After 115 years, Harley-Davidson has become one of the most recognizable American motorcycle manufacturers in the world. They created the original motorcycle culture that initially made riding a social event, rather than just for solo riders. Plus, they’ve become experts in creating high-quality bikes and constantly looking for new ways to improve. It’s only natural that you’d want to be part of this legacy.
But there’s a lot to choose from, as Harley makes many different models and they all perform a little differently. To help you narrow down your options, American Harley-Davidson® has provided you with a guide to choosing the right bike.
That way, when you stop by our location near Buffalo, New York, you can let us know exactly what you’re looking for and we can get you rolling down the road in no time.
Style
If there’s one thing that H-D® bikes are known for, it’s their style. They’ve spent the last 115 years setting the standard for the classic American muscle bike, so they’ve got 115 years worth of style options available to you. Some motorcycles are going to come with some of the classic features that you’d find in a throwback look, like a chopper or bobber. This may include ape hanger handlebars or chromed out parts.
But maybe you're looking through your options and feeling like you’re not finding what you want. Maybe the wheels aren’t quite what you want or there’s something about the fenders that could use an upgrade. In that case, get an upgrade. One of their other big attractions is that Harley-Davidson makes models that are highly customizable. They make it easy to switch out parts with pre-made parts that will give you the exact aesthetic you want in your ride.
Feel
Style can only get you so far. After all, motorcycles aren’t just about looking good, they’ve got to feel good as well. And while this may seem like a fairly straightforward idea, what feels good can vary depending on the rider. For example, one of the most common ways to adjust performance is to look at suspension. Some people prefer slightly looser suspension so they can get a smoother ride. A motorcycle like the Softail® already comes with this kind of performance, but you can also look into adjusting the suspension on any bike Harley-Davidson carries.
However, some people prefer a stiffer ride for a little more endurance and a little less bounce. This is where one of the cruisers might come in handy. But as we mentioned before, ask one of our experienced technicians how you can tweak the workings and mechanisms of your motorcycle to get the performance that’s going to fit your needs and style.
Performance
There are a lot of other ways you can adjust performance so it matches what you’re looking for. Sometimes, it’s all about making the right choices from the start. One of the easiest ways to get the most basic performance foundations that you’ll need is to think about what kind of riding you’ll be doing. Will you be spending lots of time on the road, knocking back the miles, or will you mostly do some casual busy city riding and some work commuting?
Long distance riding, or touring, has different demands than city riding. You’ll want more comfort and more storage space, especially if you like overnight trips. For city riding, you’re probably more into a streamlined frame that makes it easy to zip through traffic. This dictates some of the basic differences between touring bikes and cruisers, although there are a lot of other ways to break down performance. Simply bring an outline of your daily riding demands and we’ll find you the type of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle that’ll suit you best.
In fact, for any of your motorcycle-related needs, you’ll want to stop by American Harley-Davidson®. We’re proud to be part of this classic American legacy, and we’re excited that you’re thinking of joining as well. For any additional questions you may have, or if you’re ready to find the perfect bike for you, stop by our location near Buffalo, New York.