10 New Harleys That Redefine American Cruising In 2025


Over the decades, Harley-Davidson has not just built motorcycles; it’s crafted the very essence of American cruising. From the unmistakable roar of early Knuckleheads and Panheads to the chrome-drenched Softails and Dynas, the cruisers and tourers have always been defined by powerful V-twin engines, low-slung profiles, and a riding position that exudes laid-back confidence.

But Harley isn’t one to rest on its legendary past. Instead, the brand is constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of what a cruiser can be. For 2025, it is redefining the ride by infusing that timeless spirit with cutting-edge technology, enhanced performance, and a style that feels both classic and completely new. Whether you’re chasing raw torque, head-turning design, or long-haul comfort, these ten machines are rewriting the rules of what it means to ride free.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Harley-Davidson. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.

Harley-Davidson Nightster Special

Starting Price: $12,499

Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
2025 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
Harley-Davidson

While the standard Nightster offers plenty of cruiser charm at an appealing price point, the Nightster Special takes things further by adding everything the base model leaves out, including a pillion seat. What you get is a lightweight, compact machine powered by a lively, liquid-cooled 975cc V-twin. It may be the smallest in Harley’s lineup, but with 91 horsepower on tap, it delivers more than enough muscle for effortless cruising.

Further, you get rider-focused tech upgrades with selectable Ride Modes (Road, Rain, and Sport), giving you the freedom to tailor your ride with the flick of a switch. The vintage peanut-shaped tank and classic Sportster silhouette remain, but they’re now paired with a West Coast-inspired headlight fairing and a full LED lighting setup.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled Rev Max 975T V-Twin

Displacement

975 cc

Power

91 HP

Torque

72 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

483 pounds

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Starting Price: $15,999

Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Sportster S cruising on the highway
Harley-Davidson

If the Nightster tips its hat to Harley’s heritage, the Sportster S flexes modern muscle with finesse. It stands as the most powerful cruiser in Harley’s 2025 lineup, building on an already impressive foundation with a recalibrated Revolution Max 1250T engine. With its lightweight chassis and aggressive stance, this is the sportiest Harley-Davidson on the road today. For 2025, Harley has dialed things up with a 60 percent increase in rear suspension travel, all while keeping the seat height unchanged for familiar ergonomics. Premium Brembo brakes enhance stopping power, and refined ride modes offer more control at your fingertips.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled Rev Max 1250T 60-degree V-Twin

Displacement

1,252 cc

Power

121 HP

Torque

93 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

502 pounds

Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic

Starting Price: $22,999

Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
Harley-Davidson

The Heritage Classic has always been the quintessential American touring cruiser, and in 2025, it’s more classic and powerful than ever before. Stepping up from the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, the latest model now boasts the new Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-Twin engine. The result is effortless highway cruising and confident passing power that makes long-distance rides feel almost too easy.

Its vintage-inspired design still turns heads, with leather-studded saddlebags and optional laced wheels preserving that iconic silhouette. But beneath the classic styling lies a suite of modern upgrades. New selectable Ride Modes give you more control over your ride, LED lighting enhances visibility across the board, and a redesigned rear suspension with under-seat preload adjustment ensures a smoother, more responsive experience.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 45-degree V-Twin

Displacement

1,917 cc

Power

98 HP

Torque

120 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

728 pounds

Harley-Davidson Breakout

Starting Price: $23,099

Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Breakout
Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Breakout
Harley-Davidson

The Breakout has always been a head-turner, built for riders who gravitate toward the chopper and drag bike aesthetic. With its massive 21-inch front wheel and kicked-out front forks, it stands alone in Harley’s lineup when it comes to bold, stretched styling. The long rake and beefy 240 mm rear tire deliver that unmistakable chopper stance, while a retuned rear suspension with easily adjustable hydraulic preload offers a surprisingly smooth ride beneath its aggressive silhouette.

For 2025, Harley takes things further with the new 117 Custom V-Twin, delivering a noticeable torque boost over the previous iteration. Alongside the power upgrade, the Breakout now features a comprehensive safety suite powered by a six-axis IMU, including cornering ABS, cornering traction control, drag-torque slip control, and tire pressure monitoring.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom V-Twin

Displacement

1,923 cc

Power

104 HP

Torque

126 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

681 pounds

Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST

Starting Price: $24,199

2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST front third quarter
2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST cruising over a bridge
Harley-Davidson

