15 Best Motorcycles Harley Davidson Ever Made

For Harley enthusiasts, Harley Davidson is not just a brand; it is a lifestyle. No other motorcycle company has managed to reach the same heights of fame as Harley Davidson.  Established in 1903, Harley Davidson, along with Indian Motorcycles, emerged as the survivor of the Great Depression. Throughout its 12 decades of production, Harley has made some of the most iconic motorcycles, particularly in the cruiser, touring, and adventure touring segments. From financial crisis to performance issues and ownership transfers, Harley Davidson has seen it all, yet it has continued to battle uphill against these challenges. This article brings you a list of the 15 best Harley motorcycles that helped the company emerge as the most successful motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

In the 1890s, bicycles were the preferred mode of transportation. However, bicycles had limited capacity and could not travel long distances. Resultantly, inventors and engineers decided to create a motorized bicycle, i-e a bicycle with an engine. In 1901, William Harley designed a small 7.7 cc engine that could be installed on a regular bicycle. Arthur Davidson joined William in his mission to create an all-American motorcycle. This project was completed in 1903, with the help of Walter Davidson, Arthur’s brother. Though this 1903 test model was unable to climb the hills without pedal assistance, it marked the beginning of America’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer, Harley Davidson.

In 1904, the three friends developed three identical black models equipped with the De Dion Type single-cylinder engine and a leather belt drive.

The original Harley Davidson logo seen on the fuel tanks was created by Janet Davidson, Arthur and William Davidson’s aunt. In 1907, William Davidson also joined his brothers and William Harley and formed  a corporation. In this year, Harley Davidson manufactured 150 motorcycles.

In 1908, Walter Davidson competed in the 7th Annual Federation of American Motorcyclists’ Endurance Run held in the Catskill Mountains of New York, and won the competition with a perfect score of 1,000 points without any crew support. After this historic victory, Walter Davidson became the president of the company.

In 1909, William Harley’s experiments with twin-cylinder motors resulted in the formation of a 45-degree V-twin engine, which is considered Harley’s trademark.

The first generation of these engines used vacuum-operated intake valves which didn’t perform well because they featured two cylinders and a single carburetor. They didn’t use this flawed engine until 1911. The vacuum-operated intake valves were replaced with mechanically operated intake valves to create the first successful engine, which was called the F-head IOE engine and remained in use until 1929. This motor was installed in the 1911 Harley Model 7D lineup. The engine of this motorcycle was started with pedals, while the ignition started via a magneto. A pulley belt tensioner was used instead of a typical clutch to move the leather belt drive. These bikes also featured special mufflers that reduced engine noise significantly. Harley developed its marketing strategy around these mufflers and named the Model 7D, the Silent Gray Fellows. All the motorcycles that featured a gray paint job and the same muffler were considered a part of the Silent Gray Fellows, a trend that continued until 1918.

Harley-Davidson first introduced the chain drive feature in its Model 9B motorcycles launched in 1913. The motorbikes had two chains because they still featured bicycle pedals to start and ride the motorcycle. The brake system worked by reversing the pedals. The 1913 Harley Model 9B was capable of a top speed of 60 mph.

In 1914, Harley introduced the Model 10F Twin motorcycles which were equipped with footboards so riders didn’t have to rest their feet on pedals. A gearshift was added on the gas tank to operate the two-speed transmission located in the rear axle. This feature, famed as the Step Starter, was only present in the 1914 models.

In 1915, Harley launched the 11F model which boasted an upgraded three-speed transmission system. This bike was powered by a 1,000 cc engine. In addition, electric lights, tails lights, battery, and horn were added.

