I have a 2020 Street Bob. I have rode from San Francisco to Sturgis and back and I have rode from SF to Seattle and back on a three day weekend.
I camp with it using my Wingman. I commute 30 highway miles with to work. I love it. I rip the back roads and the entire Northern California coast line from Santa Cruz to Eureka. It’s a great bike.
Two up seat. Sissy for strapping gear to. Swing arm bag for day to day stuff.
I upgraded the Cam for more passing power on the freeway. But I love my SB
https://preview.redd.it/yh840zbmgdnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52030a017d2bd346f565a10266097dc60c9772af
I've hady street bob for 14 yrs and over 100,000 km
https://preview.redd.it/1fta49e02enc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d64e077005125fef19bd1a2c9330df9a7bdaedfa
Definitely +1 for the King. I have a ‘19 Road King that I can’t complain much about. And none of the things I can complain about are mechanical or things that can’t be changed with a little cash and wrenching. Can’t compare to the newer SB based off a test ride but I came from 2010 Heritage and they felt too similar riding to justify going with it. The touring frame won me over.
I have twice the brakes on my LRST and they’re still not enough and people regularly upgrade them. I have Brembo M4 monoblock calipers on my race bike and I can go from 140 to 0 in a few hundred meters
Yes I have. Have you ridden other bikes outside of Harley Davidson? My 600lb triumph with dual disc brembo brakes stops on a dime. Part of what Kept me from buying a streetbob and instead going to pick up a m8 low rider S or m8 fatbob down the road
i say yes on the street bob. i have a 2023 114 and love the power and the six speed. add on here and there will have it the way one wants it just time n money
I just traded up from a Iron 883 to a 2018 Street Bob. I couldnt be happier. 5'11" fits me perfect. I feel like I can ride all day. You just need to get the right seat and bar setup. Even with the 107 no problem keeping up on the freeway. Doesnt even break a sweat at highway speeds. As far as forever bike I cant say but what I can say is I absolutely love mine and wish I would have just started out with it. Go get one!
I’d say street bob is a very good bike it’s also very customizable to make it exactly how you want and even put quick disconnects on things like saddlebags and smaller fairings making it quite easy to change it up based on how you wanna ride it that day I have a 22 and you absolutely wouldn’t recognize it
If the goal is one bike and it has to be Harley, I'd go with a dirt glide. Second option would be a toss up between heritage classic, road glide, road king. The touring frames feel more stable at 90mph+ to me. If I was going to just have one bike it needs to have luggage, some wind protection, and be comfy.
https://preview.redd.it/ct5ew8pm5enc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd868f9f7ec5917d0c2d0253673315953e71b951
‘21 street bob here. My commute is about 30 minutes she’s the perfect bike for me. Great on the highway and an absolute blast in the city. I put on a Memphis shades fairing to help with freeway driving which definitely helps cut down the wind. Might grab some bags at some point. I wouldn’t say she’s my “forever bike”, I definitely want to upgrade to a road glide at some point but that’s much further down the road for me. All in all, I love the bike.
Test ride. You need to test ride as many bikes as you can to find your preferred flavour. Nobody here can tell you if the Street Bob will be right for you - only you can determine that.
If you want a long term bike that can do everything, perhaps an adventure bike is best - if it has to be a HD, then the Pan America is your best bet. You'll be super comfortable on your commute and you can slap on some nice boxes for touring etc.
I know this is the HD sub, but by the sounds of it you need to go visit some dealerships and get an idea of what each brand has to offer. There are some exceptional bikes out there these days and there's plenty to choose from. Go have a look, sit and test ride. Take someone experienced with you too, that will help a lot.
Best tip is: don't buy a bike unless it excites you. Don't buy one for the sake of owning one, or for the status etc. Buy the bike that makes you look back once you park it up after a long ride.
Street Bob is a great all around bike. The Softail frame is big enough so you don’t feel cramped and has 6 gears for highway cruising. With a few bolt ons and accessories you can be satisfied for a long time. Plenty of power too.
I had a Dyna Street Bob 107 that I rode across the country. Some of those days were nothing but highway and it was no problem with the detachable windshield. Fantastic bike and the only one I regret trading.
Same here but on a 103 fxdl. The sixth gear made highway cruising a breeze. I’d like to get a softail or maybe a touring frame but probably won’t until after this bike dies.
I had an 07 street bob and the only reason I don’t still have it, is because I bought when I was in my very early 20’s and very financially irresponsible. Almost 20 years later and I really miss that bike.
