Worth a thousand words

There’s a story behind every photograph, and riders from around the world shared their adventures through the pages The Enthusiast^®

The member gallery has remained a staple of H.O.G.^® publications – your photographs speak to the adventures, friendships and experiences of riding and owning a Harley-Davidson^® motorcycle. Today’s galleries often feature scenic spots, riding action and chapter memories. Looking through the pages of The Enthusiast^® in 1925 reveals that riders had enjoyed the same activities on their bikes for decades, and capturing their experiences through a lens was as important then as it is today.

Turn the cover of the January 1925 issue and you’ll see the international appeal of Harley-Davidson, with photographs sent in from readers in South Africa, Japan and Germany. The South African riders were set to go touring, complete with pillion passengers and sidecars in a line-up outside their dealership – similar to dealer events today. Meanwhile, an H-D motorcycle in Japan was attracting attention from admirers, while the German riders were all set to watch some racing.

In the March edition, the inside cover shows a group of riders from Mexico City and policeman Cricket Cross from Florida pulling off a daring 34-foot jump on his 1925 model at the Annual Police Motorcycle Race Meet.

Heading into the spring, the magazine galleries are packed with touring shots from all over the world – Australia, South America, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the US. Some set off “with their sidecars filled with good things to eat”, while others carried keen passengers – including a toddler.

Harleys are no strangers to the silver screen, such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Easy Rider, and in the May edition we’re treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of silent screen actor Jimmie Adams filming a dramatic getaway sequence with his co-stars for their latest comedy.

Come October and the gallery pages declared our favourite bikes are “The World’s Most Popular Motorcycle!” highlighting a variety of uses, ranging from police transport and racing to a fishing trip undertaken by Bill Davidson and William Harley. A separate gallery in this edition, ”Enthusiasts of Other Lands”, revealed just how widespread Harley ownership had become, featuring riders from England, Holland, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Australia.

A quick leaf through any edition offers a glimpse into the icons and ideals of the time. In 1925, this global community was still young and growing, putting down roots for what has developed into the Harley Owners Group^® – a network that means wherever you find yourself, you’ll always be close to the Harley-Davidson family when you need them.

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