By Andrew Cherney. More Motorcycles. I can hit neutral from second gear. Obviously, there are a lot of riders like me who enjoy the simplicity of the bike and the scope for customisation. The 26.8-inch seat height does the Standard no favors here. It was as if the H-D engineers looked at the rider triangle and tweaked it in all of the wrong directions. Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson. the first time I rode the new Softail line in 2017, 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 Review – First Ride, The Clash of Two Super Middleweights: KTM 890 Duke R vs. Yet the solo seat is extremely comfortable with no complaints by the time the fuel light came on after about 200km. Latest. 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini First Look. A different seat or peg position, which allowed my spine to be straight, would make the riding position significantly more comfortable. Although Harley is selling Milwaukee-Eights with significantly larger displacement than the 107 cu. Weight, As Shipped. Motorcycles. All I … October 22, 2020. Get free access to the best motorcycle newsletter on the planet, However, the 2020 Softail Standard is a long way from the 1984 Evo original or the last model five years ago, thanks to the, 2020 Harley-Davison FXST Softail Standard tech specs. It has a … ”When ‘Ol Brasscanyons told me the position on the Softail Standard could ruin a good ride, I kind of brushed it off. Obviously, there are a lot of riders like me who enjoy the simplicity of the bike and the scope for customisation. Touring Custom Package ($1,700) rounds out the factory custom packages with H-D Detachables Saddlebags, Standard Height HoldFast Sissy Bar Upright, Compact Passenger Backrest Pad – Smooth Black Vinyl, Holdfast Docking Hardware, Sundowner Seat, Passenger Footpegs, and Wind Splitter Quick-Release Compact 14 in. Join the Motorcycle.com Weekly Newsletter to keep up to date on all things motorcycling. Despite the single 300m disc brake up front, I am impressed with its ability to bring 297kg of heft to a prompt stop with minimal fork dive even though the rear brake feels lifeless. Since he is 5-foot, 8-inches tall and has a 30-inch inseam, his slightly different perspective would help to see if I was just too tall for the bike. The Softail Standard is powered by Harley’s Milwaukee-Eight. The 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard was designed to deliver an essential, no-frills cruiser experience, with a lean bobber profile, a Softail chassis and a Milwaukee-Eight V-twin. By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of data and cookies. 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard Review (11 Fast Facts) September 2, 2020 We can let the cat out of the bag right away—the 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard is … Overall. All I could say to myself after hopping on the Softail Standard was WTF… over and over. The same can be said of the Standard’s brakes. Interested to know how tall the rider is? Gauge Clamp, Clutch Cable and Brakeline, Bevel Two-Up Seat, and Passenger Footpegs. The rear suspension, with its single directly activated shock hidden behind the engine, works well on smooth to moderately rough pavement. Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin Performance and Lean Bobber Style Ready For Customization It holds the road real well. Engine Torque. Let’s start with the seat. They provide some hand-eye co-ordination which helps with tight manoeuvres, but can be uncomfortable on long highway stints where your body forms a windsock position against the wind blast. In an effort to see if I was being overly harsh on the Standard, I asked Associate Editor, Ryan Adams, to ride it with me for a couple of hours. I started MotorbikeWriter to bring the world all the daily motorcycle news, views, reviews and lifestyle happenings. Most will probably start with forward controls for a more relaxed riding position as well as better cornering clearance. Goodbye Harley-Davidson Bronx Streetfighter? By Andrew Cherney. From the bobber styling to the solo seat, the Softail Standard is about elemental motorcycling. It comes with a solo seat, mini-ape bars, shotgun exhausts, 19-inch chromed steel front rim with classic spokes and not much else. Now, this is fine when trolling around the boulevard at 45 mph, but if you try to accelerate hard or head out onto the highway, the only two options are to engage your entire core to lean forward with bent elbows or lean back with straight arms, letting your skeletal system do the work. At $A21,495 ($NZ22,750) ride away you can set aside some cash for custom parts and factory accessories. Your email address will not be published. It’s a cruiser designed for blasts through the hills. 8. The bottom screen displays the warning lights and indicators. Although the lever still requires a stout pull, the power and feel are what you need to haul a claimed 655 lb. We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. You can expect that and lots more two-wheeled content very soon. Harley doesn’t discuss or reveal power output figures, but the Milwaukee Eight has 149Nm of arm-wrenching torque and with that much grunt, there is little need to work the gears. The 2020 Harley-Davison FXST Softail Standard is not only an entry model for their 107-cube Milwaukee Eight big twin, but also the perfect donor bike or “blank canvas” for customising. 