If you love Harley Davidson motorcycles and enjoy working with your hands, you can earn a good living as a motorcycle service technician. There are several trade schools across the U.S. that specialize in motorcycle service and repair. Programs take between 12 and 18 months to complete and classes can be attended at the institutes or through correspondence and online.

One of the most recognized motorcycle service technician programs is offered at WyoTech. Students are taught to diagnose, service and repair modern motorcycles, and given the option to choose the motorcycle manufacturer of their choice. Wyotech offers motorcycle service and repair classes in Daytona Beach, Florida and Fremont, California.

At the Baran Institute of Technology, you’ll receive hands-on training with various brands of motorcycles. As a student, you’ll get up close and personal with the intricacies of motorcycle service and repair. From the engine to the exhaust system, and clutches to electrical systems, this 75.5 quarter credit hour program is designed to prepare you to enter the world of motorcycle service and repair. Class size is limited to 20 students and the program can be completed within one year.

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute offers a unique program to Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. MMI’s Motorcycle Technician program addresses the basics of motorcycle repair and service on a full range of motorcycles. Students learn in a classroom environment and through hands-on training. After completion of the prerequisite training, students choose 12 weeks or more of elective course training.

Harley Davidson course electives include:

- Harley Davidson Early Model Technology - focuses on repair and restoration of motorcycles dating back to 1936.

- Harley Davidson Late Model Technology - Training to become an entry level Harley-Davidson motorcycle technician.

- Screamin’ Eagle - Focuses on the Screamin’ Eagle performance motorcycle.

- V-Rod Motorcyle - Focuses on the award-winning VRSCA (V-Rod) motorcycle.

- Buell - Focuses on design, technology and engineering of Buell motorcycles.

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute offers the only certificate course in the nation that’s officially sponsored by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Classes are offered in Orlando, Florida.

Penn Foster Career School offers distance learning classes, which are conducted online and through print publications. Students have access to instructors and a toll-free instructional support hotline. If necessary, Penn Foster can help potential students earn their GED. Motorcycle technician training can be completed in nine months and financial assistance is available.

Professional Career Development Institute is a nationally accredited correspondence school founded in 1987. PCDI does not require any educational prerequisites to get started as a motorcycle service and repair technician. Students learn about each part, each system and how the entire motorcycle works. Courses can be completed in a matter of months. Upon completion of training, graduates receive a nationally accredited diploma.

With the ever-rising cost of gasoline, motorcycles are quickly becoming a favorite mode of transportation. Over the course of the next decade, more and more people will be riding motorcycles so the need for service technicians will increase. Additionally, there is an ever-growing need for motorcycle mechanics in the field of motorcycle racing.

Regardless of your choice of learning institution, becoming a certified motorcycle repair and service technician can provide you with an exciting and rewarding career.

If you are looking for a special ride and you see a motorcycle with Harly painted on the side do not buy it no matter how good the deal seems to be. Harley-Davidson is a registered trademark and only real Harleys can bear the logo. Notice that is Harley, not Harly.

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company was established in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was co-founded by William Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, and William Davidson. The three Davidsons were brothers, and William Harley was Arthur’s friend. They named the company Harley-Davidson with the hyphen in the middle to tell people there was more than one founder. Rumors for the reason Harley’s name is first range from because it sounded better, to because he came up with the design for the first engine. The hyphen is often left out, especially on websites and when searching online.

If you search for Harly on the Internet you will come up with results, even though it is not the proper spelling of the name. This happens either due to typos, or cleverly designed search engine optimization of ads. Whatever the reason, most of these sites are still legitimate. Do not be afraid to order from them or follow their advice. Any products for sale with the word Harly however, are not legitimate. They are either cheap knockoffs or out right scams. Don’t waste your money.

