M8 Harley Davidson Street Bob full and detailed review

Hey guys what's up, got my hands on this New 2018 street bob with the 107 cubic inch motor, monoshock, stiffer frame, 10% faster 0-60, 16% faster 60-80, 17 pounds light and all around better bike. I get that some people are upset about the Dyna being killed off but this is a true Dyna killer, it is very responsive and fun to ride and I think Harley is going in the right direction, I was unsure about this new street bob until I rode it. It's great and has the lowest MSRP of all the new 2018 softail models! Stay riding and stay Awesome!

[@aidanvinum]

I’m going to travel across the country with THIS bike.

[@slyguyaction]

The Brass Collection would look fantastic all over this bike. Great review man. Keep it up!

[@TheMarvelous1310]

I used to want one of these back when it was a Dyna but now... ... Now I NEED ONE.

[@fastjax]

yeah it was a blast to ride!

[@pinoy1971]

I was really looking forward to this review! Thanks.

[@Sportybob]

Salamat opo

[@Kingdlack]

Great review I was looking forward to someone doing an review on the new Street Bob. Not a fan of ape hangers but I'm definitely going to test ride it for my self to see if it's for me. That M8 on that small frame has to have plenty of power.

[@pedrosaldana158]

1 year with this bike and I love it

[@Wesleycreardon]

What kind of miles are you getting out of a tank? I really toyed with getting one. I need a do all bike

[@aloveg1072]

I just bought this bike saturday, coming from a superlow 883, i couldn't have chose a better bike. !

[@fastjax]

That's awesome! You sound excited. I agree because I know I had fun riding it

[@McmeYTman]

Man... Haven't even had my fz09 a year and I wanna trade it in for this. No forward control kit for it yet which is disheartening

[@yourixf9698]

MissSuperlow youre killing me, im only 14 and i really wanna drive this bike!!

[@tomcampbell8931]

Hows it compare vs your iron. Seating position forward or back? Suspension quality, cornering, seat comfort and so on

[@TeensierPython]

A little late but congrats. Still have it?

[@komandahbruddah3368]

Dude I just sat on one at that dealer Sunday and loved it

[@fastjax]

They are very fun bikes to ride and they got the power for sure! love it

[@petermaroney2488]

Jax do you know what the stock bar height measurement is of this street bob and the 2017? Some people are telling me 10” and some 12”. I’m in the process of building a new 2017 street bob in Ft Worth And wanted to go with the Carlini Gangster apes. But I don’t know if 16” will be too tall or just to stick with the 14”. I’m 5’ 11”. Any help on this would be great!

[@jaquenthlamonte5683]

Great review. I am a grandpa , got a 2017 Street Glide Special with the 107 in April 2017. It's absolutely great, comfortable & just logged my first 10,000 miles. Only thing is I dearly miss the Sportsters for a around-town, quick, nimble ride. Enthusiastic that HD came out the Street Bob with the 107. As soon as I get the Street Glide paid off, I am going shopping for a 2018+ Street Bob although I will have to test out the 883/1200 Sportster line up but just that I LOVE the 107 engine!!!! Not to rub it in but if or when you can, upgrade to the 107/114 platform. Rent one for the day, put some miles in it and see if you don't feel the same way. BTW, sad you weren't able to REALLY get into the throttle doing this review but understand the dealership may have frowned on it.

[@fastjax]

I agree I really like the 107 motor. especially in the new softail line up like the fat and street bob. I have gotten the chance to ride them both pretty hard and they are lots and lots of fun! same boat, maybe when I pay my sporty off I may be able to buy one as well. but to me their is nothing more fun than a 100 horse power sportster and thats what mine will be shortly, I could never trade her in

[@Christian-xc9bh]

Sick bike

[@79TAGio]

I really like the direction Harley is moving towards. They finally fixed the seats and bars. I used to call it the Harley Tax, always needed a new seat and bars. On another note I like these peanut tanks. I have a club style sporty but the tank is so small compared to the fairing from the front I don't really like it, make the fairing the widest part of my bike, at least these tanks look wide and will flow nicely with a fairing. Maybe retrofit one on a sporty one day lol.

