2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard (FXST)│Test Ride and Review 

$13,600 for a brand new M8 powered Harley!!! In today's worthless, inflated dollars!!! That is just an amazing deal. Full factory warranty. I think Harley hit this one out of the park. Forget about spending $20,000 plus,,, just get this and build it up the way you want as the money comes in. Do it with cash. Thanks Harley for listening to us poor folks :)

Brilliant idea using the Livewire as camera bike. Weird not hearing any sound from it but it means you can hear what the other bike sounds like.

I bought my 2020 Softail Standard last March. I love its power, handling and looks. It seems to be more balanced laterally than my 2009 Lowrider was. I’m 5’7” tall so I find it easier to ride than even my Lowrider. Easy to reach the ground and slimmer. I love the mini apes. This is the first motorcycle I have ever owned with an unobstructed view through the mirrors. I also prefer the chrome to the blackout look and the symmetry of the license plate. I mostly ride twisties so, with the new suspension and torque, it is perfect for me. For what you get, engine, transmission, looks and handling, it beats any competing brand.

This bike is the perfect example of a classic cruiser. This is the real deal. The chrome finish and vivid black color makes it more like the undertaker style riding.

Just got a 2021 a few days ago. I am in total love with it. I’m 6 feet tall and weigh 280 and I’m quite comfy on it. Then again, I’m coming off of really small learning bikes so for me this thing is a massive upgrade. I love the stripped down look of it. Not a ton of accessories all over it. That leaves room for me to do with it as I please over the years.

Matt - this mix of moto-vlog and podcast style is awesome! It really engages and educates way better than the older style of just ride vlogging. I’m thoroughly enjoying the new podcast as well. Such great content from the Laidlaw team

Matt, you're so modest and easy going. Selling them so fast, you haven't had a chance to do a review, is something to brag about, not complain. ❤️❤️❤️

Yea Andrew! Gratz on your new Road Glide Special! That’s the new bike on my list to purchase. Can’t wait to see your build video!

Enjoyed the video. Always appreciate your information and review. I have used your videos to help friends pick their bikes out.

Nice job on this review! Favorite channel for all things Harley!

Hi Matt, really enjoying your videos and your insightful comments. Thanks for coming back to me re the bars

I really like this style of video's you have been doing. I like when you are interviewing other employees and getting there opinions.

I tested a new softtail standard today and I instantly fell in love with it.

The most well done motorcycle review on youtube.

Yep, its a Street Bob with aluminum & chrome - BUT looks soo much better. Love it.

I was waiting for your review on this bike the Harley Davidson Softail Standard! Thanks Matt!

"So basic- so good !" Greetings from Germany.

As always you guys hit the nail on the head with that review..So at the end of the day it's pretty much do you want all black like the street Bob or do you want a bit of chrome like this, but it's still more of a bike for your money than a sportster..Just as you both said!! Great starting platform for mods though👍

Good video Matt. I just got back from doing 5,600 miles on my 19 Road Glide Ultra i have had 4 touring Harley's. When I got home i called my local dealer and traded for a Heritage 114 and I love it! The touring bikes were just to heavy for me. Ride Safe!

Thx for this test ! I'm waiting for my softail standard in France but non test is possible here !! I'm so excited to ride with this new bike.

Hi Matt! You're the gentleman that sold me my '08 Fatboy in Vivid Black. Sadly, I sold it and it now lives just outside of San Diego, CA. I bought a Jeep to get into overland camping but now at the age of 73 I'm getting the itch to get back onto two wheels. I did not realize that Harley Davidson had come out with this Softail Standard and it would be a perfect garage project. The price is right as well. Well done, HD!

Matt new subscriber here, your videos and reviews are quite addictive. Looking at a RKS soon. This will be my first Harley

Love my 2020 FXST. It’s a rocket next to my old 2010 Heritage. Like the polished Aluminum. Reminds me of the old Super Glide. I’m 5’7” and 265 pounds, and it fits me well. Like the mid-mounted controls, but it would be great to have about 1 - 2 inches more leg room. I was able to tweak my position with a Saddelmen Renegade seat; it also feels better than the stock seat that hurt my butt. Power is great. Handling is like a fighter jet compared to my old bike. Brakes are good. Even like the new electronic info display. Now it will get a windshield, solo luggage rack, and sissy bar. Also, it needs a cruise control because I do really like to ride. Get the feeling you could do so many things with this bike. At this time I have no opinion regarding the license plate holder. Someday it would be nice to slap a larger gas tank on it.

