Harley-Davidson teases secret new model for 2025

Harley-Davidson has hinted at a new special edition motorcycle currently in production. 

Attending the 2025 Australian launch of the new Harley-Davidson Softail range, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Luke Mansfield made several remarks about an upcoming special-edition motorcycle, likely to be based on the new Fat Boy model. The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. 

Speculation focused on a possible CVO Fat Boy joining the 2025 model range and, whilst this special edition was not directly confirmed, Mansfield didn't shy away from speculation. 

“Look at the Icon family for an interpretation of a CVO within this (Softail) family”, said Mansfield. The Icon family includes the El Diablo version of the Low Rider ST and the Hydra Glide Revival, with both offering potential clues about the make-up of a possible CVO Fat Boy.

Currently, it is unconfirmed if a CVO Fat Boy will be produced, however Mansfield admitted a new motorcycle is “rolling off the lines in York, Pennsylvania”. 

At the peak of audience speculation surrounding a Fat Boy CVO, Mansfield then told participants that “whatever (they) are imagining, it’s about 20% as cool as what’s coming”. He praised Harley-Davidson’s engineering and design team for an incredible effort with the upcoming product and joked that half of the model's volume will be purchased by Harley-Davidson staff and distributors. 

The 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is one of six Softail models, with the range also including the Street Bob, Low Rider S, Low Rider ST, Breakout, and Heritage Classic. 

Mansfield touched on why these six models were chosen for “the first wave” and discussed each model's uniqueness and ability to fill a range of buyer's individual needs. It is likely that the Softail range could expand within 2025,  with Mansfield himself stating “there will certainly be more to come.” 

Mansfield was also questioned on whether Harley-Davidson would consider re-introducing popular models from the company’s past, including the Fat Bob and Softail Slim. His response was hopeful, telling launch attendees “it’s not crazy to imagine other Softail models joining the range”, and teasing that Harley-Davidson “may or may not choose to bring previous models off the bench”. 

The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy has a starting ride-away price of $38,495. It uses the in-house ‘Custom’ tune of a revised 1923cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin, which now features four overhead valves, a revised cooling system, and new dual exit exhaust pipes. It produces a maximum of 104hp (78kW) and 171Nm. 

All models of Softail for 2025 have also received a comprehensive safety upgrade, which includes tyre pressure monitoring, cornering ABS, Cornering drag slip torque control, cornering traction control, and three distinct ride modes.