Harley Davidson's Influence On The World War

The history of Harley-Davidson began in 1903, in a 10 ' x 15 ' shed located in the Davidson family 's Milwaukee backyard. The Davidson brothers - William D., Walter, and Arthur – and William S. Harley crafted their first motorcycle using the best tools they had available – mostly their hands and their ingenuity.

“While the Wright Brothers flew overhead and Model T’s rolled off Henry Ford’s assembly line, the new sport of motorcycle racing began drawing large crowds bent on celebrating a piston-powered future.” (Britannica). From 1901 to around 1903, the first racing motorcycle would be produced by the Hendee Manufacturing Company, being known as the “Indian”. Soon in 1903, Harley Davidson would produce their product of the Indian, being slightly different with a 1.75

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) was founded in 1903. The home base was originally founded in and even today remains in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Harley-Davidson’s popularity grew significantly during World War I, when the U.S. infantry used 20,000 of the company’s motorcycles in its war effort (Taylor, 2010). Best recognized for its manufacturing of heavyweight motorcycles, Harley-Davidson has captured half the U.S. market and a third of the global market (Wikinvest, 2010). Harley-Davidson motorcycles are noted for their classic lines, custom paint jobs, dependability, fine craftsmanship and the Harley-Davidson signature choppy sounding engine. Most importantly, it has been

Harley-Davidson has managed to dominate the U.S. market by investing in research and development, experimenting with its designs and

Celebrating their 100th anniversary next year, Harley-Davidson is a true American success story. From their modest beginnings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to one of the most recognized company names worldwide, they have been passionate about motorcycles. Harley offers an experience like none other with the one of a kind look, feel, and sound only available on a Harley. Besides their main business of building and selling motorcycles, they have began to offer financing and insurance through Harley-Davidson Financial Services, and they also offer a full line of accessories and apparel to make the Harley experience complete.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Harley-Davidson is the largest market share holder of motorcycles over 750cc in the United States. After the expansion of our production and distribution capacity, we will be in the position to meet the increasing demand for our motorcycles and other products. Growth potential appears very good especially in the overseas market. Gaining a larger market share in these area may require a further increase in production and distribution capacities. We must plan for expansion now and continue to grow as a company.

Milwaukee is where it all started for Harley Davidson. In 1903, William Harley Walter and Arthur Davidson created the first of millions Harley Davidson. It was one of the two major motorcycles that were able to survive the great depression. Since 1977, the only motorcycles sold to the public under the Harley-Davidson brand have been heavyweight motorcycles, with engine displacements greater than 700 cc, designed for cruising on highways. It is one of the most well known brands in the world of motorcycles and otherwise as well. Harley-Davidson maintains an enormous brand community, which keeps active through clubs, events, and a museum. The worth of Harley Davidson brand and its logo was somewhere around $40 million which was 0.8% of the

Harley managed to remain profitable by introducing larger, more powerful motorcycles, becoming the undisputed leader of the market with over 60% market share. It earned a commanding lead of 50% market share in the United States and 32% globally in the 1950’s. The Harley motorcycle became a part of American iconography and was associated with the U.S. flag and the bald eagle, America’s national symbol. This resulted in unprecedented brand loyalty, especially among U.S. customers, which is prevailing till today.

Regardless of their emergence in the market in the year, in 1903, Harley-Davidson together with the motorcycle industry did not have an easy start until the end of the Second World War. Many people used motorcycles during the period the war took place. Harley-Davidson was instrumental in supplying around 90,000 motorcycles to the American military during this period. Many veterans opted to buy motorcycles after returning home. This is because they enjoyed riding the motorcycles during the war and desired to continue riding them after the end of the war. This generation was called the "baby boomers" and became the primary target for Harley-Davidson to market their products.

All the way in December 26, 1919 a man by the name of Sainty’s won a record for the fastest race. At the same time another man named Joe Mostyn won the record in the junior division. All with Harley Davidson as there bike of choice these two were the first to give Harley Davidson the chance that it truly deserved. In 1917 Harley Davidson made their first courses in order to teach people how to specialize in these bikes. These jobs range anywhere from dealers to repairmen they did this in order to have knowledgeable and trustworthy technicians in the field.

was painfully made. Nevertheless, to compensate for being without a “toy” for Vince, we bought a sporty Harley-Davidson motorcycle to occupy his free time. Riding a motorcycle was a more cost effective sport, plus it was much easier to jump on a bike for a few hours of riding than prepare the boat for a few hours of sailing. Not quite the same, but even so, a great alternative way to have fun.

The legendary motorcycle company, Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903, by William D, Walter, Arthur and William S. Harley right in their own backyard. By 1909, they had introduced the first V-twin engine, which is the company standard to this day. Harley-Davidson motorcycles were found to be useful during World War I, where they supplied 20,000 to the military. After this war, the depression threatened the motorcycle industry, and Harley-Davidson and Indian were the only ones to survive through the 1930 's. Then during the Second World War they found themselves in the light again, this time supplying 90,000 motorcycles. In 1953 their competitor, Indian closed and

The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the first influx of low-priced, smaller Japanese motorcycles and scooters into the United States. Honda began U.S. distribution of its products in 1959, with the slogan, "You meet the nicest people on a Honda," to combat the negative image associated with the sport. Yamaha starting selling motorcycles in the United States during 1960; Suzuki followed in 1963; and Kawasakii joined the competition in 1967. BMW opened a U.S. distribution arm in 1975, incorporating in New Jersey. Harley-Davidson ended years of private ownership in 1965 with a public offering of its stock, and eventually merged with industrial giant AMF in 1969.

Harley-Davidson has been operating as a U.S. motorcycle manufacturer since 1903. Throughout its life, it has been through many hardships, but just as many successes. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Harley-Davidson experienced tremendous difficulties and almost went bankrupt in 1985. To its dismay, in the 1990s Harley-Davidson experienced several years of record growth and was ranked in 1990 by BusinessWeek as one of the top U.S. companies with a market value of $515 million. As a sign of their success, they remain the only U.S. motorcycle manufacturer still in business.

•     Started as a partnership between a draftsman and a pattern maker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. William Harley and Arthur Davidson intrigued by the newly invented motorcycles began experimenting with ideas to design and build their own motorcycle. They enlisted Arthur's brothers, Walter a skilled mechanic and William a machinist who gave live to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. That early partnership has evolved into a family of millions of Harley-Davidson, Inc. stakeholders throughout the world.