• Rainbow: Fronted by the iconic Ronnie James Dio (who later fronted the bands Elf, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell) motorcycles are featured in at least two Rainbow videos: Since You’ve Been Gone and Death Valley Driver. The second, Death Valley Driver masterfully mixes video games, motorcycles, heavy metal and disgruntled youth in that rock video way that defined the early 1980s. Unfortunately, Ronnie James Dio passed away recently, so there isn’t much chance of seeing him on a Harley again. RIP, RJD.

• Judas Priest: Turbo Lover. Great motorcycle scenes in this video, along with one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. Remember back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, back when so many bands were going glam? A lot of us thought there was only one rocker we knew for sure couldn’t be gay: leather clad Priest front man Rob Halford. Oh well, what he does in his personal life is his own business. No one looks more badass belting out heavy metal or sitting on a Harley in biker leather.

• W.A.S.P.: Wild Child. The video makes it clear. When Lawless belts out “I drive the winds that bring the rain,” he’s driving them on a HOG. And let’s face it, if you really want to be a badass wild child, what else would you ride?

• ZZ Top: This band features several of Billy Gibbons’ custom and classic vehicles in their videos, including his custom Harley Davison HogZZilla. While the band is better known for their Ford coupes, like the famous red ’33 in the videos for Legs, Sharp Dressed Man, and Gimme All Your Lovin, Gibbons’ favorite HOG makes plenty of trips to the plate in ZZ Top videos as well.

• Mötley Crüe: We’re not the only ones who first linked motorcycles and sex while watching the Girls, Girls, Girls video, I’m sure. We just wonder if Vince Neil and Tommy Lee’s motorcycle insurance agents got to go along with them to the clubs featured in the video.

Rock n’ Roll and Harley Davison. Put them together and it just doesn’t get any better.

Photo via opethpainter

Whether you’re a hard core motorcycle enthusiast or relatively new to riding, you really need to make it a point to get a Harley at some point in your life. The entire biker culture revolves around it. But did you ever wonder how the company that creates the world’s best motorcycles got its start?

Around the turn of the last century, there was a ton of experimentation going on with the internal combustion engine. The whole thing was a fairly new concept, and innovative designers and builders were eager to put the new contraption to work. Within the span of a couple of decades, the world went from horseback and steam to being driver by gasoline.

These inventions eventually developed into cars, trucks, motor boats and, of course, motor cycles. And amongst the first American made motor bikes was a design put together by William Harley and Arthur Davison. Originally, the design was a simple bicycle with a small 116cc engine and four inch flywheels. It worked, but it couldn’t conquer the hills of Wisconsin. Believe it or not, the first HOG had to be pedaled to make it over the hills.

Of course, we know the story didn’t end there. The partners continued working on and perfecting their machines until the first true Harleys rolled out. By 1904, the bikes competed in a race for the first time (at least on record) and finished fourth.

By 1906, Harley was rolling out motorcycles that the general public could buy. Of course, they only made about 50 of them that year. Who wouldn’t love to have one of those collectable beauties?

Competition was fierce in the 1910s, with over 150 motorcycle manufacturers in the US alone. A habit of winning races put Harley and competitor Indian at the head of the pack, but it was World War I that really cemented Harley’s leadership in the industry when the US Army, who had already seen what Harleys could do in the Pancho Villa expedition of 1916-17. And the rest is, as they say, history.

Photo via Rennett Stowe

Why would I want to stop in to this museum when I don’t even like Harleys you ask? This museum is full of rich history on this American based motorcycle maker. This is more than just some advertisement crammed into a building. This is a glimpse at where Harley-Davidson started, how the founders lived, and what drove this company to be the success it is today.

This museum visit can be a short one hour walk through, or a few hours of “oooo’s” and “ahhh’s.” The tour starts out with a look at the coveted “Serial Number 1″ bike. This is believed to be the very first HD ever produced. It now sits proudly on a pedestal. This is an interesting piece of machinery as it gives you the up close and personal view of just how much bicycle there was to the first motorbikes. On the floor lining this glorious piece of machinery is a lighted box that represents the shed this bike was most likely made in. Let’s just say that many of us have had apartments that are bigger than this shed.

As one meanders through the museum, they are inundated with history and facts.  Did you know Harley-Davidson was a big player in the World Wars? They were, and some of those bikes can be seen. There are short videos playing to show you just how much training went into riding a motorcycle for wartime missions. To see an armored Harley-Davidson jumping dirt mounds is quite impressive.

