History of Harley-Davidson®

Few things embody the American spirit more than a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. Combining fierce independence with the freedom of the open road, a Harley-Davidson® is the perfect accessory for hardworking adventure-seekers from all walks of life.

Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson® began as a manufacturer of motorized bicycles. In 1901, William S. Harley® designed a small 7.07-cubic-inch engine that could be easily mounted to a standard bicycle frame. With the help of Arthur and Walter Davidson, the design was perfected and built over a two-year period, though the initial design lacked the power necessary to climb hills in the Milwaukee area without help from the rider.

A larger 24-cubic-inch engine and a new frame design solved the power issues, and by 1905, five production bikes had been built. After moving to a new factory in 1906, manufacturing increased to 50 bikes, then 150 in 1907. The first sales to police departments were made in 1907, while 1909 marked the introduction of the iconic V-Twin engine. Sales continued to climb year after year, and during World War I, Harley-Davidson® supplied the US government with over 20,000 motorcycles.

As the Great Depression set in, sales at Harley-Davidson® dropped, but they weathered the storm successfully, becoming one of only two US motorcycle companies to survive the downturn. They went on to produce over 90,000 motorcycles for the US Military during World War II, creating a new generation of riders as those soldiers returned home from the battlefield.

Today, Harley-Davidson® is a global company that has over $5 billion in revenue and a yearly production of over 240,000 motorcycles. They offer dozens of models, from the classic Softail series to the modern Iron 883 and Street series. The company has even delved into the EV market, with the all-electric LiveWire.

With engines that are more powerful than ever, modern features, and classic looks, today's Harley-Davidson® motorcycles have remained popular with both new and existing riders.

At Rommel Harley-Davidson®, we are proud to be part of Harley-Davidson®'s unique history. To learn more about our Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and the history of the company, call (410) 845-2535, contact us online, or stop by our showroom.

New & Preowned Harley-Davidson® Motorcycles in Delmarva

Does cruising down the highway on two wheels with the wind in your face sound like your type of adventure? Make it a reality with a new or used Harley-Davidson® from our team at Rommel Harley-Davidson®. We can help you find the bike that best matches your personality and riding style. We feature showrooms in Salisbury, MD, and Smyrna, DE, and we offer a full selection of Harley®'s most popular models.

Call us today at (410) 845-2535, talk to our experts online, or stop by one of our showrooms to find your next motorcycle!