Harley Davidson produces some of the most reliable and recognizable motorcycles currently on the market. It is no wonder that many new motorcycle riders consider Harleys for their first bike. While Harley mainly focuses on producing motorcycles for experienced riders, they do have a few offerings for beginners.
This guide has compiled a list of the top five best Harley Davidson motorcycles for beginner riders. All of the bikes in this list are specifically designed with new riders in mind and feature additional safety and quality-of-life features that can aid new riders while they get used to their new bike.
The Harley Davidson Street 750 is the best beginner bike offered by Harley Davidson. It is lightweight and has an engine that is powerful enough to deliver the desired experience to the rider, but not so strong that it risks overpowering them.
That being said, there are a few other great options that you can consider. The list below is in descending order and contains a ranking of the best beginner bikes that Harley currently has available. All of these bikes will serve new riders well and are a great purchase option for those who are just getting into motorcycles.
You will likely be satisfied with any one of these beginner Harleys, as they all share the same superior build quality and performance that the brand has become known for. This list can help narrow your search down to the top five best beginner Harleys you can currently purchase.
Table of Contents
Best Harley For Beginners
| Brand | Price | Miles Per Gallon | Engine Power | Fuel Capacity (Gallons) | Avg. Lifespan (Miles) | Avg. Lifespan (Years) |
| Harley Davidson Street 750 | $8000 | 38 | 749cc | 3.5 | 115,000 | 25 |
| Harley Davidson Iron 883 | $8999 | 36 | 883cc | 4 | 115,000 | 25 |
| Harley Davidson SuperLow | $11,049 | 32 | 883cc | 4.5 | 115,000 | 25 |
| 2022 Harley Davidson Nightster | $13,499 | 38 | 975cc | 3.1 | 110,000 | 25 |
| Harley Davidson V-Rod | $16,449 | 35 | 1131cc | 4.5 | 110,000 | 25 |
The table above contains all of the specification information regarding all of the motorcycles mentioned in this guide. You can use this table to help you make side-by-side comparisons that can help you choose which model of Harley Davidson is right for your skill level.
Our Top Picks For Beginner Harleys
1. Harley Davidson Street 750
Unlike many of the offerings by Harley Davidson, the Street 750 is specifically geared toward new riders. It is one of the most lightweight and user-friendly motorcycles that Harley currently offers. Featuring a powerful 749cc V-Twin engine, it utilizes this power very efficiently without the risk of overpowering a new rider who is not used to the throttle yet.
Because of the relatively light weight of the bike, new riders will not feel like they are wrestling with the machine while riding. The user-friendly controls are easy to understand and will give new riders the chance to get comfortable with the controls in their own time.
All of these factors make it a great starter bike, and one of the few beginner options offered by Harley Davidson. You can purchase the Harley Davidson Street 750 for $8000. Additional information regarding the Harley Davidson Street 750 can be found in the table below.
| Harley Davidson Street 750 | |
| Price | $8,000 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 38 |
| Engine Power | 749cc |
| Weight | 514 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.5 gallons |
| Avg. Lifespan In Miles | 115,000 |
| Avg. Lifespan In Years | 25 |
2. Harley Davidson Iron 883
The Harley Davidson Iron is another great choice for beginners who are looking to purchase their first Harley Davidson motorcycle. These bikes are based on the popular Sportster model that Harley Davidson offers and features a powerful 883cc air-cooled V-twin engine. This bike is more than powerful enough to deliver an exhilarating riding experience while not proving too powerful for new riders.
It is also one of the more affordable models of Harley, making it a great starter bike to enter the world of Harley Davidson. The Iron 883 comes packed with advanced safety features, high-performance torque, and all of the high-quality components that you would come to expect from a Harley Davidson bike.
You can purchase the Harley Davidson Iron 883 for only $8999, which is much cheaper than most of the bikes that Harley Davidson has to offer. Additional information regarding the Harley Davidson Iron 883 can be found in the table below.
| Harley Davidson Iron 883 | |
| Price | $8999 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 36 |
| Engine Power | 883cc |
| Weight | 567 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4 gallons |
| Avg. Lifespan In Miles | 115,000 |
| Avg. Lifespan In Years | 25 |
3. Harley Davidson SuperLow
The Harley Davidson SuperLow is another great choice for beginner riders looking to purchase their first Harley. It is a great option for general commuting, with the perfect balance between comfort and performance.
