Harley-Davidson Softail Street Bob
The Harley-Davidson Street Bob—The Motor Company’s gateway to Big Twin engines—was the first Dark Custom designed for Harley’s Dyna family back in 2006, but since 2018, it’s become the stripped-down, least expensive member of the Softail family. Sometimes all you need are the bare essentials, and for that, the Street Bob hits the nail on the head. In true bobber style, the Harley Street Bob keeps it simple, with a solo seat, skimpy fenders, mid-mount controls, and a retro-style air cleaner cover. The stripped-down nature also gets a hit of style with mini ape handlebars, spoke wheels, old-school gaiters, and hidden digital instrumentation (integrated between the handlebar clamps). A dark 19-inch wheel leads the charge, and you’ll see very little bling anywhere on this street-savvy machine to mess up the spartan flow.
The Softail Street Bob comes with the 107-inch Milwaukee-Eight V-twin, which feels particularly potent because the engine has so much less mass to haul around than on other bikes. Harley’s complete overhaul of the Softail lineup meant that the new Street Bob got serious upgrades over the previous model too, with a different frame, swingarm, engine, and suspension.
That new suspension system features a hidden, preload-adjustable coilover monoshock under the saddle, which also helps to continue the clever illusion of the bike being a hardtail. The revamped suspension received a Showa Dual Bending Valve up front to ease the bumpy asphalt, while the entire Softail frame is not just stiffer, but also lighter. Even the tires are different. All these changes add up to a bike that’s great fun to rip around the turns, and that, along with the Softail Street Bob’s industrial vibe (and low price tag), is sure to appeal to a younger generation of rider, or just those for whom less is more.
Pros: Harley’s stripped-down bobber is now even lighter and handles better, and has the torque-rich Milwaukee-Eight engine; it’s the most inexpensive Softail.
Cons: Single disc front brake.
Harley Softail Street Bob Specs & Pricing
Slim and naked, the Harley Softail Street Bob offers just the basics, and is available only with the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine, which is more than enough for a spirited rip around town.
Engine: | Milwaukee-Eight V-twin |
Displacement: | 107ci |
Transmission: | 6-speed Cruise Drive |
Compression ratio: | 10.0:1 |
Valve train: | Single-overhead cam; 4 valves/cylinder |
Cooling: | Air-/oil-cooling |
Overall length: | 91.3 in. |
Seat height: | 26.8 in. |
Ground clearance: | 4.9 in. |
Wheelbase: | 64.2 in. |
Front suspension: | Nonadjustable Showa Dual Bending Valve fork |
Rear suspension: | Spring-preload-adjustable monoshock |
Wheel size, front: | 19 in. |
Wheel size, rear: | 16 in. |
Front brakes: | Disc w/ fixed 4-piston caliper |
Rear brake: | Disc w/ floating 2-piston caliper |
Fuel capacity: | 3.5 gal. |
Running weight: | 653 lb. |
GVWR: | 1,160 lb. |
The price of the Harley Street Bob 107 is $14,549 for the Vivid Black version, with color options costing $14,949, and two-tone prices at $15,299. The H-D Security System comes standard, but the ABS option costs an additional $795
Street Bob Customs
Check out these customs for even more ideas:
Softail Street Bob Parts & Accessories
Just look at that raw, naked silhouette; there are countless ways to make the Harley Street Bob an extension of your own personal vibe. You can access hundreds of Softail Street Bob parts and accessories straight from Harley-Davidson itself, or check out the mind-boggling number of aftermarket companies offering bespoke bits.
The most common components to get upgrades include the Street Bob’s ergonomics—handlebars, pegs, and controls—but it doesn’t stop there. Check out what we did to our 2018 model. Of course, modifying the Milwaukee-Eight with a cam or intake system is popular too, as is installing a new set of exhaust pipes.