Ask a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owner which model they are riding, and they may answer “a Street Glide®” or “a Road Glide® ,” or the name for another model. But beneath that name is a second alpha-numeric code that has been assigned to just about every Harley-Davidson motorcycle throughout the company’s 121-year history. Today, few owners would say they are riding an FLHXS or an RA1250, but for many years the Harley-Davidson model code was often the only designation assigned to specific Harley-Davidson bikes, and knowing the logic behind that code was a point of pride for serious Harley fans.
Logic, however, often has not always applied to the code name assigned to new models. Which is why, even for experts, the “alphabet soup” of Harley-Davidson model codes can be confusing. From year to year, or decade to decade, the prefix, or first letters, in a model designation gave a pretty clear indicator of which platform or family to which the model belonged. For many years Harley-Davidson model name prefix derived from the engine family. In 1936 when the 61-cubic inch overhead valve V-Twin engine debuted, it received the designator “E”, and the base model with this engine was simply called the Model E. The letters following the prefix that designate the specific model sometimes made sense but could also seem to be totally random. The Model ES was the same bike with sidecar gearing, and the Model EL had the more-powerful, high-compression version of the E-series engine.
What we might today consider model names in the past often described a feature. So for example, Hydra Glide described the hydraulic front suspension introduced in 1949 across a line that included 10 models and two engine displacements – E for 61 cubic inches and F for 74 cubic inches.
Most letters in the alphabet have been used multiple times to designate certain models or their derivatives. To complicate things further, the meanings or designations of individual letters have changed over the years or meant different things in the same year on multiple models. For example, in 2005, the R suffix may be for a Roadster™ (XL883R) Road King® (FLHR) or Racing (VRSC). Or the C suffix may denote a Custom (FXDC) or Classic (FLHTC).
Today, an alpha-numeric motorcycle code is applied to each Harley-Davidson motorcycle and is often used in motorcycle parts and accessories fitment. It’s good for a rider to know their bike’s alpha-numeric code so they can better understand what part or accessory will fit their bike when they’re looking for a replacement. Here’s a list of 2024 models with the alpha-numeric code and the model name:
Here’s a list of 2025 models with the alpha-numeric code and the model name:
Adventure Touring
Sport
Cruiser
Grand American Touring
Trike
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Below is a list of some popular past and present Harley-Davidson bikes by model code and the model name:
You don’t have to be fluent in Harley-Davidson model codes to shop for new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles online at. Or visit your local authorized Harley-Davidson® dealer to learn more about motorcycle codes and find the right fit for your riding style today. You can also check out the latest motorcycle parts and accessories to complete your bike.
Did we miss your favorite Harley Davidson model code designation? Leave your favorite bike and its letter code in the comments below!
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$0 Down and as Low as 3.99% APR
*Financing Offer available only on select, untitled 2022 and 2023 Harley-Davidson® Grand American Touring, Adventure Touring, Trike, CVO™, Softail® and Custom motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank and is subject to credit approval. Touring models Road King® Special and Electra Glide® Highway King are excluded. Harley-Davidson® Anniversary and Icons Motorcycle Collection are excluded. Not all applicants will qualify as the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will vary based on the applicant’s past credit performance and the term of the loan. Financing offer is available only for up to a 60-month term. For example, a 2023 Street Glide® Special motorcycle in Bright Billiard Blue/Billiard Gray with Chrome Finish and an MSRP of $29,499, no down payment and amount financed of $29,499, 60-month repayment term, and 3.99% APR results in monthly payments of $543.14. In this example, customer is responsible for applicable taxes, title, licensing fees and any other fees or charges at the time of sale. APR is calculated according to the simple interest method. Not valid in conjunction with other offers. Customer must take delivery by October 31, 2024. This Financing Offer is valid during the period of August 27, 2024, to October 31, 2024. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Dealer participation may vary. Financing offer is subject to change or cancellation at anytime. See your Harley-Davidson® Dealership for details.
CUSTOMIZATION CREDIT
**Up to $2,000 incentive valid for in-dealership purchase of Genuine Harley-Davidson® Parts & Accessories and/or Apparel & Licensed merchandise in connection with the purchase of select Grand American Touring, Trike and Softail motorcycles valid at participating Harley-Davidson® dealerships within the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii. Offer valid toward the purchase of select new, untitled 2022 or 2023 Harley-Davidson® Grand American Touring, Trike and Softail motorcycles available and in stock at participating H-D® dealers between August 27, 2024 and October 31, 2024. Offer may not be available in all states. Touring models Road King® Special, Road Glide®, Street Glide® and Electra Glide® Highway King are excluded. Harley-Davidson® Anniversary, CVO™, Icons Motorcycle Collection and Police Duty Motorcycles are excluded. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Offer is subject to change at any time without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Dealer participation may vary. Additional restrictions apply, see your Harley-Davidson® Dealership for details.
Financing Offer available only on new 2024 Street Bob® 114 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank (ESB) and is subject to credit approval. Not all applicants will qualify. 4.35% APR offer is available only to high credit tier customers at ESB and only for a 48-month term. The APR may vary based on the applicant’s past credit performance and the term of the loan. For example, a 2024 Street Bob® 114 motorcycle in Billiard Gray with an MSRP of $16,999, 10% down payment and amount financed of $15,299.10, 48-month repayment term, and 4.35% APR results in 47 monthly payments of $188.72 and a 48th balloon payment of $8,514.41. In this example, customer is responsible for applicable taxes, title, licensing fees and any other fees or charges at the time of sale. APR is calculated according to the simple interest method. Not valid in conjunction with other offers. This Financing Offer is valid during the period of January 2, 2025 - March 31, 2025. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Dealer participation may vary. Financing offer is subject to change or cancellation at anytime.
Handlebar height is regulated in many locations. Check local laws to ensure your motorcycle meets applicable regulations.
*Financing Offer available only on New 2024 Low Rider® S Harley-Davidson® motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank (ESB) and is subject to credit approval. Not all applicants will qualify. 4.88% APR offer is available only to high credit tier customers at ESB and only for a 48-month term. The APR may vary based on the applicants past credit performance and the term of the loan. For example, a 2024 Low Rider® S in Billiard Gray with an MSRP of $19,999, 10% down payment and amount financed of $17,999.10, 48-month repayment term, and 4.88% APR results in 47 monthly payments of $228.95 and a 48th balloon payment of $9,991.13. In this example, customer is responsible for applicable taxes, title, licensing fees and any other fees or charges at the time of sale. APR is calculated according to the simple interest method. Not valid in conjunction with other offers. This Financing Offer is valid during the period of April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Dealer participation may vary. Financing offer is subject to change or cancellation at any time.
**Customers who choose the return option will need to pay the balance of the loan, which will vary depending on when the bike is returned, along with a return fee of up to $395 and any costs to repair excess wear and tear.