Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail. A Classic Cruiser.
Harley-Davidson’s 2025 117 Low Rider Soft Tail shakes off the staid stigma of the American marque. It is a bike that can be used for everything from the Cruiser it sets out to be to a daily commute. In all riding scenarios, it impresses, is capable and delivers.
Heeeey, says the Fonz, and we know it means fabulous. I imagine him standing outside the diner with this beautiful Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail. Those of us of a certain age will remember Happy Days on TV, and for most of us, it was an introduction to the American way of life set in the 1950s.
The main character, The Fonz, was a young biker, and of course, he rode a Harley-Davidson, an icon for the USA and within motorcycling globally.
In 2025, Harley-Davidson continues manufacturing iconic motorcycles with classical looks packed with the latest technology. The Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail is a brilliant example of this. Its retro design keeps the look clean and simple, yet it has a staggering motor and the latest rider aids.
The Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider ST has the High Output Milwaukee Eight 117 V-Twin, which delivers exceptional performance. It allows you to power through country corners supremely and crunch motorway miles. It is smooth, and the handling belies the hefty look. The low centre of gravity gives the rider a balanced machine that can be easily manoeuvred.
A simple classic display provides all the information a rider requires.
The Soft Tail has a cartridge-style 43mm inverted fork with cultivated damping and 5 inches of travel. The front end provides good feedback, which gives plenty of confidence in all situations. The rear shock has 4.4 inches of travel, smoothing most road surfaces.
The Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail has twin discs for secured, confident braking, and the chassis allows you to ride the bike aggressively.
The Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail's engine is the High Output M8, which produces 114 hp and massive torque. When you turn the throttle in Sport mode, you get the full experience—the bike thrusts forward, pumping adrenaline through your body. Standard mode and Rain mode also exist, which alter the power output to match weather and riding conditions. These are easily engaged using the Mode switch on the right handlebar cluster.
The Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail is heavy at 327kg, but its centre of gravity is low, so you always feel in control and confident riding it. On the move, the bike is agile and can change direction easily, as the handling is lovely. You can tackle the country curves at a good pace, although most owners will ride it as a Cruiser and enjoy every minute of the journey.
Above. After some green laning the beautiful blue had gathered some mud.
At cruising pace, the rider gets to enjoy the exhaust noise and take in the moment, which is a significant amount of what owning a Harley-Davidson is all about. It is a lifestyle choice.
On long journeys, the Harley-Davidson will eat up the miles. You sit upright on a comfy saddle with pretty good wind protection from the fairing if you keep below 70mph. The display is gloriously simple, with the classic circular unit centrally located on the bars. It provides the information you require. You get cruise control, which helps with the longer trips and is always nice.
The Harley-Davidson 117 Low Rider Soft Tail is a lot of bike and delivers plenty of performance and gallons of pleasure. It can be ridden as a Cruiser, and you could commute on it, but when you want to play and up the pace, it delivers with a punch. It's a gorgeous bike that gets people talking to you and taking pictures, so be prepared for long chats when you stop at biker destinations or anywhere. You will fall in love with this Harley-Davidson, and it will be a marvellous marriage.
£21,295