Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra (2025 – ) review

Like most Harley tourers and cruisers the Street Glide Ultra isn’t really about performance, based as it is on the latest version of Harley’s 40-degree pushrod V-twin which dates back to 1983. Recent advances mean it’s better than you might expect, though. The Ultra uses the same 117 cubic inch (1,923cc) version of Harley’s ‘Milwaukee Eight’ engine, which gained liquid-cooled, eight-valve heads back in 2017. It’s not the most powerful Harley unit and it’s not a patch on the new liquid-cooled 1250 in the Pan America and Sportster. But it’s still good for 107 horsepower and 175Nm of torque, which is probably adequate for this type of tourer. There’s a pleasant, nostalgic feel to its delivery, it can accelerate briskly when required and there are Rain, Road, Sport and Custom riding modes via a dedicated switch on the right bar. Not that they make that much difference. That said, more modern bagger rivals like Indian’s new Chieftain Powerplus are noticeably sharper and sportier. Even with the Ultra’s all-up bulk and massive 393kg kerb weightbraking is more impressive than you might expect, too, with big twin discs up front with a third at the rear, the latter sometimes required in earnest when pulling up in a hurry!

Clearly the Ultra is no sports machine but, again, once you get going all that weight disappears and nor is it as cumbersome and awkward as you might expect. Although a big, old-school tourer with a seemingly archaic tubular steel frame/twin rear shock layout, Harleys have come on in leaps and bounds in terms of handling in recent years and the Ultra is another great example. The V-twin layout keeps the centre of gravity respectably low, the Ultra’s wheelbase is surprisingly short and with decent quality Showa suspension front and rear, things are kept sufficiently under control to have bend-swinging fun. The ride, too, is on the plush side, but that’s what you want. Overall no causes for concern, though expect a punch in your ribs from your passenger if you do decide to really have some fun with it.

We’re talking about a high-end Harley laden with luxury kit, so purchase and running costs are never going to be cheap. More illustratively, the Ultra is also more expensive and heavier than the standard Street Glide, so it’ll have higher running costs than the stock ‘un, too. All relative, though, it’s pretty good value compared to the base bike and full-dresser versions, Harleys generally have strong residuals and despite likely high insurance premiums, the Ultra’s thirst for fuel and consumables such as tyres and brakes pads shouldn’t be too bad. Belt drive means no chain to worry about, either.

The Ultra is a premium, high-quality machine based on well-proven foundations with quality cycle parts and trimmings like the electronic dash that have been around for a while now with few reported concerns. Despite being a new model we therefore have very few reliability worries with Harley’s new bagger.

As with all big Harley’s the new Street Glide Ultra comes with a two-year manufacturer-backed warranty covering all parts and labour. This is extendable to a full five years at extra cost. Servicing-wise, the first oil and filter ‘break in’ service is due at 1,000 miles, with regular services due annually (or after every 5,000 miles) after that.

As said, as a full-dress tourer in all but name it’s more a case of what hasn’t it got? So, you get that taller screen and new lowers, the aforementioned Comfort seat, the new Tour Pak top box for extra luggage and a backrest for your pillion and more. The massive TFT dash is especially impressive, with touch or voice-activation, easy to use menus and tons of features including sat-nav, music, phone connectivity and more. There are also those four rider modes, heated grips and seat, hill-hold. If only you could adjust the screen, though.

If the Ultra has a problem it’s that by giving its star bagger ‘more’, it’s not really a bagger anymore. Given, by definition, it should be a tourer with a few bits chopped off. If you simply bolt them back on again it reverts to being a tourer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, of course. If you want a bagger for its style, Harley already has you more than well covered with its standard Street Glide, CVO version and more. If you want a Street Glide with added comfort, you won’t be disappointed and will be wondering what’s to complain about. Best of all, if you want a full dresser this is effectively an Ultra Limited for a couple of grand less!