2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Review – First Ride
Sampling H-D's baseline bobber
At $17,199, the Street Bob comes in as the most affordable Softail in the line-up. You get 5 inches of suspension travel out of the fork and 3.4 inches from the monoshock that’s tucked away to give those Hard Tail vibes. And those are the only ones you’ll get, because the M8 117 is a smooth operator. Power delivery is also smooth in the Classic variation and although we’re working with the lowest horsepower numbers out of the three, having 120 lb-ft of torque means there’s not really any reason to rev the thing out. The cable-clutch pull is not light, but short shifting and riding the torque wave is the way to enjoy this thing.
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I’d say the Street Bob feels third sportiest of the group (behind the Low Riders) given its 30-degree rake, 64.2-inch wheelbase, and at 646 pounds. It's also the lightest of the group. The 2.5x19-inch front wheel and 3x16-inch rear wheels are shod in 130 and 150 mm Dunlop D401F rubber. It’s easy to hustle the Street Bob through a set of bends, and with the mid footpegs, you have more clearance than most.
Unfortunately, in working toward cornering clearance while keeping the seat height at 26.8 inches, you end up feeling like your knees are way too high up (I’m 5’8” with a 30-inch inseam, for reference). Combine that with the mini-ape hanger handlebar and you get a riding position that feels like it would be optimal for someone with very short legs and long arms. Kind of an odd combination. Of course, the Street Bob is meant to be the most “blank slate” model here, and there are a plethora of options from Harley-Davidson and the aftermarket to dial in the riding position.
In keeping with the Bobber look, the Street Bob gets the smallest tank at 3.5 gallons. You get your choice of Purple Abyss Denim, Iron Horse Metallic, Centerline (as seen on road, it’s yellow), Vivid Black, and the only one that doesn’t cost you extra, Billiard Gray. Cast wheels come standard with an option of spoked.
Scorecard
Engine | 18.5/20 | Suspension | 11/15 | Transmission | 8/10 |
Brakes | 8/10 | Instruments | 4/5 | Ergonomics | 5/10 |
Appearance | 9/10 | Desirability | 9/10 | Value | 7.5/10 |
Editors Score: 80.0% | |||||
In Gear
- Helmet: Shoei GT-Air 3
- Communicator: Sena SRL 3
- Airbag: Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 V2 Canvas
- Jacket: Alpinestars Calabasas Air (discontinued)
- Jeans: Pando Moto Steel Black (discontinued)
- Gloves: Alpinestars Chrome
- Boots: TCX Ikasu 2 Air
2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob FXBB Specifications | |
|---|---|
MSRP | $17,199 |
Engine Type | Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic, air/oil-cooled 45° V-Twin, pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; four valves per cylinder |
Capacity | 1,923cc |
Bore x Stroke | 103.5 mm x 114.3 mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.3:1 |
Horsepower | 98 hp at 4,600 rpm (claimed) |
Torque | 120 lb-ft. at 2,500 rpm (claimed) |
Engine Control | Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
Clutch | Mechanical, 10 plate wet, assist & conventional |
Transmission | 6-Speed |
Primary Drive | Chain, 34/46 ratio |
Final Drive | Belt, 32/66 ratio |
Lighting | All LED |
Frame | Mild steel, tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; MIG welded; aluminum forged fender supports |
Swingarm | Mild steel, tubular sections, stamped x-member, forged axle junctions; MIG welded; removable belt spacer |
Front Suspension | Dual-bending valve 49 mm telescopic with aluminum fork triple clamps; dual rate spring; gaiter covers |
Front Travel | 5.0 inches |
Rear Suspension | Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 43mm stroke; cam-style preload adjustment |
Rear Travel | 3.4 inches |
Front Brake | 4-piston fixed front caliper, 300mm disc |
Rear Brake | 2-piston floating rear caliper, 292mm disc |
ABS | C-ABS |
Front Wheel | 2.5 x 19" black, Annihilator cast aluminum |
Rear Wheel | 3.0 x 16" black, Annihilator cast aluminum |
Front Tire | Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series D401F |
Front Tire Size | 130/90B16 73H BW |
Rear Tire | Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series D401T |
Rear Tire Size | 150/80B16 77H BW |
Rake / Trail | 30°/6.2 inches |
Wheelbase | 64.2 inches |
Length | 91.3 inches |
Width | 36.4 inches |
Seat Height | 26.8 inches |
Curb Weight | 646 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Capacity | 3.5 gallons |
2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Review Gallery
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Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.
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Darrell, I completely agree with your point.The H-D Road Glide bike I rode that day was my friends - we traded bikes while riding the BRP near the Peaks of Otter. He said that my Triumph 955 Sprint ST was "just too damn fast", I said "Your bike is scary f%#$@ng dangerous in these curves at only 45MPH."
I wish that reviews of bikes would be upfront and transparent about known safety issues in the basic design. So many reviews are only gushing with positive fluff (i.e. beautiful paint, excellent chrome work, comfy seat).
So it comes with both a 130mm 19" AND 16" front tire??? The pictures look more like a 100/90-19 tire.