The 2025 Street Glide is actually a bit of a tough nut to review. You see, if you compare it to the current generation Street Glide, such as the Street Glide with the Long Haul pack fitted that I tested a while back (see here), well, the differences aren't huge - they're there, but not in your face. But if you compare it to the model the Street Glide Ultra replaces, the big daddy of Harley's touring range, the Ultra Limited, then that's a different story - the Street Glide Ultra is light years ahead on just about every metric.
The Street Glide Ultra steps into the slot vacated by the Ultra Limited, and it does so with an all-guns-blazing approach. Gone is the 114ci (1868 cc) engine, replaced by a new Milwaukee-Eight 117ci (1,923 cc) V-twin - the same motor that's made the latest Street Glide such a formidable tourer.
Horsepower is up substantially to 105 hp (78 kW), as is torque (176 Nm). The 117 doesn't feel angry or peaky - it just digs in and pulls with an authority that makes hauling a passenger and a mountain of luggage or ripping fat skids from a set of traffic lights, a breeze. The delivery is smooth, predictable, and so linear you wonder why you'd ever bother with half the ride modes that are now available, but it's nice to have the options if needed.
And this is another area where the Street Glide Ultra leaps ahead. This rig is a rolling tech fest and features a 12.3-inch TFT running Harley's Skyline OS, which is gloriously enormous - bright, crisp, and loaded with functionality. Apple CarPlay is built in, there's the obligatory Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition capabilities, and turn-by-turn navigation - you name it, it's got it. Menus take a little learning, but there's so much depth here that's hardly a criticism. The audio system packs a punch, although the Street Glide Ultra is sans the rear speakers of the Ultra Limited. The new machine rolls with a very comprehensive suite of electronics, and there is simply too much for me to mention here, so check out the specs for more information.
Rider safety tech is equally comprehensive, with cornering ABS, traction control, linked braking, hill-hold, and even tyre-pressure monitoring. Most of the time you barely notice them, which is exactly as it should be, but when the road gets greasy, it's reassuring to know the electronics are working in the background. And for those that like to put their skill levels to the test, the rider aids can be turned down or, like in the case of the traction control, turned off completely.
Harley has trimmed a sizeable hunk of lard off its top-of-the-line tourer as well, and it hits the road around 22 kg down on the old Ultra Limited. She's no lightweight, but every kilo matters on a bike that weighs in the vicinity of 400 kg, and the result is subtle but welcome. Lifting it off the stand, nudging it around a car park, balancing at the lights - it all takes that little bit less effort.
The Street Glide and Road Glide platform is arguably the best chassis Harley has ever made, and it's a day-and-night comparison in the handling stakes over the Ultra Limited. Out back, the new Showa dual outboard emulsion shocks add predictability and composure, especially two-up. Preload can be tweaked without digging tools out of a pannier, which is exactly how it should be on a touring bike. The overall ride is still more plush highway glider than sharp sports tourer, but it can be punted through a set of corners with far more ease and poise, whether they be fast or slow.
Aero comfort is another area of focus, with a new taller screen, reshaped lowers, and adjustable deflectors all designed to reduce buffeting. Harley claims up to a 60% reduction over the outgoing Ultra Limited. In practice? Hard to say it's night-and-day better than the old bike, which was already excellent, but protection is certainly comprehensive. The lowers even house handy storage pockets, perfect for stashing keys, gloves, or a wallet.
Comfort is, as you'd expect, from a rig of this scope and magnitude. The one-piece seat is brilliant over distance - it's the kind of perch you can spend days in without needing a tub of haemorrhoid cream when you return home. Heated grips are standard now, which in winter make things civilised even when the mercury drops. Pillion comfort? Well, just look at it - it's a lounge chair, for goodness' sake.
lide 
Luggage space is generous to say the least. Between the saddlebags, the top box, and the fairing storage, you're looking at nearly 140 litres of capacity. That's proper touring kit, and it means you'll run out of excuses before you run out of space.
All up, the 2025 Street Glide Ultra feels like Harley's most complete touring bagger yet. It may not be a quantum leap over last year's new-generation Street Glide, but compared to the Ultra Limited it replaces, it's in another league. More power, less weight, better suspension, more tech, and enough luggage space to swallow half your house - it all adds up to a seriously capable long-haul machine, with the added presence that only Harley-Davidson can muster.
