Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson built their first motorcycle in a small wooden shed, joined soon afterward by Arthur’s brothers Walter and William Davidson. The company was incorporated in 1903 and quickly became associated with practical V-twin motorcycles.
Harley-Davidson is often confused with Indian Motorcycle when people discuss America’s earliest major motorcycle makers. Indian began production in 1901, while Harley-Davidson was established two years later. Harley-Davidson survived both world wars and became one of the world’s best-known motorcycle brands.
The original company’s Milwaukee roots remain central to its identity. Its history includes police, military, touring, cruiser and racing motorcycles, while the distinctive V-twin engine became a major part of the brand’s sound and image.