Harley-Davidson’s Street Glide Ultra is one of the most comfy cruisers I’ve ridden to date. We had 48 hours to put some miles on the plush touring machine during Daytona Bike Week and our only gripe was that we didn’t have it longer.

H-D continues to push the boundaries of long-distance touring with the introduction of the 2025 Street Glide Ultra—a fully loaded Grand American Touring model delivering comfort, technology,  performance and storage for those looking to make long treks on the open road. Joining the Street Glide, Road Glide, and Road King Special, the SG Ultra is one of the more “equipped” standard-production touring machines in Harley’s 2025 lineup.

For 2025, Harley-Davidson integrates Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for Grand American Touring models equipped with the Skyline OS infotainment system. Riders can now wirelessly update their software via Wi-Fi, ensuring access to the latest features and system enhancements.

The Skyline OS is displayed on a 12.3-inch TFT color touchscreen, a massive upgrade from previous infotainment systems, delivering clear, high-resolution visuals for navigation, ride modes, and media controls. Apple CarPlay compatibility enables seamless smartphone integration, while a factory-activated embedded navigation system provides turn-by-turn guidance.

Ride Modes

Selectable ride modes allow the rider to tailor the bike’s performance:

• Road Mode – Balanced everyday performance.
• Sport Mode – Maximized throttle response and power delivery.
• Rain Mode – Optimized for low-traction conditions.
• Custom Mode – Allows riders to fine-tune settings based on personal preference.

The Harley-Davidson Rider Safety Enhancements suite includes:

• Cornering ABS & Linked Brakes
• Traction Control (C-TCS) with Selectable Modes
• Drag-Torque Slip Control (DSCS)
• Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

We played with the Sport and Road modes mostly, only because A) it didn’t rain, and B) with a 48-hour loan, and plenty of stuff to do in Daytona that didn’t include riding, that’s about as far as we got. Think of Road Mode as your default. The Sport Mode, however, has a noticeable power delivery response upon acceleration.

Milwaukee-Eight 117ci

The Street Glide Ultra is powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, delivering 105 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque—a noticeable increase over its predecessor. Harley-Davidson has fine-tuned the cylinder head cooling system, ensuring optimized temperatures even in stop-and-go traffic or high heat conditions. While we didn’t get the chance to really open it up during Bike Week, the throttle response was crisp and immediate, with gobs of torque at the ready.

A premium SHOWA dual outboard emulsion rear suspension replaces the previous single-emulsion system, providing improved damping response and a smoother ride. Riders can make hydraulic preload adjustments to the rear shocks without tools, allowing quick tuning for added cargo or passenger weight.

Aero Comfort and Wind Protection

Harley-Davidson engineers have refined aerodynamics using CFD modeling and wind tunnel testing, reducing helmet buffeting by an impressive 60% compared to the 2024 Ultra Limited. New additions include:

• Fairing Lowers – Enhanced wind and weather protection around the leg area with integrated vents for adjustable airflow.
• Clear Tall Touring Windshield – Roughly 4 inches taller than the standard Street Glide windshield, offering increased wind deflection.
• Adjustable Air Deflectors – Larger, fork-mounted deflectors that can be fine-tuned for airflow optimization.
• Mid-Frame Air Deflectors – Direct engine heat away from the rider, increasing comfort in warm conditions.

Ergonomic Comfort and Weight Reduction

Harley-Davidson introduces a redesigned one-piece comfort seat, crafted to improve posture and reduce rider fatigue. The new shape ensures better weight distribution, while the laden seat height of 26.9 inches keeps riders comfortably planted.

A significant focus has been placed on weight reduction, with the 831-pound dry weight making the Street Glide Ultra 49 pounds lighter than the 2024 Ultra Limited. This was achieved through a lighter-gauge steel fuel tank and aluminum triple clamps, improving handling, acceleration, and ease of maneuvering.

Overall the redesigned saddle was comfy for both the missus and me. When my wife doesn’t say anything at all, that usually means she’s enjoying it. No news is good news.

Cargo Capacity and Touring Features

Designed for long-haul travel, the Street Glide Ultra is equipped with locking hard-shell saddlebags and the King Tour-Pak luggage carrier with an integrated passenger backrest. Combined storage capacity reaches 4.9 cubic feet (138.8 liters), offering 4% more than the 2024 Ultra Limited and more than double the Street Glide model’s storage. I mean, if “Dexter” were a rider, he could easily dispose of his victims with the SG Ultra’s oodles of cargo capacity. We were able to fit two full-face helmets in the Tour-Pak, as well as our camera gear in the bags, and our jackets when we were done riding. And there was plenty more room available.

The Street Glide Ultra features all-LED lighting for improved visibility. Front turn signals are seamlessly integrated within the batwing fairing, while a combination rear brake/tail/signal system enhances conspicuity.

Harley-Davidson has also introduced an upgraded 200-watt, 4-channel amplifier—delivering double the power of the previous BOOM! Box GTS system. Riders can enhance their audio experience with Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate, featuring optional fairing, saddlebag, and lower speaker upgrades.

The stereo system rocks. While we had a lot of competition at Bike Week–you should see some of the elaborate setups these Florida baggers have–we were plenty happy with the sound quality at highway speeds back and forth from the Daytona International Speedway to Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson.

Signature Styling

The Street Glide Ultra incorporates design elements first introduced on the 2024 Street Glide model. The updated batwing fairing boasts a sleeker profile with integrated turn signals, while a new fuel tank medallion and console insert distinguish this premium touring model.

Finish Options

Chrome Trim – Bright finishes on the exhaust, engine, and luggage hardware

Black Trim – Dark finishes for a more aggressive look

With new two-tone paint schemes and a revised pinstripe layout, the 2025 Street Glide Ultra stands as the ultimate Harley-Davidson for riders seeking long-distance comfort and cutting-edge touring performance.

Like we said, the Street Glide Ultra is kind of the ultimate if you’re in the market for a two-up, long-distance touring machine that embodies and delivers function, performance, comfort and style. We just wish we had 48 months instead of 48 hours on this model to really put some miles on it and give you more of a well-rounded long-term review. Maybe we will in the future? Stay tuned for more!