Good video Matt! I would really like to see you do some videos on the different builds they offer with this bike. Maybe a combination of a couple builds? Performance + coastal?

Great video! Your comments are honest and I feel you presented good points on who should consider this bike for purchase. Time to do a deal with my local Harley dealer.

Matt you do a great job. Harley davidson could really use more guys like you to get that company back on track.

My first bike was an 01 Standard. Price point was good for me at that time and really got me into riding! I put 40,000 miles on it in two years! So much fun! The license plate fills in that fender in the back IMO. I like the fuller fenders vs the bobbed.

I bought a 2019 1200xl sportster 2 months ago, getting back into riding, but after a hit and run, and 6k worth of damage. i cut my lost and just picked up a 2020 standard today. already put 100 miles on it, it is total night and day. I love this softtail

Andrew really nailed his description of the Dyna feel at 90+ and in corners. Yeah, it dances for sure hahah. In my opinion that, combined with the bomber-like shake sort of adds to the appeal of the platform (I ride an '09 Low Rider in the Boston area of MA) but I have a feeling if I borrowed a Softail for a spell I might not care to go back to the ol' sphincter-clencher as my daily when I'm riding hard. Keep up the great work fellas!

Hi Matt, great video, Personally I have owned all the range from Sporty to high end cruises and went back and bought the 2020 softail standard I did a few alterations, ie forward controls, pillion seat , sissy bar and Club style front screen it a great bike and value for money and yes it gives that old school look.

Andrew I always look forward to your take on these bikes. I also like when you guys are out riding and you point out different places such as The Fantasy Factory. Lol

I have to say it looks much much better in video than those pictures of harley's website. Good stuff!

Nowadays everybody is into blacked out, denim...I am sorry guys this is a real motorcycle..just perfect black and chrome combination 👌💪

Hi Matt and Andrew, Took an MSF course at Caliente HD of Texas in March 2018. Bought a Honda Rebel 250 then a HD 883 Superlow. This 2020 HD Softail Standard is awesome and I want this one to be my next ride. It's kept simple enough to make it your own by customizing it to your liking. Answer to your question Matt, I like the license plate towards the rear of the fender. Thanks guys!

You always find the best angle to film the bike, in the page doesn't looks really cool but in this video looks sick and clean

its just a great looking bike! I have owned superglides in the past ( they should have called this a superglide) they were always the most affordable and customizable big twins. Great Job HD!

I'm on my second. Love the new Softails. The stump pulling torque together with the tight rail like handling make them a blast it the curves. Easily holds its own amongst more performance based motorcycles designed for the track. Best Harley Ive ridden.

Finally! Been waiting for this review!!!

Test rode one last weekend, killer bike. The power took me by surprise. Honestly will probably be my next bike, put a set of pipes on it, intake, and cam and this thing would be one hell of a bar hopper for not much more money than a sportster.

Bought one last year. Love it. Now for Harley to make extended forward controls to fit it. And stainless upper clutch cables.

The chrome on this bike is definitely on point. Love it so much

This is the bike that got me to pull the trigger. I've been able to put what I saved on price towards the items that I wanted. LePera Cherokee two-up seat, Memphis Shield Road Warrior fairing with 13" windscreen, Cobra passenger backrest with luggage rack, H-D forward control kit, LED signal light kit. It does not come with a USB port. Forward controls are a must for me. I'm 5' 10" and felt cramped. Once I changed the controls and the seat, it a lot more comfortable. I was going to change the handlebars until I installed the fairing. No need to do that now.

Gloss black and chrome. That's a proper Harley which is always about the look and feel. I think it's a mistake if HD keep trying to look like all the others, which are pretty much the same for me if you don't read the badge. Amazing bike! Spot on! I saw it couple of days ago in my local dealership. Parked right next to Low Rider S and Fat Bob, I could immediately tell this is HD. Other two looked like a cool looking bikes and not a hint of HD spirit. I couldn't take my eyes off it. Greetings from Bulgaria

I love everything about the bob I think this is a good addition. I prefer the license plate mounted to the left.

A HydraGlide, bobbed fenders, thin front tire, custom pipes, small tank, small seat, apes...used to call that a chopper. Or now, a softail standard, awesome.

