Willie G. Davidson: Grandson of Harley-Davidson founder

The legendary Willie G. Davidson has a new book out, titled "Ride Free, A Memoir", where he details his life as the grandson of one of the founders of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
Willie G.’s father was a long-time president who brought him on board as its first 'Design Director’ in 1963. His artistry in motorcycle design led the way to a new era of beautiful, custom-looking bikes that came off the production line.
Willie G, as he is affectionately known, stayed with the company for nearly 50 years, retiring in 2012 as Senior Vice-president and Chief Styling Officer.
More details here: www.tmj4.com/n...
----
TMJ4 News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is your source for local breaking news, in-depth investigations, the latest weather and traffic, and livestreams on news happening right now.
Subscribe to the TMJ4 KZbin channel: / @tmj4
Watch 24/7 TMJ4 live coverage here: www.tmj4.com/live
Download the TMJ4 app: www.tmj4.com/apps
Sign up for the TMJ4 Newsletter: www.tmj4.com/n...
Watch more TMJ4 on KZbin: / @tmj4
On The Go with James Groh: on.tmj4.com/3V...
Milwaukee Tonight: on.tmj4.com/3U...

[@robertcorrigan3816]

Wish Willie "G" and his team , well git more involved with Harley-Davidson and git rid of the German CEO.

[@jagjr6772]

He’s 90 years old and retired. What do you expect him to do….he doesn’t have a team and not part of running the company.

[@Dynachop420]

Yeah if Harley doesn’t change soon they are fucked

[@wayne251975]

​@@jagjr6772he could have an opinion

[@joelgalvan8358]

Nothing like the ride,of a Harley.

[@2Acharmcity_Gamer]

Tell him get rid of that ceo and these BS dealership that’s over charging for these Harley bikes.

[@Itsjake908]

Willie G is a living legend. God bless Willie G

[@gordontownsend8439]

Met him a couple of times very gracious down to earth. Been riding Harleys since 1987 on harley number 7 now been hundreds of thousands of miles. It is a passion!

[@robbiehutslar5509]

Willie G is one AWESOME DUDE!

[@melissadavis2311]

I love Willie G I love my harley I love all my harley clothes ,coats, boots and collectibles.

[@harolddalesr8365]

But it's Woke. Time to let go.

[@JohnSmith-de2mz]

I met him about 40 years ago at a ride in LA, a humble, polite, great guy

[@kevingurall5555]

You're looking good Willie G! Love who you are as a person. It must be very difficult to see the company being destroyed by the German resident who's now the current President/CEO /Chairman of the Board. It appears that he finagled his way into having so much power (by title and position) that nothing can stop him from turning it into nothing but a licensing play for clothing, footwear, housewares, etc. 120 years of manufacturing motorcycles known throughout the world, and he's killing it off. What's being done to the family owned dealers (being forced out of the business) that MADE Harley Davidson should be a crime. As customers, we're now left with these corporate mega dealerships that absolutely suck. Enough said. Because of these moves, HD's US sales will plummet further over the new handful of years. Died-in-the-wool HD riders no longer looking to buy new HDs - they're shopping other brands now.

[@JoseGarcia-wb8wm]

Couldn't have said it better don't plan on ever buying another HD bought 3 new bikes last year Triumph Suzuki and Kawasaki treated disrespectfully at local hd stealership 50 year customer Kawasaki

[@Dirtycracker]

Well said.

[@DirtySouthConnection803]

@kevingurall5555 thank you foe commenting. Very well put! "Ride Free".👍🦅🇺🇸👌

[@candyconstable2385]

Willie, I miss your hugs and Seeing you and Nancy. The years have flown by but the memories stay. Door County, fish boils, and all the people who added to the craziness and laughter 🎉 my love to both of you, good health. I'm living in Waukesha with my son Mark. God bless.❤

[@ront9395]

Tell it, brother. They eliminated the Electraglide Classic and Ultra Classic. The only Batwing tourer is the Ultra Limited. With surcharges and taxes and fees a new bike is $37k. And they blew $400 million on an electric bike that isn't competitive.

[@joecrone9862]

😊I've got a picture of Willie G. sitting on my old Harley kr750. I need to have that made into a 8x10 and frame it. Glad to see he's still hangin in there.

