach production and instead, the Harley Davidson Tri-Glide was introduced by the company.

In 1999, Harley Davidson introduced one of its most-loved touring bikes, called the Harley Road King. It received several touring-oriented parts to ensure an ideal long-distance riding experience. A large front windshield provided adequate wind blocking to ensure minimum distraction. The windshield was easily detachable if the rider preferred a stripped-down cruising experience. The Harley Davidson Road King also came with standard hard saddlebags, crash bars, frame guards, and floorboards for both rider and passenger. The Harley Davidson Road King featured a 1,450 cc air-cooled, Twin Cam 88 V-Twin engine capable of delivering a torque of 107 Nm and a horsepower of 67 hp at 5,200 rpm.

After the trend of custom-built motorcycles with stylish custom paint jobs became immensely popular among motorcycle enthusiasts in the 1990s, Harley Davidson introduced a separate department, called the CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) to design its unique custom-build lineup. The company picked several high-end Harley models and improved their performance by installing a more powerful engine and several notable features. These motorcycles received custom paint jobs, including unique dual-tone color schemes and artwork to provide CVO models with an unmatched look. Currently, there are several high-end Harley models, including the Harley Road Glide and the Harley Street Glide that receive special treatment by Harley CVO and are sold for more than $40,000.

Harley Davidson experienced a tough time in 2000 when a tragic accident, resulting in the death of Charles Paul, a police officer in Raleigh, North Carolina occurred. As per the reports, the Harley Davidson Police touring model crashed after experiencing a speed wobble at high speed. To investigate the issue, a test ride was conducted by the California Highway Patrol department and it turned out that the police touring models were unstable at high speeds, resulting in speed wobbles. The excessive vibrations caused severe and life-threatening motorcycle crashes. It was a major setback to the Harley-Davidson brand’s reputation.

The Harley Sportster XLH 1200 was introduced in 2001 with a slightly aggressive and sporty design. This motorcycle featured mid-mounted foot controls and buckhorn handlebars to ensure sporty ergonomics. Unlike Harley Davidson choppers, the Harley Sportster XLH 1200 had a relatively shorter wheelbase due to a less raked-out front end. Despite being sportier, the rider could enjoy comfortable rides on the Harley Sportster 1200 due to being fitted with a cushioned two-up saddle.

The Harley Sportster 1200 was equipped with a 1,200 cc air-cooled, Evolution V-Twin engine capable of producing a horsepower of 61 hp at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 88 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

Introduced in 2002, the Harley Davidson FXDWG3 Dyna Wide Glide was another stylish chopper with more custom features, including a small nose fairing, custom handlebar grips, and flames paint job. The Harley Dyna Wide Glide came with a more powerful 1,449 cc V-Twin Twin-Cam 88 engine capable of a horsepower of 67 hp at 5,200 rpm and an impressive torque of 116.6 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

In 2003, Harley Davidson completed 100 years of successfully operating and producing top-class motorcycles. The company celebrated the occasion by organizing a concert with several memorable performances by Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, The Doobie Brothers, and Elton John.

In the same year, Harley Davidson also bought the remaining 2% shares of Buell Motorcycle Company to become the sole owner.

In 2004, Harley Davidson introduced another brilliantly designed chopper with a streamlined structure, extended front end, and low seat height. This motorcycle came with a small round headlamp, fuel tank-mounted gauges, a single-piece step-up comfortable seat, a bobber-style front fender, and an extended rear mudguard with an integrated tail light. Being a classic chopper, it was fitted with a narrow front tire wrapped around a 21-inch large front wheel and a fat rear tire wrapped around a 16-inch rear wheel. At the heart of the Harley Softail FXST was a rigid mount 1,450 cc Twin Cam 88B V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 62.54 hp at 5,300 rpm. This motorcycle could reach a top speed of 105.63 mph. Being a Softail model, the rear shock was hidden under the seat to give it a cleaner look.

