It was with some fear paultan.org De Harley-Davidson DRT from 2025 lived with (Dirt. Road. Track.) On the Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC). The last time we have changed the range of HD Softtails in Antequera, Spain, just a few days before Covid-19 changed the world, despite many promises, Harleys remained … Well … Harleys.
Change was necessary, because immediately after all the lockdowns there was an increase in the demand for motorcycles. Keep in mind that we said motorcycles, not chrome loaded inland vessels with the treatment of a super tanker. We attended the second DRT in Khao Yai, Thailand, and again, the collected Moto journalists got more of the same, Save the Pan American.
So when we received the invitation for the DRT in Sepang, we wondered if we really wanted to be present, especially whether HD would serve the same heated about Pirate Cosplay formula in the guise of ‘lifestyle’. Keep in mind that I despise the image ‘Bad Ass Biker’ that some Malaysian riders seem to keep, especially those who drive in America.
The reality of it is that there was a danger that HD would be left by developments in technology and taste of customers (well, they were, but that is another argument for another time). What cannot be refused is that HD, as a brand, has an international market recognition that many other motorcycle makers are jealous and millions of dollars spend their pursuit.
That brings us until 2025, and the current harvest of HD cruisers, in particular the softballs and pan American, sitting on the collected Asian media. During the technical briefing we were told that there were many improvements in dealing with ergonomics when delivering engine power.
For the softtail cruisers there are now three sports rhythmodi, specifically for the model range, next to the road and rain modes. The HO Sport Ride mode is applied to the Lowrider ST and Lowrider S, with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin motor, which supplies electricity in the upper part of the speed range with heavy inlet of the air that was directly focused in the air stream.
The iconic fat boy (no, Malaysia does not officially get the limited edition “Gray Ghost”) and Breakout comes with the custom mode of the HD of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin. This gives the rider improved acceleration of standstill and roll-on Torque, facilitated by the High Flow Touring Air Intake.
Finally, the Heritage Classic, which has the most vintage views of Harleys, and the Street Bob, the stripped Blanco Canvas for the rider to set up his or her special taste, comes with the Sport Classic Ride mode mode. In combination with the very traditional round air cleaner, the Milwaukee-Eight supplies 117 V-twin on the Heritage Classic and Street Bod Power of Down Low, which effortlessly catches up and cruise.
With the proof of the pudding in the works, we were told by John Mcenaney, training leader, Harley-Davidson Motor Company Asia Pacific, that the updated Lowrider ST would have a lot to us. And so it turned out to be the case when we took the Lowrider ST during the road session.
One thing was very clear because the best heavy, heavy control of the previous 2020 Lowrider S We Roden was gone in Spain. In place was a light, somewhat agile (there is only so much that you can do to hide that long wheelbase) and a balanced ride.
The use of the word light is also not a wrong name, such as the Milwaukee-Eacht 117 of 2025 (1,917 cc for those among you who think in metrics) is lighter than the previous 117/121 V-twins. A new inlet channel is constructed from formed aluminum, giving a direct air path and smoother transition from the throttle house the oval air inlet port.
This results in 4% more power and 1.35 Nm more torque, which translates into 98 hp and 162 Nm of torque. Mufflers are now a 2-on-i-design, with lightweight sound absorption material, which means that maximum exhaust current is possible, while the trademark HD-Olly retains under gear.
Speaking of Rumble, there was a clear difference between the 2024 model that we drove and the line-up of 2025. This was the absence of overwhelming vibrations, something that riders have lived since the arrival of the EVO V-twins in the nineties.
Turning the throttle on the Lowrider ST gave this turbine just as a feeling of strength and gear, along with the speed of the speedometer to something illegal. No, you are not going to humiliate sports bikes on a Harley, unless you are on the America St. Pan.
The lumpy power output has disappeared, together with that feeling of momentum building into a point where the rider starts to think: “This thing will stop in an emergency.” That feeling of being of hardly control over something that weighs the best part of 300 kg is something that many Harley riders tend to accept, and that feeling has now disappeared.
What you get instead is the self -confidence of the construction of construction, together with the bicycle that actually responds to the input of the steering wheel. Brembo brake claws are now part of the comparison, just like traction control, two-channel ABS and driving modes over the entire catalog.
Together with the weight loss, the revised electricity delivery, the rhythmodi, the improved brakes, changes in the motor internals, in the reach of 2025 of Harley-Davidsons, there will be the Harley-Purists who will shout loudly: “That’s not Harley!” Well, more power for you, brother, but in this modern times, where nostalgia has a place: “Nobody has time for that.”
There are sufficient demands on the time and attention for the modern rider, and HD, as a company, has to make a product that is more accessible to the ordinary rider, not to treat Harley -property as a kind of exclusive club, while still retaining that heritage that makes a Harley, well, a Harley.
To this end, HD has made the current range of softtails easier to drive and easier to handle, with performance that approaches something of what a modern sports motorcycle could be. Note, no superbike, but rather a motorcycle that behaves like a motorcycle and no chromium loaded ship.
Indeed, there is a lot to be found at the Harley-Davidson from 2025, especially if you are more a rider in the relaxed and long distances. We deliberately ignore the fact that the HD catalog has several millions of ringing git of clothing and accessories for your ride.
Because in this case the ride is the thing. The changes and improvements made are indeed a welcome change for HD, and the softtails are much better to drive.
That does not mean that there are no errors with motor heat, although much reduced, there is still. It is better manageable at a level better than before, but if you are stuck in Malaysian traffic, you must be aware that the right driving pants may be needed.
Steering is still not the light touch that we expect from modern sports motorcycles, but then a Harley-Davidson is not a sports motorcycle. Lighter and much more agile than before, yes, no to deny that, but you are still talking about a long wheelbase that needs a very sturdy hand at the steering wheel.
At the end of it, an HD engine bike is still iconic, with an avid fan base. The improvements to the range for 2025 are far -reaching and serve the rider and the bike, instead of the “lifestyle”.
So what do you have to do, the reader? If you are a current Harley-Davidson driver, go on one of the 2025 softtails, it is a different experience in a good way and you can act in your current ride. If you are a driver who wants to get a Harley-Davidson engine bike, take one of the 2025 H-DS for a ride and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
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