Celebrities that Own or Ride Harleys

Many celebrities are notorious for their love of motorcycles. The motorcycle lifestyle seems to fit nicely with that of the rich and famous and adds, perhaps, an element of danger or ‘edge’ to their persona. Numerous celebrities own Harleys and some of them are legendary for their enthusiasm.

The late Malcolm Forbes was famous for his quotations, Faberge eggs, hot air balloons and especially for his interest in Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He began riding motorcycles at the age of forty and by the end of his life, owned fifty of them. Many were Harley-Davidsons. They were kept in a stable at his New Jersey estate. Liz Taylor owns and rides the Harley given to her by Forbes. Forbes was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, having founded the Capitalist Tools motorcycle club.

Jay Leno was a mechanic and worked on motorcycles during his college years. He often writes for Popular Mechanics and several other mechanic magazines. He restores cars and motorcycles. His large antique collection of cars and motorcycles includes many Harleys and his prized 1930 Brough Superior SS100. Leno auctioned off three Harleys from his collection and raised just under three million dollars for victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean earthquakes and the 9/11 attacks.

Elvis Presley owned and rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The photo of him on his Harley is as famous as that of “Easy Rider” film stars Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. The 1969 film was a worldwide success and contributed to them being the most widely recognized Harley riders at the time.

Bill Clinton released a press photo of him astride a Harley while he was governor of Arkansas and running for President. Other famous riders include Don Johnson, Jackson Browne, Mickey Rourke, Tina Turner, Arnold Schwarzenegger and more.