An auxiliary hand clutch was added on the side of the primary case. Earlier, riders had to take their left feet off the pedal to start their bikes. With the addition of a hand clutch, riders could move the hand clutch inward and outward to start the bike. After starter, they could use the foot clutch so their left hand could control horn, spark, and handlebars. The model 11F weighed 325 lbs, featured a 1000 cc F head V-twin motor that produced 11 hp of horsepower. This 1915 model is exhibited in the Dudley Perkins Harley dealership, the oldest family-run dealership, which was founded in 1914, in San Francisco.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Harley Davidson sold about 20,000 motorcycles for military use. Hence, Harley was one of the few motorcycle manufacturers that remained in business despite war. Harley’s Model 17F, the Model 18F, the Trench Cycle, and the Model J were a few motorcycles specialized for war efforts. The color of all military Harley models changed from gray to olive. And this paint scheme was continued several years after the war concluded. Moreover, these war models featured old-fashioned carbide gas headlights because the military did not accept the electric headlights. A canister with a valve, filled with carbide and water was installed under the handlebars. When the rider opened the valve, water dripped into the carbide which made the acetylene gas to illuminate the headlight. 

The notable military Harley bikes are as follows:  

• The Harley Model 17 was powered by a 280 cc single cylinder engine and was used for transportation, message delivery, and military expeditions.
• The Harley Model 18 with its 350 cc engine provided more power and acceleration required for war efforts.
• The Harley Trench Cycle model was designed exclusively to navigate trenches. It was a small motorcycle and was equipped with a machine gun.
• The Harley Model J was used for transportation and was equipped with a machine gun to support war efforts. These bikes were slightly larger and heavier than Harley’s other war models.

Between 1914 and 1921, Harely Davidson not only built fast motorcycles but also prepared a racing team, the Wrecking Crew, whose consecutive successes revolutionized Harley’s reputation from a slow-speed to a high-speed motorcycle manufacturer. In 1921, Otto Walker made the Harley Davidson Eight Valve Racer, the first motorcycle to win the race at an average speed of 104 mph. The motorcycle featured a 1000 cc v-twin four-stroke liquid-cooled engine. The bike was able to make this record because of simple yet extraordinary engineering genius. Multiple smaller valves were added to keep the valve train light and increase the revs for the engine. Resultantly, heat dissipation improved, more power was generated, and the risk of wear reduced greatly. Though Harley had first introduced its eight-valve racer in 1915, it achieved success in 1921. Several improved versions of the 1915 eight-valve racer were launched until 1927.

Until 1935, Harley launched motorcycles with side valve engines. In 1936, Harley repositioned the valves to create an overhead valve engine layout.  In this new engine design, the valves were added inside the cylinder head. This engine layout ensured higher speeds and higher rpm potential. The 1000 cc engine produced 11 hp of horsepower and featured an automatic oil system for lubrication. Moreover, the Harley Knucklehead started the tradition of naming the engines or motorcycle after the valve cover design. According to some Harley enthusiasts, the innovative engineering and design of Knucklehead was the reason the company survived the Great Depression.

In 1934, Harley Davidson launched a new lineup despite the Great Depression. These motorcycles featured a unique Art Deco styling. Though sales were not that great at the time, these bikes symbolized Harley’s resistance to challenges and are considered a valuable vintage model today. 

During these difficult times, Harley also launched three-wheeled Servi-Cars in the 1930s and continued the production of these unique vehicles until 1973. 

During World War II, Harley Davidson again produced a large number of motorcycles to support war efforts. The most prominent World War II Harley model was the WLA Liberator. The WLA Liberator was a sturdy motorcycle that could withstand rough terrain, harsh weather, and run on low-quality fuel. For these bikes, Harley engineers preferred the flat-head engine design because it didn’t require highly refined fuel to operate. The air intake system was improved and ground clearance increased so the bike could be ridden in desert areas. The WLA Liberator was a huge success and was exported to the allies, including Canada. After the conclusion of WWII, Harley resumed the production of bikes for civilians and race track enthusiasts.

