The Five All-Time Most Important Harleys
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 5
From: Lakeland, Fl
I am not schooled enough to say one way or another...
I think in 10-20 years a list like this will be a bit different... With a v rod on there...
Over all I like it!!! The 36 is just plain awesome! The K... Heck yeah!!!!
I'd say it was a solid triple, or in the park home run!!!
I think in 10-20 years a list like this will be a bit different... With a v rod on there...
Over all I like it!!! The 36 is just plain awesome! The K... Heck yeah!!!!
I'd say it was a solid triple, or in the park home run!!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
That 84 Softail is so cool, and they only refined it up through 99. I remember drooling on the pictures in the bike mags of that 84. I rode my first one in about 87, and fell in love with it. To me it is the one bike that HD did perfect.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 845
Likes: 45
From: Tucson, AZ
Good choices, I concur on the Tour Glide picture. Buddy rode out from Florida in '80 on one and we went up to Mt. Lemon for the day and the local 1%ers were up there and had never seen a rubber mounted HD before and could not look at it enough.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
Quote:
Originally Posted by dc1450
It's a good article and the bikes chosen make sense. The only complaint I have is that the 1980 Tour Glide photo is of a chopped bike. The faring has been removed.
Thanks!
I'm actually the one that choose the pics, so that's on me. If you can find me a better example, I'll swap it out pronto.
Originally Posted by dc1450
It's a good article and the bikes chosen make sense. The only complaint I have is that the 1980 Tour Glide photo is of a chopped bike. The faring has been removed.
Thanks!
I'm actually the one that choose the pics, so that's on me. If you can find me a better example, I'll swap it out pronto.
Great article.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 0
From: A SaltwaterHillbilly-Surrounded By Cages
Nice article. I think the 1952 K model was probably one of the most important bikes HD produced on that list. It made it easier for some of us to get a Harley without having to spend a small fortune. I went from a Honda 650 to the 1984 Ironhead as my first HD back in the 80's and have recently bought the Heritage I have now. Every time I ride it, it puts a big smile on my face 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I must agree about the post saying the Fat Boy should be on the list. It is the bike due to Arnold riding one in the movie that made me aware that HD had matured and was ready for me to be an owner.
I left metrics and the rest is history. Have all the current families in my garage now. For the touring I have the Ultra and a Road Glide to have both types of fairings.
Ironically, I got the FXSTC instead of the Fat Boy. Have no answer for that but the FXSTC just called to me when I saw if for the first time and it pulled me away from the Fat Boy.
I left metrics and the rest is history. Have all the current families in my garage now. For the touring I have the Ultra and a Road Glide to have both types of fairings.
Ironically, I got the FXSTC instead of the Fat Boy. Have no answer for that but the FXSTC just called to me when I saw if for the first time and it pulled me away from the Fat Boy.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
Very nice article and tough choices on the best bikes. I'm glad the Sportster was included but the reasoning and importance of it's introduction was to compete with the British cafe racers of the time and not to be an entry level bike for new riders.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Have to agree with the Knucklehead and the K-model. They are truly milestones. The other bikes - um, they are a matter of taste but the first OHV and the predecessor to the Sportster are among my choices as well.