Harley Davidson - A Glossary of Bike Types

If you’ve read through this site you’ll know that we think that the harley davidson 883 is the perfect bike to start your harley life on. The one question we get asked most is what are the different types of Harley Hopefully this brief guide will improve you knowledge.

Sportster: Our Favorites!! These are the perfect choice of Harley motorcycles for beginners. These bikes have a smaller engine and smaller frame and are the lightest bikes offered by Harley - Davidson. Sportsters are the only Harley with two engine sizes, the 883 and 1200. They are about half the cost of the big twin Harley’s, making them the most affordable choice the company offers.

V - Rod: The V - Rod is newest Harley model and introduces a water cooled engine.Some people love them while others hate them for betraying what they considert o the harley’s air coolled heritage. The V - Rod motorcycle has the style of a sport bike, yet retains the stretched out forward controls that are uniquely Harley. This is a good daily riding motorcycle and makes a good choice for those who are experienced in riding.

Softails: The term softail refers to a type of rear suspension system installed to absorb shock. Softails were designed to be reminiscent of the rigid mount design of earlier models; but provide a more comfortable ride. Harley Softails are a popular choice for daily riding. Many riders choose the Softail when they want to create their own custom design.Softails are lighter in weight than Touring or Cruiser Harley’s. Models include the Softail Custom, Springer Softail, Heritage Softail, Heritage Springer, Night Train, Deuce, and Fat Boy.

Dynas: The Dynas model has a dual shock rear suspension like the Touring bikes and a front end like the Softail and Sportster models. The engine has a rubber mounted support system to reduce engine vibration. Dynas are available with a wide - glide or narrow - glide front end. This type of bike is a good choice for street riding and appropriate for beginners.

Touring: If you plan on taking road trips, this is the Harley for you. However, if you are a beginner, this type of bike is probably more than you can handle. When these bikes are fully loaded, they can weigh up to 800 pounds. If you drop them you’ll struggle to get them upright Harley touring bikes include Road Kings and Glides.

Cruisers: Harley Cruisers are a lighter weight motorcycle than Touring bikes; however, they are still heavy and not recommended for beginners. Cruisers are categorized as Softails and include the Harley Fat Boy, Heritage and Nostalgia models.