Though Harley Davidson established itself as an invincible giant in the American motorcycle industry, it did suffer bad reputation due to frequent mechanical breakdowns, lack of innovative technology, transfer of ownership rights, charge for restrictive practices, labor strikes, and low-quality motorcycles. Moreover, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers were revolutionizing the American  motorcycle market, making it difficult for Harley to keep up. Compared to Japanese models, Harley bikes were overpriced, unreliable, and outdated. As the sales declined, the company almost went bankrupt. Even this didn’t stop Harley as the company launched a controversial Confederate model in 1977. 

Finally in 1981, American Machine and Foundry (AMF) sold the company to a group of investors who successfully revived Harley Davidson. Instead of copying the Japanese models, the new management brought back the retro feel of Harley. High-quality parts imported from foreign markets were installed in the new bikes to improve performance. However, the design and styling was based on the classic Harley models. Many successful cruiser lineups, such as the Softails, Dynas, Sportsters, and touring models were launched. In 2018, Harley announced an adventure touring bike, the Pan America 1250,  for the 2020 model year, indicating that it is set to explore new motorcycle trends and acquire an even greater market share.  

During its 120 years of production, Harley has introduced great bikes. Some riders argue that all Harleys are essentially the same because of their V-twin engine technology. Each engine is the improved version of the last successful motor. However, this isn’t entirely true because each Harley motorcycle is unique in terms of its on-road capabilities, customizability, engine capacity, displacement, the riding purpose they serves, and the rider preferences they cater to. Harley Davidson motorcycles make awesome tourers, exciting speed bikes and all things in between. There is hardly a rider in the world who does not aspire to ride a Harley. In the list provided below, Viking Bags has added the best among the better Harleys of all time.

The Harley Davidson FXST Softail was the first motorcycle of the Softail lineup, which was introduced in 1983 as the 1984 model. The bike was essentially the Dyna Wide Glide with a softail-style triangular swingarm. To maintain the retro hard-tail look, Harley designers hid the rear suspension under the gearbox. Initially, the bike had a four-transmission gear with a chain drive and a Kickstarter. The hidden rear suspension made the 1984 FXST Softail look much older than it really was and this was the actual appeal of the bike. The horse-shoe style chrome oil tank was another retro feature of the 1984 FXST Softail. 

In addition, the 1984 FXST Softail came with what is said to be a company saving 1340 cc V-Twin aluminum Evolution engine with improved technology and mechanical upgrades. Compared to the Shovelhead engine which was being used  before the FXST Softail, the new engine offered dependable performance and better power outputs. The engine along with the hidden rear suspension, low-slung seat, and classic Harley cruiser aesthetics made the 1984 FXST Softail a huge success.

The year 1965 was the final production year of Panhead motorcycles. The 1965 Electra Glide was the last Harley powered by the overhead two-cylinder two-valved pushrod V-twin engine, the Panhead. Since 1965 Electra Glide was an FLH model, it had a displacement of 1212 cc. On the other hand, the Electra Glide was also the first Harley motorcycle equipped with an electric starter. Where this motorcycle marked an end to the Panhead era, it initiated the electric starter technology. Furthermore, in 1965 Electra Glide, a 12-volt electric system was added that could support a bigger battery. Weighing 700 lbs, the 1965 Electra Glide still performed better than the previous FL models thanks to the electric starters. The classic hand-shift-foot clutch was also available as an optional feature. Harley launched the “King of the Highway” touring package for riders who did not want to install aftermarket Harley parts. The package included hard panniers, a luggage rack, and a detachable windshield. A bike with many firsts, the 1965 Electra Glide was another step in the right direction for Harley Davidson.

The Harley Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy is a legendary motorcycle. The motorcycle enjoyed one of the longest production runs in the history of Harley Davidson. The bike was designed by Louie Netz and Willie Davidson and debuted in 1990. Since it was produced after the 1984 FXST Softail model, it featured the same 1340 cc V-Twin Evolution engine. However, with a larger displacement of 1310 cc.

The Fat Boys which were produced between 1990 and 2017, were coded FLSTF, while 2018 onward models are coded FLFB/FLFBS.