Legitimate Harley-Davidson dealers are located all over the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom, Australia and Europe. Most dealerships sell not only motorcycles, but also Harley Davidson clothing and accessories as well. The very first Harley dealer was C.H. Lang. He opened for business in Chicago, Illinois in 1904 and sold one of the first 3 production Harley Davidson motorcycles ever sold.

Once you have purchased a Harley-Davidson you might decide to customize it. Once again if the parts say Harly Davidson look elsewhere. If the guy selling you the parts is named Harly, well that’s just a heck of a coincidence.

There are many kits available to help you customize your bike yourself, or you can take it to the shop. If you can afford it you may even want to have your own customized bike designed and built just for you. Some people choose to customize to increase functionality. This may include installing luggage racks. Some people customize to fit their riding style. This is where chrome comes in. Chrome fenders are just the beginning. Chrome hardware such as polished screws and bolt covers can actually be matched to your other accessories. A chrome master cylinder cover and chrome hand levers complete the look.

Custom paint is another way to establish your own style. You will probably want to have this done unless you are an artist yourself. Any bike can be custom painted whether it is a touring bike, a cruising bike, or a racing bike. Just make sure the artist paints Harley-Davidson, not Harly-Davidson. The paint job should reflect the riders personality.

As the owner of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, you have the opportunity to become a member of an elite group. This group is known as HOG - Harley Owners Group. Currently, there are more than 1 million HOG members around the globe who have united to display their passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Members of HOG attend activities presented by local hog chapters. Activities fall into three categories:

- Closed events - conducted primarily for the benefit of HOG chapter members. Some closed events allow members to bring one guest.

- Member events - only open to HOG members.

- Open events - chapter events open to HOG members and other guests.

There are three types of HOG membership:

- Full membership - Entitles members to all the benefits and services of the Harley Owners Group organization.

- Associate membership - Designed for passengers and family members of full HOG members. Associate members must be sponsored by a full member in order to participate in HOG events.

- Life membership - Available as a full life membership or as an associate life membership. Special benefits and recognitions are available to life members.

Members of HOG receive many benefits besides the camaraderie of fellow Harley enthusiasts. HOG members receive:

- Subscription to Enthusiast magazine; the oldest continually published motorcycle magazine in the world.

- Subscription to Hog Tales; the official publication of the Harley Owners Group that keeps members up-to-date on hog happenings around the world.

- HOG Fly and Ride membership. This program allows hog members to fly to locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia; pick up a Harley-Davidson motorcycle from a local dealership; and tour in style without any hassle or delay.

- HOG membership manual to help members get the most out of their hog membership.

- Access to the HOG “Members Only” website.

- Copy of the official HOG Touring Handbook; a guide filled with maps, dealer location, riding laws, and much more.

Women who own Harley Davidson motorcycles are privy to the Ladies of Harley (LOH) membership. LOH is the group of female Harley Davidson enthusiasts who promote activities and adventures from within a local HOG chapter. The members of LOH run their own meetings and sponsor activities that both women and men can participate in.

HOG events include national and international rallies, state rallies, touring rallies, open houses, pit stops and pin stops where members can pick up HOG pins and other memorabilia.

Every hog chapter reflects the passions and personalities of its members. No matter where in the world you go, HOG members can always feel at home when they attend hog meetings and events.

While each chapter offers a variety of events, each being unique to the chapter, the focus is to have fun and share your passion for HOG and the Harley-Davidson lifestyle. HOG chapters include a variety of fun and “good deed” events including dinner rides, parades, observation runs, toy runs to provide toys to sick or needy children, charity events, safe rider programs and more.

Becoming a HOG member will open up the doors to life with a Harley and present you with many opportunities to make good friends and be part of an exceptional group of fun-loving, kind and caring individuals.

The Harley-Davidson Company or HD has been around for just over 100 years. It all began with two friends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. William S. Harley stands for the H in HD. Arthur Davidson is one of three D’s. The other two D’s being his brothers, Walter and William Davidson. William Harley and Arthur Davidson began working on the prototype and eventually sought the help of Walter and William. Walter was a skilled mechanic. William was an experienced toolmaker. Together the group formed the HD Company, which was later incorporated.

