Ask anyone from a motorcycle manufacturer, and they'll tell you just how hard it is to pull off what Harley-Davidson has. To be in production for as long as they have, to have experienced the highs, and particularly the lows, they have, and to still be fighting the tide of change and coming out of it healthier than ever is... tough.

UPDATE: 2023/12/31 16:56 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

There's no shortage of good Harley-Davidsons, and getting all of them down in one list is a tough ask. We still gave it a go, though, so we've updated this list with a few more of Harley's finest. There's a healthy mix of old-school motorcycles and more modern Harleys here.

And in all that time, their ability to come out with motorcycles that matter to people has kept them on top. Needless to say, some motorcycles were better received than others, but there have been quite a few standouts. Which would be the best, though? That's a tricky question, given that the word 'best' could mean a lot of things to different people. But we'll use that ambiguity to our advantage and give you a list of motorcycles we feel did the job. These motorcycles either had historical significance, cultural impact, or an unexpected dollop of performance, or, for that matter, a good mix of everything. This, then, is our list of the 'best' Harleys ever made.

How we got our model selections: To compile this list, we went through all of Harley-Davidson's motorcycles right from the start and narrowed down our selections. No specific parameters were set to refine the list, but we made our selections based on what we felt made the biggest impact, be it in relevance, use-case, performance, design, and a few others. The list is a collection of models that have long since been discontinued and are currently in production.

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12 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

Production Years: 2007-2017

2007 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special
Northwest Harley Blog

VRSC stands for V-Twin Racing Street Custom or just V-Rod. They belonged to the muscle bike lineup of this legendary motorcycle brand. The Harley V-Rod debuted in 2007 and ruled the motorcycling world till 2017. The VRSCDX Night Rod Special was a delightful complement to this lineup of Harley-Davidson's.

Everything was blacked out in the DX. It was done to make it look lean and mean. This racing machine was armed with a 1,247cc liquid-cooled DOHC Revolution engine that Porsche and Harley had developed together. The revolutionary engine could unleash a peak power of 123 horsepower and a peak torque of 86 ft-lb.

2007 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Specs

Displacement

1,247cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

123 hp

Torque

86 lb-ft

Gearbox

5-Speed

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

11 Harley-Davidson VR1000

Production Years: 1994-2001

hd vr1000 racer feature
Mecum Auctions

Admittedly, Harley-Davidson is not the first name that pops up when you think of superbikes, but the VR1000 proves they've been there and done that. This motorcycle was designed to take on the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki.

The VR1000 used parts made by legends such as Buell, Roush, and Cosworth, and thanks to their collaboration, the 1,000cc VR1000 was born. It was more than competent around the bends, but it eventually fell short in key areas like power and reliability and was eventually canceled. That said, the VR1000 proved that Harley is willing to experiment and expand its horizons, so while it may not have been the 'best' Harley, it certainly pushed the boundaries and deserves its spot on this list.

1994 Harley-Davidson VR1000 Specs

Displacement

1,000cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

135 hp

Torque

N/A

Gearbox

5-Speed

Curb Weight

388 lbs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

Related
These Are The Best Harleys From Every Decade Of The 20th Century
From the moment the company was founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson gave us at least one unforgettable motorcycle every decade.

10 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy

Production Years: 1990-2017

Silver 2009 FLSTF Fat Boy
Mecum Auctions

This Harley is dubbed one of the most-loved motorcycles in the history of automobiles. The Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy debuted in 1990 with a lot of fanfare. It featured all-new solid 16-inch wheels, both front and rear. This motorcycle was painted in elegant silver and subtle yellow highlights that enhanced its overall appeal, which was new to bikers of that era. The flared fenders add to its beauty.

This is one Harley that was loved by millions. It had a 1,337cc air-cooled four-stroke V-Twin OHV engine capable of belting out 67 horsepower. The FLSTF Fat Boy was produced in 2017 and was replaced by FLFB/FLFBS in 2018.

1990 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy Specs

Displacement

1,337cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

67 hp

Torque

71.5 lb-ft

Gearbox

5-Speed

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

9 LiveWire One

Production Years: 2019-Present

2023 LiveWire One electric motorcycle
LiveWire

Understandably, some eyebrows will be raised at the LiveWire making it to this list. This motorcycle was so far removed from the norm for Harley-Davidson, and the first installment dictated as much: the LiveWire nose-dived in terms of public acceptance.

That said, this was a crucial moment for Harley-Davidson. It was a step into the unknown for the manufacturer, and an electric motorcycle by the American giant might have made its debut too early. But, once again, it proved to the world that Harley was thinking ahead and making provisions for the future. Since the original LiveWire electric motorcycle, a completely new division called LiveWire has developed its electric endeavors, like the One and the S2 Del Mar.

2023 LiveWire One Specs

Motor

Revelation

Battery

15.4 kWh

Power

100 hp

Torque

84 lb-ft

Top Speed

110 mph

0-60 mph

3 seconds

Specs sourced from LiveWire

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8 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod

Production Years: 1999-2017

2002 Harley Davidson VRSCA V-Rod
Bring a Trailer

As one of the quickest Harley-Davidson motorcycles ever made, the V-Rod is the motorcycle that opened the doors to drag racing and always reminds us of Harley's drag racing past. It's a perfect blend of high-performance and custom styling that later became a benchmark in the world of motorcycling.

When launched in 2002, it took the motorcycling world by storm. It was powered by a 1,130cc liquid-cooled V-Twin Revolution Engine that could crank out 115 horsepower at 8,250 rpm 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.

2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod Specs

Displacement

1,130cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

115 hp

Torque

74 lb-ft

Gearbox

5-Speed

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

7 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King

Production Years: 1994-Present

1993 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King side profile view
Mecum Auctions

This Harley is true to its name. It's the real king of the roads. This iconic Harley debuted in 1994 and soon became a benchmark for every other motorcycle name in its segment. The Road King is packed with a punchy 1,690cc Twin-Cam 103 workhorse mated to a six-speed cruise drive transmission unit.

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, the windshield can be removed provisionally if one wants a smooth ride on the streets.

2012 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King Specs

Displacement

1,690cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

N/A

Torque

98.8 lb-ft

Gearbox

6-Speed

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

Related
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6 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250

Production Years: 2020-Present

2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special off-roading
Harley-Davidson

Once again, the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 making it to this list is debatable. But what can't be denied is the fact that this was Harley pushing the boundaries once again.

The Pan America 1250's main aim was to attract a new audience, and the Revolution Max engine powering it certainly gave it a leg up. It's a good step away from what we know and love Harley for, and it's not perfect, but it shows that Harley's willing to go down paths it hasn't previously. The Pan Am itself is reported to be a thoroughly capable adventure motorcycle, with it being at ease on the road as well, too.

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Specs

Displacement

1,252cc

Engine Type

Revolution Max 1250

Power

150 hp

Torque

94 lb-ft

Gearbox

6-Speed

Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson

5 Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide

Production Years: 1980-2014

Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide on the road
Harley-Davidson

The FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide was introduced by Harley in 1993. 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, making it look poles apart from its cousins.

Its seat was placed lower so 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.

2008 Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide Specs

Displacement

1,584cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

N/A

Torque

92 lb-ft

Gearbox

6-Speed

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

4 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight

Production Years: 2010-2022

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight drifting hd wallpaper
Harley-Davidson

Of all the different Harley-Davidson Sportster models we've seen over the years, the Forty-Eight is arguably the most awesome and aggressive-looking... probably except for the brand-new Sportster S.

The bike looks mean with its beefy tires, peanut tank, and low handlebars, and thanks to the 1,200cc 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.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specs

Displacement

1,200cc

Engine Type

Evolution

Power

N/A

Torque

73 lb-ft

Gearbox

5-Speed

Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson

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3 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead

Production Years: 1936-1947

h-d el knucklehead
Mecum Auctions

The Knucklehead would be the last motorcycle designed together by the Davidson brothers and William S. Harley. The Knucklehead produced 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 (1,200cc) version was introduced in 1941. It was still very much an old-school design; however, it featured 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.

1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead Specs

Displacement

998cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

40 hp

Torque

N/A

Gearbox

4-Speed

Specs sourced from National Motorcycle Museum

2 Harley-Davidson XR750

Production Years: 1970-2008

1970 Harley-Davidson XR750
Mecum Auctions

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, which is nothing short of astonishing.

The American motorcycle company also gave us two commemorative models: the poorly received XR-1000 released in 1983 and the much more successful and better XR1200 from 2010. The XR wasn't just used for flat-track racing; it was also Evel Knievel's weapon of choice between 1970 and 1976, used for all his record-setting stunts.

Harley-Davidson XR750 Specs

Displacement

748cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

81.8 hp

Torque

N/A

Gearbox

4-Speed

Specs sourced from Bikez

1 Harley-Davidson 11F

Production Year: 1915

1915 11f h-d
Mecum Auctions

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, allowing it to produce a mind-blowing (for the time) 11 hp.

The bike also had a full electrical system with a magneto ignition system and a rear taillight (unheard of back then). Sure, by today's standards, it's not as impressive, but this is one of the most important bikes in Harley-Davidson's coveted history and well worth being placed on this list.

Harley-Davidson 11F Specs

Displacement

492cc

Engine Type

V-Twin

Power

11 hp

Torque

N/A

Gearbox

3-Speed

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Classics

Source for used prices: Cycle Trader

Source for technical specifications: Motorcycle Specs, Motorcycle Classics, Bikez, National Motorcycle Museum, Harley-Davidson