Harley-Davidson® Cruiser Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson is the company that literally created American motorcycling culture. From its humble beginnings at the beginning of the 20th century, to its iconic role in biker movies like Easy Rider and its fans among the glitterati of mid-century Hollywood - Elvis, James Dean, and many others - to today’s complex and vibrant biker culture, Harley-Davidson has always led the way. And the most iconic of the company’s motorcycles has to be its cruisers. These are the bikes you think about when you picture biker culture. If you’d like to be a part of the pack, please come see us at Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles in Simpsonville, South Carolina, where we have a great selection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles at competitive prices. We also serve customers in Greenville, Columbia, and Charlotte.
History
Harley-Davidson gets its name from its founders, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, two childhood friends who initially worked together building single-cylinder motorcycle engines with the goal of improving on the design of the pedal bike. Their first blueprint was for a 116cc engine - a spark that would light the fires of a million bikers’ imaginations over the next century.
This early engine was a good start, but it didn’t have enough power to get up the slopes of the company’s native Milwaukee. Eventually they ditched the pedals, modified and boosted the engine’s power, and in 1904, they released the first ever Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. The company’s fortunes quickly improved, with World War I seeing great demand for the bikes. A true testament to the company’s lasting power: Harley-Davidson was the only motorcycle manufacturer to survive the Great Depression. At the start of World War II, the company’s bikes were again put into service, with an order for over 90,000 to assist the war effort.
Today
Today, Harley-Davidson is a company synonymous with power, performance, style, and innovation. The company continues to be on the forefront of motorcycle design and development, and with its latest work on building electric motorcycles, Harley-Davidson is on the cutting edge. The company’s bikes remain iconic, and the name Harley-Davidson is celebrated by fans all over the world.
Cruiser Motorcycles
A cruiser motorcycle is exactly what you think of when you’re picturing a motorcycle - big, beefy, with chrome fairings and tall handlebars. These bikes are made for the highway, riding toward the sunset with nothing but the noise of the wind and the thrum of the engine - just you and the road.
Power
Cruisers have engines that often exceed 1,000 ccs. This raw power is tuned for low-rev acceleration and torque for phenomenal passing power on the highway. The way these engines work means they’re not great on fuel efficiency, but is that really why you’re buying a motorcycle? If it is, there are better choices. But if you’re looking for raw power and iconic style, a Harley-Davidson® cruiser bike is really the only choice.
Ergonomics
On a cruiser, you sit pretty much straight up, with your hands high on the handlebars, looking forward at the road. This seating position is in direct contrast to that on a racing bike, where the rider hugs the bike and pushes for fast cornering and pure speed. And because cruisers are bigger and heavier than racing bikes, they’re not going to be ideal for tight corners - but you can still have a lot of fun on the road while you’re riding a cruiser.
Customization
Cruiser motorcycles are made to be customized - and in fact, customization is one of the central focuses of cruiser bike culture. You can get custom paint jobs, install extra luggage space in the form of panniers, tune your engine for greater performance, or switch up your saddle to make it more comfortable. With a cruiser bike, the world is your oyster, and the more you customize it, the more you’ll strike up conversations with your fellow bikers.
So what do you think? Do you want to join the pack? If you’re interested in buying a Harley-Davidson® cruiser motorcycle, then you should definitely come see us at Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles. We’ll be happy to help you find the bike of your dreams.