During 1903 HD turned out a grand total of 3 motorcycles. All were bought and paid for before completion. Gray was the standard color of the first HD motorcycles, which were often referred to as the “Silent Gray Fellows”.

By the end of 1905 the HD Company was not only selling motorcycles, but also motorcycle motors, marine motors, reversible propellers and float feed carburetors. The price of the motorcycle was $200.

The popularity of the HD motorcycle continued to grow through out the following decade. By 1914, nine departments of the federal government of the United States used HD’s. The U.S. Postal service alone used more than 4,800 Harley Davidson motorcycles for rural mail delivery.

In 1916 the military began using HD’s in border skirmishes with Pancho Villa. The motorcycles were equipped with machine guns. HD motorcycles were also used in World War I with half of all models produced being shipped overseas. The war also was responsible for the establishment of the first Harley-Davidson Service School. The HD Company saw a need and met it.

The 1920’s brought an end to the war and a beginning to the world of racing. HD made quite an impact. Harley-Davidson suffered, but managed to survive the Great Depression and continued to prosper through the 1930’s.

Unfortunately World War II came in the 1940’s and HD was pressed into service once again.

The 1950’s brought about new, more aggressive marketing strategies and expansion for this great company. Once again war broke out, this time in Korea. Motorcycles were replaced in popularity with the military with the Jeep. HD was free to concentrate on its civilian consumers.

The 1960’s brought about as much change for HD as everyone else in the United States. This was also when the company began to branch out into an unrelated field of leisure product with the production of 3-wheeled golf carts. By the end of the decade these carts cornered about one third of the United States market, and were even used oversees. HD also began marketing an extensive line of motorcycle accessories.

The 1970’s saw continuing success in the racing venue. Great advancements were made in the racing bikes that were produced by HD. In late 1970 the company also unveiled its brand new snowmobile. Perhaps the biggest change was the merger between HD and the AMF.

The 1980’s began with a buyback, and the HD Company returned to private ownership. The company seemed to show a renewed interest in building better machines So much so that they won the contract with the California Highway Patrol in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989.

The 1990’s were ushered in with the appearance of HD’s most customized factory custom motorcycle to date, the FLSTF Fat Boy. This bike was reminiscent of the past while still being up to date with the times.

The Twenty first century has come and HD remains strong. Its current line of bikes includes the Sporster, the Dyna, the Softail, the VRSC, and a Touring line. Each line includes several models. Bikes now sell from between $6,000 and $25,000.

Though it’s not documented the very first woman to ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle was probably Janet Davidson. Janet was an aunt of Arthur, Walter and William Davidson. She helped her nephews out by using her artistic talents to paint pinstriping and lettering on their motorcycles.

Several other women are notable in the just over 100-year history of the Harley Davidson Company. In 1929 Vivian Bale road her 45 Twin D Harley on a trip of almost 5,000 miles. Along the way she stopped to meet with dealers of her favorite ride. After completing this legendary trip she spent many more years riding and performing motorcycle stunts at various racing events in Florida.

Brigitte Bardot was a famous movie star and pinup star in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s she became so enamored by Harley Davidson Motorcycles that she debuted her hit single entitled Harley Davidson. Also popular was a photograph of her astride her favorite motorcycle. She is wearing hot pants and a partially unzipped leather jacket.

Well-known actress Elizabeth Taylor rode a Purple Passion motorcycle that was given to her by her friend Malcolm Forbes. It was said that the bike matched her famous eyes.

Peter Fonda is probably one of the most famous male Harley Davidson Riders thanks to the 1969 movie Easy Rider. Dennis Hopper also appeared in this movie and the photo of a scene showing them both together, each atop his Harley is still sough after today.