[@Jer_O]

The Man, The Myth, The LEGEND..Willie G!!!

[@hiflyer1168]

Too bad they've lost their way since these guys moved on. After a lifetime of HD's, current management makes me sick

[@frankfurther3828]

"F the riders, it's all about the stockholders".

[@cjjorge6636]

@@frankfurther3828 F the stockholders no $$$$$$$$ for them !!! lol HD SUCKS !!!! PULL THE NAME OFF YOUR BIKE !!!!!!!!

[@Dynachop420]

That and dealerships are absolute jokes that are run shady as hell and don’t pay employees shit

[@kennethwise7108]

Happy 91st Birthday Willie

[@mikepurdy3952]

Thanks for making Beautiful Motorcycles, that I can't afford Willie G...

[@beckyboggs424]

I have had the privilege of riding with Willie G, he is a very down to earth guy. His wife was a beautiful woman, they made a wonderful couple.

[@skyhill4279]

Love and best wishes to you Willie G from the land of your forefathers. God bless you sir! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ElectraWillem]

Willy G. did fine, but....... look what's now running the company !

[@frankfurther3828]

Loafer-wearing golf pros who care zero about real riders.

[@markwinchester3005]

When a motorcycle company has 'dealerships' that only sell T-shirts and coffee cups its no longer valid. Selling my last HD next week.

[@matthewnaylor4412]

Yeah and them Tshirts cost as much as the motorcycles

[@frankfurther3828]

The Motor Company died in 1999. Witness the slow decomposition/dilution of a once-great, once-American company.

[@kennethwise7108]

Yep, after the Evo it went downhill.

[@antonysdao7275]

Why do you feel that way? (883C, Fatboy, Streetglide, Road King Custom (twice) Now 14 Streetglide Custom Stage 3.

[@SilentAlchemy1333]

Evo was the last real Harley.

[@frankfurther3828]

@@antonysdao7275 You know the old saying: "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand".

[@rambug99]

🇺🇸😎 Amazing, my Dad is also just turned 90. 🧡

[@sandrider1962]

as one who has been in the saddle for 40 years +. I am sad to say, the brand & legacy dies with Willy G. Black Rock bean counters and such run the show now. Hard to say this, but I can't envision myself buying another new HDMC cycle.

[@kennethwise7108]

His sons have no boys either so there goes the legacy. Michael Davidson (none), Karen Davidson (none), Bill Davidson (1 Daughter). There are no Harley members affiliated with the Mo-Co either so what you got right now is ALL that's left.

[@joel8034]

However, it's unfortunate that his company is allowing a band who has stated publicly their disgust with the united states. Any self-respecting motorcyclist who has ANY integrity willBOT attend the 120th OR the green dookie concert.

[@DNiddy]

Yep. These people have no resolve. It was a great year to make a stand and NOT attend. But these folks are the same ones who will go back to their Bud Light, take their kids to Disney, and watch the woke NFL. No wonder why this country is headed down. People haven't the stomach to really push for change.

[@kennethwise7108]

Thank you for autographing my 95th anniversary Road Glide Willie!

[@roadglide1142]

Luv riding always will!

[@timm9842]

My 96 Sportster still going strong. love it😊

[@evil_musclemuscled3814]

Mr Davidson. Its not a hobby and you're the man 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@curtistignor3966]

America 🇺🇸

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Hey Willy, are you ashamed of how the company is going woke?

[@kennethwise7108]

He'll get it fixed. LOL

[@AbyssGP]

Guy is 90 and looks awesome

[@johnDukemaster]

Nice interview. He did his thing. I remember the first Superglide. We laughed! I remember the caféracer/sportster. We wondered. A friend of mine bought a new Lowrider -77 or -78. Had to make new tripletrees since the forkholes on the OE ones were not parallel. Well, I could tell alot of things about this brand that makes it an enigma why anyone would buy one. But when they work, they are nice! I rode Harley's for 20 years. But I will never go back. As a second bike, perhaps. A 90ies Suerglide would be nice! Or better, a -64 Duoglide!

[@zgarsamtavarez]

In 2023 I celebrated HD's birthday by getting rid of my HD after the local HD dealer insulted me by making sure I knew that only new bikes are worth anything, used HD bikes are worth nothing unless they're sitting in their showroom, and realizing there are much better products out here, by companies relying in the quality of their bike and not the image of their riders to sell better bikes than HD.

