10 American Motorcycles That Will Never Go Out of Style
Style is an integral element for us humans. This applies to everything–life partner, your hairstyle, or your motorcycles. Leaning on the latter, how a machine looks is what attracts you first; the spec sheet and riding feel come later. This is even more prevalent in the American market where motorcycles are passion purchases rather than commuters. So style plays a huge role in attracting customers, which is why all American bikemakers try to create pleasing bikes to look at. Only some have iconic designs that will never go out of style, though, and here are 10 such examples.
Janus Halcyon 450
Price: $12,495
The Halcyon 450 is the cheapest motorcycle here. But it’s also the most attractive if you’re into vintage designs. In fact, the design might be a little too retro for most of us. That’s because the inspiration comes from pre-war motorcycles with several handmade parts all over. Even the fenders are hand-formed.
Topping this is a leading-link front suspension, spoke wheels, and a saddle on springs. Things can get better as well, thanks to the customizable nature of the machine. Right from the seat, exhaust finish, and logo finish to the headlight, bar-end, and windscreen, Janus has an option for everything. Heck, even the tank cap can have custom 3D engraving!
Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Price: $14,999
The Street Bob is an iconic moniker in the Softail lineup. And since it came out, the bobbed-out aesthetic has attracted buyers. In its recent form, this is more powerful and loaded than ever before. Yet, the design is still very much like a Street Bob. Ape-hangers, puny headlight, fork gaiters, chopped fenders–these are the OG aesthetic touches.
You need to pay a fair bit extra to get the full retro experience, however. First, the two-up version costs $1,000 more. Then, $850 adds the laced wheels, while punchy colors like red and blue cost $650 more. The base bike has neither color options, a pillion saddle, nor laced wheels.
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
Price: $18,999
The Low Rider S is one of the more sporty-looking Softails on sale, and that’s been the case since its inception. A round headlight with a cowl, sporty alloy wheels, chopper-like plate mount, and blacked-out mechanicals all deserve credit for its appeal. Considering most of these have been retained for well over a decade now, we think the S isn’t going out of style anytime soon.
Oh, and in its latest avatar, you also get a chrome variant for $1,000 less than the blacked-out version. This swaps the matte black elements for chrome touches all over. We still think the blacked-out variant feels more OG Low Rider-like, though.
Indian Chief Vintage
Price: $19,999
Nostalgia has always turned heads, and it will keep on doing that. Going all in on this idea is the new Chief Vintage. There’s direct inspiration from old-school Indian bikes from the 1940s, evident from the massive valanced fenders and sprung solo saddle. We also love the lit-up headdress up top–a rarity on modern-day cruisers.
The retro flavor is present in the mechanical equipment, too. The forks are telescopic with beefy covers, the wheels have wires, and the subframe and rear suspension are neatly tucked under the fender for a hardtail look. Oh, and the V-twin engine is fully air-cooled.
Buell Hammerhead
Price: $20,995
The Hammerhead won’t go out of style primarily because of its exclusivity. No other American bikemaker has whipped up a superbike like this in a really long time, and we doubt they will in the near future. At the same time, the design feels like the OG superbikes of yore, as the angular bodywork with curvy lights and no wings set it apart from the new-age rivals. A special mention goes to the perimeter front disc and star-shaped rear wheel.
What you’ll also appreciate is the plethora of color options. There are seven in total, out of which four have a solid finish, one has a raw carbon texture, and the other two are multi-finish options. The most dapper has to be the Freedom Edition with triple colors and star graphics to mimic the US flag.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price: $22,599
This right here is a Hollywood icon, thanks to its pairing with a certain Terminator. Ever since, the Fat Boy has lured customers worldwide, and its design only sweetens the deal. Lakester wheels are perhaps the most iconic element, but we also dig the large headlight, curvy handlebar, and the ultra-wide rear fender.
In 2026, you can also add some distinct colorways. Brilliant Red adds some spicy charm to the overall chromed-out package, while the flagship Olive Steel Metallic brings dual-tone swagger. These cost extra money over the already premium base MSRP, though.
Harley-Davidson Breakout
Price: $22,999
A chopper-like aesthetic always turns heads, and the Breakout is arguably the fanciest mass-market option. In fact, the design has so many fans that Harley had to bring it back to the US after initially discontinuing it. What makes this stand out, you ask? Well, bits like a 21-inch multi-spoke front wheel, heavybreather intake, 240-section rear tire, and chrome touches all over. We also dig the raked-out forks.
In its latest avatar, the attention to detail has gone up, too. There’s more focus on the front wheel (thanks to the smaller headlight), the tank is sleeker, and the colorways are punchier than before. All that makes it a unique proposition today. There’s simply nothing like it from any other American brand.
Indian Springfield
Price: $23,999
With the Road King gone, the Springfield is your best bet at a stripped-back bagger. And its base variant looks properly eye-catching. Credit here goes to the details, including the chrome handlebar, forks, engine, and exhaust. Even the saddlebag, two-up saddle, and crash protectors have chrome touches. Valanced fenders and a tank-mounted cluster further up the nostalgia.
If this is a bit too much chrome, you can also get the Darkhorse variant. That swaps most of the chrome with a blacked-out finish, while also ditching the valanced fenders, windscreen, and auxiliary lights. The colors are also monotone, unlike the dual-tone finish on the base bike.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Price: $24,999
The Street Glide and Road Glide are both icons in the American bagger space. But with their recent overhauls, we feel the Street Glide follows the OG design language better. The batwing fairing looks brilliant and modern, while still maintaining the charm of yesteryear. Color-matched saddlebags, a hefty helping of chrome, and uber-stylish dual-tone wheels please the eyes further.
Color options are aplenty, but two in particular are really attractive in a long-term context. We’re talking about Teal Thunder and Midnight Ember. The former has a dual-tone finish, while the latter pays homage to Harley’s history with stunning graphics all over the body.
Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR
Price: >$100,000
We had to go big for the final one, and what better than Harley’s wildest bagger ever. The CVO Road Glide RR is the world’s only race-spec bagger legal for regular road riding. Everything is one-of-a-kind here, including the design. This comprises:
- Bespoke livery
- Carbon bodywork
- Carbon saddlebags
- Billet swingarm
- Billet triple-tree
- Special bellypan
- Race-inspired leather saddle with special upholstery
The exclusivity adds to the experience. Only 131 units went on sale, all of which have since sold out. Considering Harley’s focus on the budget side of things now, we might not see such an insane bagger from the brand again. Safe to say it won’t go out of style, then.
Source: Various Manufacturers
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