According to the Harley-Davidson’s commercial operations manager, Luke Mansfield, the semi-affordable models of the Softail family are “the core of the motor company”. Just look at the numbers: Softail models account for roughly 60% of the brand’s global sales volume.
The Softail name refers to the way the monoshock rear suspension is hidden from view, giving the bikes the look of the “Hardtail” frame that used to grace early 20th Century Harleys. But where those ancestral models used to transfer every bump and dip in the road surface to their riders through the solid steel struts securing the rear wheel, the new Softies glide serenely over them thanks to further improvements to their suspension performance.
But Harley didn’t stop at improving chassis performance with its comprehensive new upgrade to these bread-and-butter models.
Three new air-cooled engines with 4-valve cylinder heads, all displacing 117 cubic inches (1917cc) bless the new Softails with increased performance and efficiency, while meeting the Euro 5+ emission standard demanded by Harley’s European markets.
They might all use the same pistons and cylinders, but changes to their camshafts, throttle body diameters, engine mapping, and exhaust/intake systems create three distinct personalities. They’re appropriately and evenly distributed across a MY25 Softail range now rationalised to just 6 models.
The 95bhp/156Nm “Classic” tune motivates the two most traditional models: the Heritage Classic bagger and the bareboned entry model, the Street Bob. Next step towards extra performance is the 104bhp/168Nm “Custom” version of the eye-catching Breakout and Fat Boy models. The most heroic “High Output” tune (114bhp/173Nm) is reserved for the two Low Rider models – the FXLR-S street machine and its faired and bagged, cruise-controlled sibling, the FXLR-ST.
New tech welcomes the rider to board the Softails. There are three riding modes – Road, Rain, and a Sport setting individually programmed to each tune, and rider aids now include corner-lean sensitive ABS brakes and traction control, Torque Control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The electronics of the bikes interface intuitively with the rider’s brain via the skillfully designed new switchgear and a simple 4-inch LED display that somehow conveys all the info required. Topping the latter is a good ol’ analog speedo on each that’s perfectly placed in the rider’s line of sight.
How do they ride? Here’s some personal impressions of each following a day spent negotiating the often-bumpy backroads of the New South Wales south coast hinterland.
The classic Softails
The $27,250 FXB Street Bob 117 and the $43,750 FLHCS Heritage Classic are the bookends of the model range, with the former being the most affordable MY25 Softail and the latter being the most expensive.
They share the engine tune that is arguably the most user-friendly, with its smooth delivery of accessible torque and exemplary throttle response. If refinement and a lack of fuss are your most desirable qualities in a big displacement Harley V-twin, look no further than this pair.
However, one is built to a price with its budget suspension, while the other is a well-executed touring bike that’s a retro alternative to Grand American Touring models that cost $8-10k more. A dynamic compromise is that both come with a single-disc brake up front.
The look-at-me Customs
There are plenty of Softail buyers who are willing to put up with the compromised ergos of the $43,250 FXBR Breakout 117 or the unsprung weight penalty of the disc-like wheels of the $42,250 FLFBS Fat Boy 117 just to enjoy their compelling muscular good looks.
And the Custom tune of the 117 offers arguably the best combo of performance and refinement of the three engine tunes, driving the bikes forward with noticeably increased enthusiasm.
The HO hotties
Simply snap the throttle open on in a low gear on either the High Output $37,995 FXLRS Low Rider S or the $42,750 FXLRST Low Rider ST, and the front wheel threatens to lose contact with the road.
This is a brand new Softail sensation, driven by the 173Nm of riding force now reaching the rear wheel. Dual front discs ensure the Low Riders have braking performance to match their straight-line acceleration. The ST bagger is arguably the pick of the new Softail models, with long-distance touring cred allied to muscle bike-mimicking performance.
