10 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles That Showcase Cruiser Thrills

When it comes to most motorcycle riders, a large majority of them will put comfort as a top priority when selecting a bike. Because if we are going to invest a lot of money and free weekends out riding, we at least want to be doing it on a motorcycle that we’re happy with. Nothing brings up buyer’s remorse more than regretting buying a bike only minutes after taking it out. If the seat isn’t soft enough, the handlebars are too low, your back hurts, and you feel awkward riding while riding, it probably isn’t the right bike for you.

So, rather than having customers put up with discomfort, Harley-Davidson is a brand that has been consistently associated with comfortable cruisers of all shapes and sizes that can also pack a punch. Harleys have always been known for keeping their owners happy for hours of non-stop riding, and they’ve always got a little extra horsepower packed away just in case they want to go beyond the third gear and really crank that throttle.

It’s fair to assume that most of us who like to ride do it just to enjoy the great outdoors with friends or by ourselves to unwind and decompress. A lot of that involves hitting the highway and back roads, and just taking it easy. But every now and then, hearing that loud roar of the engine can really get that adrenaline pumping! So let’s take a closer look at some Harley-Davidsons of past and present that walk that line balancing power and comfort.

To bring you accurate information, the data used in this article was sourced from Harley-Davidson, as well as other authoritative sources such as Webbikeworld, and motorcyclespecs.co.za.

10 Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two

Horsepower: 55.8 HP

The Seventy-Two is a light and nimble cruiser from the Sportster family known for its old-school charm built for the modern era. While it was only in production from 2012 to 2016, this is the kind of motorcycle that gets a little extra attention from other Harley enthusiasts. The Sportster has been in production since 1957, so they can be found everywhere.

• Displacement: 1,199 cc
• Torque: 79 LB-FT

But the Seventy-Two in particular, with its stock mini-apes, forward controls, 2.1-gallon peanut tank, and a heavy dose of chrome made it the go-to model for the next generation of Easy Rider fans. Ideal for cruising around the neighborhood, the city, and open country roads, this lightweight cruiser puts its rider’s sense of comfort to the forefront, all while carrying the power-packed DNA of the Sportster family.

Comfort and Features

• Forward Controls
• Mini-Ape Handlebars
• Front forks with cartridge-dampening technology
• Rear shocks with 50 mm of pre-load adjustability
• 26.6 inch seat height (laden)

9 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

Horsepower: 94 HP

The Street Bob is arguably the most well-rounded of all of Harley-Davidson’s cruiser models. The lightest of the Softails, the Street Bob borrows the nimble, user-friendly nature of its Sportster brethren and combines it with the larger size and appeal of the Softail family. Housed on the medium-sized Softail frame, the Street Bob by design is capable of maintaining the rider’s comfort better than the Sportsters with their smaller frames.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 119 LB-FT

This also means that many other Softails like the Street Bob are more friendly towards passengers. But with the Street Bob in mind, this bike arrives fresh from the factory with its own blacked-out pair of mini-ape handlebars, which are much better for the rider’s shoulders and back. It also comes with the mighty Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, which is currently the running standard for most of Harley’s inventory.

Comfort and Features

• Mini-Ape Handlebars
• 25.8 inch seat height (laden)
• Passenger seat and pegs
• Mid-controls
• A blank slate for personal customization

8 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114

Horsepower: 94 HP

If you were to close your eyes and picture a Harley-Davidson in your head, chances are the Fat Boy was the bike that first popped into your mind. First launched in 1990, the Fat Boy has been a major staple in Harley-Davidson’s lineup for over 30 years, and it got a big boost in popularity with a little help from Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 119 LB-FT

Just based on looks alone, this bike was made for those long cruises on the highway and wide roads. This bike was made for riders who want to take it easy, as made evident by its stock floorboards, which is a feature largely absent from most of the Softail family. Of course, with that Milwaukee-Eight 114 and an empty straightaway, the temptation to crank that throttle is always there.

Comfort and Features

• Steamroller Tires
• Low-profile design
• Floorboards
• 25.9-inch seat height
• LED headlamp

7 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim

Horsepower: 86 HP

If you take a Fat Boy and put it on a diet and make it use the Stairmaster, the end result is the Softail Slim. Very much similar to its bulkier brother, this bike could be nominated for one of the best chill-out motorcycles of all time. Low to the ground, comfortable on the feet, and much easier to maneuver than the Fat Boy, the Softail Slim checked off a lot of boxes in would could be deemed a well-rounded badass bike.

• Displacement: 107 cubic inches (1,740 cc)
• Torque: 110 LB-FT

Despite being discontinued in 2021, anybody lucky enough to get their hands on one won’t be in a rush to get rid of them anytime soon. If anything, they’ve got everything one could need for long-term ownership. It has the simplified design and comfortable riding experience everyone desires, as well as the versatility to be one of the most customizable bikes on the market.

Comfort and Features

• 25.5-inch seat height
• Floorboards
• User-friendly handling
• Adjustable rear mono shock

6 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special

Horsepower: 150 HP

While we are on the topic of well-rounded Harley-Davidsons, let’s move on to the motorcycle that really knows what it means to be ambidextrous… the Pan America 1250 Special. Because being a comfortable ride on the road just isn’t enough. So Harley-Davidson entered the Adventure motorcycle market with a serious contender that is just as reliable on the road as it is through the dirt, mud, and sand.