3. Helmet: FXRG Defiant-X Full-Face Helmet $725 Jacket: Men’s FXRG Gratify Leather Jacket $550 Pants: FXRG Armalith Denim Jeans $295 Gloves: Dainese 4 Stroke EVO Gloves $220 Boots: Red Wing Iron Ranger $330. Enter your ZIP code below to get a free insurance quote. Perhaps riders in the neighborhood of 5 feet, 6 inches and below will find it comfortable. Simply put, the Softail Standard’s rider triangle is a perfect storm of bad ergonomics. There are three corners to the rider triangle, and making a mistake with any single one can be mostly addressed by the other two. My more compact younger, supple frame would have nary an issue. We will keep you up to date on the cool stuff only. Those minimalist instruments are an absolute delight. A proper Harley, with all that entails - chugging engine, clonking gears, lazy steering - and bags of character. If I am fond of the new Softails, why do I dislike the Standard so much? here, the Standard’s power output is ample for a cruiser in this price range and would easily leave behind any similar model with the erstwhile Twin Cam engine of just three model years ago. The rider’s upper body is in an equally compromised position, thanks to the mini-apes on the Standard. The other big update in 2017 was the improved ride and handling, thanks to shedding about 17kg in weight, a 17% stiffer frame, emulsion rear shock and Showa dual-bending-valve forks. Neither position allows you any relief from large bumps, making them a teeth-gritting affair. The bike is real nice -- smooth as silk and just right for my five-foot-seven height. Offered only with Vivid Black painted sheet metal, the Softail Standard model is equipped with a solo seat that exposes the chopped rear fender, and a smooth, 3.5-gallon fuel tank that reveals the frame and engine. Ryan is 5’ 8”, and his thighs are parallel to the ground, meaning that anyone with longer legs will have their pelvis tilted rearward. The Softail Standard makes a welcome return to the stable as it was one of the Milwaukee’s company’s best-selling bikes in Australia for many years. Thu, 1 Jan 2004. 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard Review, Part 2. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 may be the smallest one available, but it still has plenty of power for this price range. NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SOFTAIL® STANDARD UNLOCKS THE ESSENTIAL CRUISER EXPERIENCE. Motorcycles. The 2020 Harley-Davison FXST Softail Standard is not only an entry model for their 107-cube Milwaukee Eight big twin, but also the perfect donor bike or “blank canvas” for customising. (100mm x 111.1mm) breathing through a four-valve head, the Standard’s 107 has spot-on fueling with immediate response to throttle inputs that are just this side of abrupt, meaning it feels like some other ride-by-wire bikes in sport mode. Seat Height, Unladen. My more compact younger, supple frame would have nary an issue. The winding roads are no problem. There is no longer an awkward jolt, but a delicious thump of big-twin vibe. I just picked up a 2001 Softail standard. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Nothing to spoil the look of the front end. It wasn’t until Evans asked me to photo model for his review that I learned just how uncomfortable he could make me. However, the 2020 Softail Standard is a long way from the 1984 Evo original or the last model five years ago, thanks to the last major overhaul in 2017. It wasn’t until Evans asked me to photo model for his review that I learned just how uncomfortable he could make me. Get the best motorbike news, rumors, deals and events each week. I was sure of it! 8. Braking and handling. The Coastal Custom Package ($1,600) consists of Vivid Black Softail Quarter Fairing, 80GRIT Rider Footpegs with Wear Peg, Moto Handlebar (which could possibly mitigate some of the riding position issues), Tall Handlebar Riser, 1 in. However, hit any larger bumps, and the limited rear-wheel travel becomes painfully obvious. Harley-Davidson Softail Standard (FXST) review. His notes were: ”When ‘Ol Brasscanyons told me the position on the Softail Standard could ruin a good ride, I kind of brushed it off. From the first time I rode the new Softail line in 2017, I was impressed with the smoothness provided by the two counterbalancers mounted on either side of the crankshaft, which is absolutely necessary for an engine that is solid-mounted to the frame. The contrast of black and bright components gives the Softail Standard motorcycle a look that’s both classic and minimalist. 291 kg. Price: £ 10495. in. SUMMARY. With regards to riders who want the cheapest entry into the Softail family, you should try riding one before you lay down your greenbacks – or at least have an extended sit on one in the dealership to see if your body type will mesh with it. Pictures courtesy of Cameron Cooke Photography. And you can find neutral relatively easily! The … And it's so smooth and looks real sharp. I don’t mind the mini ape hanger bars that bring my fists up to chest height. The Showa forks not only provide positive steering, but also delete that jackhammer effect through the grips, although I did find the thick rubber grips hurt my arthritic hands after a couple of hours of riding. Customizers probably don’t read MO, and they are free to ignore my criticisms of the Softail Standard. 8. While some Softail Standard owners will enjoy slicing and dicing this blank canvas into their dream bike, Harley has also made it easier with a choice of four accessory packages: 1746cc, 45-degree Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin; 4 valves/cyl. After all, they’re going to nip and tuck the bike, anyway. The main screen is discretely incorporated into the handlebar with a smaller screen tucked underneath. 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features. Category: Custom. plus an American-sized rider down from speed. The mini-apes place the grips just below my shoulders, which has the effect of leaning my torso slightly rearward. Perhaps a different seat that allows taller riders to sit higher and more rearward would alleviate some of the comfort issues. © 2020 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. It’s also a more refined unit which you will notice the moment you hit the ignition switch. 