You’ve got your helmet and other riding gear. And maybe you’ve successfully completed the Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy New Rider Course and been down to the DMV to get your license. Now you need a motorcycle, and you want to join the Harley-Davidson family.
Picking a great beginner motorcycle to start on is a big decision, and making the right choice is important because you want to get your journey as a motorcyclist off to a good start. Riders you know may have all kinds of suggestions, but here’s the truth: there is no single “best beginner motorcycle.” There are simply too many variables at play. We are all different sizes, we have different tastes and riding styles, and we live and ride on different streets. With this in mind, we offer the following tips on picking the best Harley-Davidson motorcycle not for any beginner, but for you.
FOR CONFIDENCE
Ok, you can’t buy a bag of confidence to pour in your gas tank. But you should start riding on a bike that helps you build your confidence as you gain experience. Look for these confidence-building features.
Low Seat Height – This is of course relative to your stature, but as a beginning rider it’s a confidence boost to be able to place both feet flat on the ground when the bike is not moving.
Light Weight – A lighter-weight bike may feel easier to handle at low speeds, to balance at a stop, or to lift off the side stand, and may feel easier to push around the garage. Lightweight doesn't necessarily refer to the overall weight of motorcycle, either. A motorcycle that weighs more but with a lower center of gravity may 'feel' lighter and be easier to handle at low speeds, as well. As a beginner, you want to pick a size that is right for your strength and skill level and having a lighter-weight bike may help to build confidence during skill development.
Modest Power – A motorcycle with a powerful, high-performance engine can be more challenging for a beginner. Grabbing too much throttle can cause the bike to react faster than you, as a beginner, can respond. A motorcycle with an engine tuned for the street – not the racetrack – is a good choice. Most Harley-Davidson V-Twin engines are designed to make strong low-end power that’s perfect for smooth acceleration from a stop and easy riding on the street.
FOR COMFORT
Comfort goes hand-in-hand with confidence. A great beginner motorcycle will place the rider in a neutral seating position, allowing great visibility, comfort, and range of motion. When you sit on the bike you should be able to feel a “triangle of comfort” from your hands on the handgrips, to your hips in the saddle, to your feet on pegs, and back up to your hands. To create an ergonomic riding position that works for you, start by focusing on the three points of that triangle:
Handlebars – Placed in a position not too far forward and not too back, you should have a slight bend in your elbow and a flat wrist when gripping the bar.
Footpegs – Your feet should comfortably reach the pegs, without being too stretched out or cramped. Be sure you can easily operate the controls as well as place your feet flat on the ground when you come to a stop.
Seat – Choose your seat height and positioning based on your preferred relationship to the handlebars and foot pegs, while still maintaining the comfort and command of your bike described above.
One advantage of selecting a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is that Harley offers a wide range of accessory seats, handlebars and controls designed specifically to dial in a comfortable fit for almost any size rider on most Harley-Davidson models. Harley-Davidson dealers are experts at bike fit, too. Learn more at Harley-Davidson Guide to Motorcycle Ergonomics.
There is no single “best beginner motorcycle," and that’s because riders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, prefer different riding styles and have a variety of different preferences.
However, most beginner riders considering a Harley-Davidson bike will feel confident and comfortable on a Cruiser or Sport model. These bikes are typically lighter and have a lower seat height than Touring and Adventure Touring motorcycles, making them a good fit for beginners. A Trike model offers a very different riding experience, with stability that many beginning riders may appreciate.
Harley-Davidson offers a wide range of motorcycle types, each designed for a certain type of riding and to appeal to a rider’s preferred style. You can learn more about each motorcycle type below:
As a beginner, there are some good reasons to start out on a used motorcycle, and advantages to buying new. Consider these pros and cons of each, and how they fit your budget and lifestyle:
New Bike Pros
You will always know this bike’s story – it does not have a mysterious past.
It’s likely to be reliable because it’s brand new.
New Harley-Davidson bikes come with a fresh factory warranty if there ever is an issue.
New Bike Cons
The more expensive purchase and insurance option.
Value instantly depreciates.
If you drop it, you will be very disappointed.
Used Bike Pros
Less expensive initial purchase price.
Less disappointment and expense if you drop it.
This is your first bike, but probably not your last bike. You will ride this motorcycle for a season or two while you learn what kind of bike you really want. And when you do, you’ll likely be able to sell the used bike for close to what you paid for it.
Used Bike Cons
If you buy from a private party there will be no warranty.
If you buy from a private party there will be no financing available.
A used bike may need investment beyond the purchase price – new tires, a new chain, a tune up, etc.
Here’s a way to buy a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle with new-bike confidence. Harley-Davidson Certified™ is a pre-owned motorcycle program supported by Harley-Davidson through its network of authorized Harley-Davidson dealers in the United States. A Harley-Davidson Certified™ pre-owned motorcycle is subjected to a comprehensive quality-assurance inspection by certified Harley-Davidson technicians. Dealers also verify that the pre-owned motorcycle has no open recalls or a blocked VIN, has not been in a major accident, and that all scheduled service is up to date. Harley-Davidson motorcycles eligible for the program must be no more than five model years old and have less than 25,000 miles of use. Harley certified bikes are sold with a 12-month factory-backed limited warranty on the engine and transmission, and come with a one-year national H.O.G.® membership which includes Roadside Assistance. Financing is available to qualified customers though Harley-Davidson Financial Services. This is a smart way to buy a pre-owned Harley motorcycle.
Looking to find the best Harley motorcycle for beginners? These Harley-Davidson models are great options for many beginning riders.
Best Harley Motorcycle for Beginners – New Models
Designed to inspire both new and experienced riders, the Nightster motorcycle offers nimble handling and a confidence-inspiring ride. Its liquid-cooled Revolution® Max 975T engine is tuned for street performance. The fuel tank is located below the seat which lowers the center of mass. This can improve rider confidence when mounting the bike, when maneuvering at low speeds, and when resting at a stop.
Ideal for city cruising or light touring with a low seat height, mid-mount foot controls and easy-reach handlebar that place most riders in a comfortable, upright position. A Milwaukee-Eight® 107 engine delivers smooth power.
Best Used Motorcycles for Beginners from Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Street® 500 and 750 models – These are lightweight, standard-style motorcycles built for urban riding, but are also great beginner motorcycles. They are powered by the liquid-cooled V-Twin Revolution X engine designed to match stop-and-go traffic demands with nimble agility while delivering instant throttle response. They feature a very low seat height, comfortable suspension and broad handlebar sweep that provides confidence and maneuverability when managing tight turns.
Sportster® XL models – These feature the classic Harley-Davidson profile in many styles to suit every personality and stature. They’re equipped with low seat height and a narrow profile to inspire confidence, and a wide range of accessories are available to dial in fit and comfort. Fuel-injected air-cooled Evolution® V-Twin engine in 883cc or 1200cc displacement delivers reliable, street-friendly power.
For more expert advice on selecting your best Harley-Davidson motorcycle, visit and authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, or schedule a test ride on a new or Harley-Davidson Certified™ motorcycle. The Harley-Davidson Riding Academy offers motorcycle training for riders of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned riders.
Embrace the spirit of the open road and get ready to ride with Harley-Davidson.
Show the world who you ride with. Get all your H-D riding and casual gear here.
Throw it into high gear. Now is the perfect time to revamp your ride.