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