Visit the website or showroom of any motorcycle manufacturer and you’ll find a wide variety of bikes. Each is intended for a certain type of riding, and a particular rider. To pick the best motorcycle for yourself, it will help to understand the general categories that motorcycles and riders fit into. For example, a rider who is interested in performance should consider a sport or sport touring motorcycle, while a rider who dreams of taking long cross-country trips will be best served by a Grand American Touring motorcycle.

The different types of motorcycles available from the Harley-Davidson lineup includes a diverse selection of models that slot into six general categories: Sport, Cruiser, Grand American Touring, Adventure Touring, Trike and Electric. How you want to ride and where you’d like to ride will help to determine which type of motorcycle is your ideal model. Explore the categories below to learn more about the different types of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and determine which best fits your riding style.

Harley-Davidson sport motorcycles are easy to ride, built for performance and plenty of fun. It will feature a powertrain tuned for strong acceleration and speed, tires and suspension designed for aggressive cornering, and ergonomics that place the rider in position of athletic control on the bike. Built for carving mountain roads and blasting through the urban jungle, these bikes combine performance suspension components with the power of the liquid-cooled Revolution® Max V-Twin engine. The styling is derived from classic past Harley-Davidson Sportster® motorcycles and the Harley-Davidson XR flat track racing bikes. These bikes offer a full suite of technology features, tremendous power, and precise handling. They are not the best choice for riders who prefer long-distance touring, as they don't include wind and weather protection or standard-equipment luggage.

Ready to take a test ride? Here’s our short list of recommended beginner motorcycles for women from Harley-Davidson:

Nightster®

• Seat Height: 27.1" Weight: 481 lbs.* 

• Designed to inspire both new and experienced riders, the lightweight Nightster® motorcycle offers nimble handling, a confidence-inspiring ride and the smooth power of a liquid-cooled Revolution® Max 975 engine. The fuel tank is below the seat, which lowers the center of gravity and helps make the bike easier to handle at lower speeds.

Street Bob 114

Seat Height: 25.8" Weight: 655 lbs.*

The lightweight Street Bob® 114 motorcycle is well-equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine for a quick-and-nimble ride with power to spare. Tall handlebars and forward foot controls contribute to a stretched riding position, but the tall bars give great leverage for lighter steering. The very low seat puts most rider’s feet flat on the ground.

Low Rider® S

• Seat Height: 27" Weight 679 lbs.* 

• The upright riding position is compact due to the combination of mid-mounted foot pegs and a handlebar set on 4-inch risers. This bike bundles the big attitude of West Coast style elements like the wind-blocking fairing the strong performance of a Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine.

Heritage Classic

• Seat Height: 26.3" Weight: 728 lbs.* 

• Check out this bike if you love show-stopping vintage details and a classic profile inspired by the 1950s, paired with the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine and modern upgrades. Locking saddlebags, a full-size windshield and wide footboards make this bike a willing partner for weekend getaways.

Road Glide®

• Seat Height: 26.6" Weight: 802 lbs.*

• A full-size “bagger” designed for long-distance touring in style and comfort. The very low seat height makes it easier to handle the weight of this model, and it comes loaded with Milwaukee-Eight® 117 performance, molded locking saddlebags for your gear, a 12.3-inch color touch screen infotainment display that can sync with your phone, and a sleek aerodynamic fairing.

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A cruiser motorcycle is meant to evoke a certain emotional response through its visual style, its stance and the way the rider looks and feels on the bike. A cruiser can also be the foundation for customization that makes the ultimate personal style statement. Cruiser models present the most diverse collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, ranging in style from nostalgic to bold to sporty, or some unique combination of those styles. Harley cruiser models utilize the Softail chassis, which hides the rear suspension below the seat to maintain the classic look of a vintage hardtail frame while offering a thoroughly modern ride. Each is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin engine that offers the look-sound-feel experience that defines a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

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Touring motorcycles are easy to understand; Harley-Davidson invented this category. These are bikes designed specifically for covering a long distance in comfort. Most touring models feature a fairing and windshield to protect the rider from wind and weather, luggage for essentials, on-board entertainment and navigation and a comfortable perch for a passenger.  Harley® Grand American Touring motorcycles offer the power of a Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine geared to carry a load with confidence and a stout touring chassis designed to support a passenger and luggage without ample modifications.

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For riders who want to explore without limits, an Adventure motorcycle can capably travel over paved and unpaved routes. Don’t confuse an ADV motorcycle with a dirt bike. Adventure bikes have the power and handling to deliver an exhilarating ride on twisty paved roads, the speed to tackle the Interstate slab, and the suspension and tires for confident control on gravel and loose surfaces. Harley-Davidson Pan America® models are true two-wheel multi-tools. Equipped with a powerful Revolution® Max 1250 engine and sophisticated suspension, these bikes are ready to chase adventure on any road surface.

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The three-wheel configuration of a Trike motorcycle offers a unique motorcycling experience that can be enjoyed by many different riders. A Trike offers an attractive, cool factor anyone can appreciate. A Trike may also be a riding solution for those with physical limitations and for non-riders who might consider motorcycling but are not yet confident in a two-wheel experience. Unlike aftermarket conversions, all Harley-Davidson Trike models utilize a chassis engineered exclusively as a three-wheeled vehicle and optimized for confident handling, performance and durability. Because a Trike does not lean into a turn, this is a different kind of motorcycle experience, but one that offers unlimited freedom and adventure.

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Electric motorcycles, like LiveWire® electric motorcycles, offer exciting, high-performance riding experiences thanks to cutting-edge battery technology, and rider aids. By eliminating the need for a transmission, LiveWire motorcycles are both accessible to new riders and thrilling for accomplished motorcyclists—offering an experience that can be shaped, and reshaped by your needs on a daily basis. Immediate speed and agility with minimal heat and vibration create an opportunity to connect with the world around you in bold, new ways. A full suite of electronic rider aids and interfaces offer a completely connected experience.

Learn more about LiveWire® Electric Models

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Found the right type of Harley motorcycle for your riding style? Visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer to browse the latest selection of new and pre-owned motorcycles from Harley-Davidson.