For roughly the 2016–2026 model years, these six Harley-Davidson motorcycles stand out for distinctive design, performance, competition influence, or unusual capability. “Badass” is a subjective editorial label, not an official Harley-Davidson ranking; the model years matter because specifications and equipment can change between generations.
This shortlist includes cruisers, performance baggers, and an adventure-sport motorcycle, so it compares each bike in the context of its intended role. The figures below are manufacturer specifications where given, not results from an independent comparison test.
How this shortlist was chosen
The motorcycles are included for one or more of these reasons: performance, distinctive or aggressive design, competition connection, or capability beyond the usual expectations for their category. Harley-Davidson’s sources confirm the models and details noted here, but do not establish a definitive ranking. The numbering below is for readability, not a claim that one bike objectively outranks another.
Six standout Harley-Davidson motorcycles
| Motorcycle | Model year | Why it stands out | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Rider S | 2016 | Early performance-focused addition to the lineup | Cruiser |
| CVO Pro Street Breakout | 2016 | Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 and drag-racing-inspired character | Custom cruiser |
| Low Rider ST | 2022 | Milwaukee-Eight 117 and frame-mounted fairing | Performance cruiser |
| CVO Road Glide ST | 2026 | High-output engine and a connection to bagger racing inspiration | Performance bagger |
| CVO Street Glide ST | 2026 | High-output engine, selectable Track modes, and remote-reservoir suspension | Performance bagger |
| Pan America 1250 ST | 2026 | Street-tuned adventure-sport capability and 150 hp | Adventure-sport/touring |
1. 2016 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
Harley-Davidson introduced the Low Rider S as a 2016 model, making it an early anchor for a decade of performance-oriented choices. Its place on this list reflects that role in the lineup; the available research does not establish a comparative test result or a definitive performance ranking.
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2. 2016 Harley-Davidson CVO Pro Street Breakout
The 2016 CVO Pro Street Breakout brought a factory-custom approach with a drag-racing attitude. Harley-Davidson’s launch announcement identifies its Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110. Its distinctive character and specialized CVO positioning make it a notable contrast to the more conventional cruiser format.
3. 2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
Harley-Davidson introduced the Low Rider ST in 2022 with a Milwaukee-Eight 117 and a frame-mounted fairing. The fairing is a defining part of the model: Harley-Davidson design vice president Brad Richards said its shape was inspired by the classic FXRT Sport Glide fairing favored by West Coast customizers.
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The Low Rider ST earns a place here for combining a cruiser format with a fairing design linked to custom-bike influence. Its equipment and engine details should be understood as specific to the model year being discussed, rather than assumed to apply to every Low Rider ST generation.
4. 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
For the 2026 model year, Harley-Davidson lists the CVO Road Glide ST with a Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine rated at 127 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent test measurements.
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Harley-Davidson describes the model as drawing inspiration from its factory racing presence in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers. That is a racing connection, not proof that the road-going motorcycle is itself a race bike. Its combination of bagger format and high-output powertrain makes it one of the lineup’s performance-focused standouts.
5. 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST
The 2026 CVO Street Glide ST is another performance-bagger option. Harley-Davidson lists a 121 High Output engine rated at 127 hp, selectable Track and Track+ modes, and remote-reservoir suspension. Those features give it a different character from a touring model chosen primarily for conventional comfort and equipment.
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Including both CVO ST baggers recognizes that they are separate models with different designs and equipment. It does not imply that this shortlist is a head-to-head test or that either has been independently shown to outperform the other.
6. 2026 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST
The Pan America 1250 ST is a street-tuned adventure-sport and touring motorcycle, not a cruiser or bagger. Harley-Davidson lists 150 hp for the 2026 model and highlights a clutchless quickshifter, adaptive ride height, and 17-inch wheels.
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Its inclusion broadens the list beyond Harley’s familiar cruiser and touring categories. The Pan America 1250 ST stands out for a different kind of capability: a street-focused take on the adventure-sport format.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to keep in mind when comparing these bikes
- Check the model year. A nameplate can change engines and equipment across generations; do not apply one year’s specifications to another.
- Compare bikes by role. A performance bagger, cruiser, and adventure-sport model are designed for different uses. Horsepower alone does not make them directly comparable.
- Separate manufacturer figures from test results. The power figures here are Harley-Davidson specifications. The research does not establish an independent comparative ride test across these motorcycles.
- Treat the ranking as editorial. The sources verify particular models and details, but do not rank them as the ten “most badass” bikes.
FAQ
What does “badass” mean in this Harley-Davidson list?
It is an editorial description for motorcycles that stand out through performance, design, competition influence, or capability. It is not a Harley-Davidson award or an objective ranking.
Which Harley-Davidson has the highest listed horsepower here?
Among these examples, Harley-Davidson lists the 2026 Pan America 1250 ST at 150 hp. The 2026 CVO Road Glide ST and CVO Street Glide ST are each listed at 127 hp.
Is the CVO Road Glide ST a race motorcycle?
No. Harley-Davidson describes its racing inspiration through the company’s MotoAmerica King of the Baggers presence, but the CVO Road Glide ST is a production road motorcycle, not a race bike.
Are these the definitive ten best Harley-Davidson motorcycles of the last decade?
No. This is a six-bike editorial shortlist based on models and details supported by the research. The available sources do not verify a complete ten-bike ranking or establish an objective order.
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