Which Harley Is Right For Me: How To Choose Your First Harley Davidson

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Are you new to riding? You can't go wrong choosing an American staple as your first bike. But here comes the tough part, which one do you choose?!

With over 115 years of history, Harley has come out with countless models and styles to suit all kinds of riders. We're going to walk you through how to choose the best one for you.

We even make a few suggestions to help you focus your search. By the end, you should no longer wonder, which Harley is right for me?

Sit on a Few of Them

No matter what type of bike you're looking for, anyone with experience will tell you to go to the dealer and sit on a few. You cannot effectively choose a motorcycle solely based on pictures.

Head to your local Harley dealer and commit yourself to sitting on as many different styles as possible. This is the only way to get a feel for different bikes. You may find that the motorcycle you were in love with isn't comfortable at all.

The Appearance and Style

Find a bike that gets you excited to ride just by looking at it. Do you love the look of the nimble Street and Sportster? Or maybe you like the large and in charge feel of the trikes.

Then there are the Touring and CVO bikes that may lack in panache but make up for it in functionality. There is the Softail that oozes authentic American motorcycle heritage and tradition.

For a more modern look, the Street offers a badass style. It's perfect for owning those city streets with its urban attitude.

Customization

Remember, at this point; you should focus on the core of the motorcycle. Virtually everything is customizable.

So don't get hung up on the minor details when it comes to style. You will probably change out the pipes, handlebars, and seat later anyway.

The Feel

As you sit on the different models, place your feet flat on the ground and your hands on the handlebars. Do you feel comfortable? What about if you place your feet on the pegs?

Most dealerships have someone who can help hold the bike while you put your feet up. This will give you an accurate feel for what it is like to ride the bike.

Test Ride

Once you narrow down your choice to your favorite bike or two, it's time for a test ride. You'll head out on the road with a salesman to experience your chosen bike in real-world conditions.

This is the only way to know if you will be happy riding your chosen Harley.

Fit and Size

While you're riding, pay attention to the fit and size of the bike. If you can't comfortably reach the ground, can they lower the bike?

Can you reach the handlebars without stretching forward? If not, can they change the handlebars to bring them back toward you?

How does the weight feel? Is the bike light enough that you can maneuver it at slow speeds? If you're looking for a lighter and lower to the ground bike, the Sportster is the way to go.

Look for the controls. Can you reach them easily without taking your hands off of the handlebars or your eyes off of the road?

The Performance

When it comes to performance, each class of Harley focuses on a different intended use. You need to match your style of riding with your future motorcycle.

The V-Rod, Street, and Sportster are known for having a performance focus. If you're looking for a bike that gets up and goes, these are it.

If you're looking for a combination of performance and functionality, the Softail and Dyna are great choices. They channel old school tradition but can have the convenience of bags.

For the ultimate in touring performance, take a look at the CVO, Touring, and Trike. These bikes are designed for long term riding comfort and performance.

Features

One thing that Harley does well is to include several desirable features on their bikes. The touring bikes especially come with a full-sized responsive touch screen. This is ideal for the traveler who wants to discover new rides and travel to unfamiliar places.

Harley includes some nice features like including where their dealerships are located. You can also set the maps to take you on the more scenic route to your destination.

Budget

The final point to choosing your new Harley is budget. You want to buy a bike that you can afford. This doesn't always mean paying the total price in cash.

Many dealers offer financing options. You can even apply right through the dealer's website.

The great thing about financing through your Harley dealer is the additional services. You can secure an extended service plan, or they can help you find the right insurance provider.

There is the GAP Guaranteed Asset Protection plan. This pays the difference between the insurance company settlement and your outstanding balance on your loan.

If buying a brand new motorcycle is still outside of your budget, don't give up! We offer a selection of pre-owned bikes from riders who traded in their ride.