Sign o’ the Times: Harley-Davidson Bitcoin Deal Makes History

California Harley dealership is first-ever to accept the digital currency.

Getting a new Harley-Davidson is a thrill for any bike enthusiast. Paying for it, well, that’s not exactly the fun part. Unless you happen to be one of those people who were lucky or smart enough to get in on the Bitcoin movement early, in which case you’re going to get a lot of value for those…okay, what are Bitcoins exactly?

Bitcoin came on the scene 8 years ago as a new type of global currency and online financial network. It is a cryptocurrency, which is basically encrypted digital dollars used in peer-to-peer transactions. Bitcoins can be bought, sold, traded, or mined online. While it is not legal tender, it has become incredibly valuable virtual money.

But Charles Winkelmann wanted his digital dough to go to a brick-and-mortar shore, so he went to Old Road Harley-Davidson in Santa Clarita, California, to purchase his new bike with this new currency.

‘We know it was the first Harley in the United States, and perhaps in the world, bought via Bitcoin.’

Mike Moffett, president of Old Road Harley-Davidson, told The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, “We know it was the first Harley in the United States, and perhaps in the world, bought via Bitcoin.” Moffett learned about Bitcoin from other merchants. “I talked to a couple of car dealers that accept Bitcoin…and they shared what they know. Then we signed up with BitPay, which converts the Bitcoin amount into dollars, so the transaction is seamless.”

In a time of challenging sales, this might be a good answer for H-D dealers. “By accepting Bitcoin and getting the word out, we’re reaching another audience that we might not otherwise reach,” said Moffett .

Winkelmann was also very pleased with the transaction, and the Harley. “I was born in the Philippines and owe everything I have to America, so I wanted to buy an American product.”

This type of transaction might be new, but the love of a Harley is tried and true. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Photo: The Santa Clarita Valley Signal

S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.