The early years of the company were characterized by experimentation, engineering development, and the gradual growth of motorcycle manufacturing. At the time, motorcycles were still a relatively new form of transportation. Manufacturers in the United States and Europe were producing machines for a variety of purposes, and the technology was developing rapidly.
Harley-Davidson eventually established a strong identity around large motorcycles with powerful engines and a distinctive design philosophy. The company’s motorcycles became particularly associated with durability, long-distance riding, and mechanical character. As the decades passed, Harley-Davidson motorcycles were adopted for many different uses, including civilian transportation and police work.
The police connection became especially important because motorcycles could provide law-enforcement officers with mobility that was difficult to achieve using automobiles alone. A motorcycle could travel through traffic, operate on roads that were difficult for larger vehicles, and allow officers to cover considerable areas efficiently. As motorcycle technology developed, police departments in the United States and elsewhere acquired motorcycles specifically configured for law-enforcement duties.