The 1990 FLSTF Fat Boy has the FXST Softail frame with a hidden rear swingarm. Hence, all Fat Boys offer the hardtail aesthetic. In addition, Fat Boy’s unique features, including shotgun exhaust, leather seat, disc wheels, and yellow trim contributed to make it an instant success. Its steady power, heavier frame, low center of gravity, and pull-back handlebars guaranteed an exceptionally comfortable ride. Perhaps that’s the reason Fat Boy motorcycles are still under production. Finally in 2020, Milwaukee 114 engine was installed in the Softail Fat Boy model to enhance performance.

The Harley Davidson XL1200N Sportster Nightster, the 1200 cc bike that transformed the Sportster lineup, was introduced in 2007. The unique features of the Harley Sportster Nightster included bobbed fenders, side-mounted license plate, blacked-out parts, and fork gaiters. Before the XL1200N Sportster Nightster was launched, all Harley lineups featured heavy chrome accents, 70s motorcycle looks, laced wheels, and 21-inch front tires. As the same aesthetics were being repeated each year, Harley’s Sportster family failed to attract the youth in the early 2000s. Even the low price point of Sportsters did little to attract young buyers. The XL1200N Nightster Sportster broke the monotony with its distinct dark bobber styling. The XL1200N Nightster Sportster was the key model that started the factory blacked out bobbed-out custom motorcycle movement in the Sportster Family.  The Harley Davidson XL1200N Sportster Nightster was discontinued in 2012.

The 1970 Harley XR-750 was a race bike, designed specifically for dirt track racing. An XRTT variant of XR-750 was also launched for road racing. Harley designed the XR-750 to secure its reputation as a race champion after the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Grand National Championship changed its rules. Had it not been for XR-750, Japanese motorcycles would have destroyed Harley Davidson’s dominance over the American race tracks.

Harley’s timely efforts bore fruit as XR-750 successfully gathered the most number of wins in the history of AMA racing. Some of the greatest names of the racing and motorcycle stunt industry are linked to the Harley XR-750, including Evel Knievel, Jay Springsteen, Mark Brelsford, and Cal Rayborn.

The 1970 Harley XR-750 holds immense significance in the brand’s history. Dick O’Brien and his team designed this bike in limited time and resources. They used existing OHV designs to create an all new race bike that met new AMA racing rules. The modified version was inspired by the 900 cc Sportster engine. The stroke and connecting rods were shortened to reduce the displacement to 750 cc; however, iron heads and cylinders of the engine remained the same. These engines used to heat up quickly. Hence, were redesigned in 1972. The stroke was kept short to keep the displacement up to 750 cc. However, a larger bore and aluminum head and cylinder were added. From 1972 to 2008, racers won 29 out of the 37 AMA racing championships using the XR-750. Due to its winning streak, XR-750 is considered the most successful race bike of all time. In addition, Evel Knievel set the most jump records in the history of stunt riding on the Harley XR-750.

Inspired by the Harley 1941 FL model, the Harley Road King, an FLH model,  was introduced in 1994. The motorcycle came equipped with factory hard saddlebags. Unlike the Harley touring motorcycles, such as the Road Glide and Street Glide, the Road King is not equipped with a fairing. The 1994 model was powered by a 1310 cc Evolution motor. However, in the 2000 Harley Road King model, the 1310 cc Evolution motor was replaced with a 1450 cc Twin Cam engine. In 2002, Harley announced an optional custom vehicle’s operation (CVO) package for the Road King. This package allowed riders to change the Newman plate from FLHR to FLHRSEI, the variant with fuel injection system. The Harley Road King is an important motorcycle as it fills the gap between a cruiser and touring motorcycle. Due to its versatility and reliable performance, the Road King remained the vehicle of choice of the police department for many years.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty Eight debuted in the 2010 model year. The motorcycle got its name because of its 2.1 gallon peanut fuel tank, which was inspired by the 1948 Harley Davidson S-125, the first consumer Harley with hand clutch/foot shift feature, which was designed exclusively for the military XA motorcycle.

