Few bikes are more accurately named than the 2025 iteration of Harley-Davidson’s Street Glide Ultra. This newcomer is simply the latest, ‘ultimate’ version of H-D’s best-selling and class-defining Street Glide ‘bagger’ and it delivers admirably – but therein lies the slightly confusing rub, too.
Harley effectively invented the bagger in 2006, when it chopped the screen and binned the top box of the Electra Glide ‘full dresser’ to create a custom cruiser with the practicality of a tourer. The result was such a hit it spawned a wealth of updates, rivals and variants with this latest example intended as the ‘ultimate’ Street Glide, with added touring comfort, luxury and features. It succeeds at exactly that but, by adding a taller screen, top box and more, you have to question if it’s still actually a true ‘bagger’ or, in reality, an ever so slightly de-specced full dresser…
The Ultra uses the same 117 cubic inch (1923cc) version of Harley’s ‘Milwaukee Eight’ V-twin, which gained liquid-cooled, four-valve heads (that’s eight in total, hence the name!) back in 2017, as the standard Street Glide. Although not the most powerful, it’s still good for 107bhp and a very healthy 175Nm of torque.
There’s a soft, nostalgic feel to its delivery, reasonably brisk acceleration when required and four selectable rider modes (Rain, Road, Sport and Custom). Braking, meanwhile, despite the Ultra’s bulk and 393kg kerb weight, is reasonable too, thanks to big twin discs and Brembo calipers at the front and a third at the rear, although, now and again, you do need the rear’s assistance when pulling up quickly.
Handling-wise, clearly the Ultra is no sportster, but on the move its weight somehow disappears, the V-twin keeps its CofG respectably low, and, with decent quality Japanese Showa suspension front and rear, things are sufficiently under control to have bend-swinging fun. The ride may be on the plush side, but that’s what you expect. Overall, unless pushed ridiculously hard, you’ll have no causes for concern.
Motorcycles don’t get much more comfortable than US-style full-dress tourers and, for all its bagger roots, the Ultra is effectively exactly that, a full-dress tourer. If you can handle its bulk and weight, you’ll be pampered like little else. Feet rest on full-length footboards and the new fairing lowers with adjustable venting help keep you cool, while a new ‘Comfort’ seat and 101.6mm taller screen adds to the plushness.
The pillion gets even a built-in backrest and arm rests. Of course there’s a trade-off in manageability, the Ultra is far bulkier than the cut-down, 25kg lighter Street Glide, but if comfort for two is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed.
As for practicality, well it all depends on what you’re looking for. The Ultra is so big and expensive it makes no sense around town or as a year-round commuter, and it is obviously no sports bike or off-roader. But if you’re after lavishly equipped, two-up touring comfort with an American twist, it delivers better than most. It’s more comfortable and has almost twice the luggage capacity of the standard Street Glide.
It also has more weather protection and luxury features such as keyless operation, heated grips and cruise control. It’s not as slick or swift as Euro tourers such as BMW’s R 1300 RT or K 1600 GT, nor is it as entertaining as those two when it comes to eating big miles, but it compensates with a charisma and crowd-pulling ability.
We’ve already hinted that the Ultra is effectively a US style ‘full-dress’ so it’s no surprise it’s lavishly equipped. The handlebar-mounted fairing has a taller screen and revised fairing lowers; there’s a new ‘Comfort’ seat; new King ‘Tour-Pak’ top box with pillion back and armrests; impressive 12.3” TFT dash which is touch and voice activated to access its satnav, music, phone comms and more and there are four modes, cruise control, ABS, heated grips/seat and even an electronic ‘hill hold’ control.
As tested, the new Street Gilde Ultra starts at £28,495 (€36,495 in Ireland) which, unquestionably, is a lot of money, although in the context of other Harleys actually represents pretty good value. For just £1000 more than the base Street Glide you’re actually getting a lot of extras for your money, while it’s also nearly £2000 less than the virtually identical Ultra Limited full-dress tourer which costs £30,395.
Trouble is, by giving its star bagger ‘more’, Harley’s come up with a bike that’s not really a bagger anymore. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you want a bagger for its style, Harley already has you well covered with its standard Street Glide. If you want a Street Glide with added comfort, you won’t be disappointed with the Ultra and, best of all, if you want a full dresser, the Ultra’s also effectively an Ultra Limited… for nearly £2000 less.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra Specification
Price: From £28,495 (UK) / €36,495 (Ireland)
Engine: 1923cc ‘Milwaukee’ V-twin, OHV, four valves per cylinder, air/liquid cooled
Power: 107bhp (80kW) @ 5020rpm
Torque: 175Nm (129.1lb-ft) @ 3500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, belt
Frame: Tubular steel double cradle
Suspension: (F) 49mm Showa USD telescopic forks, no adjust (R) preload adjustable twin shocks.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, (F) 19 x 3.5in (R) 18 x 5.5in
Tyres: Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series (F) 130/60 x 19, (R) 180/55 x 18
Brakes: (F) 2 x 300mm discs, four-piston Brembo radial calipers, (R) 240mm disc, twin-piston caliper. ABS
Weight: 393kg (wet)
Wheelbase: 1,625mm
Seat height: 725mm
Fuel tank: 22.7 litres
Fuel consumption: 47mpg (measured)
Service intervals: 5000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://www.harley-davidson.com
Words: Phil West
Photos: Harley-Davidson
