Bigger is better: Harley-Davidson unveil new 2021 range with Street Bob 114

Harley-Davidson have given a cubic inch boost to their entry level big twin, upping the Street Bob from 107 ci (1753cc) to 114ci (1868cc).

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With this increase in displacement comes a small boost in horsepower from 85bhp to 92bhp and a little boost in torque from 106ftlbs to 115ftlbs. On the assumption you might want to use your extra horses to bring along a friend, the Street Bob 114 also comes with a pillion seat and pegs, rather than the solo set up on the 107.

Offering the 114 option now makes the Street Bob one of the more attractive Softails. As such a simple bike, it’s the perfect base for customising but choosing the Street Bob previously meant picking the small engine (which obviously makes you less of a biker…). 

There have been other changes across the Softail range but they’re entirely cosmetic. The Fat Boy 114 (the bike of the Terminator no less) has had its lighting swapped over to LED, while the brushed chrome has been replaced with bright chrome.

Harley have also dropped three Softails (the Low Rider, Deluxe and FXDR) but if we’re honest, we doubt many people will miss them.

If baggers are more your thing then some small updates to the touring range might be up your alley. The Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Road King Special all get low profile engine guards, nicer air filters (which are now washable) plus the option of a black or chrome engine (previously only available in black). There are also some funky new two-tone paint schemes, if you don’t think the bikes attract enough attention in standard trim.

A handful of cool new accessories including a ‘Rockford Fosgate’ audio upgrade (nope, we’ve never heard of them either), heated and cooled seats, LED lighting and a phone holder, which Harley claim will fit any phone and protect it from the mega vibes of their gigantic v-twins.

There are some other funky items including Screaming Eagle pipes, large capacity engine kits and top end tuning kits but for the time being they’re not approved for Europe (or the UK), so we won’t be seeing them any time soon.

Last but not least Harley have confirmed their CVO line up for 2021, which includes the Road Glide, Street Glide, Limited and Tri-Glide. All are powered by the 117ci CVO motor and for 2021 they include the Rockford Whosit audio upgrades as well as Harley’s entire electronics safety suite, which includes cornering ABS, traction control, hill hold control and tyre pressure monitoring.