Harley-Davidson's most recent endeavor to secure trademark protection was not only its most unconventional, it was also arguably, the most unusual and provocative trademark application ever filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). On February 1, 1994, Harley filed a registration for a trademark, then already in use, with the following description: "THE MARK CONSISTS OF THE EXHAUST SOUND OF APPLICANT'S MOTORCYCLES, PRODUCED BY V-TWIN, COMMON CRANKPIN MOTORCYCLE ENGINES WHEN THE GOODS ARE IN USE. Put simply, Harley was attempting to trademark the sound of its motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson's effort to register the "potato-potato-potato" sound of its motorcycle engine "spuddered" to a halt. The Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker said it had pulled the spark-plug wires on its 6-year-old effort to land a U.S. trademark for the sound of its noted V-twin engine. The announcement comes as more than 10,000 Harley owners were expected to roll into Milwaukee for a four-day H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Rally. Several of Harley's competitors, including Honda Motor Co. and Yamaha Motor Co., opposed the trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Inspired by the VR-1000 racing motorcycle, the V-Rod was Harley-Davidson's first motorcycle to combine fuel injection, overhead cams and liquid cooling, and delivered 115 horsepower. Dyna Super Glide T-Sport (based on the blacked-out Dyna Super Glide Sport) was introduced and fuel injection was now optional on all Softail models along with a new optional Harley-Davidson security system. New models FXDP Dyna Defender police bike and FXDXT Dyna Super Glide T-sport.

President George W. Bush visited the Pilgrim Road Powertrains Operations facility in Menomee Falls, Wisconsin. President George Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) President, Robert Rasor and Willie G. Davidson, VP of Styling for Harley-Davidson spoke to the press about Plans to Regulate Motorcyclists they spoke of plans for EZ- Rider, with EZ-Rider the government would have a way to monitor the whereabouts of all motorcycle riders anywhere in the US. Furthermore, Harley-Davisdson entered into an agreement with the government to place a 2-digit code on the E-Z Rider badge to identify Harley-Davidson riders.

MILWAUKEE (July 14, 2003) - As Harley-Davidson kicks off its second century, the Motor Company is preparing for an exciting new chapter in the Company's history. Today, Harley-Davidson introduced a completely redesigned XL Sportster line and a new model in the VRSC V-Rod family to the dealer network at the company's summer dealer meeting, held this year in Las Vegas. "Harley-Davidson now has 100 years of experience designing and producing the greatest motorcycles in the world," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson director of marketing, motorcycle product development. "Our 2004 motorcycle line-up will lead us into a promising new century at Harley-Davidson."

Harley-Davidson will unveil the entire 2004 model line-up to the general public on Thursday, August 28 during the Company's 100th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee, WI. The Company extended the 2003 model year to 14 months in order to meet anticipated demand for its 100th Anniversary models.