Cruisers

2008Harley-Davidson Softail Standard

24 fields on record

The 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard is the basic Softail, a blank canvas for customising. Its air-cooled 1584cc Twin Cam 96B makes 120 Nm through a six-speed gearbox and belt drive, for a top speed of about 170 km/h. A very low 662 mm seat, 305 kg wet weight and 18.9-litre tank suit relaxed cruising.

Capacity: 1584.0 ccm
Engine: V-Twin, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Wet weight: 305.0 kg
Seat height: 662 mm
Power: Not on record
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What’s new for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard

vs the 2007

Spec	2007	2008
Power	68.0 HP (50.0 kW)	not listed
Torque	125.0 Nm (12.7 kgf-m or 92.2 ft.lbs) @ 3000 RPM	120.0 Nm (12.2 kgf-m or 88.5 ft.lbs)

Other years 1999 2000 2001 2002 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail5%

Cornering40%

City riding60%

Daily riding65%

Touring55%

Two-up50%

Track10%

Best for: It's built for relaxed, torque-driven cruising and stylish around-town riding rather than outright speed or sport handling.
Built for: It delivers classic Harley-Davidson soul with strong low-end torque, a stripped-down custom silhouette, and an easygoing, laid-back riding character.
Not ideal for: It's not the right choice for riders seeking sharp cornering agility, off-road capability, or long-distance touring comfort.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

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Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 662mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard, with a cramped knee angle of around 75 degrees and an upright riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 750 mm or under — Short Kings →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1584.0 ccm
Torque: 120.0 Nm (12.2 kgf-m)
Engine type: V-Twin, four-stroke
Bore x stroke: 95.3 x 101.6 mm
Compression: 9.2:1
Cooling system: Air
Fuel system: Carburettor
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 2
Power: Not on record - add it

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Belt

Performance

Top speed: 170.0 km/h (105.6 mph)

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1697 mm
Seat height: 662 mm
Wet weight: 305.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 18.90 litres
Dry weight: Not on record - add it

Chassis & suspension

Front wheel travel: 142 mm
Rear wheel travel: 103 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Single disc
Front brakes diameter: 292 mm
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 292 mm

Specs last verified against published sources: October 2026.

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	1999	2007	2008	2011	2022	2026
Capacity	1340 cc	1584 cc	1584 cc	1584 cc	1754 cc	1754 cc
Dry weight	271 kg	—	—	—	291 kg	291 kg
Seat height	—	662 mm	662 mm	662 mm	655 mm	655 mm
Fuel capacity	19.7 L	18.9 L	18.9 L	18.9 L	13.3 L	13.3 L