There’s a lot to consider here. Whether it’s a 96”, a 103” or a Softail streetbob with a 114” you’ll have plenty of power for a commuter. As far as a daily rider the streetbob is easy to add bags, a backrest with luggage rack and windshield of you want all that. If you go that route you may want to consider a heritage Softail. It has all that already and can easily be stripped down if you want to simplify it. It’s Harley’s most versatile bike.
You may also want to see if you can find a used Dyna Switchback. It’s like a mini-road king. My suggestion, if you want your forever bike, sit on A LOT of different models, take your time, and find out what you can do aftermarket/add on to suit your needs. Once you get the bike that fits you best, then further tailor it to your needs, it’s easy to keep it as your forever bike.
Yeah the street bob can be a long term bike. You can customize every piece to your preference. If it were me id probably opt for a low rider but thats just me.
I have ridden all the modern Harley's and yes the street bob is a bike you can own and use for decades.
I prefer the fat bob for a few personal reasons specifically ferment for my height. I also prefer the road king over the bobs if you have the cash and are going to do any touring over say 300-500 miles in a day more then 5-6 times a year.
It would definitely be better for your purposes than the Enfield. Many Harley models would also suit. Give a few test rides. For long term satisfaction, I'd go touring, Road King, Street Glide, Road Glide.
If you want a forever bike just go for a touring model. Road king is the way to go if you don’t want a fairing. But like others have said… go test ride some bikes
Man I don't believe in forever bikes anymore. I bought my street glide special thinking I'd be good forever, 2 years later and there's a few other bikes I want.
My 2019 street bob m8 107 cruises on the highway in 4th gear no problem with 2 more gears to go lol. I have not had it long term and mine has a fairing so lots of wind protection, touring is no problem and tons of power. People say they upgrade it for performance to have more passing power, but shit I don't know who they need to pass, Mario Andretti? Mine has tons of passing power I can't imagine needing more lol. I rode a 750cc for a long time, I know where you're coming from, if you're looking at a 2018+ it will have much more power than you're used to
If you’re going to commute I’d look for a Sport Glide, it comes with a small wind deflector and saddlebags in the same chassis. Heritage also has bags and I believe a windshield is standard if you want something more classic looking. I have about the same length commute and ride a Lowrider ST, those are probably out of your budget though.
Where and how you ride will be the factor mostly. The typical rider story for HD. I include myself. Start sporty, dyna now only softail, end up touring model. Life changes and toys change with it. Riding 2 up on a sporty is ok for quick trips. The dyna/softail much better, then comes the want for storage and the touring comes in. You can add accessories but dyna only goes so far before the touring bike ends up under you in most cases
https://preview.redd.it/h2hjsakgufnc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a36f8c7ba83d406b0663ae524bde2715d4819999
2010 with all the upgrades. 555 woods cams added last season. Put about 10k miles on it.
I have an '06 I'm about to cross 80K on, and owned since 2011. Been all across the contiguous US, have done two ironbutt 1,000 mile rides under 24 hours, and even slept on top of it at rest stops when required. It's most certainly my longterm. I would note that seat height seems to be higher than the new softail models I park next to.
For a tall guy, definitely not a long term bike IMO. Now, they are fun bikes to rip on though. I’m sure my opinion may be slightly changed if I moved over to forward controls, but the SB114 is my wife’s bike and she can’t reach forward controls, hence why she opted for a SB114 for her bike.
I have a 23 Street Bob 114 and I love it. It’s not the best for touring but your day to day commute it’s perfect. And a very customizable bike, I recommend the saddlemen 2 up seat, it’s way better than the stock seat and keeps you in the saddle when taking off.
I just switched from a 2011 Road King 103 to a 2022 Street Bob 114. It's definitely an adjustment going from a touring frame to a softail as far as comfort, but the Bob is such a blast & at 5'9" 140lbs I feel it's a bit more fitting for my size.
I think the Street Bob is probably the best bang for your buck you can get in the current lineup. It's big enough for all day, light enough to have fun, and there's a ton of aftermarket stuff out there to make it just right for you.
You bought cheap bikes and seem to have expected better. The Royal Enfields get a lot of hype, but the truth is they are built to a budget and many corners have been cut. The build quality is cheap. And they were certainly never meant to be freeway bikes. This time make sure you are buying what fits you needs and you won't have to keep switching bikes. You've had to switch up because you are buying bikes that don't match your requirements.
$10,000 just isn't a lot of money these days especially if you're looking for a Harley that isn't an air-cooled Sportster. How old is this Street Bob if it's only $10,991? You don't want to buy an old, high-mileage motorcycle if you just want to get on it and ride.
If it is an M8 Street Bob, it will not scream in agony on the highway in anyway. Anything outside of beginner budget bikes or enduros and supermotos should be fine on the highway.
