Over the years, Harley-Davidson bikes have been leaders in their segments. That isn’t surprising, because they also command a premium over their competitors. But the winds of change have been blowing for a while, and new blood requires new strategies. As a result, along with innovation, Harley has made the pricing more competitive without letting go of the premium feel and ownership experience. With this new age of Harleys that are cost-effective, should you still pick them over the competition? In the case of these ten products, that is an emphatic yes. These are the ten Harleys that outshine their closest competitors.
Harley-Davidson Nightster
Price: $9,999
Harley-Davidson Nightster leaning into a winding road, front third quarter cinematic shotHarley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson has been cutting prices across its range, but one of the first price drops of the current products was that of the Nightster, bringing it to under $10,000. That has suddenly made it a very good value. At that price, you get variable valve timing, a liquid-cooled engine that admits air-cooled tradition can’t win, a modern chassis, Brembo brakes, ride modes, traction control, ABS, drag-torque slip control, and the most powerful cruiser at its price.
Harley-Davidson
Engine Type
60° V-twin
Displacement
975 cc
Max Power
91 HP @ 7,500 RPM
Max Torque
72 LB-FT @ 5,750 RPM
Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Price: $15,999
Harley-Davidson
The current Sportster S is a major departure from the previous generation. It has a similar but bigger engine than the Nightster, with liquid cooling and a high-revving nature. It also has variable valve timing on all its valves, including the exhaust valves. The result is quite a flat torque spread and over 120 horsepower, which makes it laid back, but it still means business. It’s also quite modern electronically, with a TFT instrument cluster that offers Bluetooth and navigation, and a six-axis IMU that gives you lean-sensitive ABS, traction control, and drag torque slip control. At a price of under $16,000, that is plenty good value.
Harley-Davidson
Engine Type
60° V-twin
Displacement
1,252 cc
Max Power
121 HP @ 7,500 RPM
Max Torque
93 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM
Harley-Davidson Super Glide
Price: $15,999
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson has done a lot of limited-edition models over the years, but the latest one is an iconic name that has made a surprise comeback. The Super Glide has come out of nowhere for the 2026 model year, and not only is it a limited edition, but it also delivers incredible value. The motorcycle is based on the Street Bob, and if you add the pillion seat and laced rims to it, it will cost more than the Super Glide. Not only that, you get a fuel tank that holds 1.5 gallons more, and it has a seat that is 0.6 inches lower. Oh, and then there’s that red, white, and blue colorway. Why wouldn’t you want one of these?
Harley-Davidson
Engine
45° V-twin
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM
Max Torque
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM
Related
5 Harley-Davidsons You Should Buy New (And 5 That Are Better Bought Used)
You can get a used 122-horsepower Harley-Davidson cruiser, co-developed with Porsche, for under $10,000.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
Price: $19,999
Rider cruising on the open road on a blue 2026 Harley-Davidson Heritage ClassicHarley-Davidson
You can have V-twin cruisers in the classic American light touring mold from Japan as well as America, but none of them do it as well as the Heritage Classic. This is the American heritage bike built for old-school souls, with its lovely retro Harley-Davidson looks coupled with modern Harley-Davidson quality. The two-tone paint and spoke rims are an option, but the luggage, the contrast stitching, and the safety features of the six-axis IMU are all standard, and at the base price of under $20,000, it is a very good value as well.
Harley-Davidson
Engine
45° V-twin
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM
Max Torque
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price: $22,599
Harley-Davidson
If you’re talking about Harley-Davidsons that are better than their peers, the Fat Boy is at the top because there is no real competition for the Fat Boy. This is not just a well-known Harley-Davidson; it has become a symbol of Americana. The looks are such that it looks like nothing else, and globally, it is one of the most desired cruisers irrespective of the brand; there is no question then that the Fat Boy builds loyalty like nothing else. The bonus is that it has performance in spades, handles really well, and has a full safety suite.
