Essay, Research Paper: The History Of The Hog
Term Papers
Free Term Papers essays posted on this site were donated by users and are provided for informational use only. The free essay on this page was not written by our writers and should not be viewed as a sample of our writing service. We are neither affiliated with the author of this essay nor responsible for its content. If you need high quality, fresh and competent research / writing done on the subject of Term Papers, use the professional writing service offered by our company.
The History of The Hog
The rhythmic throb of a low-idling engine and the teeth-chattering vibration of the entire
machine consume the rider. He is seated in a low-slung saddle, swathed in leather, anticipating
the road ahead. Gingerly he twists the throttle backward. The thumpety-thump-thumpump
becomes a steady thud-thud-thud. The rider tenderly balances the throttle and clutch, and
crisscrossing the pressures on each, roars away in a thunder of rubber and chrome.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are a symbol of the United States. The brawn and power they
possess, as well as a long history, give them the character that something needs to be a classic.
Harleys have been around for almost 95 years, and in that time the typical rider has undergone a
great change in persona. First, he was a working man with a limited transportation budget. Later
he was a rebellious street-fighter. Later still, he was an apathetic veteran in an apathetic country.
Today, he or she is someone with enough money to enjoy the sport of motorcycling on a Harley.
According to the internet site harleydavidson.com, the Harley Davidson got its start in 1901
when William Harley and Arthur Davidson decided they would "take the effort out of bicycling."
Two years later they produced their first three motorcycles and were on their way. In 1906 their
fist factory was built. The modern day facility sits on the same site on Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
The first few hundred motorcycles were for private use, but the allied leaders of World War
One saw the military applications of the Harley-Davidson. So, in 1916 swift production began on
the army version of the bike. By the end of the war, Harley-Davidson would manufacture more
than 20,000 motorcycles for the allies in Europe.
By the start of the roaring twenties, Harley-Davidson was the largest manufacturer of
motorcycles in the United States and the world. The Harley was drafted again in 1941,
immediately after Pearl Harbor was attacked. This time, 90,000 motorcycles were needed.
In 1965, the world land speed record was set on a Harley-Davidson dirt bike. Harley was
becoming very popular and recognizable. In 1969, harley joined with American Manufacturing
and Foundry (which was actually a Japanese company) which, according to one dealer, was a sad
day for Harley Performance. He says the mixture of American and Japanese parts made for an
unreliable breed of bikes from 1969 to 1981.
It was in 1981 that Harley-Davidson became independent from AMF. Using the slogan "The
Eagle Soars Alone" the company crawled back to the top of the market. Along with the soaring
of the eagle came soaring of prices. The world of Harley-Davidson was about to see a shift. The
bikes were no longer something everyone could have. At prices of over $15,000 they were not
available to someone with a low income. The days of the "biker" had vanished. Harleys could only
be enjoyed by the upper-middle crust, and even then only on terms of an extremely good credit
rating.
This year, for the first time in 16 years, the prices of at least some Harleys have dropped below
10,000. According to a pamphlet published by Harley, the price of a Sportster 883 is $5,135. Will
we see a return of the working-man biker? Will women be just as likely to ride? The answers to
these question will surely be answered as Harley celebrates its first century. A symbol of United
States heritage, that changes and metamorphoses with its country, is recognizable worldwide, and
cheap enough for the working class, this is a Harley-Davidson.
The rhythmic throb of a low-idling engine and the teeth-chattering vibration of the entire
machine consume the rider. He is seated in a low-slung saddle, swathed in leather, anticipating
the road ahead. Gingerly he twists the throttle backward. The thumpety-thump-thumpump
becomes a steady thud-thud-thud. The rider tenderly balances the throttle and clutch, and
crisscrossing the pressures on each, roars away in a thunder of rubber and chrome.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are a symbol of the United States. The brawn and power they
possess, as well as a long history, give them the character that something needs to be a classic.
