10 Powerful Used Harleys You Can Buy Without CVO Money
Harley-Davidson knows how to make an expensive motorcycle tempting, and the CVO lineup sits at the top of the Harley power hierarchy. A new 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST starts at $44,999. That’s a considerable commitment if what you really want is a strong engine and a motorcycle you’ll enjoy riding. Harley has built plenty of those outside its CVO lineup, and the ten used models here carry J.D. Power average retail values below $17,000. Some deliver their best work low in the rev range, while others reward holding a gear longer than a traditional Big Twin would suggest. The prices quoted are for the model years listed; expect individual bikes to vary with condition, mileage, and modifications.
10
2016 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
The original Low Rider S combined the Dyna’s twin-shock chassis with a Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 and an exposed Heavy Breather intake. Harley backed the engine with a six-speed transmission. Mid-mounted controls and a compact fairing established its performance-cruiser character, and the gold wheels give it a nice finishing touch.
Harley upgraded the suspension at both ends and fitted dual front discs to go with the larger engine. ABS and cruise control were standard, too. J.D. Power puts average retail at $12,790, so the original Low Rider S still asks a fair amount of a used buyer. The reason to consider it is how much came fitted from the factory, especially when the alternative is a modified Dyna with little documentation of the work.
9
2014 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle
The V-Rod Muscle’s 1,247cc Revolution engine delivers a different kind of Harley performance, using liquid cooling and double overhead camshafts. Harley advertised 122 horsepower. That output arrives at higher revs than traditional Big Twin riders might expect. Getting the most from this engine means getting higher in the rev range.
The Muscle comes with an inverted fork and Brembo brakes, but you still sit with your feet stretched forward and a wide rear tire behind you. That riding position deserves a test fit before the engine sells you on the bike. J.D. Power puts average retail at $10,560, making it one of the less expensive motorcycles here despite its 122-horsepower rating.
8
2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114
The Fat Bob changed substantially for 2018, replacing its Dyna underpinnings with the redesigned Softail platform and a concealed rear monoshock. The 1,868cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 provides the muscle. Four valves per cylinder distinguish it from the earlier Twin Cam engines. Its broad tires and rectangular headlamp make the generational change just as obvious from the curb.
A 43mm inverted fork and dual front discs complement the larger engine, giving buyers more to consider than its unusual appearance. J.D. Power lists average retail at $11,610. Verify the engine when comparing advertisements. Harley also sold a Fat Bob 107 that year, so matching paint and bodywork don’t necessarily mean matching displacement.
7
2016 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy S
The Fat Boy S put a counterbalanced Twin Cam 110B beneath the familiar broad tank and disc-style wheels. Harley rated it at 108 lb-ft of torque. Floorboards and a low seat give it a different riding position from the Low Rider S. Blacked-out finishes reinforce the heavier, more traditional cruiser silhouette.
Its six-speed transmission and belt final drive preserve familiar Harley hardware, with the engine supplying the main reason to seek out the S. Average retail is $11,000. That makes accurate model identification worthwhile when browsing listings. A regular Fat Boy with black accessories might resemble it, but appearance alone doesn’t confirm the engine.
6
2020 Harley-Davidson FXDR 114
The FXDR looks like it’s reaching for the next traffic light, with a forward-facing intake, abbreviated tail, and enormous rear tire. Its Milwaukee-Eight 114 produces a factory-rated 119 lb-ft of torque. It has an aluminum swingarm that distinguishes it from other Softails. Harley’s drag-racing influence shows in the intake design, although this remains a street motorcycle with street-bike compromises.
The long proportions and forward controls deserve as much consideration as the engine, especially for buyers who prefer a compact riding position. Average retail is $12,590. That puts it close to the older Low Rider S. Choosing between them comes down to which chassis and riding position suit you, rather than assuming the larger engine settles the question.
5
2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114
Harley upgraded the Street Bob to Milwaukee-Eight 114 power for 2021, increasing to 119 lb-ft. Its appearance remained deliberately sparse. This model has chopped fenders, and adds a small digital display integrated into the riser.
At $10,535 average retail, this is one of the less expensive routes into the 114-powered models here. A passenger pillion and footpegs came standard. The 3.5-gallon tank nevertheless deserves consideration if longer trips feature in your plans. The Street Bob makes particular sense when the engine matters more than factory luggage, extensive instrumentation, or substantial wind protection.
4
2019 Harley-Davidson Road King Special
The Road King Special gives you room for a passenger and a pair of hard saddlebags, with a Milwaukee-Eight 114 handling the extra load. It makes sense for someone who wants to take longer trips without moving into a fully faired bagger. You’ll still be out in the wind, sitting behind mini-ape handlebars with no standard windshield ahead of you. Black finishes and stretched bags give it a custom look without sacrificing the luggage space that makes a touring bike useful.
Average retail reaches $16,625, the highest figure in this selection. That premium buys useful touring equipment alongside the engine. Weight still matters, so sharing a displacement figure with a Softail doesn’t promise identical acceleration. Riders who need luggage space and a touring platform have a stronger reason to spend the difference than those shopping solely for stoplight performance.
3
2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
The Low Rider ST is for someone who wants the Softail format, but also wants wind protection and somewhere to pack for a weekend. Its frame-mounted fairing takes its shape from the old FXRT, and the saddlebags can be taken off. The main attraction is the Milwaukee-Eight 117 rated at 103 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. Harley paired that engine with an inverted fork and taller rear suspension, giving the ST more ground clearance for corners.
J.D. Power’s $16,575 average retail valuation puts those two motorcycles almost level on price. Their priorities differ considerably. The ST suits riders who want the Softail format with travel equipment already fitted. It also avoids buying a stripped-down cruiser first, then paying separately for the fairing, bags, and mounting hardware needed to finish the job.
2
2010 Harley-Davidson XR1200
The Road King Special gives you room for a passenger and a pair of hard saddlebags, with a Milwaukee-Eight 114 handling the extra load. It makes sense for someone who wants to take longer trips without moving into a fully faired bagger. You’ll still be out in the wind, sitting behind mini-ape handlebars with no standard windshield ahead of you. Black finishes and stretched bags give it a custom look without sacrificing the luggage space that makes a touring bike useful.
An inverted fork and dual front discs reinforce that distinction, making the XR worth considering for roads with corners between the straights. Average retail is just $4,420. It’s the least expensive benchmark in this group by a considerable margin. On an older example, that leaves more budget for tires, suspension servicing, and catching up on deferred maintenance.
1
2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S
The Sportster S takes the biggest mechanical step away from traditional Harley hardware, using a liquid-cooled, 1,252cc Revolution Max 1250T. Claimed output is 121 horsepower. Variable valve timing helps broaden the engine’s operating range. At a factory-listed 502 pounds in running order, it also carries substantially less weight than the large cruisers here.
Adjustable suspension and cornering-sensitive rider aids accompany the engine, although the original rear suspension offers only two inches of travel. Average retail is $10,605. That combination makes it particularly interesting beside older, similarly priced Harleys. If modern engine performance matters more than pushrod architecture or traditional styling, the Sportster S gives the used buyer plenty to work with.
Source: Harley-Davidson, J.D. Power
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