Alphabet Soup: Decoding Harley-Davidson Letter Codes & Model Designations

Find your ride

Ask a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owner which model they are riding, and they may answer “a Street Glide®” or “a Road Glide® ,” or the name for another model. But beneath that name is a second alpha-numeric code that has been assigned to just about every Harley-Davidson motorcycle throughout the company’s 121-year history. Today, few owners would say they are riding an FLHXS or an RA1250, but for many years the Harley-Davidson model code was often the only designation assigned to specific Harley-Davidson bikes, and knowing the logic behind that code was a point of pride for serious Harley fans.

Logic, however, often has not always applied to the code name assigned to new models. Which is why, even for experts, the “alphabet soup” of Harley-Davidson model codes can be confusing. From year to year, or decade to decade, the prefix, or first letters, in a model designation gave a pretty clear indicator of which platform or family to which the model belonged. For many years Harley-Davidson model name prefix derived from the engine family. In 1936 when the 61-cubic inch overhead valve V-Twin engine debuted, it received the designator “E”, and the base model with this engine was simply called the Model E. The letters following the prefix that designate the specific model sometimes made sense but could also seem to be totally random. The Model ES was the same bike with sidecar gearing, and the Model EL had the more-powerful, high-compression version of the E-series engine.

What we might today consider model names in the past often described a feature. So for example, Hydra Glide described the hydraulic front suspension introduced in 1949 across a line that included 10 models and two engine displacements – E for 61 cubic inches and F for 74 cubic inches.

Most letters in the alphabet have been used multiple times to designate certain models or their derivatives. To complicate things further, the meanings or designations of individual letters have changed over the years or meant different things in the same year on multiple models. For example, in 2005, the R suffix may be for a Roadster™ (XL883R) Road King® (FLHR) or Racing (VRSC). Or the C suffix may denote a Custom (FXDC) or Classic (FLHTC).

Some of the more popular letter codes featured for recent models inlcude:

  • F: Any model powered by a Big Twin engine, currently the Milwaukee-Eight® 

  • FL: A Touring or Softail® model with a 16-inch front wheel

  • FLH: A Touring or Softail® model with a fork-mounted fairing or windshield

  • FLTR: A Road Glide® model

  • FXD: A Dyna® model

  • FXST: Softail® model with a 19- or 21-inch front wheel

  • LW: LiveWire® model

  • R: A model powered by the Revolution® Max engine

  • SE: A suffix that denotes a CVO™ model (SE for Screamin’ Eagle®)

  • VRSC: V-Rod® and other models powered by the Revolution® engine

  • XG: Street models

  • XL: Sportster® models powered by the Sportster® Evolution® engine

Best Beginner Motorcycles for Women from Harley-Davidson

Sport: For the rider who values nimble performance, current technology and modern style.

Cruiser: These bikes place a focus on style, from nostalgic to very modern.

Grand American Touring: Ready to take you on a long haul beyond the horizon with comfort, performance and the latest technology.

Ready to take a test ride? Here’s our short list of recommended beginner motorcycles for women from Harley-Davidson:

Nightster®

  • Seat Height: 27.1" Weight: 481 lbs.* 

  • Designed to inspire both new and experienced riders, the lightweight Nightster® motorcycle offers nimble handling, a confidence-inspiring ride and the smooth power of a liquid-cooled Revolution® Max 975 engine. The fuel tank is below the seat, which lowers the center of gravity and helps make the bike easier to handle at lower speeds.

Street Bob 114

Seat Height: 25.8" Weight: 655 lbs.*

The lightweight Street Bob® 114 motorcycle is well-equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine for a quick-and-nimble ride with power to spare. Tall handlebars and forward foot controls contribute to a stretched riding position, but the tall bars give great leverage for lighter steering. The very low seat puts most rider’s feet flat on the ground.

Low Rider® S

  • Seat Height: 27" Weight 679 lbs.* 

  • The upright riding position is compact due to the combination of mid-mounted foot pegs and a handlebar set on 4-inch risers. This bike bundles the big attitude of West Coast style elements like the wind-blocking fairing the strong performance of a Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine.

Heritage Classic

  • Seat Height: 26.3" Weight: 728 lbs.* 

  • Check out this bike if you love show-stopping vintage details and a classic profile inspired by the 1950s, paired with the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine and modern upgrades. Locking saddlebags, a full-size windshield and wide footboards make this bike a willing partner for weekend getaways.

Road Glide®

  • Seat Height: 26.6" Weight: 802 lbs.*

  • A full-size “bagger” designed for long-distance touring in style and comfort. The very low seat height makes it easier to handle the weight of this model, and it comes loaded with Milwaukee-Eight® 117 performance, molded locking saddlebags for your gear, a 12.3-inch color touch screen infotainment display that can sync with your phone, and a sleek aerodynamic fairing.

Today, an alpha-numeric motorcycle code is applied to each Harley-Davidson motorcycle and is often used in motorcycle parts and accessories fitment. It’s good for a rider to know their bike’s alpha-numeric code so they can better understand what part or accessory will fit their bike when they’re looking for a replacement. Here’s a list of 2024 models with the alpha-numeric code and the model name:

Here’s a list of 2025 models with the alpha-numeric code and the model name:

Adventure Touring

Sport

Cruiser

Grand American Touring

Trike

Explore the Motorcycle Lineup

Below is a list of some popular past and present Harley-Davidson bikes by model code and the model name:

You don’t have to be fluent in Harley-Davidson model codes to shop for new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles online at. Or visit your local authorized Harley-Davidson® dealer to learn more about motorcycle codes and find the right fit for your riding style today. You can also check out the latest motorcycle parts and accessories to complete your bike.

Did we miss your favorite Harley Davidson model code designation? Leave your favorite bike and its letter code in the comments below!

Advice for Motorcycle Buyers

Man sitting on motorcycle
Choose a Motorcycle that's right for you
best beginner cruiser motorcycles
women sitting on motorcycle
Handlebars
oil and filter

Explore the latest Motorcycles, Parts & Apparel

motorcycles

Motorcycles

Embrace the spirit of the open road and get ready to ride with Harley-Davidson.

See The Bikes

mens apparel

GEAR & APPAREL

Show the world who you ride with. Get all your H-D riding and casual gear here.

Shop Men's

Shop Women's

motorcycle seat

Parts & Accessories

Throw it into high gear. Now is the perfect time to revamp your ride.

Shop Parts