A Few Famous Harley Davidson Riders
Although there is no real documentation, the first woman to ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle was most likely Janet Davidson. Janet was an aunt of Davidson brothers, Arthur, Walter and William, who helped found the company. She helped her nephews with the new project by using her artistic talents to paint pinstriping and lettering on their motorcycles.
Several other well known women are notable in the just over 100-year history of the Harley Davidson Company for having ridden Harley's or for other associations with the company.
In the late 1920's, Vivian Bale road 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, a famous French movie star and pinup girl in the 1950's became hooked on Harley Davidson motorcyles in the 1960's. She was so enamored of the motorcycles produced by the company, that she debuted her hit single entitled Harley Davidson. A photograph of her astride her favorite motorcycle was also a popular publicity piece. She is wearing hot pants and a partially unzipped leather jacket in that picure.
Millionaire publisher Malcolm Forbes, gave Elizabeth Taylor a Purple Passion motorcycle. It was said that the bike matched her famous eyes.
Thanks to the 1969 hit movie, "Easy Rider", produced by Peter Fonda and directed by Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda has become one of the most famous of male Harley Davidson Riders. Dennis Hopper also appeared in this movie and the photo of a scene showing them both together, each atop his Harley is still sought after today by fans and followers...of the men and the motorcycles.
Malcolm Forbes, one of the wealthiest men ever and founder of the prestigious Forbes magazine, not only seemed to enjoy giving Harley Davidsons to friends as gifts, he personally owned more than 50 of them! 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.
"The Tonight Show" host, Jay Leno, is yet 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.
Other well-known Harley Davidson riding celebrities include: Elvis Presley, Don Johnson, Jackson Browne, Mickey Rourke and Tina Turner. And how can any AH-NULD fan ever forget Arnold Schwarznegger and his ride as "The Terminator". Even "Bubba", the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton posed astride a Harley during his campaign.
Not famous in what society would consider a good way, the hard-core motorcycle gang known of as "Hells Angels" also favor Harley Davidson bikes. 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 appearance 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. Fortunately for Harley-Davidson, there is no known link to the Harley Davidson company.