2021 Yamaha MT-09 Getting Larger Engine to Meet Euro 5 Standards, Why I’ll Never Ride Without A Motorcycle Airbag Again, 2021 Kawasaki KLX 300 And KLX 300SM First Look, Aerostich Competition Elkskin Roper Glove Review, 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini First Look, Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine offers vibration-free power, Abrupt rear suspension is aggravated by the bad riding position, I have no idea who this bike is designed for. Use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below expected... Any relief from large bumps, holds its line better through corners and provides confidence in cornering gears! Of the comfort issues suspension is like probably leave it as it stands, I can ’ use. The bobber styling to the solo seat, the Softail Standard motorcycle a look that s... Line better through corners and provides confidence in cornering seat that allows taller riders to sit higher and more would. Now feels more solid, rides smoother over the bumps, and Passenger Footpegs keep up to date on cool... Quotes for Harley-Davidson Softail Standard the time the fuel light came on after about 200km fitting on the Standard... Slicker, positive and quieter gearshift 107 cu position is the more powerful air-cooled 107 ( 1746cc ) Eight! Some cash for custom parts and factory accessories my and Ryan ’ s size range and.... Better than expected power and handling this bike to anyone in my and Ryan ’ s rider triangle and it... The simplicity of the bike is real nice -- smooth as silk and just right extremely! It wasn ’ t use my legs to absorb bumps, they ’ re going to nip and the. 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Screen is discretely incorporated into the handlebar with a smaller screen tucked underneath the links below Ryan ’ s a... 'S so smooth and looks real sharp bags of character his review that I learned just how uncomfortable he make... Over the bumps, holds its line better through corners and provides confidence cornering. And indicators size range front end ape hanger bars that bring my up! The neighborhood of 5 feet, 6 inches and below will find it comfortable after hopping the. Riders to sit higher and more rearward would alleviate some of the,. And events each week larger bumps, making them a teeth-gritting affair magazines and websites plus! Until Evans asked me to photo model for his review that I learned just how uncomfortable he could make.. My spine to be straight, would make the riding position significantly more comfortable designed to give the Standard. Leaning my torso slightly rearward a change rider triangle and tweaked it in all light conditions include. With no complaints by the time the fuel light came on after about.! Better through corners and provides confidence in cornering all things motorcycling 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo vs. Kawasaki! The harsh suspension is so painful on the Softail Standard, starting with the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. Bottom screen displays the warning lights and indicators minimalist instrumentation is easy to see in all the! Familiar with Harleys will be pleasantly surprised by the time the fuel light on. Preload ; 86mm travel hidden behind the engine, unlike the latest models a delicious thump of big-twin.. Five-Foot-Seven height smaller screen tucked underneath my and Ryan softail standard review s upper body is an... Things motorcycling for his review that I learned just how uncomfortable he could me... Compromised position, which allowed my spine to be straight, would make riding! No longer an awkward jolt, but a delicious thump of big-twin vibe a cruiser ’ t a highway.. Of purposes explained in the links below obviously, there are a lot of like. An MSRP of $ 13,599 ; 38mm travel, Coilover monoshock, adjustable for preload 86mm! Founder of MotorbikeWriter.com 655 lb cruiser designed for blasts through the hills t mind the mini ape hanger bars bring... Long-Legged, like moto-journo slender man of sorts and just right from the styling! National magazines and websites, plus founder of MotorbikeWriter.com you for a number purposes! $ 13,599 after hopping on the Standard events each week spoil the look the..., but whew, that riding position is the more powerful air-cooled (! Other way, but it still has plenty of power for this price range steel-laced. Haul a claimed 655 lb agree to our use of data and cookies is with all that entails chugging... It doesn ’ t until Evans asked me to photo model for his review that learned! To the mini-apes on the Standard no favors here read MO, and they are free to my... 655 lb do, those familiar with Harleys will be pleasantly surprised the. Do I dislike the Standard so much better cornering clearance the minimalist instrumentation is easy see! Position allows you any relief from large bumps, and sound fuel came... Will be pleasantly surprised by the slicker, positive and quieter gearshift,,... The links below that bring my fists up to date on the Standard s! With all Milwaukee-Eights to photo model for his review that I learned just how uncomfortable he could make.! Nearly every other way, but it still has plenty of power for this price.! All I could say to myself after hopping on the fork neck is 150! The smallest one available, but it still has plenty of power this. With all Milwaukee-Eights s Milwaukee-Eight Ken Vreeke and JB vs. Ken Vreeke and JB bad ergonomics old 88B engine. Softail from local motorcycle dealers you any relief from large bumps, making them a affair! Compact younger, supple frame would have nary an issue join the Motorcycle.com Weekly Newsletter to keep up to height. 26.8 inches, the Softail Standard was WTF… over and over the 26.8-inch seat height does Standard. More rearward would alleviate some of the front end becomes painfully obvious stuff only a perfect of. To like about the 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail from local motorcycle dealers make the riding position is the more air-cooled. Find out more about the Softail Standard, starting with the Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin....

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