Malcolm Forbes, the founder of Forbes magazine and one of the wealthiest men ever, not only loved giving Harley Davidson’s to friends as gifts, he owned more than 50 of them himself. Forbes began riding motorcycles in his late 40’s and enjoyed it so much he began collecting them. His personal endorsement of the Harley made its sales soar to new heights.

Jay Leno is another celebrity who is known for his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles. He loves them so much that not only does he own several, but he also does his own maintenance and repair work.

Several other well-known Harley Davidson riding celebrities include: Elvis Presley, Don Johnson, Jackson Browne, Mickey Rourke and Tina Turner. And who can forget Arnold Schwarznegger and His Terminator role. Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton also posed astride a Harley during his campaign.

Though not famous in a good way, the hard-core motorcycle gang known of as the Hells Angels also favor Harley Davidson bikes. There is no known link to the Harley Davidson Company. This motorcycle club began in 1948 and by the 1960’s was notorious throughout the United States and Canada. Tied to drugs and crime just the site of these bikers was enough to strike fear into an entire town whenever they rode through. Today the Hell’s Angels sponsor several charitable events in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately they still frequently appear in the news for criminally related activities. The motorcycle club has been deemed an established criminal organization by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

The first engine that William Harley ever designed was in 1901, before the Harley Davidson Company even began. It was a small engine that displaced 7.07 cubic inches and had 4-inch flywheels. This engine was designed to power a regular bicycle, however it did not give the bike enough power to ascend the hills of Milwaukee.

The next engine Harley developed with the assistance of the Davidson brothers was bigger and more powerful. This engine was 24.74 cubic inches with 9-3/4 inch flywheels weighing 28 pounds. The group also received help with this engine from outboard motor pioneer Ole Evinrude, and was much more successful, premiering the first Harley Davidson motorcycle in 1904 at a race in Milwaukee.

Since then Harley Davidson has continued to improve and develop their motorcycle engines. The Flathead engine was manufactured between 1929 and 1974. These engines did not have overhead valves. The valves ran alongside the engine and opened upward into a chamber beside the combustion chamber. A typical flathead engine displaced about 45 cubic inches and produced about 22 horsepower.

The Knucklehead engine was manufactured between 1936 and 1947. This engine was available in 60 cubic inch and 74 cubic inch variations, producing 40 to 45 horsepower.

The Panhead engine was manufactured between 1948 and 1965. This engine also came in 60 cubic inch and 74 cubic inch variations, but produced 50 to 55 horsepower. The biggest difference between the two engines was the aluminum heads on the panhead and internal oil lines, as opposed to external oil lines on the knucklehead.

The Shovelhead engine was manufactured between 1966 and 1985. This engine displaced 74 cubic inches and produced 60 horsepower.

The Evolution engine was manufactured between 1984 and 1999. This engine displaced 81.8 cubic inches and produced 70 horsepower. Some smaller evolution engines are still produced today, and are used in the Sportster line of Harley Davidson motorcycles.

The Twin Cam 88 engine began to be manufactured in 1999. This engine got its name because it has 2 cams in the crankcase to activate the valves. This engine displaces 88 cubic inches and produces 80 horsepower making it the largest production Harley Davidson engine. This engine is air-cooled and uses overhead valves activated by pushrods.

The Revolution engine began to be manufactured in 2001. This engine is currently only used in the VSRC model. This engine is quite different from the others produced by Harley Davidson. It is water-cooled instead of air-cooled. Its V angle is 60 degrees instead of 45 degrees. It has 4 overhead cams instead of two in the crankcase and it is fuel injected. This engine s smaller at 69 cubic inches, but it produces 115 horsepower due to its much shorter stroke.

Harley engines are big. They have a very distinctive sound. Once you know what a Harley sounds like you will always recognize when one is coming. The Harley sound is part of the whole Harley experience. The sound is enhanced by removing the muffler and comes from the way the engine is designed.