[@fastjax]

check out the fairing I have on my bike, A lot more narrow then most Ive seen and looks very nice, I have it lifted 4 inches to get it higher but it would similar on your bike as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKG1aIWYgtmNaas

[@79TAGio]

Fast-Action Jax what brand fairing is that? I have the Harley knockoff one flic.kr/p/XTmVF1

[@79TAGio]

Fast-Action Jax this picture kind of shows how wide it looks flic.kr/p/YgUn16

[@fastjax]

its the Arlen ness louver fairing

[@BASNICO1113]

I have a 2014 SB and I don't see myself parting with it anytime soon. Long live the Dyna!

[@Chuzo1946]

Awesome review thanks

[@fastjax]

Thank you brother!

[@danniehenriksen1116]

Nice bike😊

[@frostsnowman7450]

Hi Jax question. Do you know if that tank from the softail slim can be added at a dealer? I like the street bob just not the new tank and want to capture the styling of the old street bob. I was wondering if it's simple due to the bikes being on the same frame? Thanks!

[@fastjax]

I mean it's possible but their would be one small hiccup, the digital speedo integrated in the street bobs handlebar setup and the slim speedo being analog on the tank itself. it would take some modification. If you like the slims tank more I'd just suggest a slim, you could always change the bars to 12 inch mini apes like the street bob.

[@frostsnowman7450]

I want to adding a fairing. And the forks the the slim are to big nor do I want to black out the primary cover and engine highlight. Hopefully it's just a wire change for the speedo. Thanks

[@robbowers916]

Hey man, I have watched quite a few reviews on this particular bike, and all of them have stated that the rear brake just doesn't grab like it should. Is it maybe because they just aren't broken in yet, or could it be something else? What's your take on it?

[@fastjax]

I've had no issues at all with braking on the 2018 street bob. The only thing I could think of is maybe someone who's not familiar with ABS riding an abs and not being to make the bike lock up and thinking its a braking issue. I could stop both on a dime and think you could too.

[@jonchrzanowski725]

I see you trying to tighten the gas cap as you ride I would assume your getting the god awful rattle noise. I have the same bike and my gas cap makes all kinds of noise around the 2500 rpm range. That's my only complaint about bike.

[@saddle8bag]

Frame stiffness prevents the frame bending when subjected to cornering forces. That kinda thing leads to wobble. Has nothing to do with power transfer. That's the job of the gears and belt drive. I like the digital speedo, but does it have extra wire length to mount it high on something like a T-bar? Not sure that's going to be an easy mod. Similarly, putting those footpegs forward like the Breakout is going to cost a pretty penny too. Showing off those massive cylinder heads with the small, high mounted tank is a really nice touch.

[@chandlercraythorn1418]

Bung king makes awesome handle bar risers that work with this digital gauge. If you don't care about the controls and just want to stretch your legs out then you should check out their crash bar too. Itll do the job as highway pegs and it looks great

[@kakhidzeoto]

nice review. what I don't like visually on this bike are those rubber springs on forks. can't get the point of putting them on - it looks like a sportster 883 not a softail. I am ok with lcd screen though, it looks weird for classic harley, but still. another thing is the solo seat, if you have a passenger (and I definitely do when traveling with my GF), you need to change the seat, which costs around $400, and if you do so, then the chopped fender won't look as good. chopped fenders are for solo riders. FXLR has two up seat, full fender, higher ground clearance, better lean angle, bigger tank and weighs just 3 pounds more. so for my personal preference - I chose 2018 Low Rider.

[@fastjax]

yeah you can just cut the boots off or remove the fork tubes and slide them off the forks, I cut them off my bike because I dont like them either and the street bob has always come with a solo seat so I can see why they continued to do it that way. I really like both the street bob and the lowrider so I think it'd really boil down to what your after. and thanks btw!

[@mopar21]

Nothing is touching the 2017 FXDLS.

[@chandlercraythorn1418]

The purpose of the rubber boots on this bike is more for a throwback styling than it is functionality. Modern bikes are made well enough that you don't need to worry AS MUCH about dirt getting in the nooks and crannies of the forks so they're more of a looks thing. As for the other complaints, harleys are ultra customizable. But to each their own. I have this bike and have modded it to get it where I want and couldn't be happier. Safe riding!

