We’re Making It Official: This Is The Best Used Harley To Buy In 2026
Buying a new Harley-Davidson has never been an easy task. After all, this is a premium brand that has a lot of exotic machines. Many of these cost more than a regular car at times. Thus, taking one home requires wealth accumulation for years, explaining why the average owner age for Harley is well over 40 years.
There is an easier way, though: the used market. If you play your cards right, you can get a proper premium Harley-Davidson tourer from not so long ago, saving up at least $5,000-7,000, without compromising on any of the new-age goodies. If that tickles your fancy, you’re in the right place, as we’re about to tell you the best used Harley in 2026.
What Makes A Used Harley-Davidson Worth Considering In 2026
Picking the ‘best’ used Harley is no easy task. If you sit and start researching, you’ll realize it’s a virtually endless pit with a variety of models. Something like an Iron 883 can be the ideal pick for a new entrant to the Harley cruiser world, thanks to its dependability and ease of use. At the other end, a premium CVO from a few years ago can be a great pick for an experienced Harley enthusiast chasing an exotic experience on a budget.
That’s why setting some boundaries is important. First things first, the used Harley needs to be high value and more attainable compared to the current lineup. That means depreciation should have done its magic, and the price of entry should save you a sizable sum without any massive compromises.
Secondly, the newer the platform, the better it is. That means you’ll have an easier time finding replacement parts, and you’ll have peace of mind that the motorcycle is following the latest production standards. Bonus points if the motorcycle belongs to the premium end of the lineup (for instance, the Grand America Touring range).
Finally, the motorcycle should be on par with modern-day performance requirements. That means no aged/discontinued engine platforms or outdated-feeling mechanical equipment in the underpinning department. This helps make the motorcycle more relevant for coming years rather than having you crave an upgrade in months.
The 2024 Street Glide Is The Best Used Harley Today
Taking all that into account, the MY24 Street Glide comes out as the best used Harley you should consider. A look at Harley’s official certified used bike portal reveals several low-mileage examples listed between $18,000 and $19,000. That’s essentially entry-level Softail money for a Grand American Touring bike. Some examples even have optional paints, an optional blacked-out engine bay, and additional accessories, which only sweeten the deal.
You’re Saving Almost $9,000 Here
Taking $18,500 as the average, you’re saving around $6,500 over the MY26 Street Glide base model. Oh, and the current base model doesn’t have a pillion seat or pegs. You’ll have to pay $2,000 more for that. Add the optional paint prices, and you’re saving almost $9,000 over the current two-up Street Glide. As lip-smacking as the deal seems, we suggest you do your due diligence and inspect the bike thoroughly before signing the cheque.
The 2024 Street Glide Has Identical Equipment To The 2026 Street Glide
This is where things get even better. You see, the Street Glide got a massive overhaul for MY24 that brought upgrades to nearly every aspect. In 2026, Harley is still selling essentially the same bike with the exact same equipment. That means little to no compromise when buying a 2024 example while still saving a lot of moolah. Speaking of which, here’s a lowdown on what all you get.
A Specially Tuned Milwaukee-Eight 117 Engine With 105 HP
A big part of the update is the engine. You get a new Milwaukee-Eight 117 Twin-Cooled powerhouse with a handful of internal updates. These help produce 105 horsepower and 130 pound-feet, with torque peaking at just 3,250 RPM. All the power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission, driven by a belt. Want more performance? Harley has an assortment of performance upgrades as official accessories. Exhaust systems, high-flow intakes, velocity stacks–you’ll easily find them all, since this is the same engine you get in the current bike.
Moving on, even with the near-class-leading performance (among US tourers), the engine is still decently efficient. Harley says you can eke out 44 miles per gallon, equating to a total range of over 250 miles in one tank (with a capacity of six gallons). So you won’t have to make repeated fuel stops.
Sturdy Steel Frame Works With Showa Suspension
Like the engine, the chassis components are up there with the best. Harley’s double-cradle steel touring chassis nestles the engine, while sitting on Showa suspension. The front end has 49 mm telescopic forks, joined by dual outboard shock absorbers at the rear. Rear preload adjustability is present to help you deal with varying loads effectively. Topping things off is a set of 19/16-inch alloy wheels, where the front has dual discs and the rear a single rotor. All three have Brembo-made calipers for biting force.
You’ll need all of that force, too, since this is a large tourer. Its curb weight is a sizable 811 pounds fully wet, backed by a 94.9-inch length and 38.4-inch width. This in turn ensures a spacious riding position with a low 26.4-inch saddle height and rock-solid stability for highway duties. We’re not too sure about the low-speed maneuvers, though.
The Tech Package Is As Modern As You’d Expect
For the longest time, Harley kept its premium tech under the “optional” equipment. So you had to pay extra to get extra safety. That changed with the 2024 Street Glide. Thus, you get one of the most advanced tech suites ever on a Harley tourer. Six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire work in tandem to enable safety aids like cornering ABS, cornering traction control, drag-torque slip control, cornering linked brakes, and ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain, Custom).
This is topped with an army of creature comforts for improving the touring experience. Cruise control and vehicle hold control are standard, along with two speakers with an amplifier. Finally, you access all of these via a gigantic 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen, armed with Apple CarPlay for full-screen navigation. In case you’re wondering, yes, this is the same TFT as the latest and greatest Harley full-dresser bikes.
Source: Harley-Davidson
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