Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/524688
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA STREET BOB QUICKSPIN P116 The six-speed Cruise Drive transmission on the Street Bob works extremely well. In the past, Harley shifts had the reputation of being clunky like a bag of spanners, but the new- age six-speed transmission has a smooth action in both shifting and at speed. The pull at the left hand is surprisingly light and there's a positive feel at the shift- er. The gear ratios are matched perfectly to the engine, so while barely breathing at 3000 rpm in sixth gear, you're running a cool 80 mph down the highway. Maneuverability of the Dyna Street Bob is one of its strong features. The H-D feels light and nimble, it's simple to corner and provides a confidence-inspiring feel due to its inherent ease of mobility. For someone who might want something bigger than a Sportster but is maybe not quite ready for the heavier Street Glide, the Harley-Davidson Street Bob is an excellent choice. However, it's not all peas and carrots. The suspension on the Street Bob was less than impressive, even with the upgraded Dyna Premium Ride Emulsion Shocks and single cartridge fork kit. The fork was the main culprit with a harsh initial stroke giving the front end an unsettled feel and a soft mid-stroke that disrupted the forward momentum when hitting larger bumps at speed. On the other end, the aggressive look- ing black coil-over shocks pro- vide an ample amount of support and have impressive bottoming resistance, though they could use a little more damping for a more controlled ride. American pride, knees in the breeze and care free days— these are a few of the things that come to mind when riding Harley's 2015 bobber, just like a scene from Easy Rider. The Street Bob's suspension could use a little work, but the bike's custom look and feel is some- thing to be desired. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB FXDB ENGINE: .......... Air-cooled, twin-cam 103 DISPLACEMENT: ..........................1690cc BORE X STROKE: ........... 98.4 x 111.1mm HORSEPOWER: .......69.6hp @ 5300 rpm TORQUE: ...........87.93ft-lbs @ 3300 rpm COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 9.6:1 FUEL SYSTEM: .....Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) TRANSMISSION: . Six-speed Cruise Drive FRONT SUSPENSION: ....... 9mm conventional dual rate springs, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ..... Coil over shock, preload adjustable FRONT BRAKE: ....... Single disc, 4-piston fixed front caliper, ABS REAR BRAKE: ......... Single disc, 2-piston torque-free floating rear caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE: .............. Michelin Scorcher 100/90B19 57H REAR TIRE: ................ Michelin Scorcher 160/70B17 73V RAKE: .......................................29 degree TRAIL: ............................................. 4.7in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................25.5in. WHEELBASE: ..................................64.2in. WEIGHT: .......................670lbs. (full fuel) FUEL CAPACITY: .....................4.7 gallons COLOR: .Hard Candy Quicksilver Flake / Red Steel laced wheels (customization options available) MSRP: .................... Starting at $13,449 (testbike: $16,144) >>T I C K S •Powerful engine •Smooth shifting •Great looks >>C R O S S E S •Un-settled suspension •So-so brakes •Non-adjustable clutch and brake levers (Top to bottom) The 103ci of American muscle is easily the star of the show. Suspension is an exercise in frustration and is one of the only things letting the Street Bob down. That paint is gorgeous, as is the old-school H-D logo.