Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is an American motorcycle maker and lifestyle brand based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1903 by William S. Harley and the Davidson brothers and is one of the oldest and best‑known motorcycle companies in the United States.
Harley-Davidson is famous for its heavyweight motorcycles with big V‑twin engines. Today it groups its bikes into several main families, including Touring, Softail, Sportster, Street, and the V‑Rod (VRSC). The company also launched LiveWire, its electric motorcycle, as part of its move into new technologies. In addition to motorcycles, Harley sells branded merchandise and hosts events, clubs, and a museum that celebrate the brand’s history.
The company builds motorcycles at plants in York and Tomahawk, Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Manaus, Brazil; and Rayong, Thailand, among others, and sells its products worldwide. Harley‑Davidson also licenses clothing, home goods, toys, and other items under its name.
Harley-Davidson has a long history of ups and downs. It survived the Great Depression and, after difficulties under AMF ownership in the 1970s, was bought back by a group of investors in 1981. The new management worked to improve quality, lean into a retro style, and rebuild the brand’s appeal. In 2019 the company released LiveWire, its first electric motorcycle, and in the early 2020s announced plans to spin LiveWire off as a separate company.
The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HOG. As of 2023, Harley-Davidson employed about 6,400 people, produced roughly 162,771 motorcycles, and generated about $5.84 billion in revenue. Harley Owners Group (HOG) is the company’s large, worldwide rider club with more than a million members. The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, opened in 2008, showcases the brand’s history and culture.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:15 (CET).