[@Peter-976]

Nice review. You feel like the bike wants to lean because your hands are much higher which gives you more leverage.

[@gmichael264]

Great review Jax! Do you think those fork boots serve any purpose other than visual? I don't really like them on this bike.

[@fastjax]

No they dont really serve a purpose, they came on my bike as well. I cut them off because I dont like them either

[@TheMacshep]

ABS? Are u sure? Is that an upgrade or does ABS come standard?

[@roscoenr]

Out of the slim, street bob, and lowrider what do you like the most. And can you put cruise on the lowrider or street bob I see they have one for the slim but not these 2. Thank you

[@fastjax]

Roscoe Reed that's a tough one, I really like the look of the street bob and the feel of the Lowrider, I've never been much of a slim guy but it is a very fun and sleek bike. I could probably own a 18 because of some of the things they change. I rode a Slim for 500 miles once and it beat me up but I feel the new one wouldn't. So I'd say Street Bob because with some minor adjustments I could make it perfect. I've always told people to start with the platform they like most because Harley's are so customizable. You would make changes to crest your own bike even if they were minor or very major. Also I'm unsure about cruise for those models as I haven't seen anything yet. May not become available

[@roscoenr]

Fast-Action Jax thank you. I'm really liking the street bob but not a fan of the tank, although I like the that there are no gages on it. I love the digital gauges. I Like the lowrider in white but not a huge chrome guy. Wish they had the brushed chrome on it instead. Also don't like the shit ton of gauges on the tank. Slim is lower on my list but I like the forks on it, the tank, and so so on the gauges. And wish the primary cover was black, it looks out of place. Thank you for doing the reviews that everyone else seems to scared to do. These are the common man bikes and no one is doing anything with them.

[@tommartin1223]

Can you please let me know when you do the slim. As I can't seem to find it on your site. Love your style. Well done!

[@tommartin1223]

Oh I found it! Did they make a new road king. Or leave it as is because it already had 107

[@fastjax]

tom martin thanks brother I really appreciate that! And they made no significant changes to the Road king because the released the Road king s for 17, you are correct

[@mikeessary4925]

Jax I miss your videos but more importantly I hope that you are doing well bro.

[@jmilb10053]

How are the foot controls? I am 6 foot and the mid controls usually put my knees in a bad position.

[@fastjax]

I am 6 foot and find them to be very comfortable. They do make forward control kits but I think the placement is fantastic, I like mids though so it could be biased.

[@jmilb10053]

I have not got to sit on the Street Bob yet. I took a Slim out for about 15 miles and love the engine but not the foot boards. The Low was ok but it has the mids. I may try the Breakout.

[@Tony-ue8fo]

I don't think HD offers forward controls for the 2018 Street Bob.

[@jmilb10053]

Tony not from the factory but they have put out forwards as after market.

[@algo6485]

They weren't out when I bought mine 6wks ago.

[@josephbilling6445]

Don't they got upgrade kits for the new millawake's? Can't you just turn the 107 into a 114?

[@fastjax]

yes you can

[@martylawrence9089]

Awesome

[@MoneyForNothingIT]

How tall are you?

[@rebel_ltz]

I just love the fact that you don’t want to change your Sportster, even if you ride faster and more expensive bikes all the time.

[@fastjax]

thanks man, I love my sporty and there's no way I'd trade it for a bigger bike! its been good to me and is a blast to ride!

[@rebel_ltz]

Fast-Action Jax It’s so great to see that! I love my Iron as well.

[@Sportybob]

tom rebel x ASPORTSTER is A SPORTSTER

[@lukefaulkner4853]

If you put a stage III 114 on the street bob, do you reckon it'd go...?

[@fastjax]

Luke Faulkner it goes now so I'm not sure what your question is brother. But I'm going to say yes! You can actually to the 117 kit for just a few hundred dollars more

[@lukefaulkner4853]

I just saw the teaser video for the v&h short shots staggered for the 18 Street Bob. I’m sold!