It too features an 883cc engine that is capable of delivering both a powerful, yet tame riding experience. This will help new riders who are getting used to their new Harley feel comfortable while riding in traffic. It is a little longer in length than most other popular Harley-Davidsons, which can take some getting used to, but this extra length will help keep new riders centered and upright while learning the basics.
You can purchase the Harley Davidson SuperLow for 11,049. This is a great price for an extremely modern and user-friendly starter bike. Additional information regarding the Harley Davidson SuperLow can be found in the table below.
| Harley Davidson SuperLow | |
| Price | $11,049 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 32 |
| Engine Power | 883cc |
| Weight | 587 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.5 gallons |
| Avg. Lifespan In Miles | 115,000 |
| Avg. Lifespan In Years | 25 |
Other Motorcycle Guides
4. Harley Davidson Nightster – 2022
The 2022 Harley Davidson Nightster is one of the newest models released by Harley Davidson. It is a great beginner bike with user-friendly controls and advanced safety features. It features a powerful 975cc V-twin engine that is the first of its kind. The Revolution Max liquid-cooled V-twin engine is one of the most powerful and efficient motors that Harley has ever produced.
This has quickly become one of Harley’s best-selling bikes, as new and veteran riders alike can get the experience that they want out of it. It can be purchased for $13,499 and is appropriate for both new and veteran riders alike. If the proper maintenance is observed, you can expect the 2022 Harley Davidson Nightster to last up to 110,000 miles before experiencing any significant issues.
Additional information regarding the 2022 Harley Davidson Nightster can be found in the table below.
| 2022 Harley Davidson Nightster | |
| Price | $13,499 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 38 |
| Engine Power | 975cc |
| Weight | 481 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.1 gallons |
| Avg. Lifespan In Miles | 110,000 |
| Avg. Lifespan In Years | 25 |
5. Harley Davidson V-Rod
Rounding off the list is the Harley Davidson V-Rod. The V-Rod is an impressive beginner Harley that features a powerful 1131cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine that offers stellar performance and has a great reputation among new and veteran riders alike.
It has a low center of gravity that new riders will find useful while getting used to riding their Harley for the first time. It also features extremely advanced braking and ABS systems that is one of the best currently on the market.
The Harley Davidson V-Rod is also one of the more lightweight model Harleys available and has considerably less engine displacement than many other bikes of the same size and specifications. This means that new users will have fewer issues controlling the bike and lessen the likelihood that they are crushed in the event of a drop while riding.
The V-Rod gives riders a lot of room to grow into their new bike and helps ease the process of adapting to a powerful machine like a Harley. You can purchase a Harley Davidson V-Rod for 16,449, which is a great price for the amount of power and durability that you will get when riding one.
Additional information regarding the Harley Davidson V-Rod can be found in the table below.
| Harley Davidson V-Rod | |
| Price | $16,449 |
| Miles Per Gallon | 35 |
| Engine Power | 1131cc |
| Weight | 572 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.5 gallons |
| Avg. Lifespan In Miles | 110,000 |
| Avg. Lifespan In Years | 25 |
Final Thoughts
This guide has provided you with all of the information that you need to ensure that you pick the right beginner Harley Davidson motorcycle. While typically, Harley Davidson is not what one thinks of when they think of a starter bike, Harley does have a few options that are geared more towards new riders.
All of the bikes detailed in this list are great choices for new riders who are interested in starting their journey with Harley Davidson. Keep in mind that if you have never ridden a motorcycle before, it might be a better option to start off with a less expensive and less powerful brand of motorcycle.
That being said, many new riders have had great success learning to ride on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. With some of the most advanced safety features of any bike on the market and some of the most durable build quality, Harley Davidson can offer new riders a safe and comfortable way to learn how to ride.
The best thing about purchasing a Harley Davidson as one of your first bikes is that as you gain more experience, you will find that you will be able to get more out of your bike as you begin to feel more comfortable.
You should use the detailed comparisons found in this guide to help you pick the right beginner Harley that fits your specific needs. This can help you make an informed purchase decision when picking a Harley that will keep you riding safely and comfortably for years to come.
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I’m William Guzenski, ASE certified master automobile technician & automotive expert. I love to attend race events and car shows throughout the country. I also loves to travel 40-foot motorhome, exploring abandoned mines and ghost towns. I’m currently building another car for Bonneville Salt Flats and will be campaigning a drag car at several events.