Dave Goltare said touring the Harley-Davidson factory in York is so awesome, he's been doing it every year since 1992, back when the tour was in the old building.

He was among hundreds of visitors touring the plant on Thursday for the three-day Harley-Davidson York Open House.

Goltare, 55, of Newcastle, Del., owns three Ultra Classic Electa-Glide bikes, including one from 2003 with a sidecar. Harley stopped making sidecars in 2006, he said.

He's also already booking his hotel for Harley-Davidson's 110th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee in 2013.

After attending the 95th, 100th and 105th anniversary celebrations in Milwaukee, Goltare is bracing himself for an even bigger and better celebration in the coming year.

"The 105th was ridiculous," Goltare said. "When Willie G. (Davidson, the company's senior vice president) got on stage, he said he thinks everybody went home from the 100th and told 10 of their friends about it and 11 of them came along this year."

They ran out of parking at the event, he said, but that's just how big Harley-Davidson and the community of people who love it is.

"Harley-Davidson is one of the few companies that people feel that strongly about that they will actually tattoo it on their body," said Goltare.

When Chuck and Susan Shade are traveling across the country, they stop at Harley dealerships even if they aren't riding their bike.

"It's an addiction really," said Chuck Shade, 58, of Mount Airy, Md.

"H.D. actually stands for hundreds of dollars, not Harley-Davidson," he said with a laugh. "But it's money well spent.

"It's a cut of America, and you can't get it anywhere else," he said.

The bikes are beautiful and they also love the sound, plus they love all of the Harley social events, said Susan Shade.

The couple first toured the York factory on a hot day in August in 2004, in the old plant where there was no air conditioning, so they enjoyed Thursday's tour a lot more.

"I know where my motorcycle was born now," Shade said.

The Harley-Davidson York Open House includes tours, 2013 motorcycle demo rides, live entertainment, and food vendors. It continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday at 1425 Eden Road in Springettsbury Township.

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/harley-davidson.

Bike events in York continuing through the weekend include White Rose Thunder, York City's annual Bike Night and the White Rose Motorcycle Club Hill.

- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com