The Hands-On Harley-Davidson Exhibit at the National Museum of Play (Photos)

1. Longevity

The first thing you'll notice as you go through the exhibit is just how prolific and lasting Harley has been in the world of motor cycles. Over the course of Harley-Davidson's history, there have been over 200 other motorcycle companies have come and gone, with HD being the only continuously making bikes. Harley has transformed itself from just a motorcycle company into one of the most iconic American brands. 

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2. Next generation

In one room at the exhibit, there is a smaller replica Harley that invites the young ones to saddle up and take a simulated ride. In front of the replica, which has working brake and throttle controls, is a large high definition monitor. Grab a handful of throttle and it whisks the children away from the exhibit and lets them feel what it is like to journey through a picturesque landscape on a bike. 

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3. Engineering of a legend

In another section of the exhibit, you can see the challenges an engineer at the brand has to meet, and what goes into making these motorcycles amazing. Learn how acceleration, gravity, friction and other laws of physics affect a motorcycle in motion at various types of race tracks. The museum offers a series of ramps, jumps, and curves to build a track of your own to test out various scenarios of how a motorcycle would deal with these obstacles. Seeing the results of these experiments can give someone some great insight on how to throttle, lean into the curve, or descend a steep mountainous road safely. 

>>Join the conversation about The Hands-On Harley-Davidson Exhibit right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

4. Build a custom Road King

In another hall, titled The Dealership, patrons can step into a service bay to work with the people around them to build a custom bike based on a classic Road King. At your disposal will be interchangeable parts that go together like a child's building blocks, in the shape of motors, mufflers, seats, and mirrors among a plethora of other options. Once you're done you can hear the bike rev, and sit on it.

>>Join the conversation about The Hands-On Harley-Davidson Exhibit right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

5. The tech behind the bikes

There are also teaching opportunities for children that give an inside look at the science and engineering aspects of what goes on in the development of a bike. There is a motordrome so patrons can see centrifugal force in action just like in the board track racing circuits of the 1920s. This exhibit really is amazing to see and experience the decades upon decades that the brand has been going strong.  

From novices to enthusiasts and everyone in between there is something to see at the "Hands on Harley-Davidson" exhibit showing now through May 7th.

>>Join the conversation about The Hands-On Harley-Davidson Exhibit right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

For more useful maintenance and repair facts, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com