Top 10 Best Everyday Harley Davidson Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson may not be seen as an ideal commuter for everyday riding. The reason is very clear. Harleys are quite big and heavy. Most Harleys are not suitable for riding within the city, particularly in the stop-and-go traffic.

However, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are being loved by many. Almost every motorcycling fan has a dream to ride one of these motorcycles.

For those beginners and practical motorcyclists who want the best everyday Harley-Davidson will find this article very interesting and useful.

Most Harley motorbikes are built for long-distance comfort and touring purposes. A beginner may find these bikes quite heavy to steer and handle, especially in urban conditions.

Nonetheless, there is no need to get disappointed. For those who think they will have to ride another motorcycle brand other than Harley for everyday riding, stop right there.

There are many popular Harley models that have the potential to become your best everyday Harley Davidson. If you are on the lookout for the best Harley Davidson for everyday use, this article lists down 10 best Harleys, ideal for daily commuting.

The Harley Sportster Iron 883 is among the best motorcycles that Harley-Davidson has ever made. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2022, but it remained a very popular, best-selling Harley model for years.

Being a low-powered Sportster model, the H-D Sportster Iron 883 is one of the most ideal beginner-friendly Harley platforms. What makes the Iron 883 the best Harley bike is its slim and lightweight profile.

Another major reason why the Iron 883 is best suited for everyday riding is its sportier stance. It was built to cater to riders looking for a nimble, easy-to-ride, and handle Harley bike for everyday use.

The mid-mounted foot controls and an active riding style make the Harley Sportster Iron 883 best suited for city traveling, canyon carving, and light cruising.

Despite being in a discontinued Harley mode, the H-D Sportster Iron 883 still enjoys a cult fan following. With low seat height, manageable weight, a low price tag, and a high resale value, the Iron 883 still has a strong demand in the used motorcycle market.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is a slightly more powerful version of the Iron 883. It has several of the same features as the Iron 883, but a stylish nose fairing and a tall mini-ape hanger handlebar make it one of the best-looking Sportster models.

The Sportster Iron 1200 is also a discontinued Harley model. However, those looking for a beginner-friendly, everyday Harley Davidson motorcycle find it a very attractive option.

Being a Sportster with mid-mounted foot controls, a slightly aggressive riding style, and tall handlebars, it handles pretty well. Like the Iron 883, the Sportster Iron 1200 also has a slim silhouette, offering a nimble handling.

Having a 1200 cc air-cooled Evolution engine, the Iron 1200 offers an agile performance. It makes a perfect everyday Harley Davidson for riders who want a bit more power and punch for light cruising.

The H-D Sportster S is a modern-day Harley Sportster model. It is the most unconventional-looking Harley ever produced. Unlike most traditional Harleys, the H-D Sportster S prioritizes performance over comfort.

The Harley Sportster S is also referred to as the Harley’s lightweight performance cruiser. It is quite small, sporty, and compact.

What makes the Harley Sportster S iconic is its unique styling. It features a flat solo rider seat, along with a tail cowl. It is equipped with scrambler-style, high-mounted exhaust pipes. The handlebars are also quite sporty with flat, low-mounted handlebars.

What attracts riders the most is the Sportster S’ fat and wide tires and bar-end-mounted round side mirrors.

However, unlike the rest of the Sportsters, the H-D Sportster S has forward foot controls, offering substantial legroom.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is one of the most agile Harley bikes thanks to the performance-oriented Revolution® Max 1250T engine. The 76.4 cubic-inch liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine, along with 502 lbs of wet weight, make Sportster S make it quite punchier on the road.

On top of being one of the best Harley Davidson for everyday use, it can also handle long-distance rides and canyon carving on backcountry twisty roads.

The Harley Fat Bob 114 is also among the Harley’s true performance cruisers. It is a perfect description of what a modern Harley should be like.

Unlike large and bulky Harley cruisers, the H-D Fat Bob 114 has several stripped-down features. The ergonomics are also quite sporty, focussing more on performance than comfort.

The Fat Bob 114 gives a modern, sporty vibe. However, it is powered by the impressive Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine, making it an overall impressive package.

