5 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles For Cross Country Riding

For the Long Haul

While Harley-Davidson owners are known for a lot of things, one of the most celebrated activities folks like this participate in on their bikes is the great old American road trip. For quite a few years, Harley riders have taken to the highways and interstates, soaking up the miles in a unique, open-air way that symbolizes what this great country is all about. H-D is well aware of this fact, and offers a number of models that are designed to provide long-term comfort - and we've rounded up a list of some of the very best choices in that regard.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Low Rider ST

The Low Rider ST is - like the name suggests - a sport touring version of the Low Rider S, which is one of the very best-selling models in Harley's lineup. The Low Rider ST is a lighter machine than the typical long-haul tourer, which could be appealing to some and a turn-off to others. Regardless, for those that don't want a big, bulky touring bike, the Low Rider ST has a lot to offer, from its powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant to its fixed fairing that protects one from bugs and other flying objects.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Fat Boy 114

The Fat Boy has always been about brash, in-your-face, classic style, but it's also designed to be a comfortable road tripper thanks to its floorboards, fat tires, and forward controls. One will likely want to add a few things if they plan on taking the Fat Boy 114 on longer trips, such as a windshield and saddlebags, but this is a big, comfy cruiser that can easily soak up miles with the best of them.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Heritage Classic

The Heritage Classic comes straight from the factory with long-distance travel in mind, thanks to its bags, floorboards, windshield, and forward controls, and it's a bit smaller and lighter than the Road King, to boot. That makes it easier to manage for those who aren't physically able to handle big, heavy bikes, but it's still a competent tourer at the same time.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Road Glide/Street Glide

Of course, it's hard to beat the Road Glide and Street Glide when it comes time to hit the highway and log some miles. There are some differences here, most notably, the Street Glide's batwing-style fixed fairing, which is filled with niceties like a touchscreen and speakers, adding a few more frills to the more basic Road King. However, that latter model is no slouch either - choosing between the two really just boils down to personal preference. 

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Pan America

The Pan America is something of an unconventional choice here, given the fact that it's an adventure bike, and not necessarily a touring machine. However, that actually plays into its favor, as the Pan America is suitable for riding on all sorts of surfaces, and it touts an upright riding position and loads of amenities that make it pleasant for long trips, to boot. 

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join in the conversation about these great Harleys right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.