Harley-Davidson really did experiment with snowmobiles in the 1970s—and it’s one of the brand’s more unusual chapters. Here’s the rundown:

❄️ Harley-Davidson & The Snowmobile Scene

• In the early 1970s, snowmobiles were booming in popularity, especially in the northern U.S. and Canada.
  
  

• Harley-Davidson, under AMF (American Machine and Foundry) ownership at the time, wanted a piece of that winter sports pie.
  
  

• So in 1971, Harley rolled out a line of snowmobiles to diversify its product range and tap into seasonal markets.
  
  🛷 The Machines

• Models included names like the Y-398, Y-440, and Y-440E, powered by two-stroke Kohler engines.
  
  

• These sleds came in classic Harley colors—black, orange, and white—with Harley-Davidson badging right on the hoods.
  
  

• Performance-wise, they were decent and comparable to other mid-tier sleds of the time.
  

💥 Why It Didn’t Stick

• The snowmobiles didn’t sell as well as Harley hoped. The market was oversaturated, and Harley wasn’t known as a winter brand.
  
  

• There were quality control issues under AMF’s management, which didn’t help build consumer confidence.
  
  

• Production ended by 1975, making Harley-Davidson snowmobiles a short-lived experiment.
  
  

  🧊 Legacy & Collector Interest

• Because of the limited run, Harley snowmobiles have become rare collector items.
  
  

• Enthusiasts occasionally find them at vintage snowmobile shows or auctions.
  
  

• If you spot one in decent shape, it’s a true piece of Harley oddball history.
  
  

🏁 Fun Fact

• Harley wasn’t the only motorcycle brand to dip into sleds—Yamaha and Ski-Doo were big players, and Kawasaki also briefly tried their hand at it.