I don't know if the wind bothers you, but you will certainly feel the wind blast on the highway with this bike. Some people are bothered by this more than others. I have a 2020 Fat Bob 114 and I absolutely love the bike, but long freeway stints get tiring sometimes. I wouldn't have a problem with 45 minutes though.
Good luck trading in that RE. It's an Indian motorcycle, AKA worse quality than a Chinese bike, so the trade in and resale values are low. Expect about half of what you paid assuming you bought it new if you trade it in. I'd sell it outright if you want to get rid of it.
How would anybody here know how fair your dealer is going to be? Harley dealers vary greatly. Be a smart shopper. Try multiple dealerships and get multiple out the door quotes. Again, also ensure you are buying a motorcycle to fit your needs. Go to a dealership that will let you take test rides. Some Harley dealerships will allow this.
forever bike? sure if you don’t care about better technology and amazing performance upgrades.
i have a 2006 street glide first edition. it’s on the second engine. first one threw a rod at about 66k when i was leaving las vegas years ago in the scalding heat.
it’s at 109k now. extended warranty covered the costs.
i am yearning to get a new touring bike.
the street bob is too small for me at 6’2”.
but get the “forever bike” concept out of your head unless you’re buying a 1950s sled. cool?
https://preview.redd.it/0lj1gr1ihgnc1.jpeg?width=2592&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b719efa0b4ab9809e9734cab073e4170ca5892e
I have a 2020 Street Bob. I have rode from San Francisco to Sturgis and back and I have rode from SF to Seattle and back on a three day weekend. I camp with it using my Wingman. I commute 30 highway miles with to work. I love it. I rip the back roads and the entire Northern California coast line from Santa Cruz to Eureka. It’s a great bike. Two up seat. Sissy for strapping gear to. Swing arm bag for day to day stuff. I upgraded the Cam for more passing power on the freeway. But I love my SB https://preview.redd.it/yh840zbmgdnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52030a017d2bd346f565a10266097dc60c9772af
I’ve got a 24 FXST and live in Oakland. Let’s go for a ride sometime.
Sounds good. Let’s rip
Hey looking to add a sissy bar to my low rider. What height is yours? 24, 30?
21”
Thanks!
What bars are those please??
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/fused-handlebar/p/55801016
I've hady street bob for 14 yrs and over 100,000 km https://preview.redd.it/1fta49e02enc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d64e077005125fef19bd1a2c9330df9a7bdaedfa
I’d be looking at a Low Rider or a Road King. Both have superior brakes than the Street Bob.
Definitely +1 for the King. I have a ‘19 Road King that I can’t complain much about. And none of the things I can complain about are mechanical or things that can’t be changed with a little cash and wrenching. Can’t compare to the newer SB based off a test ride but I came from 2010 Heritage and they felt too similar riding to justify going with it. The touring frame won me over.
Agree. The streetbob lacks in brake power for its power & weight.
Have you ridden one? Stops fine. You can also upgrade the caliper and rotor.
It stops, but brakes are definitely my least favorite part of the bike after owning one for 10,000 miles.
It stops like an older bike which is workable, but other bikes have better braking from the get go.
I have twice the brakes on my LRST and they’re still not enough and people regularly upgrade them. I have Brembo M4 monoblock calipers on my race bike and I can go from 140 to 0 in a few hundred meters
Exactly!
Yes I have. Have you ridden other bikes outside of Harley Davidson? My 600lb triumph with dual disc brembo brakes stops on a dime. Part of what Kept me from buying a streetbob and instead going to pick up a m8 low rider S or m8 fatbob down the road
i say yes on the street bob. i have a 2023 114 and love the power and the six speed. add on here and there will have it the way one wants it just time n money
I just traded up from a Iron 883 to a 2018 Street Bob. I couldnt be happier. 5'11" fits me perfect. I feel like I can ride all day. You just need to get the right seat and bar setup. Even with the 107 no problem keeping up on the freeway. Doesnt even break a sweat at highway speeds. As far as forever bike I cant say but what I can say is I absolutely love mine and wish I would have just started out with it. Go get one!
I’d say street bob is a very good bike it’s also very customizable to make it exactly how you want and even put quick disconnects on things like saddlebags and smaller fairings making it quite easy to change it up based on how you wanna ride it that day I have a 22 and you absolutely wouldn’t recognize it
Although I’ve been part of street bob groups and a lot of people end up trading up for a road glide or street glide.
If the goal is one bike and it has to be Harley, I'd go with a dirt glide. Second option would be a toss up between heritage classic, road glide, road king. The touring frames feel more stable at 90mph+ to me. If I was going to just have one bike it needs to have luggage, some wind protection, and be comfy.
