Motorcycle History and Profiles

The Profiles Behind the Motorcycles

What makes motorcycling so unique and special? It’s the people of this community. And while they may seem simple at times, many of them have complex stories that make them who they are.

Parents, childhoods, education, wars fought, countries seen – these are just some of the things that don’t normally come up during a typical day of work or a gathering at the local watering hole.

Young or old, motorcycle riders are alike in many ways. From the incredible stories of their journeys and the camaraderie that develops when riding in a group, to the love of adventure and feeling of freedom one experiences when riding. They all share a common bond that makes our community so special.

From a master technician’s journey through H-D University to the motorcycle’s impact on World Wars, you never know what stories you’ll find. The following are motorcycle history profiles which highlight some of the most fascinating individuals and stories in motorcycling.

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Insurance

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“Keep Your Jersey On” – The Birth of Harley-Davidson® Apparel

Discover how the H-D® line of motorcycle apparel originated in 1912 with the classic wool racing style jersey, available for $1.50 with a roll or turtleneck collar.

The Top 6 Bikes that Changed Harley-Davidson’s History

Take a drive down memory lane and revisit the bikes that changed Harley-Davidson’s history - for the better!

28 April, 2020

The Story Behind the Iconic Harley-Davidson "Hill Climber" Monument

It has become THE iconic image of the Harley-Davidson Museum and has made a lasting impression on hundreds of thousands for visitors. Learn more about the man behind the monument.

10 April, 2020

The wild WWI stories of Harley-Davidson’s J Series motorcycles

Harley-Davidson Insurance Services is offering a new military discount for active military and veterans! To celebrate, the Open Road blog is launching a series of posts to tell the rich stories of the long-standing relationship between the military and motorcycles. In this post, we tell wartime stories of the Harley-Davidson® J Series motorcycles.

1 November, 2019

What women motorcyclists want

The future of motorcycle riding is female, according to new data from the Motorcycle Industry Council. As a wave of women riders enters the sport, the Women’s Coalition of Motorcyclists is working to make motorcycle riding more accessible to women. Learn how they’re paving an open road for women riders.

12 February, 2019

The motorcycle world’s hidden legend: Bessie Stringfield

Two things fueled Bessie Stringfield’s riveting life on the open road: “the man upstairs” and 27 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. She wasn’t a badass. She was a rebel. She was a black woman during the Jim Crow era reveling in her freedom, despite the odds stacked against her. Her faith made her fearless, her motorcycles made her fast, and she managed to dodge danger at many turns. She was married six times, but her one true love was the thrill of the road.

28 August, 2018

The Profiles Behind the Motorcycles