Harley Davidsons: Why they are an American Dream - Essay Example

y of free feeling experienced on the open road, of the stereotypical ‘biker,’ of mass gatherings of riders in various cities and long caravans of motorcycle enthusiasts involved in charity works. Harley-Davidson is an American tradition whose following is large and loyal, it’ part of Americana and therefore part of the American Dream. Almost from its invention in 1903 in a Wisconsin barn, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle has been part of American history. The military commissioned the company to fabricate and manufacture motorcycles for use to quell Mexican border skirmishes perpetrated by Pancho Villa in 1916 and ordered twenty thousand to send to Europe during the First World War.

Harley-Davidson not only adapted their machine to perform in combat situations, it developed a training program so that soldiers could make repairs in the field. “Harley studied the needs of the military and adopted their motorcycles to meet the needs of the soldiers (and) established a service school to train mechanics to repair the machines that had breakdowns from a hard and demanding use” (Scott, 2003). By the end of WWI, nearly five thousand Harley’s were being used by the U.S. Post Office for deliveries in rural areas.

Some Harley riders today have been fans for half a century. Those who served in the military in both world wars became fans of the motorcycle and continued their passion for it the duration of their lives. “They (ex-military personnel) love the feeling they experience when they hit the road and connect with their fellow brothers and sisters through sponsored events or charity rides” (“Type,” 2007). Harley-Davidson distributors all across the country promote numerous charity rides for veterans and troops.

The tie between the military, the personification of patriotism, and Harley Davidson motorcycles is long-standing and runs very deep. Following the Second World War, the motorcycle enjoyed a cult-type following among predominantly