Though the Milwaukee-Eight 114 is a renowned Harley torque engine installed on H-D touring bikes, it ensures an impressive sportier performance on the Fat Bob 114.

Considering the style and performance, the H-D Fat Bob 114 makes a good everyday urban commuter for experienced riders.

With a 27.9-inch seat height and 306 kg of weight weight, the Fat Bob 114 handles pretty well in the urban setting.

The forward foot controls and the seat-integrated lumbar support make the H-D Fat Bob 114 a comfortable option. However, the flat handlebars make riders sit in an aggressive, sportier stance. Overall, the handling and cornering are easier on the Fat Bob 114 than on other heavyweight Harley cruisers.

The fat bobber-style tires, reliable braking system, and standard ABS feature make the Harley Fat Bob 114 ensure a safe ride in urban settings.

More than the best everyday Harley Davidson bike, the H-D Fat Bob 114 delivers superior torque and horsepower, making rides more fun.

After the discontinuation of the Harley Sportster Iron 883 and the Sportster Iron 1200, the Nightster is the only bike filling that gap in the current lineup.

The Harley-Davidson Nightster is the only Sportster in the current lineup that is perfectly suited for beginners. It is the smallest Harley bike with the lowest price tag in the 2024 lineup.

Considering its style, size, and performance, the H-D Nightster has the potential to become one of the best Harley Davidson for everyday use.

Despite certain modern styling elements and a newly-developed 59.5 cubic-inch Revolution® Max 975T engine, it looks like the traditional Sportster models.

It is lightweight and sporty, with a 27.1-inch seat height, mid-mounted foot controls, and a slightly sportier riding stance. It only weighs 481 lbs in the running order, making it very easy to ride.

The Harley Nightster becomes a perfect everyday Harley bike for urban commuting or riding on busy roads. It can easily zip through busy roads without making you stand in queues for hours.

Being liquid-cooled, riders don’t have to worry about getting their legs roasted while riding in stop-and-go traffic.

Harley Softails are usually large, overweight, and not beginner-friendly. They are ideally designed for superior touring performance and highway cruising.

However, if we have to pick one Softail that fits the list of best everyday Harley Davidson motorcycles, it is the Harley Softail Slim. Though discontinued, the Softail Slim is the most popular bobber-style Harley ever produced.

The Softail Slim is not a very old Harley model. It was discontinued in 2021. However, it boasts a very classic design with a vintage vibe inspired by the wartime bobbers of the 1950s.

Despite the classic bobber look, the Harley Softail Slim ensures modern performance for everyday riding. It is among the most comfortable Harley bikes for daily commuting thanks to the low seat height and stripped-down design.

The Harley Softail Slim is not a beginner bike because it is fitted with a powerful 1,745 cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine. This bike also has a wet weight of 671 lbs, which is on the higher side.

However, its low seat height of 25.5 inches, low center of gravity, and overall performance make the Softail Slim handles well. The exceptional ride quality makes this bike one of the easy-to-ride Harleys for everyday use.

The tuck-and-roll bobber-style, solo rider seat, beefier front forks, and fat tires with wire-spoked wheels make the Softail Slim a very attractive cruiser. It must be on your priority list if you are looking for one of the best everyday Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Another very famous Sportster model among Harley-Davidson fans is the H-D Sportster Forty-Eight. It offers a good combination of modern performance and comfort for everyday urban commuting.

What makes the Sportster Forty-Eight different from the rest of the Sportsters and Softails is its fat tires and distinctive peanut-shaped gas tank. There is a gap between the solo rider seat and the gas tank, ensuring a true custom look.

The foot controls on the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight are moderately forward, ensuring perfect legroom for everyday use. The good thing about the Sportster Forty-Eight is its decent highway cruising capability.

Like other conventional Sportster models, the Sportster Forty-Eight also has a slim profile. The ride position, overall weight, and slim profile make this bike a great option for everyday urban commuting.

The Harley Forty-Eight has remained one of the top models in the Harley lineup until it was discontinued in 2022. However, it is still remembered and used as one of the best everyday Harley Davidson.

