Harley-Davidson Street Bob vs Low Rider S (2026): Classic vs High Output
The Street Bob is the least expensive 2026 Softail; the Low Rider S is the performance cruiser. Both are stripped-back bikes with a 19-inch front wheel and a 16-inch rear, so they are often cross-shopped. The $4,000-odd gap buys a different version of the Milwaukee-Eight 117, a bigger rear tyre, a bigger tank and different geometry. Here is what the published figures say. We have not ridden either bike for this piece.
Quick answer
- Engine: Street Bob 117 Classic (98 hp, 120 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm); Low Rider S 117 High Output (114 hp, 128 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm).
- Weight: 646 lb against 670 lb in running order. Power-to-weight still favours the Low Rider S: 5.9 lb per hp against 6.6.
- Tank: 3.5 gal (13.2 L) against 5 gal (18.9 L), the biggest practical difference for touring.
- Price: $14,999 against about $19,000 (sources list $18,999 and $19,999).
Head-to-head · MotoWild data
- The 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Bob has the lowest seat, about 3.1 cm (1.2 in) lower than the 2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S.
- Ready to ride, the 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Bob is the lightest here, roughly 11 kg (24 lb) less than the 2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S. Makers weigh differently, so treat small gaps as a draw.
- The 2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S carries the most fuel (18.9 L).
Seat height (laden, as published)
A range means sources disagree. Lower is easier at a stop, but weight and seat width matter too.
Weight, ready to ride
Figures as published, with their basis. Wet, kerb and full-tank weights are close but not identical, so a few kilos either way is a draw.
Fuel tank
| Spec | 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Bob | 2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic, 1,923 cc (117 cu in) 45° V-twin | Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output, 1,923 cc (117 cu in) 45° V-twin |
| Power (claimed) | 98 hp (73 kW) at 4,600 rpm | 114 hp (85 kW) at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque (claimed) | 120 lb-ft (163 N·m) at 2,500 rpm | 128 lb-ft (174 N·m) at 4,000 rpm |
| Weight | 646 lb (293 kg) in running order | 670 lb (304 kg) in running order |
| Seat height | 25.8 in (655 mm) laden; 680 mm unladen | 27.0 in (686 mm) laden; 715 mm unladen |
| Fuel tank | 3.5 US gal (13.2 L) | 5 US gal (18.9 L) |
| Rake / trail | 30° / 6.2 in (157 mm) | 28° / 5.7 in (145 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 64.2 in (1631 mm) | 63.6 in (1615 mm) |
| US price | $14,999 (starting MSRP) | $18,999–$19,999 (sources differ) |
| Tyres | 100/90B19 / 150/80B16 19 / 16 in | 110/90B19 / 180/70B16 19 / 16 in |
Versions and model years
- Harley-Davidson Street Bob: Street Bobs from 2006–2017 are Dynas with Twin Cam engines; from 2018 they are Softails with the Milwaukee-Eight (107, then 114, now the 117 Classic). Check which one you have before using these figures.
- Harley-Davidson Low Rider S: The Low Rider S was a Dyna until 2017 and a Softail from 2020. Its 117 High Output engine has more power and torque higher in the rev range than the 117 Classic and Custom, so performance figures from other Softails do not apply.
Figures: totalmotorcycle.com · seminoleharley.com · motorcycle.com · harley-davidson.com · topspeed.com · motorcycle.com · totalmotorcycle.com · torquepedia.com · harley-davidson.com · nawarhorse.com.
Engine: same size, different breathing
Both engines displace 1,923 cc with the same bore, stroke and 10.3:1 compression. The High Output in the Low Rider S makes its peak torque 1,500 rpm higher and its peak power 400 rpm higher, which is where its 16 extra horsepower come from. At the Street Bob’s 2,500 rpm torque peak, the Classic is the version tuned to pull hardest. How the three 117 versions differ goes into the details, including BMEP and piston speed.
Gearing and highway rpm
Both bikes have the same six-speed gearbox, 34/46 primary and 32/66 belt. The difference is the rear tyre: the Street Bob’s 150/80B16 is about 646 mm tall, the Low Rider S’s 180/70B16 about 658 mm. The taller tyre covers about 2 percent more ground per turn:
| Speed in 6th | Street Bob (150/80B16) | Low Rider S (180/70B16) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 mph | 2,210 rpm | 2,170 rpm |
| 70 mph | 2,580 rpm | 2,530 rpm |
| 80 mph | 2,950 rpm | 2,900 rpm |
Worked out from the published overall ratio of 2.79 and each tyre’s unloaded circumference; real rpm is slightly higher because a loaded tyre rolls a little shorter. Try your own speeds in the cruising rpm calculator.
Chassis
| Street Bob | Low Rider S | |
|---|---|---|
| Rake / trail | 30° / 6.2 in (157 mm) | 28° / 5.7 in (145 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 64.2 in | 63.6 in |
| Tyres | 100/90B19, 150/80B16 | 110/90B19, 180/70B16 |
| Seat height (laden) | 25.8 in (655 mm) | 27.0 in (686 mm) |
| Ground clearance | Not stated in our sources | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
The Low Rider S has steeper rake, less trail and a shorter wheelbase: on paper, quicker steering. Its seat is about 1.2 in (31 mm) higher, which comes with more cornering clearance.
Range
With a 3.5-gallon tank, the Street Bob is the bike in the range most likely to make you plan fuel stops. At the 47 mpg Harley-Davidson estimates for some of these models, 3.5 gal is about 165 miles to dry and 5 gal about 235 miles; your own figure will vary with speed and load. Put your real consumption into the fuel range calculator.
Which one?
The Street Bob is the lighter, cheaper bike with a lower seat and the engine tuned for low-rpm pull. The Low Rider S costs more but brings the High Output engine, a 5-gallon tank and a more performance-focused chassis. If you ride long distances, the tank alone may decide it.
FAQ
Is the Low Rider S faster than the Street Bob?
It has 16 more claimed horsepower (114 against 98) for 24 lb more weight, so its power-to-weight is better. Acceleration and top speed figures are not in our sources.
Which has the lower seat?
The Street Bob: 25.8 in (655 mm) laden against 27.0 in (686 mm) for the Low Rider S.
How big are the tanks?
Street Bob 3.5 US gal (13.2 L); Low Rider S 5 US gal (18.9 L).
Sources
- Total Motorcycle, 2026 Street Bob: totalmotorcycle.com
- Seminole Harley-Davidson, 2026 Street Bob (gear ratios, tyres, fuel): seminoleharley.com
- Motorcycle.com, 2026 Street Bob specs: motorcycle.com
- Motorcycle.com, 2026 Low Rider S specs: motorcycle.com
- Total Motorcycle, 2026 Low Rider S: totalmotorcycle.com
- Torquepedia, 2026 Low Rider S (unladen seat, final drive): torquepedia.com
- TopSpeed, complete 2026 Harley-Davidson lineup (prices): topspeed.com
