Eastside Harley-Davidson® New Inventory

The History of Harley-Davidson®

When you think of the classic American motorcycle, you're more than likely thinking about Harley-Davidson®. For well over a hundred years, this Wisconsin-based enterprise has been building a vast quantity of different types of motorcycles for both the domestic and international markets, and their dedication is unmatched. Bikers the world over love the company's classic designs, from their cruisers loaded with attitude to their easy-riding touring bikes.

Want to know more about this company's Milwaukee roots? Eastside Harley-Davidson, with locations in Bellevue and Lynnwood, is your Washington State H-D dealer, so we've drawn up this brief company history for your reading pleasure.

In The Beginning

Two men who had been friends since childhood are the company's namesakes: William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. The men began building single-cylinder engines at the very beginning of the 20th century, hoping to improve the basic pedal-bike designs that existed at the time. When they tried to put one of these engines on a bike, it didn't have enough power to conquer the hilly roads of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So they designed a motorized bike without pedals which became their first motorcycle, released in 1904.

Harley-Davidson® improved upon their initial designs over the coming years, building their first factory before the end of the decade. This allowed them to produce bikes much more quickly than before. In fact, their design process improved so much that within seven years of that first motorcycle, the newest models had twice the horsepower! That improvement in power resulted in the proliferation of their bikes on racetracks around the country.

Making A Name

In 1914, World War I began and changed the focus of many manufacturers in the United States and Europe. Harley-Davidson® found themselves with a government order for 20,000 of their motorcycles to use on the battlefields of Europe. The popularity and reliability of these bikes meant that Harley-Davidson® became the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer by 1920.

Despite the economic downturn caused by the Great Depression in the 1930s, Harley-Davidson® managed to pull through as one of only two American motorcycle companies to survive the decade. This put them in prime position to once again serve the government by fulfilling an order for 90,000 motorcycles to be used in Europe during World War II.

Harley-Davidson® Today

The ensuing decades brought further expansion, new designs and increased production. Harley® motorcycles could be seen on highways across America, in movies and TV shows and in the collections of celebrities. Their current lineup consists of six different families designed for unique riding styles: Touring, Softail®, CVO™, Trike, Sportster® and Street®. So no matter which bike you choose, you know you're getting something with a lot of history and integrity behind it.

Seeking motorcycles for sale near Seattle? Visit one of our Washington dealerships in Bellevue or Lynnwood today to check out our current inventory of new and used bikes for sale, including a great selection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.

Also, don't forget to browse our used motorcycles for sale!