Introduced in 2006, the Harley Davidson Street Glide has been one of the best-selling touring bikes in the U.S. market and is still in production today. It was the American version of touring bikes with a batwing-style wide fairing, a small windscreen, audio system, speakers, and hard saddlebags. This motorcycle was an ideal bagger for comfortable long-distance riding and motorcycle touring. However, riders must have sufficient riding experience to handle this heavyweight motorcycle. The Harley Street Glide also comes with crash bars and floorboards for riders. It came with six analog gauges to display useful information to the rider. The Harley Street Glide came with adjustable side mirrors mounted to the fairing.

The 2006 Harley Street Glide received a 1,450 cc air-cooled Twin Cam 88B engine capable of producing a torque of 117 Nm at 3,500 rpm and a horsepower of 67 hp at 5,200 rpm.

Harley Davidson decided to attract its fans and the motorcycling community by providing them with a unique space where the company would display its memorable and historic models and archives. The construction of the Harley Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin started in 2006.

Another top-of-the-line cruiser-style touring bike introduced by Harley Davidson in 2006 was the Harley Softail Deluxe with a large round headlamp, beefier front forks, large chopped front and rear fenders, pulled-back handlebars, tuck-and-roll style comfortable rider seat and a separate passenger seat for two-up riding, rider floorboards, whitewall tires, and wire-spoked wheels to ensure appealing vintage styling. This motorcycle was powered by a 1,450 cc air-cooled, Twin Cam 88B engine with the capability to generate a horsepower of 68 hp at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 115 Nm at 3,000 rpm.

The Harley Dyna Street Bob was designed to attract solo riders with its minimalist and simple design. It came with a solo rider seat, separate dual exhaust pipes, and the iconic ape hanger handlebars for a more comfortable upright riding posture.

The Harley Fat Bob is another premium cruiser in the Harley cruisers lineup with a distinctive front look thanks to dual round headlamps. This motorcycle featured a 1,584 cc Twin Cam 96 engine and a six-speed transmission. The engine could produce a torque of 125 Nm at 3,000 rpm. When it comes to aesthetics, several features made the Harley Fat Bob stand out from other Harley cruisers. The bobber-style front fender, bobtail rear fender, streamlined design, two-into-one-into-two exhaust pipes, fat tires, and wide drag handlebars mounted on a black riser made it a desired motorcycle. The Harley Fat Bob had similar sportier ergonomics as the Harley Breakout and the Harley V-Rod with its forward foot controls and low-mounted drag handlebars.

In 2007, Harley Davidson pushed its boundaries to produce the Harley V-Rod VRSCX, which was nothing like a traditional Harley motorcycle. This motorcycle had a long wheelbase, thanks to its extended front-end design and an unconventional frame to ensure a sporty look and performance. The Harley V-Rod VRSCX was a performance cruiser with a 1,250 cc liquid-cooled Revolution V-Twin engine that could produce an impressive horsepower of 123 hp at 7,000 rpm and a torque of 116.6 Nm at 7,000 rpm.

Unlike conventional Harley cruisers, the Harley V-Rod was fitted with low-mounted drag handlebars, making the rider lean forward to reach the handlebars while riding. Despite being sportier, this motorcycle came with forward-mounted foot controls, making it uncomfortable for shorter riders. The step-up seat installed in the Harley V-Rod was only 26 inches tall and came with lower back support for the rider. It had a bobber-style small front fender and a cafe-racer-style rear fender. Due to being liquid-cooled, the Harley V-Rod had a large painted radiator installed in front of the engine. For superior linear performance, this motorcycle was fitted with a wide rear tire, giving it a distinctive look.

The construction of the Harley Davidson Museum was completed in 2008 and was opened to the public the same year. The museum also has a café, restaurant, and sitting space for visitors to enjoy their time at the museum.

In 2008, Harley Davidson acquired the Italian motorcycle brand, called the MV Agusta for $109 million.

