Harley-Davidson Updates Softail Lineup for 2025

Confirming our previous reporting, the 2025 Softail lineup will consist of six models, with a seventh model expected to come later as this year’s Icon model. For 2025, the Softail lineup consists of the Low Rider S, Low Rider ST, Breakout, Fat Boy, Street Bob, and Heritage Classic. We’ll go over the details of each model in a bit, but here’s what they have in common.

For 2025, all of the Softails are getting one of three versions of a 117ci (1,923cc) Milwaukee-Eight 45-degree V-Twin engine, replacing the 114ci and 107ci engines employed in 2024. All three engine variants make use of a new four-valve cylinder head design, a new cylinder head cooling system, a contoured aluminum intake manifold, and updated exhaust systems.

The Heritage Classic and Street Bob receive the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic engine, which claims flat torque curve and a peak output of 120 lb-ft. at 2,500 rpm to go with a claimed 98 hp at 4,600 rpm. The Classic engine is matched with a 2-into-1 exhaust and round air cleaner.

The Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom engine will be employed on the 2025 Fat Boy and Breakout. The Custom engine offers a performance upgrade over the Classic, claiming 104 hp at 4,800 rpm and 126 lb-ft. at 3,000 rpm, thanks to a larger air intake and a 2-into2 exhaust with individual catalysts.

The Low Rider S and ST receive the range-topping High Output version of the engine, claiming 114 hp at 5,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 H.O. uses the same performance camshaft developed for the M-8 121 H.O. engine on the CVO Road Glide ST. Harley-Davidson claims it delivers strong acceleration in the mid- to high-rpm range, with the rev limit increasing to 5,900 rpm compared to 5,600 rpm on the Classic and Custom engines. The Low Rider models are equipped with a Heavy Breather intake and a 2-into-1 exhaust (the Low Rider ST is pictured below).

For the first time, Harley-Davidson’s Softail range offers selectable ride modes, each offering a different combination of fuel mapping, engine braking, cornering antilock braking system (C-ABS) and cornering traction control system (C-TCS) settings. Road mode is for typical daily use, Rain mode reduces torque at higher engine speeds and offers a softer throttle response. Sport mode is specific to each version of the M-8 117 engine, opening the full potential of each engine’s character.

Along with the aforementioned lean-sensitive C-ABS and C-TCS aids, the Softails offer cornering drag torque slip control (engine braking control) and a tire pressure monitoring system. To manage all the new electronic aids, all six cruiser models receive new hand controls. The switchgear includes buttons to various different settings plus a new “flash head lamp to pass” lever near the left index finger position. Harley-Davidson also made the brake levers adjustable.

All of the electronic functions are displayed on a multi-function LCD screen integrated with an analog speedometer. On the Heritage Classic and Fat Boy, the display is a five-inch diameter unit mounted on the fuel tank. For the other models, the display is a four-inch unit mounted on the handlebar.

For 2025, Harley-Davidson retuned the front and rear suspension across the Softail range, replacing the progressive springs with single-rate coils, claiming improved balance between front fork and rear monoshock, with reduced harshness and a more linear dive response.

Anyone hoping for increased suspension travel will be disappointed to hear that it remains unchanged from 2024, while the seat heights are also unchanged. The Fat Boy and Breakout models also lose the remote preload adjustment knob found on the right side cover of previous models, switching to an underseat hydraulic adjuster.

The performance model in the Softail range, the Low Rider S is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 H.O. engine. For 2025, it receives red accents instead of the bronze touches offered in recent model years, and a restyled LED taillight. Features include a 43mm inverted fork, a taller rear shock for increased lean angle, dual front brakes, Michelin Scorcher 31 tires, a club-style handlebar, a solo seat and a color-matched mini fairing.

The 2025 Low Rider S FXLRS begins at $20,499, for a $500 jump over last year’s pricing.

The sport-touring version of the Low Rider comes with a frame mounted fairing lockable and removable rigid saddlebags, now symmetric in size to offer the same capacity on each side. Like the S model, the Low Rider ST comes with a restyled taillight and red trim.

Powered by the same H.O. engine as the Low Rider S, the ST comes in at $24,199 for an $800 increase over the 2024 price.

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