Harley-Davidsons’ have been used for just about everything people can put their minds to:  Milk deliveries, mail deliveries, and car towing. Yes, that’s right, car towing. It’s an amazing feat, and an even more amazing bike to see.

The second floor of the museum is where some of the most enjoyable bikes are up for display. This is the floor that you get to see the 100th birthday bike that is signed by all 6000 employees is displayed. See the King Kong bike that is a monstrosity of two engines. Want to see the Indiana Jones bike?  It’s here as well. You can even finish off your tour by sitting on an Indiana Jones bike with bullwhip in hand and have a photo taken.

This is a great American heritage to see. Even those who don’t like the Harley-Davidson bikes can come away with a bit of respect for all that this company has done for the industry. So why not grab that motorcycle insurance card, your best leathers, and your helmet and cruise on up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I promise you that the staff working there is not wearing funny cheese hats!

Photo via cometstarmoon

Herington is a former cop from Wichita. Today, he’s the CEO of a successful company in Olathe, Kansas. Herington rode his motorcycle, a large blue Harley Davidson, to seven state capitals in 2009, including both Kansas and Missouri.

The company he heads is known as NIC Inc. At each state capital Herington and employees of NIC Inc. have donated $1,00 to the local chapters of the COPS organization. COPS stands for “Concerns of Police Survivors,” and there are many local chapters around the nation. COPS is headquartered in Camdenton, Missouri.

According to their website, COPS provides help in rebuilding the lives of families and co-workers after a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. They also provide training to state and local law enforcement agencies regarding survivor victimization, and have a public awareness campaign that lets the public know about the need to support law enforcement personnel.

COPS started back in 1984 and has more than 15,000 families as members. The organization has chapters in several states, and is governed by a national board of survivors.

Among other things, COPS offers a conference for survivors each May. They also sponsor a counseling reimbursement program, a summer camp program, an Outward Bound experience, and retreats on a local, state, regional and national level. There is no charge for joining COPS.

Over the next three years, Herington is planning on riding his motorcycle to the capitals of al 50 states. The company has made a pledge of $25,000 per year to the COPS organization over the next three years.

Photo via conner395

Samuel Heath Head Harley-Davidson motorcycle display, Olympia Motor Show, King Edward Barracks, Christchurch, November 1921 Reference No. 1/1-007199-G Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand

If there’s one thing Wisconsin bikers know it’s that the Harley-Davidson brand of motorcycle is one of the best on the market. In fact, if state lawmakers get there way, Wisconsin could soon add Harley-Davidson motorcycles to its list of official state symbols.

In November, legislators introduced bills that would honor the Harley-Davidson motorcycles and make them the official motorcycle of the state. At the same time, a bill was also introduced to make Lactococcus lactis – a bacterium used in the making of cheese – as the official state microbe. This bizarre combination notwithstanding, the fact remains that Wisconsin is both the home base for Harley-Davidson as well as a huge cheese maker.

The bill naming Harley-Davidson as the official state motorcycle has plenty of support. Even former Governor Tommy Thompson used to refer to Wisconsin as the land where “Harleys roar and the Packers score.” The bill does not yet have a schedule for public hearings. After the public hearings, the bill would need to pass the State Senate, the State Assembly and be signed by the Governor, Jim Doyle.

What is it about a Harley that has the state lawmakers so excited? Well, for starters, Harley Davidson is headquartered right in Milwaukee, in the heart of the state. Back in 1901, a 21 year-old William S. Harley drew up his plans for a small engine to be placed on a pedal-bicycle frame. Along with childhood frined Arthur Davidson, Harley built his dream bicycle in a machine shop on the north side of Milwaukee. The bike was finished in 1903. This “power-cycle” could take the streets and modest hills of Milwaukee with no assistance.

Harley-Davidson was one of only two motorcycle manufacturers to survive the great depression. Over the years, the company has had to deal with hard times, but has always found a way to come out on top and to keep selling the best motorcycles around.

From those humble beginnings, and since those early days, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been synonymous with the state of Wisconsin.

Every five years, Harley-Davidson features a celebratory ride to Milwaukee known as the “Ride Home.” This tradition, unofficially known as “Harleyfest,” is one of the biggest motorcycle events each year and brings in riders from across the globe. The 105^th anniversary event was held in 2008, and featured events in many Wisconsin cities including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties, in Southeast Wisconsin.