2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard First Look

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Harley-Davidson officially announced a new Softail Standard model for 2020, confirming news we first broke earlier this month after the cruiser was certified by the California Air Resources Board.

As we expected, the 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard slots in as a no frills, “ready for customization” model. Priced at $13,599, the Softail Standard becomes the most affordable member of Harley-Davidson’s Softail lineup, coming a grand under the $14,599 Street Bob.

The Standard comes with a solo seat, a chopped rear fender, a 19-inch front wheel, and a 16-inch rear wheel. The front end includes clear-coated fork sliders, polished triple clamps and chromed headlight bezel. The chromed turn signals are mounted on the underside of the mini-ape handlebars. As with other Softails, the rear monoshock positions a preload-adjustable coil-over shock with emulsion technology under the seat. ABS is optional for $795.

HyperFocal: 0

As the CARB filings revealed, the Softail Standard is powered by Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine, which claims 110 lb-ft. of peak torque output. Harley-Davidson blacked out the engine’s air-cooling fins, which combines with the Vivid Black paint further provides contrast to the chrome bits. The Softail Standard is equipped with a two-into-two offset shotgun-style exhaust. The engine can also be upgraded with Screamin’ Eagle upgrades.

Harley-Davidson touts the Softail Standard as a blank canvas ripe for customization, but for those seeking inspiration, Harley has created four accessory packages to get started:

  • The Day Tripper Custom Package ($1,409.95) adds a pillion seat with a detachable 21-inch sissy bar, passenger pegs and mounts, forward foot controls and a black leather swingarm bag.
  • The Coastal Custom Package ($1,599.95) comes with a quarter fairing, black anodized aluminum handlebar with matching 5.5-inch riser, a Bevel two-up seat and passenger pegs, plus BMX-style foot pegs.
  • The Touring Custom Package ($1,699.95) includes Sundowner two-up seat with passenger pegs, a 14-inch quick-release windshield, Detachables black saddlebags, a 14.5-inch detachable sissy bar and backrest pad.
  • The Performance Custom Package ($1,299.95) adds a Stage II Torque kit, a Pro Street Tuner, a Heavy Breather Performane Air Cleaner and Street Cannon mufflers from the Screamin’ Eagle catalog.
The Softail Standard with the Coastal Package.
Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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  • Jason Jason on Feb 28, 2020

    Harley is starting to get to the right price. I do find it odd that ABS is optional on a $13,500 bike in 2020 and a $800 option at that.

    Give it a standard seating position and I would rent one.

  • TC TC on Mar 04, 2020

    Ape hangers? Price looks good though, if the dealers don't charge a few grand more for "Additional Dealer Markup". ADM is an irritating ploy that stops me from considering a new bike, and all the dealers seem to be doing it.

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