Thank god it doesn't have the fugly fork bellows. Set of forward controls and you're on your way.

One of the best channel about Harley!

thanks for going into this vs the street bob specifics :)

since you ask, I prefer the license plate display on the standard, on-center. but the finishes on the street bob are worth the uncharge imo

If something happened to my sportster I would probably pick one of these up

Great bike to ride, especially when comparing the price difference between Sportster 1200cc versus Softail M8 with six gears. Nice review / video Matt, I was wondering how long you were going to ride the bike before standing up to stretch stretch your legs

Ordered mine yesterday ! Greetings from France (and a Hallo to my neighbor below)

Glad to know mine isn’t the only one with the clunk/pop when shifting in every gear. New to HD and didn’t think that was normal.

Think the plate looks better underneath, plus it'll keep some shit off the back end int wet. Sweet bike, reminds me of my old dyna.

Beautiful bike and very simple. I love it

This bike is growing on me. Add a small windshield and upgrade seat: nice mini tourer. Many options to make it more custom. It could even be an outstanding commuter!!! I just hope HD doesn't cancel the Standard before I get one.

I like placing the license plate at the back.of the rear wheel. To some it might help improve visibility and lessen the chance of damaging it,

I like the rear plate in line with the tire. How much does it cost to go to forward controls? Or floorboards? Can the cruise control be added to this bike?

I like the idea of a bare bones bike at a lower price. It looks good too. Perfect for riding around town.

Just Bought a 2021 model My 2000 Dyna needed a complete engine rebuild worth more than the bike itself. It's gonna be fun adding aftermarket stuff onto it!

That bike is AWESOME.

Just got one last weekend and love it

Matt thanks for the review, I have an 02 RK that I really like(except back shocks are horrible ) but which of these new bikes do you like for in town and day trips ? I am into comfort but also want a bike that you can dip into a corner a little bit now and then and still be able to take a passenger once and while . Save the longer rides for the RK . I am 5’11 about 195lbs , I like the regular low rider , the fat bob , and this latest softail standard. Not a fan of the wider front tire , also would probably add a different rear shock to the lowrider , maybe an inch higher . Would def change the seat on the standard..quick release sissy bar on all..so each bike i would change a little for my needs . Which do you think is a good choice to start with ?

2 weeks ago i traded in my sportster for this bike, the ride is just so much better. Thinking about getting that stainless steel two brothers exhaust

Nice Motorcycle Love the old school motorcycle Thank you for the video Matt take Care

Had this been available when I bought my FXLR, it might have made its way into my garage. I wish these lower price point bikes had a mag wheel option.

Triumph owner here and I must say this is one sweet bike

Great bike. I wish it would have come with forward controls as standard. It and the new Street Bob are way too cramped. It's an expensive and complicated job to install forward controls after the purchase.

Random question, but what kind of gloves are those? And as always, killer review. Your reviews, and just your videos in general, are very easy to watch if that makes sense lol

How does the polished steel finish stand up to the elements? I try to avoid the rain, but it'll happen. Dont want any rust on the primary.

Matt I love your music taste Metal on. Is the Street bob or Standard coming in 2021 with a 114cui? I like the number plate mounted left next to the fender. It is less grandpa bike and more custom looks :D.

Damn Matt now you got me thinking 🤔 should I go with the black street bob lucky Dave’s 13 in gloss black or the standard with chrome lucky Dave’s and tbr stainless hmmm ...love the content man what would you go with haha 🤙

I went from a dyna street bob to a 2018 street glide special. Had some things come up recently and had to adjust my budget so I traded to the standard. I’m 5’7” and 280lbs so the first thing I noticed was the seat is terrible. I test rode the street bob when I had my dyna and wasn’t a fan but I knew I wasn’t getting a sportster so standard was the option. I’m still getting used to it because I was very accustomed to the bagger life. I forgot what it feels like to get blasted with wind. It’s definitely better on the highway than a dyna. I got it up into the 90’s and it wasn’t trying to shake me off. I don’t like the feeling of it leaving from a stop. Idk if it’s the sound of the exhaust or what. It just feels dull and I remember that from the street bob test ride. The 107 in the street glide just feels better at low speeds. I’ll give it a chance to break in and maybe change the exhaust. But for now I think it’s dull in low gears. I think it feels good at high speed turns. Felt very stable and actually put a big smile on my face when I felt that. I do prefer the plate bracket from the street bob. Worked great for ezpass. I’d say big cons that should’ve been addressed from factory are the seat, the kickstand, and the brakes. Other than that I’d say it’s pretty solid and an open slate to build on

They are going to sell a LOT of those. (and I think you're right about guys buying those and then customizing them.)

