HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET BOB 2020 RIDE REPORT

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HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET BOB 2020 RIDE REPORT

The Harley-Davidson Street Bob from the Softail series is one of the most popular Harley-Davidson models in Germany. It is consistently among the top 20 new registrations and always holds the lead in the Harley-Davidson popularity rankings. What is so special about it that can explain its success?

VIVID BLACK STREET BOB SOFTAIL FXBB — *VIVID BLACK STREET BOB SOFTAIL*

First of all, its price, currently at 14,495 euros plus ancillary costs (as of May 2020). In the Softail class, the Harley-Davidson Street Bob only the slimmed down Softail Standard variant by approx. 1100€.

At these prices, both models are a great way to enter the big Harley-Davidson world. They are simply pleasing and with the high handlebars you are fully in the wind and get the absolute biker feeling, plus good value retention explains everything.

New in the 2020 Softail model range

From 2020 onwards, all new Softail models will have a radiator frame made of a special composite material. However, I don't think the radiator frame is the deciding factor when choosing between a 2019 and 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Bob would like to decide. There is nothing else new to report, it already has everything you need and first and foremost it scores with its Easyrider style, nothing has changed.

Cornering position Harley-Davidson Street Bob 2020 — *Harley-Davidson Street Bob 2020*

Or should we rather say Easyrider Single Style, because it is not prepared for a pillion. The Street Bob has a single saddle and accordingly there are no footrests for the passenger, which could be retrofitted, but you can see that Harley-Davidson is obviously following two possible trends: Firstly, to generate the lowest possible entry price and secondly, more and more bikers are riding motorcycles together with their partner, not with a pillion, but nowadays the partner often rides themselves. And so the result is a shoe that fits.

The equipment

Its standard equipment includes all the relevant features, ABS brake system, immobilizer, hazard warning lights, range indicator, front and rear perforated disc brakes, LED headlights, keyless ignition, easily accessible connection for battery charging (winter) and what is also important nowadays, it has a USB port for powering a cell phone or an external navigation device.

The first impression and the colors

It is inherently beautiful, the color selection has something for every taste and, as we all know, black always works. The colors for the 2020 model year are, in order: Vivid Black, Spruce, River Rock Gray, Billiard Red & Vivid Black and Barracuda Silver Denim.

Billiard Red Vivid Black Street Bob FXBB

I rode it in Spain in the spring, where the Street Bob had to face up to the demands of Malaga's famously winding roads. Spain really is a dream in this respect, many roads seem to have been built especially for motorcyclists, rarely have I had so much fun.

Forward-mounted footrests would be one measure

However, I immediately found something that I would change straight away! With my 1.83m I sit on the Street Bob like a rabbit in front of a jump, the first thing I would do would be to fit a nice forward-mounted footrest system, which suits the Street Bob better anyway and isn't just visually nicer. You have to invest around 800 euros for this and then everything fits, at least if you are a bit taller.

Harley-Davidson Street Bob 2020 side view — *Harley-Davidson Street Bob 2020*

The saddle is not particularly comfortable, I didn't get on with it at all, although I have found that Harley-Davidson generally installs good saddles, but the standard saddle on the Street Bob didn't really convince me.

Street Bob 2020 in the color BARRACUDA SILVER DENIM side view — *Street Bob 2020 in the color BARRACUDA SILVER DENIM*

Harley-Davidson of course has alternatives to choose from, below you will find the link to the accessories. A saddle can also be nice, if you want to customize something, you would have found a start with the saddle, it does not always have to be converted immediately, the Street Bob would be worth it anyway and ideas come by themselves enough.

But that was the only negative thing I noticed, and it has to be said that if you are smaller and weigh 50 kilos less, your experience will be completely different.

Street Bob 2020 handlebars and instruments — *Street Bob 2020 APE handlebars and digital instruments*

The Street Bob has a digital speedometer, the information provided is easy to read even in the sun, and in the dark without dazzling. The information system has all the relevant information on board: range, fuel gauge, total kilometers, stage kilometers and more can be alternately displayed via a switch on the handlebar controls.

Perfect handling and an agile engine

Everything else fits and its real advantages are the easy handling, which is aided by the normal tire size of 100/90 B19 inch (2.1 bar) at the front and 150/80 B16 inch (2.8 bar) at the rear. It is very easy to pull through the bends and its 297 kilos are not noticeable. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine has enough power to push it out of the bends.

With a torque of 145 Nm at 3000 rpm, it feels really light on its feet. I think this is self-explanatory even for a technical layman when a Harley is equipped with an almost 1.8 liter engine. The 107 is known for its agility, as well as being economical and powerful.

The chassis of the Street Bob

It has that old school rigid frame look and a central shock absorber. Access for adjusting the suspension can be found under the saddle, and the strength of the suspension strut can be adjusted quickly and easily with a suitable tool wrench. When cornering at speed, it's all there and cruising is particularly good with it.

Conclusion

Once you've ridden the bobber style and APE handlebars through the bends, you'll realize that it's really fun. It's best to try it out for yourself, test rides at the dealer should be possible again. Apart from the short footrests and the saddle, it shone throughout, but as already mentioned, it depends on the rider. Among the various Harley-Davidson model series, it stands out due to its very good price-performance ratio. Its bobber style is timeless and it offers a lot of riding fun, ultimately confirming its top position in the Harley ranking for registrations, and rightly so.