The Sportster Forty Eight is easily one of the best-looking Harley Sportster models. The motorcycle was powered by a 1200 cc V-Twin four-stroke engine, featured a belt drive, and had an overall weight capacity of 544 lbs. The six speed transmission offered excellent mileage despite the small fuel tank. The sporty stance of the bike attracted young buyers much like the XL1200N Nightster Sportster. The bike was not designed to cover over 100 miles. Hence, it may not be a high-achiever in terms of highway riding. However, the smooth power delivery, engine performance, and aggressive riding style make it a fun ride for experts and perfect starting point for beginners.

The first Harley Davidson Wide Glide model was introduced in 1980. Powered by a 1310 cc Harley Big Twin engine, this revolutionary two-wheeler offered a custom look and feel that was unique in its own right. From flame tank graphics to 21-inch spoked narrow front wheel, ape handlebars, bobbed fenders, forward mounted controls, a mini passenger seat, wide 41mm front forks, and chopper-style aesthetics, everything about the Dyna Wide Glide FXDWG attracted the potential buyers, making it one of the most popular Dyna models. At 26.7 inches, the seat of the Dyna Wide Glide was much lower than other Harleys, making it a suitable motorcycle for beginners.

Harley first launched the Dyna Low Rider FXS in 1997 and continued the production of this bike until 2009. The bike became the best seller in the first production year due to its raked out front forks, low seat height, and two-into-one exhaust. However, the most popular Dyna Low Rider model was introduced in 2014 because it featured the 1690 cc four-stroke V2 engine, which was installed in the touring models. The 2014 Dyna Low Rider was also equipped with a belt drive and six-speed transmission. The styling of the 2014 Low Rider was based on the 1977 model. The mid-mounted controls, 25.4 inch seat height, and low handlebar position made it extremely suitable for short riders. Tall and average riders could also ride this bike comfortably with a couple of modifications, such as installing forward mounted foot controls or taller handlebars. Before Softail Slim came out, the 2014 Low Rider had the lowest seat height out of all the Harley motorcycles. Riders could ride this motorcycle over 100,000 miles without any mechanical breakdowns or rebuilds. In 2018, Harley Davidson replaced the Dyna frame with new Softail chassis and installed the 1753 cc Milwaukee-Eight engine. Hence, the staple became a part of the Softail lineup. 

Harley introduced its iconic FXDX Super Glide Sport model in 1999. The motorcycle came with a 1450 cc Twin Cam engine and was the first blacked-out Dyna featuring dual disc brakes. The motorcycle could generate about 68 hp of horsepower at 5500 rpm and 106 Nm of torque at 2900 rpm. With a few modifications, the bike was capable of producing up to 100 hp of horsepower. Weighing 661 lbs, the 1999 Super Glide Sport was a nimble bike. The 28-degree rake on the front and a shorter wheelbase of this motorcycle further enhanced its agility and maneuverability. The 2000 model came with a fully adjustable front and rear preload suspension setup. The Harley FXDX Super Glide Sport was discontinued in 2005. Within six production years, the motorcycle received different upgrades, including fuel injection system in the FXDXI version, Tim Kin bearing bottom ends, and cage bearings. The FXDX-T Super Glide T-Sport came with factory-installed detachable front-mounted fairing and detachable saddlebags.

After buying the manufacturing rights from the American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1981, the new Harley owners needed a model that could revive the company and regain the customers’ trust and interest. During this time, a new Tri-Mount frame was designed and the Shovelhead engine got rubber-mounted to eliminate the harsh vibration. Resultantly, the FXR and FXRS Super Glide II was launched in 1982. The following year, a sport touring version called the FXRT was launched.

The 1983 FXRT Sport Glide model featured a frame-mounted fairing, sophisticated suspension setup, and hard side panniers. The motorcycle was powered by the rubber-mounted 1337 cc four stroke Shovelhead engine and a  five-speed transmission. The FXRT Sport Glide was well-received by the motorcyclists and the sales increased significantly in the early 90s. The production of the FXRT Sport Glide was discontinued in 1993 in favor of more popular Dyna and Softail models.