If I was in the market for a new Harley I would definitely consider buying it.

Standard looks good as is. I like it!! Definitely change the license plate to the side tail light and change the seat about it.. 👍🏻

Would love to see one with forward controls and a further back seat (like a daddy long legs). Add a tank raise and you got a nice chopper/bobber type ride

This is a great starter bike IMHO. It’s relatively affordable and definitely customizable.

What jacket do you wear on your review videos? Pretty bad ass!

So would it be possible to get the same rear suspension travel as the FatBob & Heritage Classic by putting a rear shock from one of those in a softail standard?

I like this bike a lot I ride a FXBB, but I think this was kind of a lazy attempt at harley adding another bike to the lineup they should’ve just made the strretbob $1000 cheaper and made this chrome option for the street bob.

Hey Matt, hear ya loud and clear about that sportster riding on the freeway. I get bad leg cramps on my Iron 883 even though Im only 6ft, and the wind battering at 75 is brutal. Tried a windscreen, but its still too much. Looking for a more comfy bike and was considering this until yall said it was cramped riding as well. What bike should I look at?

I like first impressions of the standard. The only think I can't get on board with is the digital screen. Is there a way to eliminate the screen with a guage?

Matt. Your so tall! Doesn't look too many bikes are comfortable for you! But love your reviews!

Matt how much of a difference would forward controls make ? I'm 6,2 would I b to big for this?

I’m convinced my next bike will be a softail. People always talk about the Street Bob and the Softail standard. But I wonder why you don’t even mention (arguably) the best bike in the softail lineup-the “Sport Glide”. That thing is awesome. It can be a cruiser, or a (small) bagger or a hybrid. It’s light and nimble like the Softail standard, but offers so much more. Please, just throw it a bone from time to time.

Another badass video

Best HD channel. Great reviews.

Only thing I would change besides the exhaust is that would put rims instead of spoked wheels

I am getting this bike delivered this Wednesday. So I have been shopping around for some slip-on mufflers but seem to be having trouble. when I go on a website and enter the model and year all I get is these will not fit your bike. Any suggestions a a decent set that sounds good? Thanks.

Like the plate frame on the side on the FXBB

I prefer the Standard's looks over the Street Bob. I haven't seen either in person, so that may change. Smaller gas tank doesn't really bother me. If I'm touring, I'll just bring extra gas. Plus, shouldn't you be stopping and stretching every once in a while anyways? I'll probably go with this bike when I return to SoCal in 2022. Does the customization package prices include labor?

So one of my bikes is an 02 FXSTB, is this newer FXST smaller? I know stock the engine is bigger but maybe it's because you're taller lol. Harley did a good job with this price point, credit where credit is due.

Harley's Canadian site doesn't show those custom packages, and in fact they say there's no fairing available for the bike. Still, I'm leaning heavily towards this as my next bike.

Excellent photography of the bike and review....did I miss it or did you say how tall you are? That bike looks to be just on the edge of too small for you...I am 6' and am looking at this bike new...soon! Oh...WOW just heard it - 6'6" - no wonder. Ok then.

For me, this is probably the most beautiful bike HD has overall across its whole range. It would benefit very much from a 114 engine and a bigger gas tank. That would make it beyond everything else there is within the HD brand and across brands.

The customization packages are discontinued yet are still on the HD main website for the Softail Standard. Went on 11/28/20 buy a Softail Standard with the Touring Package and got the bad news. Offered a "comparable system" for $3800. That's more than double the $1699 shown on the HD website. Didn't buy the bike that day. I still might buy the bike but add on things one by one.

well done you two ,, a proper review showing the next step up [ or across ] from a smaller sportster frame rather than just grabbing the customers cash ,. i hope people appreciate this advice ;;

I really dig this bike. If I were ever to get a new sled, which I won't but it would be this with forwards. I love my 2010 street bob too much to move on. And the new ones seem a lot smaller. If I ever went bagger it'd have to be the road king.

I've always liked the look of the Sportster 1200 Low. The Softail Standard has a similar style as the Sportster. It looks like a great upgrade from a Sportster.