The Street Bob is Harley-Davidson’s purest, simplest and cheapest ‘Big Twin’ cruiser. Originally launched in 2006 as a basic, pared-back ‘Bobber’ (hence the name) it proved popular for its affordability and also because it provides a great blank canvas for modification. The original was a twin shock ‘Dyna’ with 1449cc but it later grew to 1584cc and then 1868cc before, in 2018, it gained the new ‘hidden shock’ Softail chassis.
Twenty years on from the original, the latest FXBB Street Bob remains popular for being a basic ‘Big Twin’ with mini ‘ape-hanger’ bars and… not a lot else. But for 2026 the engine has gotten bigger still, moving from the Milwaukee Eight 114 to 117. It now has four riding modes, plus things like cornering ABS and traction control as standard, and yet its appeal and spirit are unchanged. Our press test bike also featured accessory wire wheels, Dr. Jeckill & Mr. Hyde exhaust and a touring screen from Harley-Davidson’s comprehensive accessory brochure. As we said, the Street Bob is a perfect platform for customisation.
The big news for 2026 is the upgrade from the old 114ci (1868cc) Milwaukee Eight V-twin, to the slightly larger 117ci (1923cc) version, which boosts both power and torque slightly. The result is peaks of 98bhp (73kW) at 4600rpm and 120ftlb (163Nm) at 2500rpm and while there’s enough power for fairly impressive acceleration, for day to day riding it’s instead all about relaxed, charismatic drive accompanied by Harley’s signature soundtrack.
It’s not for everyone and may not be potent, modern or sophisticated, but it is evocative, effective and tremendously authentic. The six-speed gearchange remains a little crude, to the extent that finding neutral at standstill becomes a regular chore, while final drive, as with all big Harleys, is by traditional, fuss-free belt. The four modes are welcome, too, with Road sufficient most of the time and Sport adding edginess and urgency when hustling down backroads.
Handling-wise, there’s no reason to expect much from the Street Bob’s old school chassis but it’s well set-up and surprisingly capable of bend-swinging fun. The switch to the Softail layout in 2018 brought a new frame with a mix of tubular and box steel sections but the single rear shock is only preload adjustable and the forks are Harley’s standard-issue 49mm Showa ‘Dual Bending Valve’ types with no adjustment whatsoever.
The wheels, meanwhile, comprise a semi-chopper style, narrow 19” at the front with a 16” rear, both wearing fairly basic, Harley-branded, Dunlop tyres. In short, there’s nothing, cycle parts-wise, to write home about. But it all works more than competently, the ride is fine (although potholes catch out the short travel rear end and really jars your spine) and the steering is light and accurate.
Braking, meanwhile, although only a single front 300mm disc grasped by a fairly basic four-piston caliper with matching 292mm/twin piston setup at the back, is enough, just about, especially if used in combination. Overall, the Street Bob is no sports machine, obviously, but for a high-barred cruiser it’s surprisingly happy to hustle and is also willing and more fun than you’d expect.
The Street Bob’s riding position is classic, high-barred cruiser. Its seat is an ultra-low 655mm, the saddle itself is on the skimpy side with a small pillion pad on the rear fender. Footpegs (not boards) are set slightly forwards and the ‘mini ape hanger’ handlebars, although raised, aren’t as extreme as they look. In addition, its weight is carried low. The long, 1630mm, wheelbase adds stability and overall, it feels like a classic – but mild – Harley chopper.
The high front/low rear and small seat means comfort isn’t great. In standard trim there’s no screen, so it lacks wind and weather protection making distance and motorways a chore, but if that’s a priority, you’re looking at the wrong bike. For what the Street Bob is it’s surprisingly comfortable and easy to manage – but I still wouldn’t fancy being a pillion on one (I once went pillion on a Street Bob, it was so ridiculous it was the most fun I think I’ve ever had on two wheels – Ed)!
A basic bobber, by definition, doesn’t prioritise practicality, instead being a posing, cruising machine, but even so the Street Bob is far more versatile than its looks suggest. The low seat, slimness and light steering make it fine around town. Although comfort is marginal it’s happily capable of a couple of hours before a stop, and the Street Bob is also more fun down a windy road than it has any right to be.
Sure, there’s no weather protection, luggage or sophisticated features, but the Street Bob is also an affordable ‘blank canvas’ for Harley’s extensive range of official accessories, which means that if you do want to add practicality, in the form of our test bike’s screen or a pillion back rest or even soft luggage, it’s easier than on most bikes (although we’d still recommend you go for a Harley with those things already fitted, such as the £21k Low Rider ST or £24k Heritage Classic, instead).
As Harley’s most basic, budget-orientated ‘Big Twin’ cruiser, the Street Bob’s not intended to have much by way of equipment. So, there’s no luggage or weather protection, not much by way of pillion provision and only a basic, 4” analogue style ‘clock’. But there are four riding modes, that dash has a new USB-C charging socket, Harley’s ‘Rider Safety Enhancements’ pack, (traction control, cornering ABS etc), is now standard and there are also rubber fork gaiters and a choice of five colours (although, apart from grey, all cost £600 extra). Our test bike also came with optional wire wheels (c.£750, as standard it has cast aluminium ones), accessory screen (c.£400) and a Dr. Jeckill & Mr. Hyde electronically adjustable exhaust (around £2000).
That all comes on top of a Street Bob which currently starts at £13,995, which is good when you realise the next cheapest ‘Big Twin’ is the £19,495 Low Rider S. But that’s not the whole story. Our test bike, for example, with its optional paint, wheels, pipes and more would be well approaching £18k. Even so, it’s still Harley’s most affordable big cruiser.
As such, if you fancy a big US cruiser at an affordable price possible, the Street Bob might be for you. It also has probably the most straight forward proposition of all Harley’s ‘Big Twins’ and not just delivers on that promise but exceeds expectations by being dynamically more fun and surprisingly more versatile than it has any right to be. That all makes the Street Bob not just good, but great value, too. But watch out, if you get too carried away with accessories such as the brilliant exhaust pipes, it won’t be for long!
Harley-Davidson FXBB Street Bob Specification
Price: £13,995
Engine: 1923cc Milwaukee Eight 117 OHV V-twin, 4v, air-cooled
Power: 98bhp (73kW) @ 4,600rpm
Torque: 163Nm (120lb-ft) @ 2,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, belt
Frame: Tubular steel cradle
Suspension: (F) Showa 49mm telescopic forks, no adjust (R) Showa preload adjustable monoshock.
Wheels: Cast alloy, (F) 19 x 2.5” (R) 16 x 3”
Tyres: Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, D401 (F) 110/90 x 19, (R) 150/80 x 16
Brakes: (F) 300mm disc, 4-piston caliper, (R) 292mm disc, twin piston caliper, ABS
Weight: 293kg (wet)
Wheelbase: 1630mm
Seat height: 655mm
Fuel tank: 13.2 litres
Fuel consumption: 47mpg (claimed)
Service intervals: 5000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: www.harley-davidson.com
Words: Phil West
Photos: Harley-Davidson/Phil West
