Sure, Harley-Davidson is one of the world's most well-known motorcycle companies -- but how did it get started? In this podcast, Scott and Ben recount the founding and rise of the Harley-Davidson company. Tune in to learn more.
Aug 2019
Harley and the Biker Wars - The Freedom Machine | 5
<p>It’s 1969, and the iconic film <em>Easy Rider</em> stars Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson and—most prominently—Harley choppers. It boosts the brand’s cool cred even higher with the American counterculture, much to the chagrin of the aging, conservative company owners in Milwaukee. ... Show More
25m 8s
Sep 2019
Harley and the Biker Wars - Live to Ride | 6
<p>By the early 1980s, Harley-Davidson is fighting to survive. Japan has glutted the American market with bikes, creating a war Harley can’t fight alone. The company turns to the U.S. government. It’s something they tried in the ‘50s with no success, but now there’s a man in the ... Show More
25m 7s
Aug 2019
Harley and the Biker Wars - Japan Takes No Prisoners | 4
<p>It’s 1963. After battling the wave of British bikes vying for the high-dollar U.S. motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson is slammed by a tsunami of machines from Japan. Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki and—the biggest, most popular of them all—Honda. </p><p>It’s a nightmare that wil ... Show More
26m 26s
Jul 2021
EP36: Miraculous Vietnam Encounter, Lavagirl's Return, and The History of Harley Davidson
On this episode of the Our American Stories podcast, Dick Erickson, a Marine helicopter pilot, tells about his time serving in Vietnam; also, Taylor Dooley shares the story of when she played the role of Lavagirl at the age of 13, and why, more than 15 years later, she has return ... Show More
58m 55s
Aug 2019
Harley and the Biker Wars - The Hog Is Born | 2
<p>It’s 1903, and Harley-Davidson is entering the spanking new motorcycle market. Of the hundreds of fledgling brands, the bike to beat is Indian, and Harley has the company in its crosshairs. But a decade later, Harley is on the defensive, scrambling to distance itself from the ... Show More
23m 49s
Aug 2019
Harley and the Biker Wars - Uneasy Riders | 3
<p>By the late 1940s, World War II has ended, but Harley’s battle with a few disenfranchised veterans is just beginning. Bored and looking for kicks, these men are forming clubs based around a love of boozing, brawling and Harley Hogs. The motorcycle riots in the small town of Ho ... Show More
19m 39s
Jan 2023
Past Gas #171: Harley Davidson: The Rise and Fall …and Rise Again???
Whether you’re kicking up dust on your favorite dirt bike, or screaming a crotch rocket down the 101 at midnight, there’s nothing on earth like riding a motorcycle. But Harley Davidson bikes are a little different. Maybe it’s their sound, maybe it’s their mystique, maybe it’s a c ... Show More
1h 4m