• Displacement: 76.4 cubic inches (1,250 cc)
• Torque: 94 LB-FT

This bike features mid-mount foot controls to keep its riders in a comfortable and upright seating position as they embark off to theoretically anywhere. Plus, the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250 engine packs enough power to rip through any kind of terrain. So you can imagine how fast this bike can fly on the drag strip.

Comfort and Features

• Adaptive Ride Height
• Semi-Active Front and Rear Suspension
• Multiple Ride Modes
• 6.9 inches of ground clearance

5 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 114

Horsepower: 94 HP

If we are going to have a list of comfortable cruisers with loads of underlying power, you know we’re going to have to talk about the Heritage Classic 114. One look at this bike, and you can immediately tell that the R&D team at Harley-Davidson had comfort take top priority.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 119 LB-FT

A member of the Softail family, this bike blurs the lines between casual cruiser and long-distance tourer. From its extra-cushy seat, floorboards, five-gallon fuel tank, and detachable windscreen, the Heritage Classic always looks like it is ready to hit the highway. Best of all, when compared to the larger touring bikes, the Heritage Classic can do everything they can do, but at 100 pounds lighter!

Comfort and Features

• Comfortable touring seat
• Floorboards
• Detachable Windscreen
• Leather-bound saddlebags
• LED headlights

4 Harley-Davidson Road King Special

Horsepower: 100 HP

This is the part of the list where things get really exciting. Because we are about to enter the Harley-Davidson touring class, where comfort and power go together like peanut butter and jelly. And the next entry happens to be the very foundation of the touring family, the Road King Special.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 122 LB-FT

Built on a large touring frame, the Road King Special is designed to distribute large amounts of weight much better than the Sportster and Softail classes, which makes it such a reliable bike for passengers. It also comes with an extra large touring seat and floorboards to keep its riders happy and relaxed for those long weekend rides down the highway and through the back roads. Plus, its Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine can even take sport bike riders by surprise at how fast this motorcycle can be!

Comfort and Features

• Larger, Steel touring frame
• Mini-Ape Handlebars
• Stretched Saddlebags
• Floorboards
• Larger touring seat

3 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special & Road Glide Special

Horsepower: 100 HP

The next two bikes on this list are a perfect example of when sibling rivalry meets the Harley-Davidson world. The Street Glide Special and the Road Glide Special, which are arguably the two most popular Harley-Davidsons on the market, continue the touring family’s focus on comfort and power, but add in their own personal style.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 122 LB-FT

The Street Glide Special rocks its signature Batwing fairing that turns with the handlebars and keeps its touchscreen infotainment system in arm’s reach. Meanwhile, the Road King Special dons its fixed Shark Nose fairing, which is mounted to the frame of the bike instead of the handlebars. Both of these fairings, aside from amping up the curb appeal of these bikes, are also meant to protect their riders from wind, dirt, debris, bugs, and anything else they might encounter while out on a cross-country road trip.

Comfort and Features

• BOOM!™ BOX GTS Infotainment System
• AM/FM Radio and Speakers
• High-performing front and rear suspension
• ABS
• Cruise Control

2 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited

Horsepower: 100.5 HP

We’ve already established that Harley-Davidson knows how to make comfortable and powerful motorcycles. Well, the bar has been raised even more now that we’ve arrived at the Road Glide Limited. While the Road Glide Special can be ridden from around town, on the highway, and through the city, the Road Glide Limited is a bike designed exclusively for the open road.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 122 LB-FT

This much is evident by its designated passenger seat that comes with a backrest, an extra set of speakers, and mini floorboards. Nicknamed “dressers”, these kinds of jumbo-sized touring bikes are best utilized for those cross-country road trips you have been dreaming about. These bikes are so comfortable that many passengers will confess to falling asleep in the back!

Comfort and Features

• Extra-comfortable two-up touring seat
• Floorboards for rider and passenger
• Premium Tour-Pak for additional storage
• BOOM!™ BOX GTS Infotainment System

1 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra

Horsepower: 100.5 HP

We’ve reached the end of the line, which means we’ve also reached the final frontier of power and comfort in the Harley-Davidson world. And what better model to conclude this list’s emphasis on exciting, and comfortable cruisers than with the Tri Glide Ultra! Somewhat similar to the Road Glide Limited, the Tri Glide Ultra also features an extremely cushy saddle with room for two, floorboards, and an infotainment system. But this bike has a few key differences.

• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1,870 cc)
• Torque: 121 LB-FT

The most obvious is the third wheel, which means its riders never have to worry about balancing this bike ever again. The other is its use of a parking brake instead of a kickstand to hold it in place. For many riders, this is their final motorcycle. So it only makes sense that it is as exciting as a Harley, and as comfortable as a couch.

Comfort and Features

• Two-Up saddle
• Electronic Reverse
• Batwing Fairing
• Trunk and King Tour-Pak for storage
• BOOM!™ BOX GTS Infotainment System