Harley-davidson Softail Standard vs Harley-davidson Softail Custom
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Harley-davidson Softail Standard
Harley-davidson Softail Custom
Horsepower (hp)
68 hp
58 hp
Torque (Nm)
145 Nm
98 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
177 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
298 kg
287 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
68 hp @ 5,020 rpm
58 hp @ 5,000 rpm (note: estimated for Evolution 1340cc engine; exact figures vary by year)
Torque
145 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
98 Nm @ 3,500 rpm (note: estimated for Evolution 1340cc engine)
Top Speed
177 km/h (estimated)
175 km/h (estimated)
Weight
298 kg (wet/curb weight)
287 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.2 L/100km (approximately 16.1 km/L) — estimated real-world average
6.5 L/100km (approximately 15.4 km/L)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Softail Standard
7.5/10
"A dependable, stripped-back cruiser that rewards practical buyers over posers."
Pros
+Milwaukee-Eight torque is addictive
+Bulletproof parts availability
+Solid chassis post-2018
Cons
−Stock seat is genuinely awful
−Rear suspension purely cosmetic
−Chrome pits without careful maintenance
Harley-davidson Softail Custom
7.5/10
"A beautiful, trustworthy cruiser if you buy smart and inspect thoroughly."
Pros
+Twin Cam reliability well-proven
+Slow, predictable depreciation
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
Cons
−Cam chain tensioners wear early
−Chrome quality embarrassingly poor
−Highway comfort genuinely suffers