The Origins of the Legendary All-American Brand: Harley Davidson

A Nice Quiet Ride

Part of the appeal of Harley Davidson motorcycles was that they offered a quieter alternative to other bikes at the time. This was way before the company introduced the purposefully loud V-twin engine. Throughout the years, the company put a lot of energy into making their engines sound quieter.

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Freddy Fretwell on Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Washington DC, USA, National Photo Company, 1922. Photo By Glasshouse Images/Shutterstock

Their original vision was to make a motorcycle that was marketable, cool, and a civilized type of transportation. In the company’s early commercials, classy and important looking men are seen riding the motorcycles appropriately nicknamed, “The Gray Gentleman.” It’s a little different than the tattooed, goatee, leather-wearing riders we think of today.

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