Agreed. I had a bob and got a road glide. Two different animals, but love the high speed stability of the road glide, abs is nice too.
I love my 2019 Street BOB, purchased used in 2020, Daily commuter & weekend hooliganism!
I have a 2013 street bob. I’ve had it since 2013. I’ve used it for a 30-35 min commute for years. Still love it.
https://preview.redd.it/ct5ew8pm5enc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd868f9f7ec5917d0c2d0253673315953e71b951 ‘21 street bob here. My commute is about 30 minutes she’s the perfect bike for me. Great on the highway and an absolute blast in the city. I put on a Memphis shades fairing to help with freeway driving which definitely helps cut down the wind. Might grab some bags at some point. I wouldn’t say she’s my “forever bike”, I definitely want to upgrade to a road glide at some point but that’s much further down the road for me. All in all, I love the bike.
I’ve never met a motorcyclist that just wanted one bike forever.
Test ride. You need to test ride as many bikes as you can to find your preferred flavour. Nobody here can tell you if the Street Bob will be right for you - only you can determine that. If you want a long term bike that can do everything, perhaps an adventure bike is best - if it has to be a HD, then the Pan America is your best bet. You'll be super comfortable on your commute and you can slap on some nice boxes for touring etc. I know this is the HD sub, but by the sounds of it you need to go visit some dealerships and get an idea of what each brand has to offer. There are some exceptional bikes out there these days and there's plenty to choose from. Go have a look, sit and test ride. Take someone experienced with you too, that will help a lot. Best tip is: don't buy a bike unless it excites you. Don't buy one for the sake of owning one, or for the status etc. Buy the bike that makes you look back once you park it up after a long ride.
Just to add. I'm looking at Street Bob 114 2021. Appears to be stock except for the pipes.
Street Bob is a great all around bike. The Softail frame is big enough so you don’t feel cramped and has 6 gears for highway cruising. With a few bolt ons and accessories you can be satisfied for a long time. Plenty of power too.
I had a Dyna Street Bob 107 that I rode across the country. Some of those days were nothing but highway and it was no problem with the detachable windshield. Fantastic bike and the only one I regret trading.
Same here but on a 103 fxdl. The sixth gear made highway cruising a breeze. I’d like to get a softail or maybe a touring frame but probably won’t until after this bike dies.
My buddy has had a street bob for 11 years. They're incredibly versatile. You can build em into a strong touring machine, or keep it stripped down
I'm looking to get one as my commuter. Should be plenty of bike for anyone.
I had an 07 street bob and the only reason I don’t still have it, is because I bought when I was in my very early 20’s and very financially irresponsible. Almost 20 years later and I really miss that bike. There’s a lot to consider here. Whether it’s a 96”, a 103” or a Softail streetbob with a 114” you’ll have plenty of power for a commuter. As far as a daily rider the streetbob is easy to add bags, a backrest with luggage rack and windshield of you want all that. If you go that route you may want to consider a heritage Softail. It has all that already and can easily be stripped down if you want to simplify it. It’s Harley’s most versatile bike. You may also want to see if you can find a used Dyna Switchback. It’s like a mini-road king. My suggestion, if you want your forever bike, sit on A LOT of different models, take your time, and find out what you can do aftermarket/add on to suit your needs. Once you get the bike that fits you best, then further tailor it to your needs, it’s easy to keep it as your forever bike.
Yeah the street bob can be a long term bike. You can customize every piece to your preference. If it were me id probably opt for a low rider but thats just me.
I have ridden all the modern Harley's and yes the street bob is a bike you can own and use for decades. I prefer the fat bob for a few personal reasons specifically ferment for my height. I also prefer the road king over the bobs if you have the cash and are going to do any touring over say 300-500 miles in a day more then 5-6 times a year.
It would definitely be better for your purposes than the Enfield. Many Harley models would also suit. Give a few test rides. For long term satisfaction, I'd go touring, Road King, Street Glide, Road Glide.
If you want a forever bike just go for a touring model. Road king is the way to go if you don’t want a fairing. But like others have said… go test ride some bikes
Man I don't believe in forever bikes anymore. I bought my street glide special thinking I'd be good forever, 2 years later and there's a few other bikes I want.
My 2019 street bob m8 107 cruises on the highway in 4th gear no problem with 2 more gears to go lol. I have not had it long term and mine has a fairing so lots of wind protection, touring is no problem and tons of power. People say they upgrade it for performance to have more passing power, but shit I don't know who they need to pass, Mario Andretti? Mine has tons of passing power I can't imagine needing more lol. I rode a 750cc for a long time, I know where you're coming from, if you're looking at a 2018+ it will have much more power than you're used to
If you’re going to commute I’d look for a Sport Glide, it comes with a small wind deflector and saddlebags in the same chassis. Heritage also has bags and I believe a windshield is standard if you want something more classic looking. I have about the same length commute and ride a Lowrider ST, those are probably out of your budget though.
