5 Harley-Davidson Models That Have Stood the Test of Time

Long Lasting Appeal

When you have a company that's been building motorcycles for 120 years now, it's safe to assume that said company has churned out its fair share of iconic models over that time frame. This is certainly true of Harley-Davidson, to the point where, well, it's tough to single out just five motorcycles that have stood the test of time better than most. Regardless, that's precisely what we've done here, and it's safe to say that these are some of the more timeless offerings MoCo has ever produced. 

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Fat Boy

The Fat Boy is easily one of Harley's more iconic models, one that came along in 1990 and really helped turn things around after the tumultuous 1980s. This was a clean, muscular, futuristic-looking machine at the time, one that wound up skyrocketing to fame thanks to its starring role in Terminator 2, too.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

FXSTB Night Train

Then we have the FXSTB Night Train, which launched in 2009 with appealing style and the classic dragster combination of a raked front end with a big rear tire and a skinny front. With plenty of power coming from its Twin-Cam powerplant, this particular Harley is as cool today as it was decades ago, when it originally came on the scene. 

Photos: Harley-Davidson

FL Hydra Glide

The FL Hydra Glide takes us all the way back to 1948, when it started life with telescopic front forks before it transitioned to a rear swing-arm suspension and became the Duo Glide a decade later. Today, these Panheads look just as good as they did all those years ago, a true testament to their lasting appeal. 

Photo: Mecum Auctions

XLCR

The XLCR is a unique entity in Harley history thanks to the fact that it was designed to be the brand's answer to cafe racers when it debuted in 1977. A stripped-down bike that focuses on lightness and performance, the XLCR wasn't a volume seller for the brand, but today, it's an incredibly cool example of the rare, factory-built cafe racer in general. 

Photo: eBay

XLCH Sportster

The XLCH Sportster debuted in 1957 as a model designed to take the fight directly to Harley's cheaper, smaller, lighter, and sportier British competition. It did precisely that, and was such a hit that the Sportster continues to live on today, albeit in the very different yet fantastic Sportster S.

Photo: National Motorcycle Museum

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