[@rarebreed9208]

That permanent smile you get when your bank account stays fat.

[@glenknight4681]

Well Willie G HD motorcycles are iconic and that’s awesome…. But what the problem many riders have with the HD company is that many dealers do not stand behind their products. The M8 17-19 years have sumping issues due to poor design. Why won’t the headquarters issue a memorandum to the dealers to resolve this issue? Many riders want to ride AMERICAN products because we are proud Americans but our American brand doesn’t stand behind its products for their customers! That’s sad Willie G.

[@kennethwise7108]

He don't give a rats ass. LOL

[@glenknight4681]

@@kennethwise7108 I have no doubt that you’re right about that. It’s sad because I want to support American made products but HD has taken the stance that it couldn’t care less about it’s consumers. I still own a 17 Electra Glide Ultra Limited ( with the sump issue M8 107) but I am going to sell it because I don’t or should I say I shouldn’t have to put money into it for a better oil pump that should’ve been installed in the damn first place). I own a 2012 V-STAR 1300 Tourer that is a blast to ride. Hell it’s my favorite bike I own. Months ago I did test ride a 2023 RG ST w/. 117! & wow that was a fun bike but 34K? Nah I’m good keeping my V-STAR for now.

[@kennethwise7108]

@glenknight4681 yeah, it's disappointing to say the least and I totally understand your frustration. It's no different than the early twin cam 88's that were eating cam chain tensioners and destroying oil pumps and wiping out the entire cam chest components. No recall issued on those either! The designers and engineers of these bikes don't ride them hard or tour long distances on them. If they did they would've seen for themselves all of these issues. I've heard of some twin cam motors blowing up with a mere 20,000 miles on them! They easily could've put a small idler sprocket as a cam chain tensioner and/or go gear to gear but noooo. RIP HD 1903-1999

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

Tens of thousands of idiots that don't understand the Harley Davidson motor company has turned its back on. When will they wake up and see it?

[@matrox]

Willie G a great bike stylist. Nothing really great since he left.

[@jamesbrockey4871]

Those were the good old days,what he designed were classic,these days with HD? Not to sure??? Hope that they can hang on??

[@nevadastronghold]

He’s a jew, ask the Davidson’s about the hostile takeover that pushed the Harley family out.

[@kennethwise7108]

Facts! Sadly there are no Harley members affiliated with the Mo-Co anymore. Also, there are no younger "male" Davisons either. What you got right now is all that's left. Bill has a daughter, Karen no kids, Michael has no kids.

[@FrankF-vp4pt]

Willie! Why aren't you dealing with this woke insanity! Save your company and stand strong as an American company!

[@kennethwise7108]

He don't give a $hit, he's a millionaire! His Son Bill can care less either

[@newtonmetres]

I heard he bought a Gold Wing upon retirement....

[@chrisgaskill7923]

Harley lost its way ....no longer american

[@tedsmith8319]

Why are you killing the brand and supporting the Rainbow Warriors by teaming up Budweiser? Go Woke Go Broke!...

[@kennethwise7108]

Yeah, that'll surely put them out of business

[@NosActivated420]

HD is now woke. They are going down the wrong path with that philosophy.

[@riding2nowhere]

Still a rip-off, I'll never buy another one!

[@kennethwise7108]

And NOW we know where the "Willie G scull" came from.

[@kennethwise7108]

Never understood why Michael Davidson (Son #1) had ZERO interest in his heritage and chose abstract art as a career path 😢

[@tigerward88]

Harley's are not Harley's now

[@browngreen933]

Willie G. is the last of the third generation family members invovled with HD still around. John Harley, Jr, grandson of founder William S. Harley, died a couple years ago.

[@kennethwise7108]

No younger Davidsons are out there either

[@browngreen933]

@@kennethwise7108 Willie G.'s kids Billy Davidson works in the HD Museum and Karen Davidson in MotorClothes.