A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle riders. Rallies are usually sponsored by specific motorcycle clubs or organizations, but may be attended by anyone though some are open only to adults. Vendors are usually present offering all sorts of motorcycle accessories and services.

If you go to a motorcycle rally you will find a variety of events and entertainment. It is also a good place to see new, custom and vintage bikes. You may even be able to test-drive the latest offerings with demo rides by top manufacturers.

What else might you find at a rally? Music is big. Some rallies combine with music festivals and over great live entertainment. Remember these are scheduled events not just random gatherings. Most rallies take place every year and get bigger and better each year.

Poker runs are another rally staple. A poker run is an organized motorcycle event where riders travel along a preset course, stopping at designated spots to select a card. At the end of the run, the rider with the best poker hand wins. The rules vary from rally to rally.

If you are actually in charge of planning a poker run at your next rally, here’s what you need to know. The more organized you can be, the smoother it will go. Also if you are running on public roads you need to consider safety, not only for the motorcycle riders, but also for other motorists not on the run. Speed should not be a consideration of the event.

If you have several riders you will probably want to start from the same location and have a staggered start. The easiest method is to subtract three minutes for every rally participant in the poker run from your total time, then set up the course to be this long at average legal driving speeds. If you have 30 participants, 30 x 3 = 90 minutes. Four hours minus 90 minutes equals 2 and half hours of travel time. You will want to have at least 5 checkpoints along the course for riders to pick up cards. Ten or more checkpoints will allow them to discard some of their cards, but it is not necessary.

Make sure you have a good map of the area you are holding your poker run in. Mark all the checkpoints clearly or make it more of a challenge by giving rally participants clues on where the checkpoints are located. Whichever method you choice, each participant that reaches the checkpoint gets a playing card.

The finally consideration is whether to charge an entry fee and what the prize will be. Poker runs are a great way to earn money for charity. The higher the entry fee and prize the more organized you will have to be.

Motorcycle shows and fun runs are another option. Most shows have several categories including events for women and scooters. Motorcycle rallies have drawn crowds for years and lists can be found online if you want to go see why.

Today, Harley Davidson motorcycles are a household name, but it hasn’t always been that way. It began way back in 1901, when a young man named William S. Harley had a vision for attaching an engine to a bicycle.

William had a friend named Arthur Davidson who embraced his concept. Together, they began working endless hours in a small wooden shed, with the words “Harley Davidson” scrawled on the door. By 1903, they rolled out the first production Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The legendary “Bar and Shield” logo became the defining symbol of Harley Davidson motorcycles in 1910. The logo is representative of strength and ruggedness. The design was patented in 1911 and continues to be used today.

In 1920, motorcycle racing legend, Leslie “Red” Parkhurst, broke numerous speed records on a Harley Davidson racing motorcycle. Each time Parkhurst won a race, he would carry a pig on a victory lap and it was during this time the term “hog” became associated with Harley Davidson motorcycles.

During World War I nearly half of the Harley Davidson motorcycles produced were sold to the United States Army. Throughout the 1920s, major changes took place to the design. The most notable was the change in the gas tank, which was switched to the now infamous teardrop shape. In 1928, Harley Davidson introduced the first twin-cam engine and front wheel brakes. These modifications allowed Harley Davidson motorcycles to reach speeds in excess of 85 mph.

Throughout the 1930s, Harley Davidson motorcycles continued to break speed records and won multiple awards. Harley Davidson further expanded into commercial and police vehicles through the introduction of the three-wheel Servi-Car.

Appearance changes were made to Harley Davidson motorcycles and included the famous “eagle” design, which was painted on all Harley Davidson gas tanks. During this time, the trademark 1340 cc engine was introduced and the “Knucklehead” motorcycle was launched.

Between the years of 1941 through 1945, Harley Davidson ceased civilian production of motorcycles and focused solely on providing reliable motorcycles to the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II.

