Celebrities and Harley-Davidson

The status of owning a Harley-Davidson has lead hundreds and thousands of people to own one or more of these bikes. Some people purchase Harley bikes for pleasure or as a status symbol. Harley riders come from all walks of life and include everyone from the gang member to the billionaire. Harleys are especially popular with the entertainment crowd. Some of today’s most noteworthy people ride Harleys.

One of the wealthiest men in the world, Malcolm Forbes, rides a Harley. At age 40 he began riding Harleys and ended up with about 50 in his collection. Jay Leno has a love for Harleys and likes to work on his bikes to make his own repairs. Leno gets involved every year in the largest bike ride in California called “The Love Ride.” It began in 1983 for the Jerry’s Kids charity to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Jay has been involved since the beginning and has served as its Grand Marshal.

Other celebrities that have ridden in the “Love Ride” are Dennis Hooper and Peter Fonda who have served as Honorary Grand Marshals. Over the years the “Love Ride” has raised millions of dollars for charities. Those that have helped in the ride and raised money are singers Bruce Springsteen, Dwight Yoakam, and Gunner Nelson. Celebrity actors such as Pamela Anderson, Charlie Sheen, Larry Hagman, Ann Margaret, and Mary Hart, plus many more celebrities have either, ridden or performed at the festival and barbecue following at the ride. No matter what the reason, if the Harley bug bites, famous or not, you have to ride.