2025 Harley-Davidson Softail Range

I recently had the good fortune to be invited to the Australian launch of Harley-Davidson’s 2025 Softail range. The launch was held in the sleepy seaside town of Kiama about 40 kilometres south of Wollongong. After breakfast and a briefing on the new Softail range, we set off for a day’s ride through the hills west of Kiama. The group was made up of various journalists and Harley-Davidson Australia employees. We had been supplied with all six of the new Softail models, with some duplicates and a sprinkling of custom parts, to ride. 

All of the bikes in the new Softail range are powered by Harley-Davidson’s 117 Milwaukee Eight which made its debut in the Road/Street Glides and CVO models. The 1920 cc V-twin comes in three different states of tune: Classic, Custom and HO (High Output).

In the Street Bob and Heritage models, the engine is called the Classic. Harley-Davidson claims this version has been tuned for a “flat torque curve and satisfying street performance”. The Classic produces 120 lb-ft of torque and 98 hp. I would call that pretty satisfying. They both run a new two-into-one exhaust. This version of the Milwaukee Eight is easily identified by its traditional round air-filter cover.

The Fat Boy and Breakout models share the Custom version of the Milwaukee Eight. Power and torque are increased over the Classic: 126 lb-ft and 104 hp respectively. Both bikes run a more traditional two-into-two exhaust. The Harley briefing notes state that the new four-litre, touring-style, air-intake “significantly reduces intake noise, which allows a more desirable, rumbling exhaust note to predominate”. Hmmm… 

Last but by no means the least, come the Low Rider S and the Low Rider ST. In these models the Milwaukee Eight is putting out 128 lb-ft of torque and 114 hp and is referred to as HO or High Output. Two-into-one exhausts feature on both bikes as does a Heavy Breather intake and an elevated 5900 rpm redline. Obviously there is no actual redline but the electronic intervention kicks in a little higher in the rev range than in the other models.

The Harley-Davidson Press Release states that the new air/oil cooled version of the Milwaukee Eight “optimizes thermal comfort for the rider, especially in low-speed riding situations and hot weather”.  I was unable to test this out for myself as it was a mild day and there were very few “low-speed riding situations”.

What I did get to test out was all the new electronic do-dads and widgets. According to Harley, ”(F) for the first time, all Harley-Davidson cruisers will come equipped with Rider Safety Enhancements and selectable ride modes. These technical features are designed to enhance, not distract, from the ride”. Harley-Davidsons have traditionally stayed away from electronic rider aids; many riders have strong opinions on them. I personally didn’t find the new cornering ABS and cornering traction control systems intrusive at all. Obviously, with a 128 lb-ft of torque on tap, it is pretty easy to get the rear traction control operating, especially in the wet. 

Along with electronic safety measures comes three ride modes and cruise control. The ride modes are specific to the different engine tunes. Most obvious of these is ‘Sport’ mode on the high output engines in the Low Rider S and ST. Sport mode provides a healthy rush of power and torque at 5000 rpm. To be honest, I really didn’t change ride modes that often. It would appear that most of the other riders felt the same as every time we swapped bikes they were always in Sport mode. 

The cruise control I did find very helpful on our heavily policed roads. It is a simple and effective system — a switch on the left-hand bar activates or deactivates the cruise control; a rocker switch also on the left-hand bar allows you to increase or decrease your speed.

The Heritage and Fat Boy models come equipped with a tank console mounted five-inch display. The rest of the new Softails get a really rather nice four-inch bar-mounted display. This is dominated by an analog speedometer. A small LCD display provides all the other information. All bikes get tire pressure monitoring as standard. They also all get a USB-C charging port. All the lights on all models are now LED including the indicators. 

Harley-Davidson claims to have improved the suspension across the range. They have replaced the previously fitted multi-rate springs with straight-rate springs. They say that this will “provide more predictable performance and feel especially under hard braking”. Harley-Davidson seems quite pleased with their new suspension noting that it will improve balance between the front and rear and reduce harshness over rough roads. Despite changes to the suspension on the 2025 Softail range seat heights are unchanged.

