Founder of H.O.G. Inducted into Motorcycling Hall of Fame

Steve Piehl was given a challenging assignment at Harley-Davidson Inc. when the company was fighting for its survival.

In the fall of 1982, he was told to organize a group for Harley bike owners who would support their passion for the brand and, hopefully, bring more riders into the fold.


At the time, Piehl thought that someday the Harley Owners Group would have tens of thousands of members nationwide. He never imagined that, today, it would have nearly a million members in dozens of countries.

This week, Piehl was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame in Sturgis, where the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continues through Sunday.

Piehl said he didn't expect to be included in the Hall of Fame even as the Harley Owners Group grew into one of the motorcycle industry's biggest success stories.

Working under Clyde Fessler, Harley's general sales manager at the time, Piehl was given only about three months to launch the organization in January 1983.

Piehl was only three years out of college, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, when he was given the assignment to create the Harley Owners Group.



Early on, the organization bonded with Harley dealerships that formed local chapters for their customers to join in and socialize.

Then came rallies, tours, a roadside assistance program and other things aimed at making motorcycling more enjoyable and fostering customer loyalty.

Harley Owners Group is credited with boosting attendance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as local chapters made the event an annual pilgrimage where members could test ride the latest new motorcycles and meet company executives including Willie G. Davidson.

Looking ahead, Piehl says the Harley Owners Group must stay connected with younger motorcyclists, female riders and everyone else in the Harley family.