Harleys have been around for almost 95 years, and in that time the typical rider has undergone a
great change in persona. First, he was a working man with a limited transportation budget. Later
he was a rebellious street-fighter. Later still, he was an apathetic veteran in an apathetic country.
Today, he or she is someone with enough money to enjoy the sport of motorcycling on a Harley.
According to the internet site harleydavidson.com, the Harley Davidson got its start in 1901
when William Harley and Arthur Davidson decided they would "take the effort out of bicycling."
Two years later they produced their first three motorcycles and were on their way. In 1906 their
fist factory was built. The modern day facility sits on the same site on Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
The first few hundred motorcycles were for private use, but the allied leaders of World War
One saw the military applications of the Harley-Davidson. So, in 1916 swift production began on
the army version of the bike. By the end of the war, Harley-Davidson would manufacture more
than 20,000 motorcycles for the allies in Europe.
By the start of the roaring twenties, Harley-Davidson was the largest manufacturer of
motorcycles in the United States and the world. The Harley was drafted again in 1941,
immediately after Pearl Harbor was attacked. This time, 90,000 motorcycles were needed.
In 1965, the world land speed record was set on a Harley-Davidson dirt bike. Harley was
becoming very popular and recognizable. In 1969, harley joined with American Manufacturing
and Foundry (which was actually a Japanese company) which, according to one dealer, was a sad
day for Harley Performance. He says the mixture of American and Japanese parts made for an
unreliable breed of bikes from 1969 to 1981.
It was in 1981 that Harley-Davidson became independent from AMF. Using the slogan "The
Eagle Soars Alone" the company crawled back to the top of the market. Along with the soaring
of the eagle came soaring of prices. The world of Harley-Davidson was about to see a shift. The
bikes were no longer something everyone could have. At prices of over $15,000 they were not
available to someone with a low income. The days of the "biker" had vanished. Harleys could only
be enjoyed by the upper-middle crust, and even then only on terms of an extremely good credit
rating.
This year, for the first time in 16 years, the prices of at least some Harleys have dropped below
10,000. According to a pamphlet published by Harley, the price of a Sportster 883 is $5,135. Will
we see a return of the working-man biker? Will women be just as likely to ride? The answers to
these question will surely be answered as Harley celebrates its first century. A symbol of United
States heritage, that changes and metamorphoses with its country, is recognizable worldwide, and
cheap enough for the working class, this is a Harley-Davidson.
1
1
GOOD or BAD? How would you rate this essay?
Help other users to find the good and worthy free term papers and trash the bad ones.
Help other users to find the good and worthy free term papers and trash the bad ones.
Need a Custom Written Essay on Term Papers: The History Of The Hog
Free papers will not meet the guidelines of your specific project. If you need a custom essay on Term Papers: The History Of The Hog, we can write you a high quality authentic essay. While free essays can be traced by Turnitin (plagiarism detection program), our custom written papers will pass any plagiarism test, guaranteed. Our writing service will save you time and grade.
Related essays:
3
2
Term Papers / Character Commentary And Personality
I got a 96 on this one :-)
Character Commentary and Personality
In Arthur Miller's The Crucible several characters are described in the commentary of Act I of the play. Three of the major ch...
29
25
Term Papers / I Have A Dream Analysis
I Have a Dream Analysis
The "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most influential speeches ever. Martin Luther used different parts of the English language to enhance t...
2
0
Term Papers / Paligamy Now
Nothing about Seinfeld
I've spent a large portion of my life watching television. Being something of a self proclaimed couch potato, I think somehow qualifies me as an expert on the subject of televi...
3
0
Term Papers / Poligamy Now
Jim W.
Polygamy Now!
In response to the article by Elizabeth Joseph, I agree that polygamy for some people has worked out for the best. Although I sympathize with the argument Joseph makes, I pre...
4
5
Term Papers / Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison's cultural heritage continues to shape her life and writing. On
February 18th, 1931 (Shockley 112), baby Chloe Anthony Wofford was born in Lorain,
Ohio to Ramah Willi...

