Harley-Davidson has built some of the most iconic motorcycles in the world, but even legends have their off days. Over the decades, Harley has had a few models that left riders scratching their heads, wondering who signed off on the design or the engineering. From underpowered misfires to quality control nightmares, here are ten Harleys that belong in the hall of shame.
Harley Davidson AMF Era Sportster (1971 to 1981)
When AMF bought Harley in the early 1970s, they tried to increase production — and it showed in the quality. Sportsters from this period became infamous for oil leaks, electrical gremlins, and parts that seemed to fall off at the worst times. While they still had that classic Sportster style, the workmanship was so poor that many riders avoided them entirely. Today, AMF Sportsters are a cautionary tale in what happens when quantity takes priority over quality.
Harley Davidson Buell Blast (2000 to 2009)
Buell was supposed to be Harley’s sporty, modern division, and the Blast was meant as a beginner’s bike. Instead, it turned into a single cylinder, buzzy, plasticky commuter that satisfied almost no one. The Blast’s underwhelming 492cc engine felt sluggish, the styling was awkward, and its cheap build quality did not win over new riders. It became more famous for Harley destroying unsold units in promotional videos than for any real success on the road.
Harley Davidson Street 500 and Street 750 (2014 to 2020)
Harley’s attempt at entry level, urban friendly motorcycles was a swing and a miss. Built largely in overseas factories, the Street series suffered from lacklustre performance, awkward ergonomics, and poor finishing. The liquid-cooled engines were fine in theory, but lacked the soul Harley riders wanted. In North America, they were criticized for looking like generic commuter bikes rather than anything tied to Harley’s heritage. The Street series faded quietly from the lineup.
Harley Davidson Topper Scooter (1960 to 1965)
Yes, Harley made a scooter once. The Topper was Harley’s answer to the rise of Vespa and Lambretta, but it was heavy, underpowered, and mechanically troublesome. Its 165cc two stroke engine had trouble with hills, and the belt drive system was prone to slipping. Harley’s loyal cruiser crowd did not embrace it, and scooter fans thought it was awkward. It is now remembered mostly as a strange side note in Harley history.
Harley Davidson V-Rod Muscle (2009 to 2017)
The V-Rod platform had potential with its Porsche designed, liquid cooled Revolution engine, but the Muscle version fell flat. It was supposed to be Harley’s modern performance cruiser, but its heavy weight, awkward ergonomics, and strange styling put off traditionalists while failing to fully win over sport cruiser fans. While it had serious power, the Muscle’s design just did not click with the Harley faithful, and it was eventually phased out.
Harley Davidson Sprint (1961 to 1974)
Harley’s partnership with the Italian brand Aermacchi brought us the Sprint, a small displacement single meant to compete with Japanese imports. Unfortunately, it was slow, unreliable, and mechanically odd compared to its competition. The riding position was awkward, and parts availability was a nightmare. While it did have some racing success in smaller classes, the road version was underwhelming and faded away as the Japanese brands dominated.
Harley Davidson Street Rod (2006 to 2007)
Not to be confused with the more recent Street Rod based on the Street 750, this model was a short lived variant of the V-Rod. It had higher footpegs, revised geometry, and an aim to be more sporty. In practice, it was uncomfortable, looked awkward, and still weighed far too much to compete with true sport bikes. Sales were so poor that Harley pulled it after just two years.
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