Harley-Davidson has been around for 116 years - but the iconic American company is facing new challenges

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Harley-Davidson has been around for 116 years - but the iconic American company is facing new challenges

Harley History

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Harley-Davidson isn't just the most famous motorcycle company in the world - it's also one of the most legendary and beloved brands in human history.

Harley-Davidson got its all-American start in 1903, at the dawn of the Motor Age. Two friends got together and combined bicycles with newfangled engines. Horses would never forgive them. Fast forward 116 years and Harley's market capitalization is nearly $6 billion.

That's not to say that the last 100 or so have been a completely smooth ride. Harley made it through two world wars and a very rough restructuring during the financial crisis. And now it's up against new challenges, as CEO Matt Levatich works to globalize sales amid a US market decline, recruit younger riders, and contend with the itchy Twitter finger of President Donald Trump, who has praised and penalized Harley in equal measure.

Let's take a look back at Harley-Davidson's long and illustrious history:

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In 1903, William Harley and Arthur Davidson founded the company that would bear their names. William's brother, Walter (shown here) became the company's first president and also an early Harley racer.

In 1903, William Harley and Arthur Davidson founded the company that would bear their names. William's brother, Walter (shown here) became the company's first president and also an early Harley racer.

Harley-Davidson's first motorcycles were essentially bicycles with engines.

Harley-Davidson's first motorcycles were essentially bicycles with engines.
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Two world wars helped Harley-Davidson to create the brand's image of freedom that it's still known for today. The company produced bikes for both World War I and World War II.

Two world wars helped Harley-Davidson to create the brand's image of freedom that it's still known for today. The company produced bikes for both World War I and World War II.

The motorcycles earned a reputation for performance and attitude. Here's world land speed record holder Malcolm Campbell astride a Harley in 1935.

The motorcycles earned a reputation for performance and attitude. Here's world land speed record holder Malcolm Campbell astride a Harley in 1935.
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Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel put Harley XR-750s to use in his widely watched stunt jumps.

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel put Harley XR-750s to use in his widely watched stunt jumps.

And of course Harley's rebellious image was enhanced when Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and their Harley choppers hit the road for 1969's "Easy Rider."

And of course Harley's rebellious image was enhanced when Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and their Harley choppers hit the road for 1969's "Easy Rider."
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Hopper took a seat on Fonda's bike a few years later.

Hopper took a seat on Fonda's bike a few years later.

Harley continues to be known for big highway cruisers that can sell for over $40,000.

Harley continues to be known for big highway cruisers that can sell for over $40,000.
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The Harley rider community is vast. And it likes nothing more than to gather for massive annual rides, especially the one that ends in Sturgis, South Dakota.

The Harley rider community is vast. And it likes nothing more than to gather for massive annual rides, especially the one that ends in Sturgis, South Dakota.

The company is still proudly headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.

The company is still proudly headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.
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Two American factories — one on Wisconsin, one in Pennsylvania — produce the legendary V-Twin engine ...

Two American factories — one on Wisconsin, one in Pennsylvania — produce the legendary V-Twin engine ...

... And the all-American motorcycles that have made the company's reputation.

... And the all-American motorcycles that have made the company's reputation.
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Harley hit a rough patch during the financial crisis and refocused the company on the core brand. The Buell sport bike brand was dropped, and Harley shed the Italian MV Agusta nameplate.

Harley hit a rough patch during the financial crisis and refocused the company on the core brand. The Buell sport bike brand was dropped, and Harley shed the Italian MV Agusta nameplate.

The comeback worked, but Harley has two new problems: declining ridership in the US and an aging customer base; and then President Donald Trump, who's messing with business by threatening trade wars and complaining about Harley shifting production outside the US.

The comeback worked, but Harley has two new problems: declining ridership in the US and an aging customer base; and then President Donald Trump, who's messing with business by threatening trade wars and complaining about Harley shifting production outside the US.
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CEO Matt Levatich, consequently, has the toughest job in the business.

CEO Matt Levatich, consequently, has the toughest job in the business.

But he's pushing Harley into the future. The all-electric LiveWire is scheduled to arrive in 2019.

But he's pushing Harley into the future. The all-electric LiveWire is scheduled to arrive in 2019.
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And Harley has been developing smaller bikes to appeal to younger riders ...

And Harley has been developing smaller bikes to appeal to younger riders ...

... While at the same time maintaining its cruiser game to compete with a resurgent Indian, one of Harley's historic rivals.

... While at the same time maintaining its cruiser game to compete with a resurgent Indian, one of Harley's historic rivals.
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Ultimately, the company's success could depend on getting a new generation of riders into the saddle and convincing them to "live to ride and ride to live."

Ultimately, the company's success could depend on getting a new generation of riders into the saddle and convincing them to "live to ride and ride to live."

Regardless of what happens, Harley will remain Harley. It isn't yet time for the sun to set on the greatest motorcycle brand in history.

Regardless of what happens, Harley will remain Harley. It isn't yet time for the sun to set on the greatest motorcycle brand in history.
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