Harley-Davidson: A Lyon rouge… the color roars”: nothing makes you feel more free, more boundlessly American, more American in the cultural pattern we labor under when we talk about what is deeply American, than when someone says “Harley-Davidson.”
But Harley is more than a motorcycle brand — it’s an emotion, a culture, and for many, a lifelong dream taking up space in a garage.
For more than a century, Harley-Davidson has been an icon on two wheels, appealing to motorcycle enthusiasts for both its American engineering and its head-truning designs.
In 2025, the brand has evolved further, mixing old-school charm with modern tech, catering to the die-hard purists as well as a younger generation of riders.
The Soul of Harley: Design (Design and Legacy)
It is not the job of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to follow the trends, but on the contrary to set them.
Every model, from the iconic Fat Boy to the nimble Sportster S, has a signature look: big grilles, broad handlebars, wide V-Twin engines and plenty of chrome.
That signature Harley “potato-potato” exhaust sound is sweet, sweet music to the ears of fans all around the world.
But it’s the association with the road and the rider that really distinguishes the brand. And it’s not just about point A to point B — how you get there and how it makes you feel is as important as getting there.
There’s a tribal sensation to owning a Harley, one that can feel more like a kind of belonging than simply owning a machine.
Performance: Cruising Cool with Power to Spare
A company long renowned for torque-monster motors, Harley-Davidson is all about that low-end grunt and much less about high-horsepower, high-rev thrills.
The result? A comfortable, lazy-boy riding position ideal for cruising in comfort on long stretches of highway.
From the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine you’ll find in the larger models to the newer Revolution Max 1250 on models like the Pan America, Harley’s engines are smooth, punchy, and effectively built for real-world usage.
The handling not razor-sharp like a sportbike, but it’s a revelation for what are some pretty heavy bikes over 300 kg.
Newer models are equipped with rider aids such as cruise control, cornering ABS, and traction control that make it an easy and comfortable motorcycle to ride—even for those who are new to riding.
Tech and Modern Touches
If Harley is tradition-bound, it’s not blind to novelty. Modern variants add touch-screen infotainment with navigation, Bluetooth and toolless ride modes.
The LiveWire, Harley’s first crack at an electric bike, took a sledgehammer to that stereotype with its instant torque and its all-new riding experience, even if at a premium price point.
In short, Harley Davidson is adjusting its balance of legacy with modern day turns of the wheel — a difficult act, and, with any luck, one it’s getting better at every year.
Comfort and Touring Abilities
Where Harley-Davidson excels, however, is touring and long-distance comfort.
The Road Glide and Street Glide are basically two-wheel couches: saddlebags, giant windshields, infotainment systems and ergonomics designed for all-day riding.
Hell, even the barebones like the Iron 883 and Forty-Eight can provide a nice solo-cruising experience.
You can tweak your bike to the perfect riding position with the right aftermarket parts – and Harley makes all sorts of those.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Branding people want to resell decades later
Cruiser styling and a big, thumping exhaust tone
Great for distance riding and touring
(Solid output torque for easy riding)
Huge aftermarket potential with the ability to customize
Cons:
Costly, to procure and for upkeep
Heavyweight city commuting Tweaked as a 13km-es-to-work, from the centre of town to north Strathfield via the shite left 5 funky fresh morning years ago.
Not beginner- or small rider-friendly
Fuel economy is relatively low compared to latest versions
Parts and service can be expensive in small towns
Harley-Davidson: Final Word
Harley-Davidson isn’t for everybody — and it doesn’t want to be.
It’s made for the rider who wants to ride when the journey matters more than the destination, and who likes feeling the wind on their chest and experiencing the rhythmic rumble of the road below.
If all you seek is practicality, performance or an affordable way to commute, there are better choices.
But if you crave a motorcycle that whispers to your soul, makes every ride seem like a movie, and elicits admiring looks everywhere you go, a Harley-Davidson is tough to top.
For a lot of people, hopping onto a Harley-Davidson isn’t just a ride, but therapy, rebellion and liberation all at once.
