Is Harley Davidson Really Dead in 2021?

Sure, some things get better with time—but others just get old. Which is it for Harley Davidson in 2021? A video production company set out to answer that question by renting four HD bikes from Twisted Road (which they describe as "the Turo for motorcycles") and going on a road trip. Read what happened.

Are Harley Davidson’s better days behind them? This debate has been the topic of massive buzz and controversy in the motorcycle scene, and as a New York-based production company, johnnypuetz Productions, we found the sentiment oddly familiar — what New Yorker hasn’t rolled their eyes at the notion that “New York is dead?” On both counts, we decided to leave the city for a long Memorial Day weekend to see for ourselves.

The team decided to rent a few Harleys and take them on a trip (thanks to Twisted Road). Think of Twisted Road as the “Turo for motorcycles” — no matter where you are, you can list your own bike, rent out someone else’s, and even filter your search by your preferred style. They offer resolution support, liability insurance, and damage and theft coverage to keep things simple and trustworthy for people who list and people who rent.

In our experience, Twisted Road made the whole process surprisingly easy — we just chose our motorcycles, booked our days, and hit the road! After a quick flight to Miami, we picked up our bikes and off we went.

For the sake of experimentation, we tested four different Harleys on our journey: a 2020 Sport Glide, two 2020 Sportster Iron 883s, and a 2007 FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic. They all came from different owners, so this meant we had the opportunity to meet four badass Floridian Harley riders who assured us that Harley Davidson was indeed alive and well.

On the road, we had plenty of time to decide for ourselves. The bikes ran nicely and were very comfortable on the straights, although it was occasionally difficult to move at low speed and maneuver around parking spots.

Our team found the Sportsters a bit more nimble, but the Sport Glide and the Heritage Softail were both sturdy and comfortable for long-distance riding. We all agreed that the Sportsters are the best-looking bikes (although JP found them a bit on the small side).

On our first day, we rode halfway to Key West and stopped for a little R&R on the beach. On day two, we began to feel more at home on our bikes. Cruise control was a big plus on the straight shot down to Key West; it felt great to be able to rest our wrists. Perhaps the most charming part of the Harley experience? The friendly waves we got from other HD riders!

By the time we hit Key West, we’d come to the conclusion that Harley Davidson was decidedly very much alive in 2021 — in fact, we actually fell a little bit in love with the bikes. It was bittersweet returning them to their owners, and JP is even considering buying a Harley Davidson as his next bike!

As for New York? We’re convinced it will never die. It may be nice to spend a few days on the open road, but we’ll always feel at home in the tight streets and bright lights of New York City. Florida offered us some much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, but if Twisted Road taught us anything, it’s that a quick getaway is never too far out of reach.