Harley Davidson means free spirit to millions of men, and women, which is probably why our newly minted cafe has only committed itself to a short stint of existence. Harley Davidson is set to close it’s trendy cafe, called 1903, in the fall once the riding season ends (but will they?)

Wake up and smell the motor oil

Harley Davidson and caffeine have been synonymous with each other for decades. In Britain during the 60’s and 70’s, riders would strip down their bikes to the bare essentials and race them between cafe’s and other meeting spots, hence the name Cafe Racer. It’s this heritage that inspired a whole generation of riders, but Harley is now trying to expand their brand presence to a new generation that aligns perfectly with the brand’s mantra — to fulfill rider’s dreams of personal freedom.

There is a resurgence of urban riders as younger city dwellers realize the freedom a bike permits, however, Harley lacks a presence in the City of Toronto. In 2011, the city’s Harley Davidson dealership closed it’s doors, and the new cafe is not necessarily a dealership. The cafe serves multiple purposes, it shares the story of Harley Davidson, and it brings a younger generation that aligns with the brand’s mantra, into contact with the culture of riding. Bikes start as low as $7,999 Canadian, and they have 8 models under $13,000.

The over 4000 sq foot cafe features a JumpStart Rider Experience, where patrons can hop on a Harley, start it up, and essentially drive it on a fixed platform with no experience necessary. In 2014, I did my GM2 license so I could borrow my father’s Soft Tail Harley Davidson. It’s a middle-sized Harley that I think was practical, but he’s since upgraded to a Touring Electra Glide (which feels bigger than a smart car).

If the coffee doens't wake you up, the ride will

You don’t go to a Harley Cafe and order a tea. I only drink coffee that has chocolate in it, which is why I ordered a tea (which was on the house for some reason). The atmosphere was fantastic, the aroma of coffee was intense, and the occasional sound of a Harley starting up in the back was a fun reminder of where you were, but the Orange Pekoe was so bitter it was on the verge of being sour. They also served it in an IKEA glass and not a ceramic, or china, mug.

Ride fast, free, and highly caffeinated

The 1903 Cafe is a great place to go if you want a peak into the lifestyle, culture and history of Harley Davidson. The cafe is unassuming and laid back, the staff are friendly, and the bikes and furniture are cool. Looking around the cafe I count 8 Macbooks out of 11 computers, so this place must be cool.