The opening began with a Harley-Davidson-style ribbon-cutting ceremony in which a motorcycle primary chain wrapped around a museum tower was cut with an acetylene torch.

Festivities included the company's president and chief executive, Jim Ziemer, receiving his first tattoo.

''Harley-Davidson has dreamed about building this museum for a long time,'' Mr Ziemer said.

''It adds a whole new dimension to the Harley-Davidson experience.''

The museum has both chronological and thematic exhibits, which are linked by a procession of landmark motorcycles from the company's 105-year history. Elvis Presley's Harley is featured in an exhibit on customisation, along with paperwork proving that he bought it days before he became famous with the hit single Heartbreak Hotel.

Harley-Davidson announced it would buy low-volume European prestige motorcycle maker MV Augusta Group for $US109million ($A113million).

Harley-Davidson has been hit by falling sales and retrenchments in the past year as the US slump stops consumers from buying expensive lifestyle products such as its bikes.