Harley-Davidson has produced a plethora of fashions during the last 120 years, all ranging in types, options, and sizes. With each mannequin holding itself to an ordinary that generates excessive thrills and an thrilling using expertise in their very own means, deciding on which one is the GOAT can depend upon who you ask. Some imagine that touring bikes just like the Road Glide, Street Glide, and Road King are one of the best. Whereas, others imagine that iconic cruisers just like the Fat Boy or the Low Rider prime the checklist. Then there are the followers of the Sportster, which is the longest-running manufacturing mannequin in Harley-Davidson’s historical past. All this whereas, if there’s one factor that Harley riders can agree on, it is that these bikes are undeniably essentially the most badass cruisers, interval.

Aside from numerous types, many Harley-Davidson fashions present a variety of working weights. With bikes scaling from 480 to 1,200 kilos, the dimensions of the mannequin would have a say in its using type. Lighter bikes are usually nimble, straightforward to journey, and pretty frequent in city and suburban areas. And heavier bikes would use their weight to their advantage when traveling great distances on the freeway to supply unmatched stability. Considering that there are such a lot of beloved fashions throughout each class, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at a few of Harley-Davidson’s biggest fashions, based mostly on their working weight.

In order to provide the newest and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Harley-Davidson, Motorcycle Specs, Auto Evolution, the National Motorcycle Museum, and numerous Harley-Davidson rider forums.

Harley-Davidson Liberator WLA

Clocking in at 576 lbs, the primary mannequin on this checklist is the Harley-Davidson Liberator WLA. Based on the 1939 WL mannequin, the Liberator WLA earned its place on this checklist as a result of function it performed aiding US and Allied forces throughout World War 2. Considering that this was Harley-Davidson’s first motorbike strictly meant for navy use, it justifiably earned its place on the “badass” checklist.

According to its mannequin title, “W” stands for the sports activities household of bikes, “L” for being high-compression, and “A” clearly stands for military. Harley-Davidson produced roughly 70,000 bikes for use to ship messages and transport cargo throughout camps and bases. Thanks to its stripped-down design, highly effective engine, nimble dealing with skill, and sturdy design, this bike was in a position to rapidly transfer from Point A to Point B with out attracting an excessive amount of consideration from enemy items. Some of the important thing options on these bikes included an ammunition field, skid/bash plate below the engine, leg shields, crash bars, and an Olive/Army Green paint scheme.

The Liberator WLA was Technically Harley-Davidson’s First Adventure Bike

Harley-Davidson’s Pan America 1250 stands out as a daring step within the firm’s cruiser-filled life, geared toward conquering grime tracks and metropolis streets. However, with the Liberator’s navy and off-roading heritage, an argument might be made that it was Harley-Davidson’s unofficial enterprise into the journey bike realm. Engineered for its robustness and efficiency throughout tough terrain, the Liberator WLA demonstrates a using expertise shared amongst trendy Adventure bikes. There is one space by which the Liberator WLA and present Adventure bikes differ, although. The WLA was primarily geared in the direction of service and responsibility, contrasting together with your typical ADV bike, which is designed strictly for leisure functions.

Liberator WLA Specs

Harley-Davidson Easy Rider Captain America Chopper

The subsequent Harley-Davidson mannequin on this checklist weighs in at 600 lbs. The chopper design, heavy quantities of chrome, and Stars and Stripes gas tank is greater than sufficient to ensure this motorbike a spot on this checklist. Quintessentially essentially the most all-American motorbike Harley-Davidson ever produced, this bike symbolized the spirit of freedom and independence in the cult-classic 1969 film, Easy Rider. If something, the bike is simply as a lot of a star within the movie as Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper.

By the time of the movie’s launch, the chopper scene had boomed within the United States. Designed by Paul D’Orleans, who wrote the guide The Chopper: The Real Story, this motorbike was constructed from hand over a pre-existing Panhead body. By following frequent chopper design parts, it featured an prolonged wheelbase, sissy bar, handlebars pulled again in a relaxed place, heavy doses of chrome, and crowd pleasing paintwork.

While there are a handful of replicas that have been constructed as tribute fashions, the one remaining authentic was owned by Fonda himself. When it was auctioned off in October 2014, the profitable bidder was reported to have paid $1.35 million for it. This proves that not solely is the Easy Rider Captain America chopper one of Harley-Davidson’s most badass models, it is also one of the priciest.