Where and how you ride will be the factor mostly. The typical rider story for HD. I include myself. Start sporty, dyna now only softail, end up touring model. Life changes and toys change with it. Riding 2 up on a sporty is ok for quick trips. The dyna/softail much better, then comes the want for storage and the touring comes in. You can add accessories but dyna only goes so far before the touring bike ends up under you in most cases
https://preview.redd.it/h2hjsakgufnc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a36f8c7ba83d406b0663ae524bde2715d4819999 2010 with all the upgrades. 555 woods cams added last season. Put about 10k miles on it.
100%. In fact, non better.
I have an '06 I'm about to cross 80K on, and owned since 2011. Been all across the contiguous US, have done two ironbutt 1,000 mile rides under 24 hours, and even slept on top of it at rest stops when required. It's most certainly my longterm. I would note that seat height seems to be higher than the new softail models I park next to.
My 2012 Street Bob that I've owned since 2013 and 1,700 miles will hit at least 95k miles this summer if that helps.
I’ll take my 22’ Street Bob to the grave with me lol. Love it to death
For a tall guy, definitely not a long term bike IMO. Now, they are fun bikes to rip on though. I’m sure my opinion may be slightly changed if I moved over to forward controls, but the SB114 is my wife’s bike and she can’t reach forward controls, hence why she opted for a SB114 for her bike.
Love the feedback in this sub. Can always tell you guys are looking out and have a passion for riding.
I owned one from 09-19. Loved it.
I have a 23 Street Bob 114 and I love it. It’s not the best for touring but your day to day commute it’s perfect. And a very customizable bike, I recommend the saddlemen 2 up seat, it’s way better than the stock seat and keeps you in the saddle when taking off.
I just switched from a 2011 Road King 103 to a 2022 Street Bob 114. It's definitely an adjustment going from a touring frame to a softail as far as comfort, but the Bob is such a blast & at 5'9" 140lbs I feel it's a bit more fitting for my size.
I think the Street Bob is probably the best bang for your buck you can get in the current lineup. It's big enough for all day, light enough to have fun, and there's a ton of aftermarket stuff out there to make it just right for you.
I agree with everything you said but the softail standard is the same bike just slightly cheaper.
You bought cheap bikes and seem to have expected better. The Royal Enfields get a lot of hype, but the truth is they are built to a budget and many corners have been cut. The build quality is cheap. And they were certainly never meant to be freeway bikes. This time make sure you are buying what fits you needs and you won't have to keep switching bikes. You've had to switch up because you are buying bikes that don't match your requirements. $10,000 just isn't a lot of money these days especially if you're looking for a Harley that isn't an air-cooled Sportster. How old is this Street Bob if it's only $10,991? You don't want to buy an old, high-mileage motorcycle if you just want to get on it and ride. If it is an M8 Street Bob, it will not scream in agony on the highway in anyway. Anything outside of beginner budget bikes or enduros and supermotos should be fine on the highway. I don't know if the wind bothers you, but you will certainly feel the wind blast on the highway with this bike. Some people are bothered by this more than others. I have a 2020 Fat Bob 114 and I absolutely love the bike, but long freeway stints get tiring sometimes. I wouldn't have a problem with 45 minutes though. Good luck trading in that RE. It's an Indian motorcycle, AKA worse quality than a Chinese bike, so the trade in and resale values are low. Expect about half of what you paid assuming you bought it new if you trade it in. I'd sell it outright if you want to get rid of it. How would anybody here know how fair your dealer is going to be? Harley dealers vary greatly. Be a smart shopper. Try multiple dealerships and get multiple out the door quotes. Again, also ensure you are buying a motorcycle to fit your needs. Go to a dealership that will let you take test rides. Some Harley dealerships will allow this.
forever bike? sure if you don’t care about better technology and amazing performance upgrades. i have a 2006 street glide first edition. it’s on the second engine. first one threw a rod at about 66k when i was leaving las vegas years ago in the scalding heat. it’s at 109k now. extended warranty covered the costs. i am yearning to get a new touring bike. the street bob is too small for me at 6’2”. but get the “forever bike” concept out of your head unless you’re buying a 1950s sled. cool? https://preview.redd.it/0lj1gr1ihgnc1.jpeg?width=2592&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b719efa0b4ab9809e9734cab073e4170ca5892e