[@fastjax]

Luke Faulkner I'll have to try to find that

[@lukefaulkner4853]

Having just ridden the Street Bob I have to say I loved it. I thought it handled surer and more neutral than the Low Rider S that I took out earlier in the year, and I was much more confident putting it through the hills. You are right, the power is probably ample for this bike, and the way it handles would probably let you use all of it. Do a nice stage 1 with some louder pipes and it will be a cracking street machine. The only thing I found iffy was the rear brake, which I didn’t think was powerful enough and lacked feel, I’m not sure if that can be remedied by repositioning the lever or not.

[@occyman]

How would you have Tbars on that bike with the speedo where it is?

[@fastjax]

Very easily, buy tall risers and extend the wiring and whatever bars you'd like :)

[@Izmash]

how many wires are going to the panel?

[@fastjax]

SaigaExpress I haven't gotten the chance to look into detail the exact configuration yet but in the past Harley had made plug and play wire extensions so I'm thinking they will either work with the kit already out by Harley or would likely make one. Unsure at the moment

[@davesurrey5889]

I want,not sure if it will be a good choice for a first bike lol,I still might have to get a Sportster first as a first bike

[@fastjax]

I think you'd be fine either way, As you know I ride a sportster and Im a very experienced rider. the street bob does have more power than the sporty and a little heavier but it really doesnt matter, I've seen guys buy street glides as their first bike. they can all be dangerous, and you could handle both I promise. Get what you feel comfortable on as a first bike and what you want. sportster or dynatail. ; )

[@algo6485]

Dave Surrey I got my first, a 17 iron 883 in may, put 3500 miles on it, traded for an 18 streetBob 2 wks ago, its true what they tell you about graduating from a sportster quickly

[@davesurrey5889]

tigre green cool,the Sportster I do like a lot,and really like the 72,been wanting to pull the trigger on a used one

[@fastjax]

Dave Surrey you'd like the sportster! Depends on what your after like I mentioned. My sportster outruns many Big twins. But wouldnt be great for long long rides. Which I don't do. Depends on what kind riding you'll be doing. I ride around town and to and from everyday. But if your doing longer trips and a lot of highway riding I wouldn't get a sporty. That's why Dynas are huge on west coast because freeways and longer commutes and sportsters are more popular in Florida, shorter commutes.

[@algo6485]

Fast-action jax I agree w exactly what you said

[@schwartzkm]

If I didn't read the title I would think you were demoing a new Yamaha or Honda. I, for one, like the fact its not shaking like the old motor would. How hot does the motor run? The 92/103 would roast you.

[@fastjax]

Kevin Schwartzkopf It runs good, it's smooth and the power is band nice even in the low rpm range. I actually find that 107 is a little snappier than the 114. But you can tell the 114 has more power it's weird. I'm thinking the 114 is detuned a little. I think with stage 1 these bikes will be monsters, the EPA is just breathing down Harley neck.

[@1275porsche]

If I install slip ons only, do I need a screamin' eagle tuner ?

[@fastjax]

No you do not, as long as you dont change your air cleaner your bike will run perfect. people even argue you can install a full system with a tune as long as you dont change the air cleaner but I wouldnt. slip ons require no extra tuning and would probably in fact make your bike run better

[@1275porsche]

Fast-Action Jax thanks for the advice man, much appreciated

[@tccoup355]

Fast-Action, so no popping with just slip ons? Peace brother.

[@fastjax]

tccoup355 I heard no major Popping if any

[@kristinablume6977]

Long live the dyna! Love my DYNA streetbob

[@ZombieZim713]

dyna is dead. this bike is superior in every metric.

[@Doobie603]

I just got a 2017 because I love that Dyna!!

[@QueenSit]

I reviews the bike on my channel and I would have to agree.

[@dylang4249]

Do you think ABS is necessary?

[@fastjax]

Personally I do not think it is necessary on these models, I can understand it on the touring bikes and can see how it could be argued as necessary but on smaller bikes I think people just get it to feel more comfortable. I like to be in complete control of my braking, I dont like the idea of a computer deciding what my brakes should do, but maybe thats cause Ive never bought a bike with ABS, Who knows

[@MAYNARD927]

I'm considering a Street Bob, and I would rather save the $700, and not get the ABS. But that's just me.

