Simon has been out on his bare-bones 2022 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard long-termer. Check out if he has been converted to the cruiser life yet... Photos: Heather Ware.
A few weeks more time together and the H-D Softail Standard is starting to feel a lot more familiar. Well, I don’t think it has changed at all, but I have. I’ve done away with the fast life of a sports machine and embraced what it’s like to cruise and enjoy the freedom of riding…
Simon has been out, enjoying the cruisey side of motorcycling on the 2022 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard.
Check Simon’s other update on the Softail Standard here…
My coordination on the Harley-Davidson Softail amongst foot and hand operated controls is making the whole plot smoother, and smoother is relaxing. My journeys seem to be less heightened by the red-light/blue-light rage-paranoia I suffer from. This is pretty good.
A few km under the speed limit is not an issue in this case either. Perhaps being on an iron horse from a manufacturer that has a reputation for bad-boy like nothing else, my compulsion to break the law at every opportunity seems to not be so necessary. Strange. It could be said that velocity is trumped by the sheer road presence of the thumping big twin.
No need to fang the lights out of the Softail Standard. Just enjoy a smooth and slow ride through the twisties.
The lack of pillion accommodation on such a big cruising machine is curious. I felt a bit selfish, having no choice but to leave my wife at home when going for a cruise. Having said that, now there is no need for compromise and, I guess, the Softail is aimed at solo riding or follows that formula of bare essentials. if you need a pillion seat, there are plenty of accessory options.
![145Nm[107ft-lbs]@3000rpm.](https://bikereview.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BikeReview_2023_Harley_Davidson_Softtail_Standard_-21-copy.jpg "145Nm[107ft-lbs]@3000rpm.")
I don’t generally monitor fuel consumption on motorbikes, so can’t say if it’s economical or not. Ultimately, a 1753cc motor is obviously not built for frugality. Other than fuel, nothing seemed to be required while the bike was in my care; the seals remained oil tight and nothing fell off that I noticed.
Plenty of chrome and exposed engine bits to clean on this Hog! Make sure you set aside a good few hours to clean it.
There is a lot of exposed metal to clean, though, so you need to dedicate a little time to keeping the thing looking pristine. I did see the development of some corrosion on a few nuts and bolts, which was a little surprising considering its newness. Corrosion from exposure to rain…
Wet weather riding is something I cannot recommend with the stock Dunlops. You have to be very bloody careful when opening the throttle – even marginally – the bountiful torque effortlessly overwhelms the available traction and you start going sideways.
“Wet weather riding is something I cannot recommend with the stock Dunlops. You have to be very bloody careful when opening the throttle – even marginally – the bountiful torque effortlessly overwhelms the available traction.”
On that note, its a godsend that the throttle action and engine response is really predictable (it needs to be) and allows you to recover (or turn up the wheelspin) very well indeed. Could be a good platform to learn how to control wheelspin actually…
Getting the Softie out on the highways proved to become more pleasant as the km passed beneath us. Part of the transition maybe. Local highway speeds suit the bike well in terms of engine speed (fifth gear is best), wind buffeting and sound.
“I cannot lie in that the Softail has given me a wakeup slap as it guides me into the realms of another motorcycling tribe.”
This balance made the bike pretty easy to be comfortable on and a nice perch from which to contemplate and enjoy the surroundings as the bitumen passes beneath you. I like the idea of motorcycle zen, where all is right with the world as you ride your own little path, although clearly it isn’t.
I cannot lie in that the Softail has given me a wakeup slap as it guides me into the realms of another motorcycling tribe. It does have its allure, no doubt about it. At the same time, I have not quite gone out on a limb far enough to purchase an open face…
TECH TALK, Harley-Davidson Softail Standard
Retaining the classic 45-degree V-Twin cylinder angle, the Milwaukee-Eight engine produces 10 percent more torque (varies per model) than previous model and features four-valve cylinder heads that offer 50 percent more intake and exhaust flow capacity. The Milwaukee-Eight engine is counter-balanced to cancel 75 percent of primary vibration at idle, retaining the classic feel of a Harley V-Twin while being very smooth at highway speeds.
