⚠️ ATTENTION: Need to register or title your motorcycle? Be prepared to satisfy any insurance requirements. Click below for a free insurance quote.
Please enter your ZIP to get started:
The Harley Davidson motorcycle brand has some of the biggest brand-loyalty out there – even among non-riders.
Some new motorcyclists even get into riding because they’re dead set on getting a Harley. If that describes you, check out some tips and recommendations for selecting the best Harley for beginners.
Need more advice on finding the best beginner motorcycle? Check out the guide.
What to look for in a Harley for a new rider?
If you’re a new rider looking for a Harley as your first bike, you’re probably not going to want to dive right in with something like a Street Glide or Road King. Bikes like that are way too expensive and way too heavy for most beginners.
Here are some things to look for in your first Harley as a new rider:
- Affordable price.
- Used, if possible.
- Up to 750cc.
- Maneuverable.
- Relatively light.
A bike like that is going to allow you to better develop your skills as a new rider, get around comfortably in a variety of conditions, and won’t cause too much heart-ache if you ding it up or drop it on accident.
Best Harley Davidson Models for Beginners
With the general advice out of the way, here are some of the best Harley-Davidson motorcycle for beginners:
- Street 500
- Street 750
- SuperLow Sportster
- Iron 883
All of these are decent mid-sized motorcycles that can be found for under $10,000 new, and even less if you can find a decent used bike.
Lowest Seat Height for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
A low seat height is something that can benefit beginner riders and shorter riders.
When you’re learning, being able to keep both feet on the ground is an important characteristic in your first bike. This will help you control the bike at low speeds and when you’re stopped.
Harley Davidson has some of the lowest seats on the market.
Their lowest model is the Softail Slim, which features an unladen seat height of 26 inches (660mm), which drops to about 23″ with a rider and luggage on board.
For most bikes, you can lower the seat height by adjusting the suspension, swapping out for shorter springer, or changing the seat.