The Motor Company unveils its newest Softail and refreshes the iconic Fat Boy.

By Andrew Cherney, www.cycleworld.com

The cinematography was damn good, the lighting divine, and the production values—outstanding. But the spare storyline of HD21, Harley-Davidson’s first-ever virtual reveal for a new model year, was focused on the Softail lineup which added just one new model for 2021, the Street Bob 114. Sure there were subplots and supporting characters, like a brawny Fat Boy 114 sporting a blingy “refresh” (and adding a touch more pandemic-inspired poundage) as well as the subtle culling of what we assume to be the least popular models in H-D’s Softail lineup. In other words, say goodbye to the Low Rider, Deluxe, and FXDR 114 as well as the Breakout 114 models for 2021, at least domestically.

But let’s get into the new stuff first. The top line news here is that the pared-down Street Bob—already the lightest weight Softail—packs on some muscle with the addition of a Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine (which to our mind is more of an upgrade than a new model but…moving on) for 2021, though it’s still packaged in the hardtail-look Softail chassis and buffered on either end by modern suspension. That means a single coilover shock between the frame and swingarm hidden below the seat (with handy on-shock preload adjuster), and a dual bending valve telescopic fork with dual-rate springs up front.

Mechanically, the rigidly mounted eight-valve Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine is unchanged, with dual counterbalancers working to cancel out primary vibes at idle and a single camshaft keeping mechanical noise down to a minimum. But Harley’s betting on the fact that adding a bigger engine will result in a better power-to-weight ratio and a more thrilling ride on the new Street Bob, claiming a 9 percent quicker 0-to-60 mph reading and 13 percent quicker 60-to-80 mph in fifth gear than the previous Street Bob 107 model (no longer with us for 2021), thanks to the 114′s claimed 119 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm (when we last dynoed an M-8 114 engine we got 111.39 pound-feet at 2260 rpm, compared with the 99.7 reading on an M-8 107-equipped Softail Standard).

The 2021 Street Bob 114 also adds a free-flowing Ventilator air cleaner with an exposed element and 114 badging to the mix, but other than adding a small pillion pad for the passenger and new paint, that’s all she wrote; the mini-ape handlebar, mid-mount(ish) controls, and chopped rear fender all remain standard issue as do the digital gauge inset in the handlebar riser, a USB charging port, keyless ignition, and a security system. Interestingly, ABS is available as an option only.

Harley likes to point out that the $14,999 suggested price (in black) leaves budget room for more custom add-ons like Screamin’ Eagle performance upgrades, and to be fair, the only cheaper option in the Softail series for 2021 is the Softail Standard. As for colors, the Street Bob 114′s palette looks compelling this year; you can choose from black, Stone Washed White Pearl, Baja Orange, or Deadwood Green, each one with Harley-Davidson script over the base color with the classic “Number One” logo on the fuel tank. Colors other than black add $400 to the list price.

Another bike in the Softail group targeted for attention is the 2021 Fat Boy 114, but again, we’re talking incremental tweaks; the model’s steamrolling, bad-boy stance is still a focus feature, and that in-your-face physicality is sure to transport you right back to the ’90s (or early aughts). Refreshed styling brightens the Chunky One’s looks this time around, with brilliant chrome getting swapped in for satin chrome on the powertrain and exhaust, as well as select details in between.ADVERTISEMENT

Like the other 114-equipped models, the Fat Boy’s engine brings a grunty 119 pound-feet of torque (claimed) at 3,000 rpm, and caps the engine bay with that free-flowing Ventilator air cleaner sporting an exposed element and 114 badging. The bright chrome styling gives the Boy even more of a visual boost, with new brightwork adorning the engine and rocker covers, mufflers, and exhaust shields and chromium getting slathered all over the signature massive headlight nacelle, fork covers, and risers. The shiny stuff also goes on the rear fender struts and air cleaner cover, but the cooler pop comes from a new bullet-hole console covering the 5-gallon tank.

The Fat Boy’s also known for its hefty hoops, and the solid aluminum Lakester wheels (both 18-inchers) return wearing Michelin Scorcher 11 160mm front and 240mm rear tires, the widest tire set offered on a Harley-Davidson model. Standard features on the 2021 Fat Boy 114 include ABS, LED headlamp, keyless ignition, and security system.

For 2021, the Fat Boy will be available in four color options: Vivid Black, Black Jack Metallic, Deadwood Green, or two-tone Gauntlet Gray Metallic/Vivid Black, and will retail for $19,999. There’s no Fat Boy with a Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine option this year.

Parts & Accessories accompanying new model years are a given, and Harley has added some performance options for the Softail owners looking to upgrade.

First up is the Screamin’ Eagle High-Flow Exhaust System, a freer-flowing bolt-on 2-into-1 performance kit optimized for use with Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 128/131 Stage IV kits or the Screamin’ Eagle 131 Crate Engine in Softail models. It’s said to reduce exhaust system weight by more than 20 percent and is offered in Satin Black or Stainless finishes. It fits 2018-later Softail models (except FXDR 114, Fat Boy/114, and Breakout/114) and is 49-state and Canada compliant.ADVERTISEMENT

Or you can opt for fitting a Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight Engine Stage III Kit to bump up displacement and compression for a significant increase in torque and power over stock. The Stage III 107ci to 119ci upgrade delivers up to 23 percent more horsepower, while the 114ci to 122ci upgrade increases power by up to 15 percent. The kits are eligible for Custom Coverage under the motorcycle’s factory 24-month vehicle limited warranty and come in either Black Highlighted or Non-Highlighted finishes.

H-D has also seen fit to whittle down the Softail lineup a tad as well; last year’s 14-model assortment was a lot to digest. For 2021, the group slims down to a more manageable eight models, with fully four of them running the 114 engine. In addition to the two aforementioned bikes, the series includes the Softail Standard, the Low Rider S, the Softail Slim, Sport Glide, Fat Bob 114, and Heritage Classic with either an M-8 107 or 114 engine.

From the looks of it, Harley is saving much of the new model year buzz and hype for the Pan America model it’s launching next month, a fact it reminded us of plenty of times over the course of this latest online reveal. No reminder needed; we’re definitely looking forward to seeing how that pans (uh, sorry) out.