On a personal note, I was sad to see there were no new Fat Bob or Sport Glide models in the 2025 line up. They were both favourites of mine.

Speaking of favourites, I really like the 2025 Street Bob. At $24,995 it is only $1000 more than a Sportster S and nearly $10,000 (yes, that’s right, ten thousand dollars) less than the next most expensive bike, the Low Rider S. It has that stripped-down iconic Harley-Davidson cruiser look that seems to appeal to a lot of people. That skinny front wheel lets it tip into corners in a very playful way. The new suspension is basic but very competent. It feels a lot lighter and shorter than the rest of the bikes, even though it really isn’t — the Low Rider S has the shortest wheelbase. 

It was a fantastic experience riding all the different bikes in the 2025 Softail range in a single day. The one thing that really stood out was just how different each model feels to ride. They all use the same engine, albeit in different states of tune. They all weigh close to 300 kilograms. Weight-wise, the difference between the Street Bob and the Heritage, the heaviest bike in the Softail lineup, is only 33 kg. The difference feels so much more even riding them back to back. 

I like the Street Bob’s riding position with its mid-controls and mini-apes. I don’t, however, find the seat comfortable; it is too hard and the wrong shape for my arse. It wouldn’t stop me buying a Street Bob as Harley-Davidson offers at least eight different seats in their accessory catalogue. The accessory catalogue, it should be mentioned, is massive. In its non-digital state it looks like an old fashioned phone book. You can spec the 2025 Street Bob with alloy wheels or new tubeless spoked rims. 

The paint on all the new bikes is top shelf with some really beautiful subtle new colours. I particularly liked Iron Horse metallic which appears grey or green depending on the light. One of the Low Rider STs was finished in Iron Horse metallic with red graphics and it really popped. If you really want to find your Street Bob in the car park, you can get it in a new eye-popping yellow called Centerline. It is very yellow but strangely appealing. 

The Heritage Classic has always been a bit of a quiet achiever in the Softail range. The 2025 version gets the same engine as the Street Bob, and it can be ordered with new nine-spoke alloy-wheels or new tubeless spoked rims. With its high bars, screen, comfortable seat and foot boards, the Heritage is a very comfy place to watch the world go by. It is the most expensive bike in the current Softail range at $39,995 rideaway. It is also the most versatile bike in the Softail range — the standard lockable panniers and screen make it an easy tourer; remove them and you have a good looking retro roadster. Ridden in anger it might not keep up with a Low Rider ST but you won’t be far behind, and more importantly, you won’t care. There is something about riding the Heritage Classic that just makes you feel like you have nothing to prove and that life is good.

The Fat Boy and Breakout models remain the custom/chopper bikes in the Softail range. Even with their substantial updates they are instantly recognisable. The long wheel bases, wide rear tires and limited ground clearance required an adjustment in riding style after getting off any of the other bikes here. The Breakout Harley-Davidson supplied for the launch came with the $3850 optional Midnight Firestorm paint — ghost grey flames on a gloss black background. To be fair to Harley-Davidson, it does look like a proper quality, custom paint job. Riding either bike makes you instantly feel like a badass, and with the new 103 hp engine fitted to both of them, you will be a slightly faster badass. Rideaway price on the Fat Boy is $38,495 and $1000 more for the Breakout.

Which leaves us the Low Rider S and the Low Rider ST. The ST is basically the Low Rider S with a frame mounted fairing and hard panniers. Harley-Davidson says its suspension has been tweaked accordingly. The S retails at $34,750; the ST for $38,995. Both bikes get inverted forks and twin front discs. The new suspension feels like a proper improvement especially over rough surfaces. And if it’s not good enough for you, Harley-Davidson will sell you some very fancy Ohlins suspension components. Harley-Davidson’s ongoing development of the Low Rider S has been pretty impressive. I always wanted to hate it because it is not a Dyna Low Rider S. However, riding this new iteration in Sport mode was a revelation. 

Over the next few months Ozbike will get some long-term test bikes so we can bring you a more detailed review of each bike in the range. In the meantime. I strongly urge you to try one or all of them out at your nearest Harley-Davidson dealer. You won’t be disappointed.