A year after acquiring MV Agusta, Harley Davidson sold the company to the previous owner, Claudio Castiglioni, who continued working as a chairman even after the acquisition by Harley Davidson.

After careful consideration, Harley Davidson decided to establish a new overseas subsidiary in India, a reputable and huge motorcycle market.

In 2009, Harley Davidson seized the production of Buell motorcycles in favor of Harley Davidson. The company decided to give full attention to the parent company.

The 2007-2008 global financial crisis caused a huge drop in Harley Davidson’s share price, reduced by 43% in 2009. It was a huge setback to the company, resulting in a 66% drop in the company’s profit. As a result, Harley Davidson had to cut down its operating costs and reduce the employees' strength. More than 3,500 employees lost their jobs as a result of this financial crisis.

After building a strong reputation, Harley Davidson started selling Harley motorcycles in India in 2010.

A Harley Davidson subsidiary was built in Gurgaon, Delhi in 2011.

2012 marked the year of the introduction of the Harley Sportster Iron 883, which became the most popular beginner motorcycle soon after its launch. It is one of the most agile and nimble motorcycles Harley Davidson has ever produced. Due to its low-powered engine, slim design, and smooth handling characteristics, the Harley Sportster Iron 883 became one of the best-selling entry-level motorcycles in the U.S. market. It gained a lot of popularity among young riders and women. However, to focus on producing high-powered motorcycles and improving their performance, Harley Davidson decided to discontinue this model in 2022.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 was powered by an 883 cc air-cooled Evolution engine capable of delivering a horsepower of 4 hp and a torque of 73.21 Nm. The newer model came with a stylish tuck-and-roll solo rider seat, bobber-style fenders, separate shorty dual exhaust pipes, and a matte-black finish. Mid-mounted foot controls and low-mounted drag handlebars installed on the Harley Iron 883 ensured a sportier riding style.

One of the most simple and performance-wise incredible motorcycles in the Harley cruiser lineup was the Harley Softail Slim. It received immense recognition among Harley fans due to being an easy-to-ride motorcycle with excellent handling and cornering capabilities. The Harley Softail Slim was inspired by the bobbers delivered to the U.S. Army and allies in the World War II era. A large round-shape headlamp, bobber-style front and rear mudguards, fat tires, a solo rider seat, matte black finish, and rider floorboards made it one of the best-looking motorcycles in the American cruiser market. The Harley Softail Slim received several upgrades over time to boost its performance and comfort. The latest Harley Softail Slim was fitted with a 1,753 cc Milwaukee-Eight 104 engine capable of producing a torque of 149.14 Nm and a horsepower of 73.7 hp.

In 2014, Harley Davidson released the CVO Breakout model with one of the longest wheelbases in motorcycling history thanks to its extended front forks. This motorcycle was a CVO project that came with a dual-tone stylish custom paint job and chrome finish. Another distinctive feature was the contrast chrome turbine custom wheels and a wide rear tire.

The 2014 Harley CVO Breakout received a powerful 1,802 cc air-cooled, Twin Cam 110B V-Twin engine capable of delivering a horsepower of 94 hp at 5,000 rpm and a torque of 149.14 Nm at 3,750 rpm.

Introduced in 2014, the Harley Davidson 750 Street was designed to attract beginners and young riders. Despite being an entry-level motorbike, it was one of the most good-looking bikes in the Harley lineup with the blacked-out finish and a glossy paint job. The Harley 750 Street was powered by the 749 cc Revolution X V-Twin engine with the capability of producing a torque of 59 Nm at 4,000 rpm and a horsepower of 58 hp.

After continuous efforts by Harley Davidson in the field of electric motorcycle technology, the company managed to introduce the Harley LiveWire prototypes for test rides at the Harley Dealerships in the U.S.