[@andrewdreyer7765]

But how, How, HOW THE HELL is anyone supposed to Club Style it up when the electronic speedometer is ATTACHED TO THE BARS??? I hope Harley thought this through

[@fastjax]

very easily, 2 piece setup. get tall risers and extend the wiring and whatever bars you want

[@andrewdreyer7765]

Oh good. I'm just glad it's possible. I cannot wait to see a whole mess of Club Style Dyna - er....Soft tails.

[@fastjax]

Me too actually! I saw a really cool clubstyle '18 Fatbob already that was dope. I cant wait to see more of these customized. I think the Fatbob was on biltwells instagram if your interested in seeing it but I cant remember.

[@andrewdreyer7765]

Thanks, Jack. You see any Club Style Street Bobs in the dealership, scream really loudly. I'll be listening for it! Wonderful review and thank ya kindly.

[@fastjax]

No thank you brother! and I will. We get some pretty rad stuff in here sometimes

[@Axl_colts]

Nice bike but i wish it had frwd controls.

[@Frog_man007]

Can you put cruise control on these bike?

[@TeensierPython]

justice mcdaniel - sure can.

[@danmurphy1994]

No offense man but 10% and 16% faster says nothing about the performance unless you've ridden the bikes. I don't get why motorcycle manufacturers are so secretive about these metrics aswell as HP top speed etc

[@fastjax]

None taken and well brother most people have ridden the twin cam, so it gives them a good idea of what to expect. As for your second remark, Harley is not a sport bike manufacturer so most people arent trying to go 200mph (neither are sport bikes riders on the street but they like to think so lol) therefor HP is technically irrelevant, Harley does adverse its Torque which makes more sense for street use.

[@jasonpowell4847]

People sue over HP numbers. At the same time they don't go after torque so much. I think Yamaha bought back a few R6 bikes back in the day cause the claimed a high figure and they lost a court case and people could turn in there bikes. Also one more thing for and insurance company to puck apart.

[@Jeevish-ks6ts]

What it's top speed?

[@chandlercraythorn1418]

I don't know for sure but I've gotten up past 120mph multiple times. It felt like it had more to go but I kept running out of road or into traffic

[@StreetBob-tn1ed]

@@chandlercraythorn1418 you get to 120 then it hits a limiter

[@chandlercraythorn1418]

@@StreetBob-tn1ed is the speedo supposed to stop at 120 then? Highest I've gotten mine up to is 126

[@lowersaxon]

Are you a Harley salesman? He praises things that should go without saying in 2019. Do a one hour ride and tell us about the comfort of the ape hangers.

[@StreetBob-tn1ed]

ive road apes scince 1971 no problems

[@simonhouel1984]

Heritage 114 rider here and former Dyna 103 Street Bob rider (same bars more or less) Comfort is perfect on those bars, the arm rests at the same height of the soulder. The big downside is wind of course. Nothing a windshield or a fairing couldn't cure. With that new Softail plateform I rode up to 600 km without any back pain, strain or anything. Even the seat is a huge improvment but it won't keep its comfort very long.

[@jefftilghman9059]

Did you monetize? I like your videos, but I don't like the commercial interruptions. If this continues I may unsubscribe. There are too many vloggers out there who don't have those interruptions. The commercials at the beginning of the video I can put up with but not in the middle of the video.

[@fastjax]

Well I appreciate and respect the opinion of every single one of my subs but a lot of work goes into making these videos, it takes an entire day to make, edit and upload each video and although I dont care about money as much as "many vloggers out there" it is required to keep the channel running. Also I am still a relatively new channel so figuring out how exactly they use and abuse adds is still a learning curve, but for the most part their should only be banners throughout. if you unsub that stinks but your not going to hurt my feelings brother, gotta do you first.

[@petitflocon647]

LCD display is a crime.

[@JoshNMari]

The Dyna is 10x better aesthetically

[@dirkdiggler2430]

Doesn't look like a Harley 😒😒😒

[@smokeGR20]

Nope...dyna is better.

[@ZombieZim713]

incorrect. in every way except subjective styling

[@StreetBob-tn1ed]

you cant have rode the 2018

[@roccogts]

Boring straight Roads