There Are Some Mysteries Surrounding The Captain America Chopper

There is a principle that implies that the bike in Easy Rider had initially stemmed from a 1952 Hydra-Glide that was bought by Fonda at a police public sale, with only the original Panhead engine left over. Alternatively, one other narrative means that this bike was the ultimate product of 4 particular person 1962 FLH Panheads custom-made into the one seen onscreen. Depending on the supply, accounts differ on whether or not two or 4 bikes have been crafted and used for the film. It is ceaselessly mentioned that the unique bike was wrecked and restored in the course of the filming of the ultimate scene, whereas a replica was stolen after the movie’s launch, disappearing endlessly.

Harley-Davidson Easy Rider Captain America Chopper Specs

Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special

It might be argued that many Harley-Davidson cruisers might simply be described as “badass.” However, one specific mannequin that mixed aggressive styling with unrivaled performance was the 670 lb Night Rod Special. Blacked out from front-to-back, this variant of the V-Rod introduced a darker and extra mysterious perspective to the cult-classic motorbike. These days, blacked-out bikes are a typical prevalence. But when it rode off in 2017, it proudly stood out amongst its chrome-heavy brethren. The literal black sheep of the Harley-Davidson household.

The Night Rod Special Featured A Liquid-Cooled Engine Designed By Porsche

For these unfamiliar with the Night Rod’s legacy, this bike is the results of refined German engineering showcased in its liquid-cooled V-Twin engine masterminded by Porsche. Boasting a displacement of 1,250cc, this powerhouse churns out a formidable 122 horsepower and 87 lb-ft of torque, marking a big leap from Harley’s different cruisers upon its debut. Notably, this distinctive engine was reserved solely for the V-Rod line. At the time, your typical Harley fanatic had blended emotions in regards to the incorporation of a liquid-cooled engine. However, the idea has since expanded throughout a number of of the brand new Revolution fashions.

Night Rod Special Specs

Harley-Davidson Road King Special

Scaling it at 807 lbs is the foundation of Harley-Davidson’s touring class, the Road King Special claiming the subsequent spot on this checklist of badass fashions. There is just rather a lot to like about this bike. It is giant, muscular, beefy, snug, easy, daring, and really well-rounded. It can also be the blueprint for different standard touring fashions, such because the Road Glide and Street Glide.

Housed on a big touring body, this motorbike is able to hours of continuous cruising with none discomfort to the rider. Whether you’re going out for a long-distance highway journey throughout the nation, or simply out for a weekend cruise with buddies, this blacked-out beast rides with a excessive degree of consolation that many skilled riders require for long-term possession. Proof that larger is certainly higher.

The Road King Special Features The Perfect Touring Engine

Because the Road King Special is an already large bike, it is only fitting that it receives an equally large powertrain. With 2024 fashions geared up with an all-black Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, this bike generates ample quantities of energy that may go the space whereas transporting giant quantities of weight with none stress in any respect. It additionally has a little bit additional kick when in comparison with the bottom Road King mannequin, which featured the Milwaukee-Eight 107.

Road King Special Specs

Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST

The final badass Harley-Davidson heavyweight on this checklist is the 838 lb CVO Road Glide ST. When it involves measurement, energy, and technical superiority, there is no other Harley-Davidson model (or Road Glide) that can touch it. Designed with efficiency in thoughts, this high-end bagger delivers a using expertise that seasoned riders need.

At its coronary heart is the Milwaukee-Eight 121 High output V-Twin engine that’s engineered to supply 127 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The most horsepower and torque to ever be generated from a factory-installed engine in a manufacturing mannequin. Despite being the heaviest motorbike on this checklist, this CVO contains a carbon fiber composite in its entrance fender, seat cowl, and tank console, aiding in lowering its weight by roughly 31 lbs when in comparison with its non-ST sibling.

The CVO Road Glide ST Is The Ultimate Performance Bagger

Crafted in collaboration with members of Harley-Davidson’s racing crew, the CVO Road Glide ST embodies the aggressive race-minded spirit, aided by a complicated suspension and braking system. Because if there’s one group of people who perceive easy methods to greatest produce a high-performance bagger, it could be those that took half within the fierce King of the Baggers championship. Additionally, this motorbike additionally options a number of selectable journey modes (Road, Sport, Track, Track Plus, Rain, and a number of Custom modes), every with its personal pre-programmed settings to swimsuit one’s using type.

CVO Road Glide ST Specs