Heat management and power were high on the list when Harley took the Milwaukee Eight to the drawing board.
Using the 107ci version of the Milkwaukee Eight, the Softail Standard makes a thumping 145Nm[107ft-lbs]@3000rpm. Maintaining that Harley-Davidson signature grunt. A new heat management strategy for all Milwaukee-Eight engines also improves rider and passenger comfort.
A high stiffness carbon steel tubular frame forms the core of the Softail Standard and combined with the swingarm significantly increases the rigidity of the chassis. The frame went through a major update in 2021, the design itself is 65 per cent stiffer than the previous Softail Standard, which leads to a 34 per cent increase in overall chassis stiffness. Its design also achieves reduced complexity with a 50 per cent reduction in component parts and 22 per cent reduction in welds.
A high stiffness carbon steel tubular frame forms the core of the Softail Standard and combined with the swingarm significantly increases the rigidity of the chassis.
The dual-bending valve front suspension delivers damping performance that’s similar to a cartridge fork but with improved, more responsive damping characteristics. Harley say it has been optimised for both comfortable cruising and spirited riding with 130mm of travel. Revised rake and trail also enhance handling ability.
The mono-shock that rear suspension preserves the classic hardtail look while revamped geometry improves ride quality, traction and control. Easily adjustable for spring preload it enables a 217kg range of payload capacity for an updated handling feel that Harley say has been improved
A single four piston caliper with fixed front 300mm disc sorts out the braking at the front, the single disc keeps things simple and clean at the front of the bike! The rear sees a two-piston caliper with a floating 292mm disc…
The Softail standard is the “blank canvas” of the Softail range. Harley-Davidson market the bike to be transformed into something unique, therefore it sits on the low end in terms of pricing! Cast wheels, bar essentials and simple design allow H-D fans to start out with something cheap rather than paying for expensive parts they’re going to pull off anyway!
Harley have kept things relatively simple when it comes to the electronics side of the Softail Standard. They have gone with a 5-inch analog cluster that has been topped off with a digital gear notifier, odometer, fuel level, clock, trip, range and tachometer. The Softail Standard comes with ABS but that’s about the extent of their assists package.
2023 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard Specifications
Price: From $22,995 Ride-Away
Warranty: two-years unlimited km
Colours: Vivid Black
Claimed Power: N/A
Claimed Torque: 145Nm[107ft-lbs]@3000rpm
Wet Weight: 297kg
Fuel capacity: 13.2L
Service: First 1600km every 8000km thereafter
Engine: Milwauke-Eight 107 V-Twin, 1746cc, 100 x 111mm bore x stroke, 10.0:1 compression ratio, ESPFI, 2-into-2 exhaust; catalyst in muffler
Gearbox: Six-speed, Chain Primary 34/46
Fuel Consumption: 5.5L/100km
Chassis: Mild steeltubular frame, rectangular section backbone, stamped – cast and forged junctions, MiG welded, alloy fender supports.
Rake: 30° Trail: 157mm
Suspension: Non-adjustable Showa Dual Bending 49mm Valve fork, 130mm travel, Spring-preload adjustable shock 43mm stroke, 86mm travel.
Brakes: Four-piston fixed front 300mm disc and two-piston floating 292mm rear disc
Wheels & Tyres: Silver, Annihilator cast aluminium, 100/90 – 19, 150/80 – 16
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1630mm
Seat height: 680mm
Ground clearance: 125mm
Overall Length: 2320mm
Overall Width: 865mm
Overall Height: 1160mm
Lean angle: 28.5º
Instruments: 2.14in viewable area LCD display with speedometer, gear, odometer, fuel level, clock, trip, range and tachometer indication.
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