harley davidson motorcycleHistorically, one of the reasons why the Harley Davidson motorcycle became such an American icon is because of its use as a scouting and messenger vehicle during the Second World War. The US Army bought tens of thousands of copies of the Harley Davidson motorcycle, and they proved themselves to be rugged, reliable, wickedly fast machines when they needed to be. Almost everyone who rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle during WW II fell in love with it. So that when the war ended and the Army put the Harley Davidson motorcycle on the surplus market, thousands of veterans snapped up these hardy mechanical steeds. Plus, the Harley Davidson motorcycle was cheap, it provided inexpensive transportation for cash-strapped vets who were now out of work. The low price, easy availability and ruggedness of the Harley Davidson motorcycle all contributed to building the legend and popularity of the Harley.