The Forty-Eight has a 73.35 cubic-inch air-cooled Evolution Engine. It can produce 66 hp of horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 98.97 Nm at 3,500 rpm. These figures allow this bike to be comfortably used for urban commuting and highway cruising.

The Harley-Davidson Street models were among the most beginner-friendly Harley's ever produced. The Harley Street 500 and the Harley Street 750 were among the most popular beginner Harleys worldwide.

The purpose behind Harley's introduction of this bike was to create an urban-friendly bike for daily use. There was no compromise on the styling of this bike. The Harley Street 750 became the first choice of riders who were new to the brand.

Though the brand is not well-known for producing low-powered, small-displacement engines, the 749 cc Revolution X engine ensured reliable power and smooth performance. The power and torque delivery are sufficient enough for daily riding.

Despite being smaller in size, the Harley Street 750 offers a comfortable riding position. The lightweight and compact design makes the Street 750 easily manageable while riding in heavy traffic.

The Harley Street 750 is different from the rest of the traditional Harley Softails and Sportster. The affordable price range also makes it an attractive option for those looking for an everyday Harley motorbike.

The Harley Low Rider S is among the most powerful and agile Harley-Davidson cruisers. This bike features the potent Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, making it quite torquey and rebellious.

Apart from its superior cruising ability, the Low Rider S also makes an ideal choice for city travel. It is a stripped-down version of the Low Rider ST model.

What makes the Low Rider S one of the best Harley Davidson bikes is its sporty nature and agile handling. It is considerably easier to ride within the city than the rest of the bulky Harley cruisers and tourers.

The iconic nose fairing is among the main attractions of the Low Rider S. Despite having a slightly sportier stance with foot controls that are somewhere between a mid and forward position; this bike is very comfortable for daily commuting.

However, considering the size and stature, the Low Rider S is better suited for highway cruising and long-distance rides. With the addition of wind protection and saddlebags, it can become a perfect touring bike.

If you are into electric motorcycles and want to stick to Harley-Davidson, the LiveWire lineup offers one of the best electric bikes for daily commuting. These bikes are ideally designed for urban riding.

Though marketed as an Electric Sport Tourer, the Harley LiveWire One performs exceptionally well in urban settings. Electric bikes can be ideally used for daily rides because of their functionality and requirements.

It is obvious why these bikes cannot be widely used as a touring machine. It is because of their limited range and lack of frequent charging stations, particularly when you are in a remote area.

Only if you can afford and can manage operating an electric bike, the LiveWire One is a great everyday electric commuter.

There is no objection to the LiveWire One as a great daily commuter. However, the main concern is the price, which has been brought down a great deal, but it still has a price tag of $22,799.

2024 LiveWire One:

Base Price: $22,799

Energy System: 15.4 kWh

Charging Time (With DC Fast Charging): 1 hour

City Range: 146 miles

0-60 mph Sprint: 3 secs

The LiveWire S2 Del Mar is marketed as an Electric Street Tracker and is quite lighter and more agile than the LiveWire One. This bike has been made simpler and basic to keep the price on the lower side. The LiveWire S2 Del Mar comes at a price tag of $16,249.

From the style and design, the S2 Del Mar looks quite punchy and nimble. It is a great everyday Harley Davidson electric bike, particularly for urban commuting.

2024 LiveWire S2 Del Mar:

Base Price: $16,249

Energy System: 10.5 kWh

Charging Time (With Level-2 Charging): 78 mins

City Range: 113 miles

0-60 mph Sprint: 3 secs

The LiveWire S2 Mulholland is the latest offering in the LvieWire lineup. It is almost the same as the S2 Del Mar, with a price tag that is almost the same. However, it is marketed as an Electric Performance Cruiser.

2024 LiveWire S2 Mulholland:

Base Price: $16,499

Energy System: 10.5 kWh

Charging Time (With Level-2 Charging): 78 mins

City Range: 121 miles

0-60 mph Sprint: 3.3 secs

Undoubtedly, Harley-Davidson motorbikes are the most comfortable bikes, particularly the Grand American Touring models. These include the Harley Ultra Limited, Road Glide Limited, Street Glide, and the Road King.

