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