Perhaps the most recognizable motorcycle brand, Harley Davidson, has a long and storied history of over 100 years old. In 1901, two friends growing up in Milwaukee, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, joined together to create a “motor bicycle” in a backyard shed.
Prototypes were created and altered, and just a few years after its start, the company advertised its first product: a DIY motorbike. The concept of a motorized bicycle continued to evolve, and Harley Davidson continued to grow.
The company survived World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II. Today, Harley Davidson is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of motorcycles. From worldwide events, clubs, and die-hard fans, it’s hard to find a brand with a greater loyalty behind it.
There are over 1,400 independent dealers in over 100 countries. Harley-Davidson directly employs 5,000 people worldwide. In one year, they manufacture over 160,000 bikes (2023).
Harley Davidson has seen more American history than any person alive today. Though the bikes are no longer made in a backyard shed, are they still being manufactured in America? Let’s find out.
Verdict: Are Harley Davidson Motorcycles Made in the USA?
Only some parts of the Harley Davidson manufacturing process happen in the United States. Harley Davidson owns production facilities both stateside and overseas. Assembly mostly takes place in the US, whereas parts manufacturing occurs globally.
American facilities are located in York, Pennsylvania, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and Tomahawk, Wisconsin. The company headquarters is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, right on the site of that original backyard shed.
In 2019, Harley Davidson closed a Kansas City, Missouri plant. The closure was short notice, and 800 employees lost their jobs. At the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin plant, engines, and transmissions are made, then sent to the York factory, their main manufacturing site, for final assembly.
Overseas facilities are located in Manaus, Brazil, and Rayong, Thailand. These sites service their local regions and bikes built overseas do not typically make their way to the US for consumer sale.
In 2019, Harley Davidson joined in collaboration with a Chinese manufacturing plant to produce an affordable motorcycle made in China, the X350 RA. This model is only produced for sale in the country of China. However, recent news reports suggest that this motorbike is going to be shipped to the US, not for sale but for exclusive use in dealership training schools.
From our research, all Harley motorcycles sold in the US are assembled here as well. As far as the percentage of parts that comprise each one being American-made, that’s a toss-up. The last time a 100% American-built Harley was produced was likely 50-60 years ago.
So, is your Harley made in America? Well, that depends on your definition of American Made.
Popular American Made Harley Davidson Motorcycles
The following motorcycles are assembled in America with both American and global parts:
- CVO Road Glide ST
- Road King Special
- Street Glide
Popular Harley Davidson Motorcycles Not Made in the USA
- Harley-Davidson X350 RA
