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A Grand American Tourer Reborn
The 2025 Street Glide Ultra is one of the latest models of Harley Davidson and is designed specifically for the tour riding lovers. This bike is part of the Grand American Touring collection that represents the traditional custom style which is combined with the latest technology. The original version of the Street Glide Ultra is almost like the classic batwing fairing and strong posture, but a closer look might find out these changes.
Harley engineers reached a new milestone in weight cutting as they managed to shorten it by 49 pounds compared to the previous Ultra Limited model. With an “as shipped” weight around 831 lbs, the Ultra feels a lot easier to deal with when it comes to lower speeds and taking it off the side stand. This weight reduction – obtained by a thinner gauge steel fuel tank and new aluminum triple clamps – means the Ultra is easier to turn in parking lots and feels more agile on the winding road. Under the chic new bodywork lies a power monster.
The 2025 Street Glide Ultra is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin, a 1.923cc engine designed to deliver 105 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. When the throttle is turned, the bike is provided with the power of torque-driven acceleration that is effortless and quick, which is ideal for overtaking slower vehicles or going uphill even with a passenger and luggage.
Harley also refined the engine cooling system to keep temperatures in check during hot, stop-and-go conditions – a boon for summertime tours. Yet despite the added sophistication, that famous Harley rumble and low-end grunt remain intact, giving riders the “American muscle” experience they expect on the open road.
High-Tech Touring Features
The 2025 Street Glide Ultra heralds a new era of tech for Harley’s touring bikes. Front and center is a brilliant 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment display running Harley’s new Skyline OS. This extra-large TFT screen – nearly double the size of the previous unit – replaces the traditional gauges, presenting everything from speed and fuel to navigation maps in crisp detail.
Riders can connect their smartphones via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to use wireless Apple CarPlay, real-time traffic, and weather overlays, and even voice-activated commands. Harley’s designers managed to keep the user interface straightforward, with menus easy to understand and the possibility to switch between screens via handlebars controls. The Ultra is also equipped with a 200-watt, 4-speaker audio system that is twice as powerful as before.
Listening to your favorite music while you ride on the highway is no longer a problem – perfect for those long interstate stretches. Safety and rider aids are upgraded as well. The new Ultra is outfitted with the entire set of Rider Safety Enhancements available only with Harley and this includes cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, drag-torque slip control, vehicle hold control for hill starts, and even tire pressure monitoring.
Four Selectable Ride Modes (Road, Sport, Rain, and a programmable Custom mode) let you tailor the bike’s throttle response and traction settings at the push of a button.
During our testing session, Sport Mode was true to its name, delivering sharper throttle and crisper dynamics, while Road Mode was best for the routine riding. Riders learning to ride will thank you for the Rain Mode that will make things easier by softening power distribution for wet conditions. All these technologies work behind the scenes, increasing the rider’s confidence without removing the typical motorcycle experience.
Comfort and Wind Protection for Miles
Long-distance comfort is where the Street Glide Ultra truly shines. Harley outfitted this tourer with a redesigned one-piece touring seat that provides all-day support. The seat’s shape was revised to rotate the rider’s hips into a neutral posture, reducing lower back fatigue on those 500-mile days. At 26.9 inches laden seat height, the Ultra lets riders easily plant both feet at stops – welcome news for riders of shorter stature.
Heated grips are standard so that they warm your hands during the rides in the early season or at higher altitudes. The wind protection aspect is also addressed: Harley says that with this redesigned aerodynamic package, the helmet buffeting at highway speeds is reduced by an incredible 60%.
The classic batwing fairing is very slightly reshaped, while a taller touring windshield (about 4 inches taller than the Street Glide ST’s) channels the air over the rider. Small details such as these make the Ultra comfort like a peace of heaven on a long road trip. The new lower fairing not only blocks the wind and rain but has adjustable vents and small storage for gloves or snacks.
Mid-frame air-deflectors actually channel the engine heat away from the rider, which is a bonus since it will be cooler in summer traffic. The Tour-Pak trunk and saddlebags come with an astonishing capacity of 4.9 cubic feet, which is definitely more than enough even for two passengers.
We easily fit two full-face helmets in the trunk during our ride. All lighting is LED, with brilliantly bright headlamps and even integrated LED turn signals in the fairing for a modern touch. Harley didn’t forget styling either – customers can choose a classic chrome trim version or the stealthy blacked-out trim, each with new paint color options and an exclusive tank badge only found on the Ultra.
On the Road – Poised and Powerful
Out on the highway, the 2025 Street Glide Ultra feels in its element. The bike is rock-solid stable at speed, tracking through sweepers with ease. Credit the chassis and new suspension setup: Harley fitted SHOWA Dual Bending Valve forks up front and upgraded the rear shocks to a premium Emulsion technology with easy hydraulic preload adjustment. You can dial in the rear shocks for a passenger or full luggage load in seconds using a knob behind the right saddlebag – no tools needed.
Although the 2025 Street Glide Ultra comes with a weight similar to a half-ton, it is much more agile than you might expect. The weight reduction and lower center of gravity are obvious when you initiate the turn in a mountain pass where the bike shifts smoothly and sticks to the line confidently. Plenty of traction is provided by the Dunlop tires, while the linked Brembo brakes command this hefty machine to come to a halt with precision and confidence. The most amazing thing is that the new Ultra remains so smooth and composed while traveling long distances.
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 thumps along at highway cruise with barely a vibration thanks to its internal counter balancers. Roll-on power is immediate – just a slight twist in sixth gear unleashes a wave of torque to surge past slower traffic. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic tweaks do their job: even at 70+ mph, we experienced minimal head toss or wind noise inside our helmet. It’s easy to carry a conversation with your passenger or enjoy the stereo without cranking it to max.
After a full day’s ride, we climbed off the Ultra feeling remarkably fresh. Harley achieved that delicate balance of traditional touring character and modern comfort.
Conclusion: Ready to Go the Distance
With the 2025 Street Glide Ultra, Harley-Davidson heralds a new era for its touring family. This bike stays true to the spirit of the open road – the rumble of a big V-twin beneath you, endless horizons ahead – while eliminating many small annoyances that long plagued touring riders. Lighter weight, less buffeting, better heat management, more tech – it’s all there, executed in a way that enhances the ride rather than complicating it.
From weekend getaways to cross-country odysseys, the Street Glide Ultra is built to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. If you’re an American V-twin devotee craving modern comfort, this machine deserves a spot on your test ride list. Embrace the new age of Grand American Touring – the 2025 Street Glide Ultra is ready to take you further, in style.
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