Harley-davidson Softail Standard vs Harley-davidson Softail Deluxe
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 Deluxe
Horsepower (hp)
68 hp
86 hp
Torque (Nm)
145 Nm
145 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
177 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
298 kg
318 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
68 hp @ 5,020 rpm
86 hp @ 5,020 rpm (2018+ Milwaukee-Eight 107)
Torque
145 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
145 Nm @ 3,000 rpm (2018+ Milwaukee-Eight 107)
Top Speed
177 km/h (estimated)
175 km/h (estimated — note: not a performance-focused model)
Weight
298 kg (wet/curb weight)
318 kg (curb weight, 2018+ model)
Fuel
6.2 L/100km (approximately 16.1 km/L) — estimated real-world average
6.5 L/100km (approximately 15.4 km/L, real-world average)
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 Deluxe
7.5/10
"Buy 2018-newer and you get a genuinely excellent slow-lane companion."
Pros
+Stunning retro visual presence
+M8 107 torque delivery
+Comfortable all-day riding position
Cons
−Limited cornering ground clearance
−Runs hot in traffic
−Pre-2018 cam tensioner issues