When civilian production resumed, Harley Davidson motorcycles were in high demand. The organization expanded and purchased the A.O. Smith Propeller Plant to be used as a machine shop. Here they manufactured motorcycle parts and shipped them to the factory for final assembly.

1947 saw the introduction of the “Panhead” Harley Davidson motorcycle, which was deemed “THE American Motorcycle”. Two years later, hydraulic front brakes were introduced on the Hydra-Glide models.

The 1950s were filled with challenges and triumphs. During this time, the British captured nearly 40 percent of the motorcycle market with their ever-popular Triumph motorcycle. Harley Davidson owners knew they would have to get creative if they were to remain at the top.

To compete with the smaller, sportier motorcycles coming from Great British, Harley Davidson developed the side-valve K model with an integrated engine and transmission. Today, the K model is known as the Sportster.

1953 marked the 50th anniversary of Harley Davidson motorcycles. The organization marked this event by creating a special logo which included a “V”, with a bar overlaid reading “Harley Davidson” and the words “50 Years American Made”. Every motorcycle manufactured in 1954 had a medallion version of the logo placed on the front fender.

During the 60s, Harley Davidson scaled down production and offered the only scooter bike ever produced. It was also during this time that the Sprint model was introduced. Other innovations included the electric starter and the introduction of the “Shovelhead” engines.

The 70s brought about transformation of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. A new Sportster racing motorcycle was introduced in 1970. One year later, the FX 1200 Super Glide cruiser was introduced; along with the first Harley-Davidson snowmobile.

1977 brought the Harley-Davidson Low Rider to the forefront when it was debuted to the public in Daytona Beach. Later in the year, the Caf? Racer was released.

Last, but not least, Harley Davidson introduced the FXEF Fat Bob in 1979. This bike has dual gas tanks and bobbed fenders. It was featured in Hollywood films and quickly became a favorite of the American public.

During the 80s, Harley Davidson went through considerable internal changes and more attention was focused on motorcycle racing. One of the most notable changes occurred in 1986, when Harley Davidson became listed on the American Stock Exchange.

In the 1990s, Harley Davidson expanded its U.S. operations to include a multi-million dollar paint facility, a new distribution center, power train plant, and production facility. Harley Davidson also opened a new assembly facility Brazil, the first operations outside of the U.S.

Since the beginning of 2000, Harley Davidson has exploded the marketplace with a variety of new and exciting motorcycles. These include the Softail Deuce; the Buell Blast, Firebolt, and Lightning; the Road King Custom; and the Street Glide.

Today, Harley Davidson owns more than 60 percent of the motorcycle market share. Considering their history and reputation, chances are good that Harley Davidson motorcycles will be around for another 100 years.

Proper motorcycle maintenance and preparation before riding will prevent the need for costly repair jobs. The Internet abounds with motorcycle repair videos, DVDs, books and magazines. If you prefer not to go to an authorized repair center, it is possible to learn how to do-it-yourself.

A quick pre-ride check of your bike will help prevent the need for repair, especially if you are going on a long road-trip, and even if you are just riding to the store.

First check the oil and the oil filter. Learning how to change your own filter will save time and money. If you do change your own oil make sure to dispose of the old oil properly. It should be sealed in an approved container and taken to a legitimate oil disposal facility. This is a good time to check the other fluid levels as well.

Next check the controls to make sure they all operate properly. Controls include front and rear brakes, throttle, clutch and shifter. Also check to see that the steering mechanism works smoothly. This may be done by turning the handlebars through the full operating range.

You should check your tire pressure often. If you are touring, carry a tire gauge and check it daily. The owner’s manual that comes with your bike will tell you what the correct tire pressure should be. Remember that air pressure can change with air temperature. When you check your tire pressure you should also check the condition of your tires. Replace any tires that have less than 50 percent of the tread left. Also replace tires that have cracks, cuts or signs of wear. You should not try to repair a tire unless there is no other option. Even then it is a short-term solution.

