Does anyone know a website where I can learn basic Harley Davidson terminology?

Dude, take a quick peek at my "avatar". I'm sitting on an FXDWG TC-88. My last bike was an XL1200C. Before that.... Well, to answer your question, there is, that I know of, no website that can give you the information you require. You have to actually DO it, to get a handle on the lingo, and be able to tell the models apart by sight. And I can tell you, that even after twenty years of riding, I can't get them right all the time.

There are three basic types of H-D's if you want to keep it simple. You have the Sportster models, usually the starter bike for H-D riders. It's smaller and lighter than the other models, and also cheaper. It comes with an 883 cc motor and a 1200 cc motor. The Sporty can be considered a "race bike" by H-D standards. (Bear with me, there is more.)

Then you have the "cruisers", like mine. The Dyna's, Fat Bob's, Soft-tails, etc. No bags, but maybe a windscreen and highway bars. A pillion and a "sissy bar". Prior to 1999 they all had the 74 cu. in. motor. 1999 to 2005 they came with my motor, the TC-88. Now all the "big" bikes have the TC-96.

Then you have the "baggers" (Here comes some terminology!) I call them garbage barges. They are the big fender bikes with the saddlebags and "tourpacks". You may see saddlebags on a Dyna, and maybe even on a Sporty, but the "baggers" are all decked out with "batwings", (The cowl.) fairings, nerf bars, highway pegs, backrests for the front and rear, etc.

It gets complicated. To go back to the Sporty, you have your "ironhead" Sporty, the old KK models, the shovelhead Sporty, (A 1200.) and the list goes on. To cover most of the models in the line-up from 1945 you have the flathead, the knucklehead, the panhead, then the shovel, and post AMF you have the evo motor in newer models. Then the TC's in all but the Sporsters. Then you have the rubber mounted engines that have different ID's from the prior bikes, even though they look the same! (I'm tryin' to keep it simple.)

It may be possible to learn all the various types of bikes the way you learn math or history, but the fun way to do it is to just get into the bike scene. If you want to learn the "terminology" so you don't look strange at the dealer, don't worry. H-D salespeople are pretty good at giving a newbie what he needs to know off the get go.

Hope this helps you out a bit. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to drop me a line. Ciao!

P.S The people that like "baggers" call them "dressers". I just call them a garbage barge. My Dyna has a "puss" screen and hiway pegs on nerfs. I like it. 'Nuff said.

Here's a start

http://home.ctlnet.com/~mcarroll/harleyalphabet.ht...

http://www.vehicle-history.com/vin_links/vin_harle...

http://www.harleyhelp.com/hist.html

Here's some pictures,if you get tired reading,,lol.

http://harley-davidson.oldcarandtruckpictures.com/

Here's some about Sportsters

http://www.sportster.org/history/index.shtml#1986

Sorry that's so many different pages/sites.

It's Tuff to find ALL the info,,plain/clear/simple in one single place.

H-D gets quite complicated determining all the variations over the years....

especially considering they usually only produce 2 or 3 "Basic Bikes" Engine-Wise for 10~15~20++YEARS at a stretch

A Too-Simple approach to getting a basic Grip on it all May be this:

*2 Basic Engines----Sportsters and Big Twins

*Each Basic Engine has an "ERA" or Generation of it's Production that spans Many Years each

* From those Basic Engines---a variety of MODELS are made

--Sports Models

-Touring Models

-"Custom" Models

-"Service" Models

That's VERY Basic & Oversimplified,,,,and Harley's definition of each category may not be what "avg person" considers a Sports,or Road Bike,etc,etc

Learn the various ENGINES thru history first.

Then keep in mind that the ENGINES were a Constant for Many Years Each,,,

..While the BIKES style,details, features Changed to update the Models.

And,,that there are a few distinct "Classes" or "Types" of Bikes.

You'll Never see "Sport Cruiser" trim on a Road/Touring Bike for example.

Eventually you'll get a grip on H-D's basic philosophy of what TYPE is what.

Then the Letter Designations begin to make sense as a sort of Classification.

Myself,,I dont even TRY to keep up with it.

I can tell at a glance what Basic Type/Class each one is.

The specific Details of each Year are No Concern or Interest to me.

Good Luck,,hope that helps

Go to the bikes shops and bike nights and look at the bikes and ask questions. You can also buy a Harley and you'll learn by talking to other Harley riders. There are a lot of Harley websites that like to just talk Harley. Check em out.

this is not about a website but after you read all the techie stuff

stop and talk to the owner next time you see anyone riding a harley, compliment something about that ride and then just set back and listen

never met any harley owner that doesn't like to tell you all about that bike and where it has taken him/her to

attend events at the local dealers store; usually the general public is invited and you will meet veterans and newbies both there; you can look at their rides and the new bikes also; you will learn a LOT

The only web site I'm aware of is here:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/

Browse the site and learn. Then head for your local Harley dealer, hang around and ask questions. You'l need to make a few visits to accomplish your objective of learning the Harley language. I'm sure they'd even let you sit in the saddle of a few bikes. Good luck & enjoy!

here's a snapshot of the history

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/H...

by the way the fxr and Dyna are two different frames and two different models that was produced at the same time (FXR 3 point rubber mount, Dyna 2 point rubber mount). Some people should do their research before answering questions.

here this will get u started but be warned the way use to know models has changed over the years its going to take a while example 70's FXR stood for F= big twin X=74 ci engine R= rubber mounted Common name super glide in 84 harley came out with 82 ci evo motor and they stopped 74ci (1200) but the name stayed the same until they changed the frame then it became the FXD

There are many books at book stores. If your an enthusiast, than it would be nice to have the book and the pics right there on your coffee table.

here is the history from 1970 and on

http://www.bikez.com/brand/index.php?brand=11

very simple www.harleydavison.com

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