By Roberto Valderrama 1,000+ Miles | LA to Monterey, Santa Cruz County, Big Sur, Laguna Seca, and Back

Quick regroup off the 5 Freeway with the 2025 Street Glide FLHX. Those yellow hazard lights tucked into the fairing? Sharp, clean, and surprisingly striking—even on the shoulder.
Quick regroup off the 5 Freeway with the 2025 Street Glide FLHX. Those yellow hazard lights tucked into the fairing? Sharp, clean, and surprisingly striking—even on the shoulder.

A Legacy Rider Meets the Next Generation

With 27 years of riding under my belt and a garage that has housed everything from a cobalt-blue 2008 FLHX to a blacked-out 2020 Street Glide Special, I thought I knew what to expect from Harley-Davidson’s touring lineup. That changed when Harley reached out and handed me the keys to their newest iteration—the 2025 Street Glide FLHX in Iron Horse Metallic.

They didn’t ask for praise. They just said: “Ride it. Let us know what you think.”

So, I did just that. I took it over 1,000 miles: from Los Angeles to Monterey, then Watsonville and Santa Cruz County, back to Monterey, down to Big Sur and Laguna Seca, and finally returned to LA. What follows is not just a review—it's a direct comparison to every Street Glide I've ridden and owned before.


Iron Horse Metallic: A Color with Character

Harley got it right with Iron Horse Metallic. It’s a moody gray with depth—sometimes flashing green under the California sun. It's subtle, classy presence that stood out in the right light.

Rear-right angle at a gas stop—showcasing the contoured saddlebags, extended brake lights, and that massive infotainment screen glowing through the fairing. Iron Horse Metallic really pops under the canopy lights.
Rear-right angle at a gas stop—showcasing the contoured saddlebags, extended brake lights, and that massive infotainment screen glowing through the fairing. Iron Horse Metallic really pops under the canopy lights.

Powerplant: Milwaukee-Eight 117ci V-Twin

The new liquid-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 was a standout. Whether on fast stretches of I-5 or tight curves down Highway 1, this engine never complained. Most impressively, even in 105°F on Hwy 5, I never felt the heat radiate like I did on my 2020 FLHXS.

At 75–80 mph in 5th gear, the bike hovered around 3,500 RPM—which is where it felt most alive. In 6th, it dropped to 3,000–3,200 RPM and felt too relaxed. Fifth gear was my go-to when I wanted more engagement.

Close-up of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant—showing off the sharp new Harley-Davidson badge, the 117 air cleaner, and the muscle behind the ride. Clean, bold, and all business.
Close-up of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant—showing off the sharp new Harley-Davidson badge, the 117 air cleaner, and the muscle behind the ride. Clean, bold, and all business.

Handling, Stability & Real-World Conditions

This Street Glide is stable. Rock solid. Not once—on highways or canyon twisties—did I feel any of the dreaded front-end wobble that I’ve occasionally experienced on past models.

We hit dense fog rolling into Big Sur—visibility near zero, visor soaked. But thanks to cornering ABS and a well-balanced chassis, the bike never felt unsure. Harley's safety tech made all the difference.

Going up the Grapevine on the I-5 freeway was a real highlight—sweeping curves, elevation, and smooth throttle response. The bike handled beautifully throughout.


Comfort: Seat & Suspension

The stock seat is solid. Not exceptional, but comfortable enough for long-haul rides. I’d prefer a seat that sits slightly higher, but I appreciated the ease of flat-footing it at stops. At 190 lbs, I did bottom out a couple times on deep potholes—proof that the 12" suspension has limits. If this were my bike, I’d immediately upgrade to a 13" or 14" setup.

Side profile of the 2025 Street Glide FLHX parked somewhere off the PCH—possibly Carmel. Scenic curves, coastal air, and the Iron Horse Metallic catching every bit of California light.
Side profile of the 2025 Street Glide FLHX parked somewhere off the PCH—possibly Carmel. Scenic curves, coastal air, and the Iron Horse Metallic catching every bit of California light.

Infotainment & Control Layout

The screen is crisp and responsive. The under-screen drawer is an actual innovation—it fits an iPhone Max and a second device comfortably.

CarPlay was a bit inconsistent during my ride. In fact, I’ve noticed this across multiple motorcycle brands. The system often requires a full sync chain—phone to radio, radio to headset, and headset (in my case, a Sena) back to the bike. If all those devices aren’t synced properly, CarPlay can flicker or fail to load. When the connections lined up, it worked well—but that wasn't often. Definitely something that could benefit from a software update.

Hand controls were intuitive, though volume and media buttons are now on the right side, which takes some getting used to. That said, I appreciated having both the joystick and traditional button options—they both get the job done.

A rider’s view of the 12.3″ touchscreen tucked behind the fairing, the drawer release button—tech-forward, functional, and easy to access on the move.
A rider’s view of the 12.3″ touchscreen tucked behind the fairing, the drawer release button—tech-forward, functional, and easy to access on the move.

Touring Storage: The Right Kind of Upgrade

The saddlebags aren't stretched—they're smarter. Wider in the right places with a curved-in design that maximizes usable space. For the first time on a stock Harley, I fit everything for a three-day trip without bungee cords or a backpack.

Low-angle rear shot highlighting the clean lines of the rear fender, stretched rear lights, and contoured saddlebags. The fairing, bars, and radio fade softly in the background—letting the rear-end styling speak for itself.
Low-angle rear shot highlighting the clean lines of the rear fender, stretched rear lights, and contoured saddlebags. The fairing, bars, and radio fade softly in the background—letting the rear-end styling speak for itself.

Ride Modes & Rider Tech


Cornering ABS was a lifesaver in slippery conditions. Cruise control stayed locked in without any hiccups. Hill Hold works as advertised—but doesn’t activate in neutral, which feels like a missed opportunity. Other bikes I’ve ridden allow that and it’s more intuitive.


Final Verdict: The Best Stock Street Glide FLHX Yet?

Yes.

This is the most refined, stable, tech-smart Street Glide Harley has released. For seasoned riders with fully customized setups—maybe wait. But for anyone coming from an older Glide, a Sportster, Dyna or Softtail, or joining the touring world for the first time—this 2025 FLHX is worth every mile.

No bike is perfect, but this one made it really hard to hand the keys back.


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By Roberto Valderrama · Originally published July 21, 2025