Static cinematic rear third quarter shot of 2026 Harley-Davidson Fat BoyHarley-Davidson
Engine Type
45° V-twin
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
104 HP @ 4,800 RPM
Max Torque
126 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM
Harley-Davidson Breakout
Price: $22,999
A parked Harley-Davidson Breakout with rider walking up to itHarley-Davidson
The Breakout is the most aggressive-looking Harley cruiser because of its drag-bike styling with flat, wide handlebars, raked-out front forks, and a massive front wheel. There is no real competition to the Breakout. There is something available in the middleweight category, but none at the premium end with the V-twin engine. It has the Milwaukee-Eight engine powering it and the Softail chassis underpinning it, which means customization is easy. Safety also has not been left behind, thanks to the six-axis IMU, by-wire throttle, and tire pressure monitoring.
Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson BreakoutHarley-Davidson
Engine Type
45° V-twin
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
104 HP @ 4,800 RPM
Max Torque
126 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM
Related
The Cheapest Harley-Davidson That Still Feels Like A Harley
This chromed-out cruiser is the most affordable Harley-Davidson with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine at $14,999.
Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
Price: $23,999
2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST parked on a road, cinematic side shotHarley-Davidson
There are many cruisers that double up as light tourers with a few accessories, but only a few of them can legitimately be used as an option to purpose-built tourers. The Low Rider ST is one of them because it feels refined, comfortable, and ready for long-distance touring right from the factory. That is thanks to the visible accessories like the frame-mounted fairing and hard luggage, but also because of the mechanical advantages it has with the most powerful tune of the Milwaukee-Eight engine. It also has Harley’s full electronic suite with the six-axis IMU and by-wire throttle.
Harley-Davidson
Engine Type
45° V-twin
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
114 HP @ 5,000 RPM
Max Torque
128 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
Price: $44,999
A 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide is parked in front of a mountain, cinematic shotHarley-Davidson
The CVO Street Glide is one of the bikes that dominate America’s longest highways. As a rider, you’re going to appreciate this a little more because of the lighter weight than the Limited version. The creature comforts include a massive 12.3-inch TFT screen and continue with the Rockford Fosgate audio system. Mechanically, the Milwaukee-Eight 121 that powers the CVO Street Glide has variable valve timing on all its valves, which means better torque and more tank range. In addition, it has liquid cooling for its cylinder heads. Of course, you get Harley’s full safety suite as well, and this is one of the few Harleys whose options list need not be touched.
A 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide cornering hard on a mountain road, front third quarter cinematic shotHarley-Davidson
Engine Type
45° V-twin, VVT
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
115 HP @ 4,500 RPM
Max Torque
139 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST
Price: $44,999
2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST side shotJared Solomon / TopSpeed
The CVO Street Glide ST aims to be a new performance benchmark for the segment, and there isn’t a real challenger for it. The performance upgrades are derived from racing, and this is the wildest performance bagger you need to ride. Yes, it retains the creature comforts and benefits of a long-distance tourer like the fairing and hard luggage, but you also get wave brake discs for better heat dissipation, inverted front forks, and radial front brake calipers. The suspension is tuned for a compromise between track and tour, and you get extra ride modes that help you set a quicker lap time. This is a mad motorcycle, but it is also madly desirable.
image of 2026-harley-davidson-cvo-street-glide-st-rearJared Solomon / TopSpeed
Engine Type
45° V-twin
Displacement
1,917 cc
Max Power
127 HP @ 4,900 RPM
Max Torque
145 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM
Related
10 Harley Motorcycles That Last Practically Forever
From touring models to cruisers, all of these Harley-Davidson bikes are built to last.
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide Limited
Price: $51,999
Rider and passenger on a 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide LimitedHarley-Davidson
This is the full-fat full-dress tourer in Harley’s lineup. It is designed for comfort, but Harley has thrown all the premium touches it can at it. Take, for example, the 48 mm inverted front forks and the twin front brake discs with Brembo radial calipers. It has the Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine in a state of tune that is best for touring and somehow manages to extract 45 MPG from it. Of course, there is a full safety suite as well, and if you want to do a coast-to-coast trip, there is no equal.
Rider and passenger next to a 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide LimitedHarley-Davidson
Engine
45° V-twin, VVT
Displacement
1,983 cc
Max Power
115 HP @ 4,500 RPM
Max Torque
139 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM
Source: Harley-Davidson USA
