Are you in the market for a Harley-Davidson bike, but you’re unsure over which bike is right for you? If so, then you’ve just landed on the right article!
The right Harley depends on your riding style. For beginners, a Sportster offers a manageable size and power. For long-distance touring, consider models like the Road Glide or Street Glide. If you prefer classic cruisers, the Softail lineup is ideal.
In this article, you’ll get to know all about the different Harley-Davidson bikes, what Harley is right for me, and the important factors to consider before buying the bike of your dreams among others. Continue reading to get all the answers that you’re looking for.
Different types of Harley-Davidson bikes you can go for
So, you want to enter the Harley-Davidson biking scene? You’ve purchased your leather jacket and other gear, and you’re ready to buy your first Harley-Davidson bike. Now comes the all-important question – what Harley is right for me?
Riding a Harley-Davidson bike is one of the most exhilarating experiences for a beginner. However, there are several options to choose from as there are many types of Harley-Davidson bikes on the market. First, you’ll need to have a gauge on different types of Harley-Davidson bikes available.
Harley-Davidson Street bikes
Harley-Davidson Street and Sportster bikes are the brand’s entry-level motorcycles. They aren’t as fancy as the larger, more expensive touring and cruiser bikes. However, they’ll get the job done for bikers who want to get out and drive. They even offer something else – variety. Sportster and Street bikes come in different styles or generations. There are differences between different generations, including engine type, frame style, and paint color.
Harley-Davidson Cruiser bikes
Harley-Davidson Softail is an iconic cruiser, and this bike will help you make a statement. The new Softail frame has been completely redesigned. The new frame has been lighter and stiffer for better handling, power delivery, and responsiveness. The core of the new Harley-Davidson Softail is its rigid-mounted engine. It’ll help the rider feel connected to the powertrain while also contributing to greater chassis rigidity. The seat is lower for providing a much more comfortable riding position. A fair bit of technology from the Milwaukee-Eight engine has been integrated into this bike.
Harley-Davidson Touring bikes
Harley-Davidson Touring bikes have been positioned as the company’s most premium, luxurious touring bikes. Their comfortable riding experience and distinct appearance make them a particular favorite of Harley-Davidson fans looking to stretch their legs on long tours. One of the most popular Harley-Davidson Touring bikes is the Harley-Davidson Road King. This bike is built for riders who love open roads and want to take long trips. It also boasts a smooth ride, a powerful engine, and a lot of storage space.
Harley-Davidson CVO bikes
The Harley-Davidson CVO (Custom Vehicle Operation) bikes offer exclusive styling and performance enhancements on traditional touring bikes. The CVO motorcycles are essentially the cream of the Harley-Davidson crop. These bikes have many exclusive features that you cannot find on other models.
Harley-Davidson Adventure Touring bikes
The Harley-Davidson Pan America bikes are made for the bikers looking for the freedom to go wherever the open road takes them. With the powerful 1250 Revolution Max engine, it’ll be ready to take on all the adventures you have in mind. The 1250 Revolution Max engine will deliver more torque for great acceleration, hill-top power, and hill-climbing ability. With its capability, you’ll be getting more out of each mile. Whether you take the bike into the wild or on the open highway, your bike will be ready.
Harley-Davidson Trike bikes
The Harley-Davidson Trike is for those riders who are after the look, feel, and sound of the legendary Harley-Davidson V-twin engines on a bike with three wheels.
Harley-Davidson Electric bikes
The Harley-Davidson electric bikes offer instant power and acceleration. These bikes can deliver a level of acceleration, unlike any other model. Capable of going from 0 to 60mph in 3 seconds, you’ll get instantaneous power the moment you twist the throttle. There is no clutch to release or gears to run through. All you need to do is just flick your wrist and be ready to take off.
How to know what Harley is right for me?
Are you new to the Harley-Davidson world? If you’ve decided to go for a Harley-Davidson bike, you cannot go wrong with the iconic American staple. Choosing what Harley is right for me will be the toughest part for beginners. Here are a few important factors or tips to consider that will make it easier to choose the right bike.
1. Sit on a few bikes
Regardless of what type of bike you’re looking for, any experienced pro will tell you to sit on a few. It’s tough to effectively choose a bike solely based on pictures and information on the internet. You should go to your local Harley-Davidson dealer and sit on as many bikes as possible. This is an extremely effective way of getting the feel for different bikes. You might feel that the bike you thought you were in love with isn’t actually comfortable at all.
2. The style and appearance of the bike
Find a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that gets you excited to ride merely by looking at it. Do you love the look of the Sportster or Street? Or you might like the large and in-charge feel of the Trike bikes? There are also Touring bikes that might lack in panache, but they certainly make up for it in functionality. There’s also the Softail bike that oozes authentic American motorcycle heritage and tradition. For a modern look, the Street bikes will offer a badass style. It’ll be the perfect bike to own the city streets and its urban attitude.
3. Customization on the bike
Remember, you should be focusing on the core of your new motorcycle. Virtually, everything on your bike is customizable. You shouldn’t get hung on minor details when considering the style. You’ll likely want to change out the seat, pipes, and handlebars later anyway.
4. Test ride the bike
Once you’ve narrowed down your choice to a few bikes, it’ll be time to take them on test rides. You’ll need to go on the road and experience all the bikes in real-world conditions. This is the only way of knowing if you’ll truly be happy riding your chosen Harley-Davidson bikes.
5. Fit and size of the bike
While you’re riding the bike, you should pay close attention to the fit and size of the motorcycle. If you cannot comfortably reach the ground, is it possible to lower the bike? Can you reach the handlebars without having to stretch forward? If not, is it possible to change the handlebars to bring them toward you?
How does the bike’s weight feel? Is it light enough that you can maneuver it at slow speeds? If you’re in the market for a lighter and lower-to-the-ground bike, a Harley-Davidson Sportster is the way to go.
6. The performance of the bike
Coming to performance, each class of Harley-Davidson bikes focuses on different intended uses. You’ll want to match your style of riding with your future bike.
The Street, V-Rod, and Sportster are best known for being focused on performance. If you’re after a bike that gets up and goes, you should go for these. If you’re after a combination of performance and functionality, the Dyna and Softail are wonderful choices. These bikes offer old-school traditions, but can also have the added convenience of bags. For the ultimate experience in touring performance, you should have a look at the CVO, Trike, and Touring bikes. These motorcycles are designed for performance and long-term riding comfort.
7. Features of the bike
One of the things that Harley-Davidson does so well is that it includes many desirable features on their motorcycles. The Touring bikes come with a full-sized, responsive touch screen. It’ll be ideal for travelers who are looking to discover new rides and travel to unfamiliar roads. Harley-Davidson includes many amazing features, including where the dealerships are located. You can even set the maps to take you on a more scenic route to your destination.
8. Your allocated budget
The final consideration to make when choosing the right Harley-Davidson bike for you will be your budget. You should be looking for a bike that you can easily afford. It doesn’t always mean paying the entire price in cash. Most dealerships offer different financing options, but you can even apply through Harley-Davidson’s website for a loan.
The best thing about financing through your Harley-Davidson dealer will be the additional services. You can also secure an extended service plan, or they could help you find the right insurance provider. There’s also the GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection Plan). It’ll pay the difference between the insurance company settlement and the outstanding balance on your loan.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you know a lot more about the different Harley-Davidson bikes, what Harley is right for me, and the important factors to consider before buying the bike of your dreams among others. Knowing which Harley-Davidson bike is right for you will essentially vary from rider to rider. It is important to know what you want and what your preferences are before making the choice. There are factors like experience level, price, size, customization, power, and more that you should consider.