Harley-Davidson Street Bob (2026 – ) review

The Street Bob has always been a back-to-basics Harley cruiser influenced by the minimalist Bobber look of the post-WW2 era. That was characterised by de-mobbed US GIs arriving back in the US, snapping up cheap, war-surplus Harley WLA military bikes and customising them by chopping off fenders and other unnecessary parts. It was also the beginnings of both biker gang and chopper culture with painted, personalized ex-military leather jackets. The original 2006 Street Bob celebrated this tradition with a 1,450cc twin, mini ape-hangers and … not a lot else. As such it was pure, unfettered Harley cruiser as well as the most affordable. 20 years on it’s still popular and has been regularly updated. For 2026 the engine has gone from the Milwaukee Eight 114 to 117 (1,868cc to 1,923cc) while riding modes, ABS, traction control and cast wheels also feature. But the essence remains unchanged, our test bike also getting accessory wire wheels, Dr Jekill & Mr Hyde pipe and fly screen.

What you see is what you get. The Street Bob has a classic, high-barred Harley cruiser stance. Its seat height is an ultra-low 655mm, the saddle itself is on the skimpy side with a small, extra pillion pad. Footpegs (not boards) are slightly forwards and the bars, although raised, aren’t as extreme as they look on first glance. On top of that, although hefty, the weight is carried low, the long 1,630mm wheelbase means it’s stable and the view ahead over the single dial is clean and unfussy. In short, it’s a mild twist on the classic Harley chopper. The high front/low rear and smallish seat means comfort over distance isn’t great, though. In standard trim there’s no screen so no weather protection. But if unruffled motorway cruising is a priority, you’re looking at the wrong bike. For what the Street Bob is it’s surprisingly easy to manage and happy to be hustled, too. Wouldn’t fancy being a pillion on one, though!

The Street Bob has never prioritised practicality, but it’s actuall far better at the basics in biking life than it looks. The low seat, slimness and light, nimble steering means it’s actually fine around town. Although comfort is marginal it’ll happily take in a couple of hours before a stop and it’s also more fun through the twisties than it has any right to be. It’s also designed as a blank canvas for Harley’s extensive range of official accessories, meaning if you do want to add practical features like the test bike’s screen, a pillion backrest or even luggage it’s all available. Albeit at extra cost.

Obviously, the Street Bob is in no way a performance machine but, in the context, it’s more than capable. The big news for 2026 is the upgrade from the old 114ci (1,868cc) version of Harley’s Milwaukee Eight V-twin, to the slightly larger 117ci (1,923cc) equivalent. This benefits both power and torque – now 98 horsepower and 163Nm - the extra flexibility perhaps more noticeable than the on-paper gains. While capable of thunderous acceleration for day-to-day riding it’s all about lazy, characterful drive accompanied by the classic Harley big-twin soundtrack. It’s not for everyone, but it’s evocative, effective and tremendously authentic. The six-speed gearchange is characteristically lumpy, to the point where finding neutral at standstill is a regular chore. But, again, if it was too slick and neat it’d detract from the experience. Final drive, as with all big Harleys, is by traditional, fuss-free belt and the four modes are welcome. Road is sufficient most of the time, but Sport adds a touch of zing and urgency when, say, hustling down some backroads. Braking is by a single front 300mm disc and basic four-piston caliper with 292mm twin-piston rear and just about adequate when used together, the relative lack of weight compared with other Harleys helping on this score.

There’s no reason to expect much from an old-school Harley cruiser with a chopper-style riding position and fairly basic, short-travel suspension but you can still have a bend-swinging blast on the Street Bob. The switch to the Softail layout in 2018 brought a new frame with a mix of tubular and box steel sections, the new shock adjustable for preload only and lacking a remote adjuster for reasons of cost. Forks are Harley’s regular 49mm Showa Bending Valve units, also lacking adjustment but competent enough. Wheels comprise a narrow, semi-chopper style 19-incher at the front with a 16-inch rear, both fitted with fairly basic, Harley-branded Dunlops. As mentioned, there’s nothing to write home about here. That said, it all works fine, is well set-up, the ride is fine so long as you avoid the spine-jarring combination of laid-back riding position, thin saddle and short-travel suspension over harsher bumps and the steering is light and reasonably accurate. It’s no sportster, obviously – in fact the Street Bob is getting on for the polar opposite – but it’s also more fun than you’d expect.

All things relative the updated Street Bob should be a tad keener on running costs than most other Harleys. The entry price is particularly keen, especially compared with others in the range and even with the extra performance it shouldn’t be too demanding on fuel and other running costs. Belt drive leaves one less thing to worry about and, given the likely riding style, it shouldn’t be too hard on brakes or tyres, either.

Harley’s big-twins generally have an enviable reliability record, which should be no surprise. The core engine dates back to the all-alloy Evo of the early 1980s and even with the addition of fuel-injection, electronic control and more power remains a solid, simple and unstressed unit. On top of that, the Street Bob is about as simple and basic as Harley big-twins get, so there’s essentially not much to go wrong.

For all the appealing simplicity the Street Bob’s service intervals come round relatively quickly, which is to say every 5,000 miles or annually following the initial 1,000-mile break-in check. The warranty offer is nothing special, either, being a standard, manufacturer-backed 24-month, unlimited mileage affair covering all parts and labour.

The minimalist style – and the price – mean the Street Bob doesn’t have much in the way of equipment, symbolised by the basic 4.0-inch analogue style clock. But there’s also more than you might realise. There are the four riding modes, that dash has a new USB-C charging socket and Harley’s Rider Safety Enhancements pack of traction control, cornering ABS and suchlike is now standard. There are also rubber fork gaiters and three new colours. Our test bike also came with optional wire wheels, an accessory screen and a Dr Jekill & Mr Hyde electronically adjustable exhaust which, basically, allows you to switch between wickedly loud or street legal hush at the press of a button. It’s expensive but absolutely brilliant – hit the Sport mode, prod the exhaust button and literally have yourself a blast!

If your idea of a Harley or cruiser is a pure American bobber with no frills and the most affordable price possible the Street Bob is for you. It succeeds, not just because it delivers precisely on that promise while exceeding dynamic expectations – and all for literally thousands less than any equivalent big-twin Harley. Money you can then plough back into the many and various opportunities for accessorising and customising to your particular tastes, the Dr Jekill & Mr Hyde exhaust upgrade definitely a box we’d be ticking!