Introduced in 1986, the Heritage Softail Heritage Classic is one of the most celebrated motorcycles in the Harley Davidson lineup. This iconic bike was inspired by the 1950s fully-dressed FL Harley Hydra Glide. The Softail Heritage Classic was the epitome of Harley’s design philosophy, which entails combining modern technology with classic appeal of the past models. The horizontally mounted rear shocks underneath the chassis ensured a softail ride and a hard-tail look. The 1986 Softail Heritage model was powered by an air-cooled 1337 cc Evolution engine. Since the motor was not rubber-mounted to the frame, it produced a lot of vibration. To eliminate harsh vibration, Harley equipped the 1999 Softail Heritage model with a Twin Cam 88B engine with counterbalancers. The motor could generate 107 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. The Heritage Classic was basically a touring Softail and became extremely popular, particularly after the counterbalanced engine was installed. This bike was equipped with factory leather saddlebags, windshield, and a rider backrest. The Heritage Softail was a well-balanced and agile motorcycle. Hence, it made the perfect first and last motorcycle for many riders.

Harley’s Sportster lineup began with the introduction of the 1957 XL Ironhead Sportster model. This motorcycle was powered by an 883 cc overhead valve engine. The XL Ironhead Sportster succeeded the Harley Model K Sport  and Harley Sport Solo motorcycles, which remained in production from 1952-1956. These motorcycles featured a Flathead engine and were coded K, KK, KHK, and KH. 

The 1957 XL Ironhead Sportster inherited all its features from Harley’s K series, including fenders, steel tubing frame, low riding position, shorter front suspension for better handling, thick steering column,  sturdy rear suspension, and a large fuel tank. The XL Ironhead Sportster was so named because it was the first motorcycle equipped with an Ironhead engine. In the Sporster lineup, Harley replaced the Ironhead engine with the Evolution engine in 1986.

The Sportster XL1200C Custom has been a part of the Sportster lineup since 1996. But the 2004 model is particularly popular for its impeccable design and impressive looks. Powered by a 1200 cc four stroke V-Twin Evolution engine, the 2004 XL1200C Custom generated 107 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. In addition, the bike features a five-speed transmission and a belt drive. The 26.3 inch low seat height made it a huge hit among short riders. On the other hand, the forward-mounted foot controls favored the tall people, making it suitable for all riders irrespective of their heights.  The 21-inch front wheel imparted a typical Sportster character. Heavily chromed engine side covers further augmented the bike’s aesthetic appeal making it one of the best-selling Sportster models of all time.

Harley Davidson introduced the Pan America as the 2020 model in 2018. With Pan America 1250 Harley entered the uncharted waters, but this bike proved to be a game changer for the company. The Pan America 1250 is considered one of the best adventure touring motorcycles available on the market. Powered by the 1250 cc 60° liquid-cooled V-Twin Revolution Max engine, this bike offers dependable on-road and off-road performance. The bike can produce 150 hp of horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 94 ft-lb torque at 6750 rpm. The self-lowering suspension is a feature unique to Pan America and distinguishes it from other adventure touring bikes. This high-tech feature makes adventure touring possible for riders who find other ADV bikes too tall and unsteady for their liking. In September 2021, Pan America became a sales sensation. The 2024 Pan America 1250 Special is a highly-anticipated Harley model.

As mentioned, Harley Davidson motorcycles are more than just powerful two-wheelers; these bikes are a lifestyle. Over the years, Harley Davidson has faced many challenges, including ownership transfers, financial crises, reduced sales, and tough market competition. However, the American motorcycle brand managed to emerge as the biggest holder of the American motorcycle market and one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world. Harley is best known for its cruisers and touring motorcycles. However, the launch of Pan America 1250 demonstrates Harley’s ability to create reliable motorcycles in different categories.