Harley-Davidson® Motorcycles For Sale in Modesto, CA
Although we're a powersports dealership, Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are our bread and butter. We've been your local Harley® dealer for over 30 years and have no plans of slowing down. Stop by our dealership near Turlock, Oakdale, and Merced, CA to see out all of our Harley® bikes for sale, today!
The History of Harley-Davidson
In the beginning, there were two men: William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, working together in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were childhood friends who shared a vision: improve on the simple pedal bike design. Starting out building single-cylinder engines for motorcycles, the two friends created a blueprint for the first 116cc engine.
That’s the beginning of the story. The end hasn’t been written yet, and you’re living in the middle. Harley-Davidson created American motorcycling culture, and that culture remains as vibrant and exciting as it ever has. But it took a lot of hard work, grit, determination, and technical expertise to get here. At Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson, we’re proud to play our part in the Harley-Davidson legacy, and we encourage you to visit our dealership in Modesto, California to see how you can join that legacy by buying a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. And if you’re in Turlock, Ceres, or Merced, you should also come see us!
The Spark
Harley and Davidson’s first design was a success, but it didn’t have enough oomph to get motorcycles up Milwaukee’s steep slopes. Then the two friends came up with their first revolutionary idea: modify the engine and remove the pedals from the motorcycle, and then turn the power up to eleven. With this goal in mind, the pair released the first Harley-Davidson® motorcycle in 1904.
War and Depression
World War I began in 1914, and the U.S. Army needed motorcycles for the war effort. Harley-Davidson received its marching orders: 20,000 bikes. The scope of this order forced the company to expand its operation, and by the end of the war, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
When the Depression hit in 1929 and the economy cratered, Harley-Davidson survived, and even thrived. No matter how bad things got, it was clear that Americans had a hunger for the company’s motorcycles. By the end of the Depression, Harley-Davidson stood as one of only two motorcycle manufacturers to survive the economic collapse. And with the start 
of World War II, the company’s bikes were again called into service, with an order for 90,000 bikes to help the war effort.
Mid-Century to Today
The company’s bikes saw themselves bathed in the lights of Hollywood, with movies like Easy Rider and celebrities like Elvis and James Dean riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It was a golden era for American motorcycling, and Harley-Davidson was at the forefront. Since that time, the company has continued to innovate and improve on their motorcycles, creating iconic bike designs like the Softail® and the Street Rod®.
Today, Harley-Davidson remains at the top of the pack, and it continues to push the limits of innovation, especially with its forays into the electric motorcycle market. The power, the style, and the legacy of Harley-Davidson will never be matched.
If you’re ready to become part of that legacy, then please come see us at Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson. We’ll put you on the bike of your dreams.