Cain Wears Harley Freedom Jacket

Cain Velasquez loves motorcycling almost as much as he loves mixed martial arts. Velasquez combines his two passions in a documentary short that follows him around his hometown of San Jose, Calif., on his 2013 Road Glide Custom motorcycle, which he won after defeating Junior Dos Santos at UFC 155.

The video will debut on h-d.com/harlistas during Hispanic Heritage Month - a month when Harley-Davidson celebrates its longstanding commitment to the Hispanic community. Each year, from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of citizens in the United States whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

As part of Harley-Davidson’s recent 110th Anniversary Celebration, the company enlisted riders from around the world to take a single leather motorcycle jacket – the Freedom Jacket – on an epic adventure and to share their stories online.

Velasquez was selected to wear the Freedom Jacket and share his story online because he embodies the freedom, self-expression and adventure that are synonymous with the iconic Harley-Davidson brand. Velasquez’s documentary short highlights his Mexican roots and journey to achieving the American Dream.

“There really isn’t anything else that’s more American than a Harley-Davidson,” said Velasquez. “For me there’s nothing like a Harley as far as the way it sounds, the way it feels and what it represents.”  

Velasquez joins a long line of Hispanics who have contributed to the 110-year history of Harley-Davidson. Since the company’s founding in 1903, Latinos have had a defining impact on Harley-Davidson’s brand and motorcycling culture. Today, Harley-Davidson is the No. 1 market share leader and the No. 1 motorcycle brand of choice among Hispanics. 

Hispanic Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders have been proudly calling themselves Harlistas for more than 50 years. The word Harlista has deep historic and cultural roots, originating among Hispanic motorcycle riders to proclaim their strong passion for Harley-Davidson and the bonds shared between fellow riders. Being a Harlista is about overcoming obstacles, grabbing life by the handlebars and experiencing the camaraderie of the open road.

Over the years, Harley-Davidson has supported the Harlistas movement through culturally relevant activities and events, including the release of Harlistas: An American Journey, a full-length feature documentary that can be viewed at h-d.com/harlistas. In addition, Harley-Davidson has been a proud supporter of the Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) for many years and recently welcomed more than 200 LAMA riders to Milwaukee for the company’s 110th Anniversary parade. Harley-Davidson dealers across the U.S. also support local LAMA chapters through bike rides, fundraisers and other relevant experiences.

To check out Velasquez’s Freedom Jacket video visit h-d.com/harlistas, the primary online community for Harlistas to connect and share stories.