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Harley-Davidson. It’s likely the most instantly recognizable badge in all of motorcycle culture. For nearly 120 years, Harley-Davidson has been producing motorcycles using the brand’s iconic V-Twin engine architecture. However, the Motor Company (MoCo) adventured from its motorcycle-building ways several times along the way. 

Harley-Davidson dabbled in unexpected creations from golf carts to mini bikes

Granted, so you’re not going to find a gyrocopter or a personal submarine with the Bar & Shield emblazoned on it. However, you will find some odd stuff bearing the iconic Harley-Davidson emblem. 

  • Golf carts
  • XLCR Cafe Racer
  • X90 mini bike
  • The “Penster”
  • A mail delivery “Package Truck”

Yes, you read that right. In 1963, the Bar & Shield tried its luck at producing golf carts. The Wisconsin motorcycle maker started with three-wheelers, per Golf Cart Garage. However, the brand kept producing golf carts, including electric models, well into the 1980s.

In 1977, the MoCo turned its attention to the cafe racer motorcycle market. The result was the XLCR, with the “CR” suffix referring to cafe racer. Unlike a comparably hulking Electra Glide, the cafe-inspired Harley was an athletic, long-tank bike. Unfortunately for the cafe bike’s fans, the MoCo stopped producing it in 1979.

Beyond golf carts and cafe racers, Harley-Davidson has experimented with mini bikes. Enter the X90, a single-cylinder, two-stroke mini bike to rival the famed Honda Monkey. However, the X90 is practically tame compared to the “Penster” prototype. The so-called Penster took a big Screamin’ Eagle twin and stuffed it into a tilting trike body with two wheels forward of the rider. Bizarre stuff, indeed.

Finally, the MoCo dabbled in mail delivery sidecar motorcycles. When I say dabble, I mean it jumped in feet-first. The boxy sidecar bikes rolled off the line for decades, giving mail carriers perhaps the coolest delivery vehicle option possible.

Today, Harley-Davidson is still tinkering with things outside of the conventional V-Twin motorcycles that fans know and love. For instance, the Milwaukee-based manufacturer has a line of electric bicycles. That, and the company still maintains control of LiveWire, its EV motorcycle maker.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.