Harley-Davidson is the premier American motorcycle manufacturer, and here are our thoughts on the best models they've released over the years.
Aarmed with a Twin-Cam V-Twin motor with Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) and its one engine is known for its trustworthiness.
It’s a long-haul motorcycle that may not have what other chrome-laden Harley bikes have to offer but it certainly is packed with an array of great features. It is dubbed as one of the most stable Harley bikes.
Known more for its exceptional performance than its impressive looks.
Its sturdy engine was tied to an equally efficient 5-speed transmission unit. This versatile cruiser survived for a little over four years in the motorcycle bazaar but it was undoubtedly one of the coolest and most sought-after cruisers in its era.
As one of the fastest Harley-Davidson motorcycles ever made, the V-Rod is the motorcycle that opened doors for drag racing and always reminds us of Harley’s drag racing past.
When launched in 2002 it took the motorcycling world by storm.
It was powered by a 1130cc liquid-cooled V-Twin Revolution Engine that could crank out 115 horsepower at 8,250rpm and 74 ft-lb of torque at a peak of 7,300 rpm.
The bike could attain a top speed of 140 mph which is remarkable for any motorcycle of the early 2000s.
Born out of Harley’s Custom Vehicle Operation’s team. Packed with CVO’s high-performance engine modifications that made it more impactful than its contenders in the segment.
The bike was made available in three stunning color combinations that added to its muscular stance: charcoal slate and scarlet red pearl, platinum pear alongside chrome yellow pearl, and black paired with electric orange.
This Harley is true to its name. It’s the real king of the roads.
This long-distance tourer is fully equipped with all the premium features of a modern-day motorcycle viz. an ABS mechanism, an adjustable touring rear suspension, and electronic cruise control to name a few.
Plus, if one wants a smooth ride on the streets its windshield can be removed provisionally.
This motorcycle was longer than ever and was way different from its siblings. It featured Tommy Gun 2-1-2 exhausts, a larger back end, and a chopped rear fender that made it look poles apart from its cousins.
Its seat was placed lower than so that one could just glide and feel free.
In 2017, Harley had to give away the Dyna platform to make way for a newly redesigned Softail line. Dyna Wide Glide now enjoys legendary status in the world of motorcycling.
Arguably the most badass and aggressive-looking...
The bike looks mean with its beefy tires, peanut tank, and low handlebars, and thanks to the 1200cc Evo engine, it packs a hard enough punch to back up its looks.
Few bikes out there can boast of an aftermarket anywhere near what the Sportster offers, making it perfect for those who want to stand out from the crowd.
The Knucklehead is would be the last motorcycle designed together by the Davidson brothers and William S. Harley.
The Knucklehead managed to produce about 40 hp, thanks to a “hemi” combustion chamber design. This may not sound like much, but it was a significant boost in power compared to the previous flathead engine designs.
It started out with a 61 cu-in (1,000cc) engine, but the iconic 74 cu-in (1200cc) version was introduced in 1941.
It was still very much an old-school design, however, featuring a foot clutch, hand shift and the brake lever on the left handlebar, meaning most riders used to modern bikes would struggle to ride one.
In 1972, Harley-Davidson really started dominating flat-track racing. The XR actually won 29 of the 37 AMA Grand National Championships from 1972 to 2008
he American motorcycle company also gave us two commemorative models; there was the poorly received XR-1000 that was released in 1983, and the much more successful, and better, XR1200 from 2010.
The XR wasn't just used for flat-track racing though, it was also Evel Knievel's weapon of choice between 1970 and 1976, used for all his record-setting stunts.
The 1915 11F took Harley-Davidson to a whole new level. This was the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle to feature a three-speed transmission, an automatic oiler, and massive intake valves
The bike also had a full electrical system with a magneto ignition system, and a rear taillight (which was unheard of back then).
Sure, it's laughably outdated today, but this is one of the most important bikes in Harley-Davidson's history.