Origin Of The Name “Hog”

If you have a passing familiarity with Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles, you’ve probably heard them referred to as “hogs”. While this nickname has been around for about a century, few people seem to know why they are called by this name. If asked, some people might guess that it has something to do with the size or sound of the bike, but this isn’t actually the case. Beach House Harley-Davidson ® has the real answer, so sit back and enjoy this fascinating tale.

Early Days

In the years leading up to World War I, Harley riders dominated the nascent sport of motorcycle racing. Harley-Davidson’s factory race team racked up first-place finishes across the United States, and soon became known as "The Wrecking Crew." Though the five-man team was not victorious at the very first Dodge City 300, which was held in 1914, they came back the next two years and managed to win both times. 

Further History

While the Wrecking Crew would have undoubtedly taken part in the 1917 Dodge City 300 had it been held, by that time the US had joined WWI, which put a freeze on all racing. From then until the end of the war, most motorcycle production went towards military contracts. After the armistice, the Wrecking Crew went right back to the track, taking the checkered flag over and over again at board and dirt tracks throughout the early 1920s. It was around this time that race team member Ray Weishaar acquired a pet piglet. The piglet, named Johnny, quickly became the team’s mascot. A new tradition was established, in which each win would be celebrated by a victory lap with the pig sitting on the gas tank of the winning bike. 

New Name

Journalists quickly took to the pig. Many of them started referring to the Wrecking Crew by a whole new nickname, "the Harley Hogs". When well-meaning jabs were made, saying that Harley was "hogging" all the victories from other motorcycle brands like Indian Motorcycle and Excelsior. Over time, "hog" came to be a synonym for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The company itself eventually embraced the name as well, using “HOG” as an acronym for the Harley Owners Group as well as making it the company’s name on the stock market listing. Harley-Davidson’s promotional materials and merchandise frequently feature hogs, and while these artist’s renditions don’t resemble Johnny very much, we’d like to think they share the same spirit.

If you are interested in purchasing a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, visit Beach House Harley-Davidson. Our dealership in Shallotte, North Carolina offers financing, parts ordering, servicing, insurance, and other services on top of an excellent lineup of new and pre-owned Harleys. We are proud to serve Brunswick County, North Carolina, and we welcome anyone in the area to stop by and take a test drive.