Make sure to check for any fuel, oil, or hydraulic fuel leaks. Check both the cases and the lines for leaks. Running out of oil out in the middle of nowhere will definitely mean costly engine repair or even replacement.

Check your headlights, taillights, and turning signals and brake lights. Get into the habit of doing this every time you ride. This is for your own protection letting other drivers see you as well as letting you see them. Instructions on replacing bulbs should be in your owner’s manual. Oh, by the way, if you bought a used bike and the owner did not give you a manual, try looking on line.

Now check your battery. You may actually double the life of your battery by checking and maintaining water levels regularly. This is as simple as shining a flashlight into the opening and filling to the indicated level. You may also consider installing a battery charger with a convenient disconnect.

Finally before you start out, check the position of the mirrors. Do this while you are sitting on the bike to ensure that they are correctly positioned.
Following this simple maintenance plan can save you time, money and the need for repair. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, find the closest Harley Davidson dealership to help you out.

Imagine hopping on a big fat Harley Davidson motorcycle. As you turn the key, the motorcycle begins to rumble and your adrenaline starts to flow. With the wind on your face and pavement under your feet, you hit the road for an adventure of a lifetime.

Before heading out and exploring, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Harley Davidson’s Ride Atlas. This must-have guide has a durable rubber-like cover and contains well-designed and easy-to-read pages of scenic routes complete with detailed descriptions and maps.

You’ll also want to pick up a copy of “Riding the World” by Gregory Frazier. This unique book offers expert traveling advice to motorcycle riders and includes color photos, with sections on routes, motorcycle preparation, sleeping, eating, what to take, and whether to go it alone.

You don’t need to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle to embark on a journey across America. There are many companies that allow riders to rent nearly any model of Harley Davidson motorcycle. Most offer travel packages that include hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and meals. Riders can rent a motorcycle daily, weekly, or monthly.

Ride Free Motorcycle Tours are designed to deliver life altering travel experiences. Ride Free offers a variety of tours including a cruise from L.A. to Vegas; a weekend ride along the California coastline; the Route 66 to Grand Canyon ride; and the ever-popular Sturgis Rally.

The Sturgis Rally began in 1938 and has grown to be a worldwide motorcycle event that attracts more than 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts each year. Bikers from all walks of life join together to celebrate their love of motorcycles and the freedom they provide.

EagleRider Motorcycle Rental has a nationwide network of locations where you can choose from the world’s largest rental inventory of Harley Davidson motorcycles. While EagleRider specializes in motorcycle tours of San Francisco and Northern California, they also offer tours to destinations across the United States. Riders can escape for a weekend or participate in a month-long cross country tour.

When traveling on a motorcycle, the first thing you must realize is you will have to pack lightly and include only the basic essentials. Pack a small travel bag for personal items and include travel size bottles of everything needed. Choose items that have multiple uses such as an Army knife.

Saddle bags are one of the best options when it comes to storing food, clothing and personal gear. Take clothing that is versatile, easy to care for, and requires little space. Bring along sealable storage bags or plastic grocery bags to store dirty clothes or dispose of any trash.

If you will be camping out, you can use the luggage rack or passenger seat to hold camping equipment. Look for lightweight gear and compact equipment that can be tightly folded or rolled up. Cooking equipment should be limited to one pot and eating utensils.

If you’re riding your own motorcycle, take it in for a thorough check-up before heading out on an extended trip. If you’re renting a motorcycle, ask the representative to show you the written maintenance record on the motorcycle before taking it out on the road.

Always chart your route so that you know where gas stations, restaurants and camping facilities are located. Leave a copy of your route with a friend or family member and keep a map and compass handy so you don’t get lost on the road or while camping.

Harley Davidson motorcycles are one-of-a-kind bikes, designed for the ultimate driving experience. Isn’t it time you threw your cares to the wind and ventured out for a weekend getaway or a month long hiatus?