Motorcycle specifications Harley-Davidson1745 Softail Street Bob FXBB 2020 Face to face

The Street Bob has a rather special status at Harley. It's similar to the entry-level model with the Big Block engine. It's not, however, a cheap motorcycle - quite the contrary, and interesting in more ways than one. It's a thrill-seeking machine, as uncluttered as a bobber should be, with a sporty edge for the daring terrain rider.

The Street Bob's limits were those of the Dyna chassis. The new version is a completely different story. Like most members of this now-defunct family, it's based on a new version of the... Softail. That's right. And stop coughing, because it's the same sauce for the Low Rider and Fat Bob.
Now that the pill has passed, moderation will take care of itself with the specifics of the frame in question. The basic formula hasn't changed: a deceptively Hardtail frame made of tubular steel. Except that a big ladle of evolution makes it lighter and stiffer, with better ground clearance and improved peripherals. The two shock absorbers under the engine have been removed, leaving the job to an under-seat monoshock. More efficient, it will work in tandem with an upgraded fork from the Touring models.

Once contact has been established, any notion of half-measures or moderation must disappear. Just the road, the bike, hands at shoulder level, and a big twin to make it all vibrate. Except at idle. Because the M8 has received good manners in its genetic... er, mechanical heritage. Vibrations are greatly reduced when revs are lazy, and then it's time for the big torque of this engine. An ox heart, with strong breathing and a generous hand. Nearly 15 mkg are there to let you discover the dark and raw side of the machine, and of the individual. The ride promises to be much livelier than with the old Dyna. Not content with a more efficient chassis and a beefier twin-cylinder, the Street Bob has lost 7 kilos on the scales.

When riding the Street Bob, it's forbidden not to enjoy yourself. On the other hand, authorized or not, you'll get a real kick out of it: there's no protection, and riding at sustained speed will be appreciated neither by the neck nor the arms. Reduced to a minimum, the machine doesn't even have a needle-type speedometer. Instead, a tiny digital screen embedded in the handlebar trigger guard displays the essentials. It's a crude information block that reflects the machine's image: placed in front of the emotion, you'd almost wonder why you'd want more.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos