The Softail Standard models feature four accessory packages
Harley-Davidson launched the Softail Standard which features a lean bobber design, the Harley-Davidson Softail chassis and the Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine. Also, the motorcycles are fitted with the classic Vivid Black paint, chrome parts and polished finishes.
The engine
The Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin has 1,746cc. The advanced cylinder head design, dual knock sensors, and precision cooling offer a 10.0:1 compression ratio which helps the engine to deliver 149 Nm of torque and improve acceleration.
To reduce vibration, Harley-Davidson fitted the motorcycle with dual counter-balancers. Other upgrades include the four-valve cylinder heads which provide the sufficient airflow for the engine.
Also, the engine was optimized to receive Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Stage Upgrade kits.
The Softail Standard frame
Harley-Davidson updated the steel frame which now is lighter and stiffer thanks to the rigid-mounted powertrain. Also, the Softail swingarm was designed to increase the stiffness level to improve the handling of the Softail Standard motorcycles.
The suspension
On the front, Harley offers a dual bending valve fork which offers improved braking and handling performance for the bike.
On the rear, the Softail Standard models are fitted with mono-shock which has a coil-over shock placed under the seat.
The suspension has pre-load adjustment and the rider can change the setup by removing the seat. The ABS is optional on the Softail Standard motorcycles.
Features
The Harley-Davidson Softail Standard models are available only in the Vivid Black colour scheme. Other features include chrome components such as the shields and mufflers, and models also have polished parts.
The bikes are fitted with a solo seat, chopped rear fender and an 11 litres fuel tank.
Another feature of the Softail Standard models is the 2-into-2 offset exhaust system.
The motorcycles feature steel wheels, 19-inch front and 16-inch in the rear, both with chrome finishes.
Other features include clear-coated fork sliders, polished triple-clamps, polished top clamp and riser, and a chromed headlamp.
The Harley-Davidson Softail Standard models are equipped with an ape handlebar and riders can choose from four accessory packages.
Day Tripper Custom Package:
- a pillion
- 21-inch detachable sissy bar
- passenger seat
- passenger footpegs and mounts
- forward foot controls
- black leather Single-Sided Swingarm bag
*costs: $1,409 (€1,300)
Coastal Custom Package:
- Softail Quarter Fairing
- black anodized aluminium Moto Bar handlebar
- Bevel two-up seat
- passenger footpegs
- BMX-style footpegs from the 80GRIT Collection
*costs: $1,599 (€1,470)
Touring Custom Package:
- Sundowner two-up seat
- passenger footpegs
- 14-inch-high light smoke quick-release windshield
- classic black detachable saddlebags
- 14.5-inch detachable sissy bar
- backrest pad
*costs: $1,699 (€1,565)
Performance Custom Package:
- Screamin’ Eagle Stage II Torque kit
- Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner
- Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather Performance Air Cleaner
- Screamin’ Eagle Street Cannon mufflers
*costs: $1,299 (€1,200)
The 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard models have a price tag of $13,599 (€12,525).
On 7 September 2021, I traded my MY2013 Superglide on a new 2021 Softail Standard at Perth Harley Davidson. On my way home from the dealership, I found the bike developed a strange vibration at freeway speeds. The vibration felt like the bike was encountering corrugations on the road surface, and then running smooth again, in a continuous cycle that occurred about every 1.5 seconds.
I immediately turned around and took the bike back to the dealer. They said the probable cause was pressure flat spots on the tyres caused by the extended period the bike was crated during transit to Perth, Western Australia. They said the problem would probably resolve over time with use and heat build-up in the tyres that would ease the flat spots. It didn’t resolve itself, so on 14 September 2021, I took the bike back to the dealer. They told me that they checked the wheels and found them to be true. They had determined the engine mounts might be the cause and had made adjustments, which they claimed had resolved the issue.
I picked the bike up from the dealership on 23 September 2021 but, when I rode it home, I found the problem was still there, totally unchanged. This time I checked if the vibration went away when the clutch was pulled in. It didn’t. So I turned around and returned to the dealership once more. This time they told me that all the Softail framed bikes have this vibration, which is due to engine harmonics, and I would just have to get used to it.
I don’t believe this for one minute, nor that the factory would spend time, money and effort designing and building the new engine without addressing this problem. However, they said that they would follow up with the factory. If it is a common issue, it occurred to me that there would be heaps of comment on the internet, so I Googled, but could find nothing there from other owners experiencing a similar vibration.