The Harley That Costs Less Than You Think Is The Street Bob

Joking about Harley-Davidson motorcycles being too expensive is almost cliché at this point. It stems from the reality, though. With models like the Fat Boy, Breakout, and Low Rider ST breaching the $20,000 mark, it’s easy to assume Harley only builds expensive motorcycles. For the most part, that’s the reality, but Harley-Davidson, despite its slow pace of change, has been taking small steps to make some of its bikes more accessible to the masses.

The best example is the Nightster, which recently received a price cut to under $10,000; however, it’s still a Sportster, now a “true” big-twin Harley. What if you want the full Harley experience without spending $25,000? That’s where the Street Bob comes in. It is not only the cheapest Softail cruiser in Harley’s 2025 lineup, but also the most affordable way to get your hands on the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin, along with a Softail frame, modern tech, and bobber style, all for the price of a Sportster!

The Big Twin Harley-Davidson Cruiser That Costs As Much As A Sportster

Starting Price: $15,999

For $15,999, the Street Bob is your ticket into Harley’s Big Twin cruiser lineup, aka Softail cruisers. And unlike before, where the cheapest Softail Standard was merely a barebones cruiser, the Street Bob brings so much more. It presents the holy trinity of authentic American cruisers (torque, style, and comfort), paired with modern conveniences and rider aids. You get the latest Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine slung in a traditional Softail frame, as well as electronic rider aids, Showa suspension, and a refined bobber styling. All this, for just a thousand dollars more than the 2024 Softail Standard, which didn’t even get ABS as standard.

What makes this even more impressive and a good value is how the Street Bob compares to its siblings, such as the Sportster S, which costs the same at $15,999. The latter, although the top-of-the-line Sportster model, is not a Big Twin cruiser that many would consider an authentic Harley. Moreover, the next most affordable Big Twin cruiser in Harley’s lineup is the Low Rider S, which sits $4,000 over the Street Bob. That’s why the Street Bob is such a big deal: for the cost of a top-spec Sportster, you can ride home a fully fledged Softail cruiser!

Harley-Davidson Softail Cruiser Models

• Harley-Davidson Low Rider S ($19,999)
• Harley-Davidson Fat Boy ($22,599)
• Harley-Davidson Breakout ($23,099)
• Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic ($22,999)
• Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST ($24,199)
• Harley-Davidson Gray Ghost ($25,399)

Powered By The Hard-Hitting Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin

Torque Output: 120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM

Harley-Davidson

Currently, Harley-Davidson’s most widely used engine is the Milwaukee-Eight 117, powering all kinds of motorcycles, from the stylish Low Rider ST to the cozy Road Glide, in different states of tune and cooling systems. Across the models, the M8 117 is known for its focus on low-end torque without sacrificing mid-range performance, and the Street Bob brings this big twin experience at the most affordable price. Although the M8 117 here is a bit old-school, with air cooling and pushrod-actuated overhead cams, it can still hold its own in the segment.

Being focused on low-end torque, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine on the Street Bob produces a broad torque curve that hits hard every time you twist the throttle. And thanks to its 1,917cc displacement and long-stroke pistons, it unloads 120 pound-feet of torque at just 2,500 RPM. Peak power comes in at 4,600 RPM, which also gives it a versatile character, just in case you want to have some fun on your rides. The result is a cruiser that’s punchy in the low revs, relaxed on the highways, and exciting when you start pushing it.

Performance Specs

Traditional Softail Frame With Showa Suspension Optimized For Handling

Frame Type: Double-Cradle Steel

Harley-Davidson

The Street Bob stays true to the traditional cruiser theme in more ways than just a big twin engine, as it is the most affordable Harley to feature a Softail frame. Its double-cradle steel frame, paired with a discreet rear monoshock, gives the bike a hardtail look without breaking your back. The low-slung stance, mini-ape handlebars, and mid-mounted pegs make for a comfortable, upright bobber-style riding position that works just as well for city cruising as for munching miles on the highway.

Harley has also equipped the bike with a Showa Dual Bending Valve front fork and a cam-style preload-adjustable monoshock in the rear. This suspension setup keeps the bike planted and composed over bumps, while still giving the bike a classic cruiser feel. The only area where the Street Bob shows its budget-conscious side is braking. A single disc up front with a four-piston fixed caliper isn’t anything to write home about, especially when you consider the bike’s near-650-pound heft.

Chassis and Dimensions Specs

Classic Bobber Look With Tasteful Paint Options

Harley-Davidson

Completing the holy trinity of what makes the Street Bob an authentic big twin cruiser is its design and style. It may not be the most beautiful cruiser in the segment (we’d probably pick the Indian Chief for its style), but it features a refined, mature bobber-like design language that’s easy to appreciate. And in the Centerline yellow paint option, it pops in a way few Harleys at this price point have any right to. That extra $525 is totally worth it for the Centerline paint option!

Design Elements

• The massive Milwaukee-Eight 117 clad in chrome is the heart of the design
• Round air intake with black and chrome finish gives the engine a traditional look
• Bobbed fenders, optional laced wheels, and mini-ape handlebars give the bike a bobber feel
• Tank medallion is inspired by Willie G’s 1966 design
• Two-into-one exhaust system with slashed end complements the bike’s low-slung flyline

Upgraded Tech Suite And A Laundry List Of Optional Extras

Harley-Davidson

Unlike the older, most affordable Softail cruiser, the Street Bob brings a lot more than just an optional ABS. Up front, it features a four-inch display with an analog gauge positioned above a small LDC, both of which are easy to read at a glance. The bike also features selectable ride modes, a USB-C charging port, all-LED lighting, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Add to that cornering-sensitive rider aids like ABS, traction control, and Drag Torque Slip Control systems, and you have a thoroughly modern big twin cruiser that nails the essentials without costing you your savings account.

Then comes the long list of optional accessories that Harley offers for this blank canvas of a big twin cruiser. These features include accessories such as saddlebags, a touring windscreen, a small fairing, a more comfortable seat, and more, helping you fine-tune your Street Bob to be either more comfortable on long rides or stylish enough to give bigger cruisers a run for their money. You can even outfit it with a few essentials, such as saddlebags ($1,112), laced wheels ($800), a Sundowner comfort seat ($414.95), and a quarter fairing ($263.19), and it still comes in under a thousand dollars compared to the Low Rider S.