Harley Davidson Analysis.

Essay by wasnotwasA-, January 2004

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Harley Davidson Analysis

HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY As one Harley puts it, "It's one thing to have people buy your products. It's another for them to tattoo your name on their bodies." Harley-Davidson is the only major US maker of motorcycles and the nation's #1 seller of heavyweight motorcycles. Harley-Davidson offers 24 models of touring and custom cycles. Harley has held the largest share of the U.S. heavyweight motorcycle market since 1986. Besides its bikes, Harley-Davidson sells a licensed line of clothing and accessories with the company name. Also, gaining attention are the Harley-Davidson Cafes, located in various cities including New York City and Las Vegas. These successful restaurants provide Harley enthusiasts with great food, souvenir merchandise and a chance to see rare biker memorabilia. This makes Harley one of the most recognizable symbols in America today. Many of Harley-Davidson owners/riders are members of the Harley Owners Group better known as H.O.G.,

with more than 500,000 members nationwide. Demand for Harley-Davidson motorcycles continues to rise. Other motorcycle manufacturers have tried to compete with Harley-Davidson in the heavyweight V-Twin "cruiser" segment; none have been able to match Harley-Davidson in terms of customer loyalty and sales. There is a waiting list to get new bikes. The dedication to its existing customers has created a loyalty that is enviable by many other companies. COMPANY HISTORY: William S. Harley and William, Walter and Arthur Davidson began the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company in a shed in the Davidson backyard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. That year, they built three motorcycles. In 1909 the company introduced the V-Twin engine, which is still in use to this day, a more powerful engine and topping a previously unheard of speed of 60 miles an hour. As a demand for the bikes grew, other companies were formed. By 1911,