However, in this context, the Harley Softail Slim and the Low Rider S are among the highly comfortable bikes for everyday riding and city traveling. They are comfortable, smooth, and easy to ride within the city and on busy roads.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster models, including the Iron 883 and the Iron 1200, are considered the most reliable Harleys. They have been rated at the top of the list of most reliable Harleys ever made, according to most reviews and surveys.

The fact that there are many vintage Harley motorbikes currently available in the used motorcycle market explains that they are reliable. As most motorcyclists say, Harleys become more valuable when they are old.

Though the Harleys’ maintenance costs are a bit on the higher side, they can serve a lifetime if taken care of properly.

In terms of popularity and good sales, the Harley Davidson Sportsters are considered to be the best Harley motorcycles ever made. These bikes are different from conventional Harley motorbikes as they are light, slim, and easy to handle.

Harley Sportsters are built with beginners and urban commuters in mind. These bikes can handle pretty well, and you can also turn corners easily on Sportsters compared to a bulky Harley-Davidson cruiser or touring bike.

However, when talking about the best Harley ever made, you can’t come up with only one name. There are multiple Harley motorbikes, including both modern Harleys and classic vintage-style Harleys, that are still remembered as one of the best Harleys ever made.

To name a few, the best Harley Davidson motorcycles ever made include:

• Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

• Harley-Davidson Street Glide

• Harley Electra Glide

• Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250

• Harley-Davidson Road King

• Harley Davidson V-Rod

When it comes to motor/engine technology, the latest one is always preferred as it performs better. Modern engines are built according to the latest industry standards. Therefore, they are more reliable and powerful.

Similarly, the best Harley Davidson motor/engine, according to most reviewers and Harley fans, is the Milwaukee-Eight. It is the latest and most updated motorcycle engine produced by Harley-Davidson to power its motorcycles.

Milwaukee-Eight engines are made in V-Twin configurations and are considered to be highly powerful, torquey, reliable, and smooth.

There were only a few times when certain issues were pointed out in the Milwaukee-Eight engines produced in a certain duration. However, the company immediately responded to riders’ concerns and announced recalls to overcome issues with these engines.

For those who have never owned a Harley-Davidson motorcycle or are new to the Harley brand, they often ask this question: “Is it expensive to maintain a Harley Davidson?”

It is a fact. Harleys are expensive to maintain compared to other motorcycle brands, especially Japanese. Harleys have complex designs and build, which make it difficult to maintain them.

The service intervals are also more frequent with Harleys, and the costs are also greater. However, if you follow the maintenance cycle regularly and keep your Harley maintained, these bikes can serve you a lifetime.

It also depends on which Harley model you own. It is obvious that you will have to spend more on maintenance if you ride a bigger Harley cruiser or a touring bike than a Sportster model.

Also, if you own a classic, antique Harley Davidson bike, it will surely require frequent maintenance and repairs.

Harley Davidson motorcycles are usually meant to cover long miles comfortably. The brand is well-known for its large-sized cruisers and touring bikes. Most Harleys are, therefore, quite premium, expensive, and luxurious as they feature large-displacement torquey engines and several touring features.

Nevertheless, Harley also put a lot of effort into building something more suitable for everyday riding and urban commuting. The company turned out to be successful after it released Harley Sportsters. These bikes are considered to be the best Harleys for everyday riding due to being light, slim, and easy to maneuver.

If you are a Harley fan and want the best everyday Harley Davidson motorcycle, this article provides you with many great suggestions. The bikes listed in this article ensure a great performance within the city for daily riding.

The above-mentioned bikes are also versatile enough to be used for light cruising. At the same time, some of the options, like the Softail Slim and the Low Rider S, are true cruisers.

If you want to cruiser comfortably on any of these best everyday Harley Davidson motorcycles, you can always make certain changes to these bikes. The availability of aftermarket parts and luggage options can help you transform these bikes into ideal cruisers for long distances.

At Viking Bags, we offer multiple luggage bag options and parts, including saddlebags, sissy bars, crash bars, sissy bar bags, backpacks, tank bags, and backrests.