Harley-Davidson Softail Deuce (FXSTD) review

Possibly even worth considering over and above the mighty Fat Boy, due to its lower weight and good performance (for a traditional Harley)
Looks, solid rear wheel
Price, dearer than a Fat Boy!

Yeah, we know it’s a couple of grand dearer than the Softail Standard and even a few quid more than a Fat Boy, but the extra design tweaks on the Deuce really make this machine stand out as the aggressive, hairy-arsed antithesis of the easy-going Softail Classic.

Please remember we’re talking in Harley terms here, so while the motor is the same 68bhp push-rod lump, the 23 kilos less the Deuce has to haul around is what’s making the slight performance difference. What is completely different is the look. The Deuce has a nice stripped-down raw edge to it that make it look cooler compared to the Classic. It’s well worth a look.
Yeah, we know it’s a couple of grand dearer than the Softail Standard and even a few quid more than a Fat Boy, but the extra design tweaks on the Deuce really make this machine stand out as the aggressive, hairy-arsed antithesis of the easy-going Softail Classic.

Please remember we’re talking in Harley terms here, so while the motor is the same 68bhp push-rod lump, the 23 kilos less the Deuce has to haul around is what’s making the slight performance difference. What is completely different is the look. The Deuce has a nice stripped-down raw edge to it that make it look cooler compared to the Classic. It’s well worth a look.

Length (mm)2423
Tank (litres)4.9
Dryweight (kg)293
Seats0
Seat Height (mm)696
Suspension Front41.3mm telescopic
Suspension RearMild steel, rectangular tube section swing arm
Wheels Front21 inch laced
Wheels Rear17 inch deep-dish diamond cut disc
Brakes FrontFour piston caliper, 292.1mm expansion rotor
Brakes RearFour piston caliper, 292.1mm expansion rotor
Tank Capacity (litres)18.5
Wheelbase (mm)1691
Ground Clearance (mm)142
Trail (mm)127
ChassisMild steel tubular frame, rectangular section backbone, stamped, cast and forged junctions, forged fender support, MIG welded
Cubic Capacity (cc)1450
Valves4
Max Power (bhp)68
Bore (mm)95.18
Stroke (mm)101.52
Valves Per Cylinder2
CoolingAir cooled
Fuel DeliveryCarburetion or electronic sequential port injectio
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
DriveBelt