In 2018, Harley Davidson introduced another modern motorcycle with an unconventional design to attract young riders. This motorcycle was a performance cruiser ideal for solo riding. It featured a cafe racer-style solo rider seat and a tail cowl. The Harley Softail FXDR is one of those Harley motorcycles with an unusually long wheelbase, like the Harley Breakout. The matte-black finish, fat rear tire, and clip-on handlebars gave this motorcycle a distinctive look. The 1,868 cc 45° V-Twin engine could produce a horsepower of 90 hp at 4,500 rpm and a torque of 160 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Being a performance cruiser, the Harley Softail FXDR could maintain a top speed of 115 mph.

In 2019, Harley Davidson launched the most-awaited electric motorcycle, called the Harley Davidson LiveWire. It was the first electric motorcycle by any mainstream motorcycle manufacturer. This innovative motorcycle was powered by a liquid-cooled, three-phase inductor motorcycle, ensuring a top speed of 115 mph. The induction motor could produce a horsepower of 105 hp and a torque of 117 Nm. The battery installed in this motorcycle was designed to provide a range of 146 miles in the city. The Harley Davidson LiveWire has received several upgrades since its introduction. The Harley LiveWire had a sportier stance and performance cruiser look. This motorcycle was designed to target a completely different market, particularly young riders who are more interested in technologically advanced and clean energy vehicles.

Despite several steps being taken by the top-tier Harley Davidson management in India, the company could not bear the losses. The lack of sales and demand urged the company to stop its operations in India. The Bawal, Northern India manufacturing plant was also closed after the decision. Discontinuing manufacturing in India incurred a loss of $75 million.

This modern muscle cruiser was introduced in 2021 by Harley Davidson. The Harley Sportster S is a sporty cruiser designed for young and shorter riders due to its compact geometry and small size. This motorcycle is ideal for solo rides and high-speed performance. If you are a fan of cafe racers, the Harley Sportster S is a perfect choice for you. It comes with a flat solo rider seat and a cafe racer-style tail cowl. Like scramblers, exhaust pipes are installed at a reasonable height. The Harley Sportster S features a 1,252 cc Revolution Max engine capable of producing a horsepower of 121 hp and a torque of 127.45 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The Harley Sportster S’ recorded top speed is 120.7 mph.

As announced in 2021, LiveWire became a separate company as it was difficult for Harley Davidson to focus on both gas-powered and electric motorcycles.

Harley Davidson has become a household motorcycle brand in America with the highest sales. There are so many unique things about Harley Davidson that make it the most loved and desirable motorcycle brand. Above all, the sound and feel are what make American riders go crazy about Harley Davidson. Being one of the oldest American motorcycle manufacturers, the company has been successful in stimulating the interest of American riders to make cruisers, baggers, and touring bikes the most popular motorbike categories in America.

The V-Twin engines have become a staple in Harley-Davidson motorcycles since they were born in 1909. The company may not have the best research and development department and the motorcycles it produces may not be the most technologically advanced; however, the company knows what customers want and how their motorcycles should look and perform.

After making a very humble beginning in 1903 in Wisconsin, Harley Davidson continued to progress and became the world’s largest motorcycle producer within 20 years after its introduction. The company has also been awarded several times for its major contributions during World War times.

As of now, Harley Davidson is witnessing a tough time and a drop in sales. The company had to close its operations in several markets, including India. However, despite the severe challenges, Harley Davidson still manages to be the highest-selling motorcycle brand in America.

Another prominent feature of Harley-Davidson motorcycles is their ability to be customized. If you cannot afford to buy a new Harley motorcycle, you can always buy a used one and customize it according to your needs. Viking Bags is one of the leading aftermarket parts manufacturers and has a wide range of modification options available for your Harley Davidson model to make it more plush, comfortable, and safe. Visit Viking Bags’ online store and clock on your make and model to find the best-quality saddlebags, tank bags, trunk bags, fairings, crash bars, sissy bars, luggage racks, and backrests, specially designed for your Harley Davidson motorcycle.