Harley-davidson Softail Standard Review

Used Buyer Review

The Softail Standard is Harley stripping away the fluff and giving you the bare-bones cruiser experience — and honestly, that's not a bad thing. The 114ci Milwaukee-Eight in the newer models pulls hard from low revs, and the chassis feels far more planted than older Softails ever did. It's genuinely better to ride than it looks on paper. If you're buying used, aim for 2020 onwards when they sorted the engine mapping properly. Check the primary chain tensioner noise on startup — it's common and annoying, not catastrophic, but use it as a negotiating chip. Where it hurts is ergonomics for anything beyond 150 miles. That seat is punishment, and the suspension is tuned for looks over long-haul comfort. Budget for a Mustang seat and rear shock upgrade immediately. Also inspect the chrome — previous owners often wash these wrong and the pitting starts fast. Parts are everywhere, independent shops know these bikes cold, and resale holds surprisingly well. It's not exciting, but it's honest.