2025 Harley Davidson Street Glide Review: American Touring Excellence Refined

I'll be completely honest with you, I’ve never really been a massive Harley-Davidson fan. Over the years, I've ridden a handful of them, and most left me feeling underwhelmed. The handling was often terrible, the brakes were questionable at best, and while I appreciated the heritage and the sound, the actual riding experience rarely lived up to the hype. The one exception was an 1991 Electra Glide that I'll admit was a bit of a riot – raw, characterful, and genuinely fun in that old-school, unrefined way.

 

So when the 2025 Street Glide arrived in our garage from Harley Davidson Australia, I approached it with my usual skepticism. But here's the thing, this bike might have just won me over.

First Impressions: Premium Presence

There's something undeniably special about swinging a leg over a Harley-Davidson even for a skeptic like me. It's that moment when you fire up the Milwaukee-Eight and feel the rumble through the seat suddenly, you're not just riding a motorcycle, you're making a statement.

 

The first thing that strikes you about the 2025 Street Glide is the exceptional paintwork. Harley-Davidson has always excelled in this area, it’s something they absolutely nail every single time. The  pearl finish on this 2025 model is particularly lustrous and eye-catching.

At 368kg in running order, the Street Glide is undeniably substantial. Let's be honest, it's a heavy bike, there's no getting around that. But once you're moving, the weight becomes an asset rather than a hindrance. The bike's presence on the road is commanding, and there's an confidence that comes with riding such an iconic machine.

Technology That Actually Works

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the 2025 Street Glide is its technology integration, something that genuinely surprised me coming from a brand I'd always associated with being stuck in the past. The massive 312mm touchscreen display is both responsive and intuitive, and it's huge! We're talking about a screen that puts some laptops to shame. Apple CarPlay integration works flawlessly, allowing you to manage music, navigation, and communications without taking your hands off the bars.

 

 

The joystick controls are logically laid out, and while there's initially a lot to take in with the switch blocks, the button placement is intuitive enough that you quickly develop muscle memory.

 

 

Performance: A Pleasant Surprise

The Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine delivers its 107 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque in a wonderfully usable manner. That massive torque figure and it really is massive, makes highway cruising effortless, and there's always power on tap when you need it. It's so rewarding when you're riding with that much grunt available, making the new Street Glide a real joy.

Now, here's where my expectations were completely upended. I was expecting it to be raw and visceral like that old Electra Glide I remembered fondly, but this engine is remarkably refined. The vibration isolation is excellent, making long-distance touring genuinely comfortable. While part of me missed that unfiltered, teeth-rattling character of older Harleys, I had to admit that the refinement makes this a far more practical everyday motorcycle. It's still unmistakably a Harley, but it's a Harley that's grown up.

Handling: Better Than Expected (And That's Saying Something)

This is where the Street Glide really surprised me. Despite its substantial dimensions and weight, it handles surprisingly well and coming from someone who's been disappointed by Harley handling in the past, that's high praise. The bike tips into corners with real confidence, something I genuinely didn't expect from such a big machine.

 

 

The braking system feels modern and progressive,  a massive improvement over the older Harley models that left me white-knuckling every stop. Ground clearance requires some attention in spirited cornering, but for its intended touring role, the handling is more than adequate.

Real-World Touring: The Full Experience

The Street Glide truly shines on longer rides, and this is where the magic happens where it started to win me over despite my preconceptions. The seating position is comfortable for extended periods, the wind protection is excellent and the premium sound system featuring a 200-watt, four-channel amplifier with fairing-mounted speakers transforms highway cruising into something special.

 

Competition and Value

Starting at $46,495 in Australia, the Street Glide sits in premium territory. The Indian Chieftain offers similar capabilities at around $43,000, while the BMW R18 Bagger comes in significantly cheaper at $36,440. The Street Glide's value proposition isn't just about specifications, it's about the complete ownership experience, brand heritage, and the distinctive character that is uniquely Harley-Davidson. You're not just buying a motorcycle; you're buying into a lifestyle and let's be honest, a certain rebellious attitude that comes with the territory.

The Verdict: A Convert in the Making?

The 2025 Harley Davidson Street Glide successfully bridges the gap between traditional Harley character and modern touring motorcycle expectations. The technology integration is excellent, the performance is refined yet retains character and the build quality is genuinely impressive. Most importantly for someone like me, it actually works as a motorcycle, not just as a statement piece.

Would I buy one? That's the $47K question, isn't it? I absolutely loved riding it – there's something genuinely special about the experience that I wasn't expecting. But would I sell my R18 for it? Not a chance. Nothing screams soul like a boxer engine, and my BMW still holds that special place in my heart. But this Street Glide was pretty good. In fact really good.

For the first time in years of riding Harleys, I found myself genuinely enjoying the experience rather than just appreciating the heritage. The Street Glide made me want to keep riding, to plan longer trips, to experience more of what it had to offer. That's something I never thought I'd say about a Harley-Davidson.

 

 

If you're a Harley fan looking to upgrade, this is undoubtedly the bike that should be on the radar. But more importantly, if you're like me, someone who's been skeptical of the brand but curious about what all the fuss is about, the 2025 Street Glide might just be the bike that changes your mind. It won't replace my beloved boxer, but it's earned a respect I didn't think I'd ever have for a Harley.

Just make sure you've got a playlist ready,  this bike demands a soundtrack, and for the first time, I was happy to oblige.