[s16e5] | Murdoch Rides Easy

Harley and Davidson did indeed start their company in 1903 in Milwaukee. By 1910 (when the episode is set), they had already released their first production bikes and built their first factory.

In a clever bit of historical fiction, Murdoch suggests using Nitrous Oxide to boost engine power—calling the highly oxygenated gas "HOG" for short—a wink at the famous modern nickname for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Detective Murdoch investigates the death of a motorcycle inventor who plunges over a cliff during a high-speed demonstration. [S16E5] Murdoch Rides Easy

Murdoch suspects the experimental "superfast" machine was tampered with before the demo.

Inventors William Harley and Arthur Davidson are called in to help reassemble the wreckage and identify technical anomalies. 🛠️ Historical & Cultural References Harley and Davidson did indeed start their company

The script frequently references 20th-century motorcycle films, most notably Easy Rider (1969), through its title and dialogue.

The episode pokes fun at the lack of safety equipment in the era; motorcycle helmets weren't seriously researched until after the death of T.E. Lawrence in 1935. ⭐ Fan & Critical Reception Detective Murdoch investigates the death of a motorcycle

The episode is famous among fans for its numerous "Easter eggs" and references to motorcycle culture: