Harley-Davidson is one of the pioneering companies of the motorcycle industry. The company markets its products worldwide under the Harley-Davidson brand, including accessories, toys, apparel, and home decor, video games, and motorcycle scale models. Throughout its illustrious history, the company has endured periods of poor economic health, numerous ownership arrangements, intense global competition, and poor product quality.

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Through these periods, Harley-Davidson has revolutionized the industry with unique inventions and ideas that have brought to life some true badass motorcycles. The company is best known for a customization style that gave rise to the popular chopper motorcycles, but here are a few more ground-breaking motorcycles from this marque.

10 1915 Harley-Davidson 11F

1915 Harley-Davidson 11F
Via mecum.com

The 1915 Harley-Davidson 11F is one of the best classic motorcycles that every biker should ride. This model was among the first to benefit from advances in technology and design by engineers at Harley-Davidson. Between 1909 and 1915, technology advanced rapidly at the company, resulting in numerous innovations and upgrades for the 11F. Harley-Davidson's first V-twin arrived in 1909, a chain drive and one of the industry's first clutches in 1912, and a two-speed rear hub in 1914.

1915 Harley-Davidson 11F.
Via mecum.com

The 11F also featured a proper three-speed transmission, a removable taillight, larger intake valves, and an automatic oiler. Although the 11F's 61-cubic-inch F-head V-twin was not a true overhead-valve design, it was more advanced than most competitors' flathead engines.

9 1948 Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide

1948 Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide parked outside
Via pinterest.com

Harleys are among the most wanted motorcycles in the world, the 1948 FL Hydra-Glide is one of those bikes. It was a motorcycle model designation that Harley-Davidson used since 1941 for its large-framed bikes. The company introduced the Hydra-Glide variant in 1949, featuring a new front suspension in place of the standard leading spring suspension. Dubbed the 'hydraulic front ends,' this suspension had hydraulically damped telescopic forks with long helical springs.

1948 Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide in a parking
Via mecum.com

The FL Hydra-Glide also featured a 74-inch overhead valve motor, a curvy profile, an adjustable saddle seat, larger front brakes, a one-piece crash bar, and a four-speed foot clutch. The 1952 Hydra-Glide model was available with an optional foot-shift/hand-clutch transmission system.

8 1965 FLH Electra Glide

1965 FLH Electra Glide parked outside
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The FL Electra-Glide, introduced in 1965, was the last Harley fitted with the esteemed Panhead engine. This motorcycle model was also the first to house engines equipped with electric starters to replace the kickstart mechanism. Later, in 1969, Harley-Davidson introduced the Shovelhead engines for the Electra-Glide. This model also featured a fork-mounted fairing, popularly known as the batwing fairing.

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1965 FLH Electra Glide parked outside
Via pinterest.com

The Electra-Glide also featured a bigger battery, a 12-volt electric system, and a highway option package with luggage racks, saddlebags, and a removable windshield. The 1977 Harley-Davidson Confederate Edition of the Electra-Glide featured celebratory paint and tanks and fender decals. With only 44 units produced, this edition is one of the rarest Harleys.

7 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR 1000

1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR 1000
Via mecum.com

Manufactured between 1977 and 1979, the XLCR 1000 was a slightly controversial motorcycle. This model featured a cafe-style bikini fairing, a reshaped fuel tank, a pillion-free saddle, a slim front fender, a slightly modified sub-frame, an electric starter, lowered bars, a small windscreen, and a 'Siamese' two-into-one-into-two exhaust system.

1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR 1000.
Via hdforums.com

The XLCR 1000 boasted a 45-degree four-stroke OHV V-twin engine that generated 68bhp at 6200rpm and 60lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. Despite being labeled a stock Sportster, the XLCR handled poorly with woeful brakes than other competitive sports bikes. The model was largely ignored by consumers, making it a famous flop.

6 1977 FXS Low Rider & XLCR

1977-FXS-Low-Rider-XLCR
Via nationalmcmuseum.org

The FXS low rider was popular among riders, particularly for its cool, kicked-back profile and low 27-inch seat height. With refined Willie G custom concepts, the FXS Low Rider was one of Harley-Davidson's biggest sales hits. The FXS featured low bars, a two-into-one slash-cut exhaust, 32-degree steering head angle, 12-volt electric system, triple-disc brakes, a final chain drive, hydraulic fork suspension, and a four-speed transmission.

1977 FXS Low Rider & XLCR.
Via nationalmcmuseum.org

Like the FXS, the Harley-Davidson XLCR Cafe Racer, and the MX250 motocrossers were also available in the 1977 lineup. However, these weren't as popular and successful as the FXS.

5 1983 Harley-Davidson FXRT

1983 Harley-Davidson FXRT.
Via youtube.com

Harley-Davidson built the FXRT sport-touring model to rival BMW and the Goldwing in both handling and comfort. This model boasted modern features at the time; a sophisticated anti-dive fork, enclosed chain drive, a streamlined frame-mounted fairing, longer travel suspension, Teutonic-looking hard saddlebags, adjustable air suspension, rear and front disc brakes, a small windscreen, and a five-speed transmission.

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1983 Harley-Davidson FXRT
Via pinterest.com

The FXRT was also unique for its rubber-mounted motor, which enhanced relaxed cruising by significantly reducing vibration experienced in previous models. With the standard 45-degree four-stroke OHV V-twin engine, the FXRT managed 64bhp at 5400rpm and 67lb-ft of torque at 4600rpm.

4 1994 VR1000

1994 VR1000 parked outside
Via silodrome.com

After enduring poor quality, lagging sales, and a tarnished reputation under AMF ownership, Harley-Davidson built the VR1000 as part of their rebirth project. The company intended for the VR1000 to compete in the AMA Superbike series using a 100-percent American-developed in-house V-twin engine. Despite the near-success in racing, the VR1000 was homologated for public use.

1994 VR1000 parked outside
Via mecum.com

The VR1000 street version featured a 1000cc 60-degree fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, short-stroke DOHC V-twin engine that generated 135bhp. The motorcycle also featured an alloy swingarm, carbon fiber bodywork, fully adjustable front forks, a mono-shock in the rear, and an alloy perimeter frame.

3 2001 VRSCA V-Rod

2001 VRSCA V-Rod parked outside
Via wikiwand.com

Harley-Davidson built the VRSCA V-Rod to compete against American and Japanese muscle bikes. This VRSCA model marked Harley's second collaboration with Porsche, resulting in an engine based on the one equipped in the VR1000 Superbike. For the first time, a Harley motorcycle featured the Revolution engine with fuel injection, liquid cooling, and overhead cams. This motorcycle also utilizes the VR1000 Superbike's platform, popular for drag-racing competition machines.

2001 VRSCA V-Rod in a parking
Via wikiwand.com

The V-Rod is unique for having the fuel-tank located underneath the seat, placing the rider on top of it, rather than the standard frontal placement. Despite these features, the VRSCA V-Rod failed to impress regular Harley riders. The motorcycle was too heavy and long to deliver truly sporty handling.

2 2006 FLHX Street Glide

2006 FLHX Street Glide parked outside
Via youtube.com

The FLHX was first overlooked since most of its basic elements are culled from the previous Electra Glide model. However, this motorcycle presented a sleeker, more purposeful Harley bagger. The FLHX featured lighter pistons, a new crankcase, shorter connecting rods, enhanced fuel injection, hard nylon saddlebags, a brief windshield, an automatic primary-chain tensioner, a final-drive belt, and a six-speed transmission.

2006 FLHX Street Glide parked outside
Via topspeed.com

Weighing approximately 13lbs less than the Electra Glide, the FLHX Street Glide was the first production version with a low screen and no top box. The FLHX impressed many riders, as evidenced by its second-generation model's success, making it one of the best-selling Harleys ever.

1 2019 LiveWire

2019 LiveWire parked outside
Via topspeed.com

Unforeseen by many enthusiasts, Harley-Davidson was the first mega-brand to roll out an all-electric motorcycle. LiveWire is revolutionary to the company, given the principles they have always stood by. The LiveWire is not only the most powerful Harley currently in production but also the most technologically advanced and smoothest to ride, it even goes around corners.

2019 LiveWire parked outside
Via topspeed.com

Without restraint, the LiveWire's fully charged batteries last less than 60 miles. At a steady 70mph, the battery manages 70 miles, while over a mix of town and highway, it lasts 90-100 miles. On average, the LiveWire takes approximately an hour to fully charge.

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