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Harley Davidson: Celebrities You Didn't Know Own a Harley

It's no surprise that celebrities love to splurge on homes and cars, but you may not have expected these famous actors and singers to be Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.

By Gabriella Massari - January 15, 2016

This article applies to the Harley-Davidson.

The Harley-Davidson is the bike of choice for so many celebrities that it might be easier to drum up a list of celebrities without one. But Harley owners, famous or not, would agree that Harley's are popular for good reason. Across all models, performance is second-to-none, and anyone who rides one looks instantly cooler. The Harley-Davidson's popularity among celebrities begs the question: have you really "made it" if you don't own one? Here's a breakdown of five celebrities who you may not have thought own (or have owned) a hog.

Elizabeth Taylor

It's no question that the late style icon had an affinity for diamonds and extravagant gowns, but did you also know that she loved her lavender colored Harley? In the '80s, Elizabeth Taylor was gifted her first bike, dubbed "Purple Passion," from Malcolm Forbes, whom she dated briefly. A successful publisher, Forbes was also an avid collector of Harley's. Taylor later released a fragrance called "Passion," which was packaged in a purple box. It's safe to say the inspiration probably came from the thrill of owning her custom Harley.

  • Figure 1. Forbes and Taylor enjoying a ride on one of his many Harley's.
  • Figure 2. Taylor on her "Purple Passion" Harley.

Jim Carrey

Apparently, when funny-man Jim Carrey purchased a Harley, he ordered its license plate to read "NO TAG." This is the default phrase that police officers write on a ticket for a vehicle with a missing license plate. But the joke was on Carrey; apparently he received several traffic tickets intended for other drivers. When he's not sorting through erroneous tickets, Carrey rides his Road King Classic up and down the southern California coast.

Figure 3. Carrey on his Harley.

Dan Aykroyd

Another hilarious and talented Canadian, Dan Aykroyd believes riding his Harley is therapeutic. He says, "When you’re on the bike, all you’re doing is concentrating on staying alive. You get into the rhythm of the road and it’s quite zen." This Blues Brother has been a Harley enthusiast for years, partaking in group rides and Harley museum and store openings. He's lucky enough to call the 2003 Harley-Davidson Police FLHP his own.

  • Figure 4. Aykroyd and the Blues Brothers opening the House of Blues in Atlantic City.
  • Figure 5. Aykroyd on a custom "Dino Bike."

Ludacris

In 2007, rapper/actor Ludacris partnered up with Harley-Davidson to auction off a Fat Boy for underprivileged children. Soon after, Ludacris felt the itch to add a Harley to his motorcycle collection, so he had a custom red and white Fat Boy with plenty of chrome built to his liking. In an interview with RIDES magazine, Ludacris says, "Harley is one of those brands that gets passed down from generation to generation, and they’ve been around so long...I feel like I’m privileged to be a Harley owner right about now." Harley ownership was a "fantasy" he definitely lived out.

Figure 6. Ludacris on his custom Harley.

Cher

It's hard to believe Cher would swap her showgirl outfits and bedazzled wigs for leather pants and a helmet, but it looks like she had no problem making the transition from diva queen to hog-lover. She owned a 1994 Fat Boy and made appearances at various charities in the '90s. Cher later sold her Harley in 2003, but still, it's nice to know she isn't all rhinestones and hairspray. Perhaps she wishes she could turn back time on that decision!

Figure 7. Cher turned heads during a charity event in '94.

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