[@kennethwise7108]

@@browngreen933 yes Sir

[@gentrydebbie1040]

I have many clothing items willie G signed for me in Atlanta . I Have owned many Brands but I grew up in the millde of nowhere Kentucky A Man lived close to me let me Ride a Knuckle Head ,which at The Time i did not know about Flat Knuckle Pan Shovel until i was 20 I rode the Knuckle Down a Dirt Road i was 14 and The sound got in my Blood , So i will always have a Potato Patato Harley ? It is The EPA causing the problem with keeping Harley's Sound, They run lean new off the floor ? The Billionares hungry for Green Backs lie about Climate BS so They Fly everywhere and sell Carbon Credits ? While the Company is forced to add so much un needed Junk on new Bikes ? The Old school Folk Like Me will keep our Older Bikes that we can Repair ourselves ?

[@myclassiccarstory]

HD ended when Willie G retired. The company has now gone woke and overcharge for all their new Chinese motorcycles.

[@newtonmetres]

They say on every ride he took out of urban areas he had a support vehicle with two HD mechanics and a heap of spares

[@kennethwise7108]

😂

[@user-tu1zi3gt2c]

They say after 2012 Harleys went all crap

[@candyconstable2385]

Willie and Nancy I have sent you a message recently but I will try again It has been sometime since our paths have passed but I have remembered so many times as if they were yesterday! I had warm feelings about the fun we had in The Door trips Some of the happiest times. I wish you good health and to enjoy your family. God's blessing and Peace Love. Candy Constable

[@duggydugg3937]

getting a trike

[@tonyverdile2944]

Harley Davidson motor companies back on decline with the crap they build now

[@Johnclark300]

Harley Davidson has always been putting out garbage, thats why I ride Honda, the absolute best motorcycle manufacturer in the world, Honda has been building quality products that you can rely on, and today, buying a motorcycle is an investment, and the best bang for your buck is the Honda gold wing. If your going to drop $20,000 or $35,000 on a bike, make sure it's a Honda gold wing, absolute best engine ever made in the motorcycle industry.

[@ront9395]

Spoken like someone who has never ridden a Harley. I never put down someone else’s ride. You’re comparing apples and oranges. A Honda is a machine. A Harley is a work of art.

[@harrykain285]

They better get there dealerships in line,this marking up prices well kill Harley,sell at MSRP? not to many stealerships doing that

[@kennethwise7108]

Very, true hence why younger people have no interest in motorcycling. I'm 56 years old and can't afford a $50k motorcycle. There's no reason why these bikes shouldn't be at a similar price point as any import bike.

[@nojremlock6826]

Willie...what's with the woke deal. Buy that stock back and get back on track

[@Robert-x8o9o]

I love the Harley Davidson brand but I will not be buying any other there bikes anymore if they go to India and China to make there motorcycle they will not be a American icon anymore.

[@thudtrades1850]

Does he speak Chinese yet? Harleys ain't worth a phuck no more... either are the people who ride them.. The goods ones are being replace by credit card bikers...

[@cjjorge6636]

OLD HD IS COOL !!!! RIP 2023 HD MOTO IS WOKE AND THE GOVERNMENT OWNS IS NOW I'M GOOD !!!AND THE CEO SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!

[@JNAMOTORSPORTS]

Does he not have kids?

[@kennethwise7108]

Yes, he has 3

[@dennytuma]

still can't build a decent motorcycle

[@richardherron7670]

Willie G and Louie Netz creator of the Fatboy , which I proudly own. This man was born with God given talent and vision.

[@user-cd9ex2kw4c]

Bring back the old bikes ,,that's where the money is

[@user-cd9ex2kw4c]

@@unclejesseandtherippers4047 your right ,the younger generation is full of brainless idiots

[@cjjorge6636]

let it die lol

[@kennethwise7108]

Better yet, SUPPORT OLDER BIKES WITH NOS PARTS TO KEEP THEM ON THE ROAD! Anything older than 10 years forget about it in my local Stealership. They'll quickly point you to the showroom floor to entice you to buy a $30k-$40k bike

[@09flstcmcodonnell42]

78 years old still riding everyday ain't nothing woke about Harley Harley Riders are not supposed to talk about anything woke other than it is negative BS

[@frankfurther3828]

This AM I woke at 5:50. Before that I was unconscious.

[@freddie_ray1498]

Harley Davidson has crapped on the old timers that helped to make this company. I love HD and own a 2012 FLHTK, but I'll never buy any HD older than 1976.