Which Harley is Right for Me?

The question we hear most from new Harley-Davidson riders is also one of the toughest to answer: which Harley is right for me? And as tricky as it is to answer definitively, it’s one of the most important questions you’ll need to answer early on to ensure you’re getting the most out of your Harley-Davidson riding experience.

Questions to Ask Before You Get Started

In order to find out which Harley is right for you, you need to have a general idea of what you’re wanting to do with your Harley. A reliable Harley is going to get you where you need to be (and you’re gonna look good getting there) but you will have several decisions to make. And the more you know about what you need out of your bike, the better prepared you’ll be to make the right decision.

What type of riding do you want to do?

Are you just using it to drive around town and turn some heads? Are you wanting to travel across the country or go on long-distance rides frequently? If you’re just looking to get around town and feel the wind in your hair on the weekends, you might enjoy the look and feel of a Harley Sportster or something from the Dyna family. However, if you’re planning on hitting the open road for days and hundreds of miles at a time, you’ll want something that offers a bit more comfort like, for instance, a Softail or Road Glide.

Do you need two seats?

Most anything in the Harley-Davidson family is equipped to hold two riders, or can be altered to do so without too much customization. However, if you’re looking to travel long distances, and you value the comfort of your passenger (and why wouldn’t you?) then a Harley from the touring collection will be your best bet. This will offer you and your passenger a relaxing and comfortable ride from start to finish.

How do you want your feet positioned?

Seating and feet position is certainly one area you won’t know for sure until you try out a few options and decide which is best for you. You’ll want to decide if you want to sit upright (standard position), crouch forward (sport position), or stretch out and extend your arms and legs (cruiser position). Although if you have your heart set on sport position, a traditional Harley may not be exactly what you’re looking for. Mind you, you can always invest in specific Harley Davidson parts like footpegs and handlebars to make your positioning exactly as you like it.

Do you need storage?

If you are looking to travel long distances (with or without a passenger) you’re going to want a place to keep your belongings. If this is the case, you might want to consider a Road Glide, Street Glide, or another touring bike that comes with plenty of built-in storage compartments. If your bike is scarce on built-in storage, you can always invest in saddlebags or other Harley Davidson accessories to maximize space and store your items safely.

Now that we’ve covered a few of the basics, there is something major that we’ve left out. Picking out the perfect Harley is not something you can decide based on an Internet search or catalog. Now you’re certainly free to read all the blogs or take all the online surveys you want as you narrow down your selections. But a Harley, or any motorcycle for that matter, is a major investment and it’s important that your riding experience is positive and delivers everything you expect of it. And the only way to get to the bottom of the “which Harley is right for me” debacle once and for all is to visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer, talk to the experts, and try a few out for size.