Harley received the nickname of "hog" way back in 1920 when their racing team used a pig for a mascot. Other mascots were also used, giving the possibility that the "hog" could have come to be known as the "coon". An amusing look at "what might have been".
Was Harley-Davidson's Mascot Almost a Raccoon?
Was Harley-Davidson's Mascot Almost a Raccoon?