The Low Rider ST, with its West Coast-inspired fairing and saddlebags, has always been the sport-touring rebel. For 2025, it kicks things up a notch by packing the new Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output V-Twin engine, a significant performance jump from the previous 117. The new lightweight engine also helps reduce the bike’s overall weight, transforming it into a more nimble vehicle with even more agile handling. The new selectable Ride Modes and a full suite of Rider Safety Enhancements, all controlled through a new 4-inch display, mean you have total command of the road. For under $25k, it is the perfect blend of style, performance, and practicality, proving that a true American cruiser can be built for both attitude and adventure.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 H.O. V-Twin

Displacement

1,917 cc

Power

114 HP

Torque

128 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

712 pounds

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost Edition

Starting Price: $25,399

2025 Harley-Davidson Gray Ghost Static front quarter shot
2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy parked in a lot, Gray Ghost Static front quarter shot
Harley-Davidson

Right from the start, the Fat Boy has been an icon, one of the most commanding presences in Harley-Davidson’s lineup. To honor its legacy, the 2025 Fat Boy Gray Ghost Edition arrives as a limited-run masterpiece that blends premium finishes with unmistakable muscle. Its mirror-like physical vapor deposition chrome gleams with futuristic intensity, accented by subtle yellow highlights, and a leather tank strap that pays homage to the original Fat Boy. Beneath the striking exterior lies the new Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom engine, delivering the raw power and deep rumble you expect from a true performance cruiser.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom V-Twin

Displacement

1,917 cc

Power

101 HP

Torque

122 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

684 pounds

Harley-Davidson Street Glide

Starting Price: $27,749

Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Rider on a 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Harley-Davidson

When it comes to the touring lineup, the Street Glide has been the backbone of the American touring scene for nearly two decades. For 2025, it’s more performance-oriented than ever before, now powered by the liquid-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine—a significant upgrade for a base-model tour bike from the brand. The changes don’t stop there. The iconic Batwing fairing has been completely redesigned using computational fluid dynamics for improved aerodynamics and rider comfort, and it seamlessly integrates all-LED lighting. Meanwhile, the Skyline OS infotainment system, with its massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, is a quantum leap forward, putting a world of navigation, music, and ride data at your fingertips.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin

Displacement

1,923 cc

Power

105 HP

Torque

130 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

811 pounds

Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra

Starting Price: $30,749

2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra side profile accelerating view
2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra
Harley-Davidson

The Street Glide Ultra is Harley-Davidson’s newest full-dresser, stepping in to replace the outgoing Ultra Limited. For riders who want everything the Street Glide offers and more, the Ultra is the ultimate grand tourer. It shares the same Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom V-Twin engine and redesigned aerodynamic fairing, but adds a full-sized passenger seat with a supportive backrest and spacious tour-pack luggage for extended journeys. Designed for two-up touring, the Ultra also features a taller windshield for better wind protection, heated grips for added comfort in colder conditions, and a plush seat that makes long-distance travel feel effortless.​​​​​​​

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled cylinders/water-cooled heads, Milwaukee Eight 117 Custom 45 degree V-twin

Displacement

1,917 cc

Power

105 HP

Torque

130 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

866 pounds

Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra

Starting Price: $37,999

2025 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra on the road
2025 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra
Harley-Davidson

The Tri Glide Ultra is for the rider who wants the ultimate in stability and comfort without sacrificing the Harley-Davidson experience. As the most powerful V-twin-powered trike in the Harley lineup, it’s hard to miss on the road with its classic Street Glide front and that extra wheel of confidence. The 2025 model is powered by the Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, providing ample power to move its impressive weight and cargo capacity. And with an electric reverse gear, even backing up is a breeze.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled cylinders/water-cooled heads, Milwaukee Eight 114 45 degree V-twin

Displacement

1,868 cc

Power

93 HP

Torque

120 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual electric reverse gear

Weight

1,237 pounds

Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST

Starting Price: $44,999

Rider sitting on a 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Rider sitting on a 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Harley-Davidson

While the standard Road Glide is already one of Harley’s best options for comfortable long-distance touring, the CVO Road Glide ST elevates the experience to an entirely new level. Drawing inspiration from Harley-Davidson’s championship-winning King of the Baggers race bikes, this machine is engineered to be the most performance-focused bagger the brand has ever built for the masses.

It’s a major leap forward from previous Custom Vehicle Operations models, powered by the new Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output V-Twin engine that delivers staggering performance. Lightweight carbon-fiber components, including the front and rear fenders, shave off considerable weight, while the race-tuned suspension with fully adjustable Showa shocks ensures a ride that’s both agile and composed.

Performance Specifications

Engine Type

Air-cooled cylinders/liquid-cooled heads, Milwaukee Eight 121 H.O. 45 degree V-twin

Displacement

1,917 cc

Power

127 HP

Torque

145 LB-FT

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Weight

838 pounds