2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra Q&A for Long-Distance Riders in Virginia Beach
When you live near the coast, the open road always seems to be calling. And for riders around Virginia Beach, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra makes answering that call an experience worth savoring. It’s built to soak up highway miles and coastal breezes with the kind of comfort, power, and style that turns long rides into second homes on wheels.
If you’re considering the Ultra as your next touring companion, we’ve got answers to some of the most common questions riders in Virginia Beach ask before they commit to the ride.
1. Is the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra really made for long trips?
In every way that counts, yes. Harley-Davidson® didn’t build this bike for short stints around town; it’s meant to take you places and make the journey part of the reward. The ergonomics cater to endurance with a cushy, supportive seat, upright riding posture, and a batwing fairing that’s been redesigned to cut down wind buffeting significantly. The new fairing shape was tested in wind tunnels, and it works. Riding on open interstates like I-264 feels smoother, more composed, and less tiring over time.
2. What kind of engine performance can I expect?
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra comes with Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin, the largest and most advanced version available in a standard touring bike. It puts out 130 lb-ft of torque and over 100 horsepower, which translates to steady acceleration and real pulling strength. This is perfect for riding two-up with full saddlebags. The engine doesn’t feel twitchy or overly aggressive. Instead, it’s calm but powerful, with a deep rumble that’s instantly recognizable. If you’ve got a mountain ride in mind or plan to haul serious gear, this engine handles it without breaking a sweat.
3. How does the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra hold up in Virginia's changing weather?
You get a lot of variation here: humid summers, chilly sea breezes, and the occasional storm roll-in. The design helps buffer all that. Adjustable vents built into the lower fairings let you manage airflow on the fly. The heated grips are clutch on those early spring mornings when it’s still in the 40s. And if you’ve ever had to white-knuckle your way through a gusty Bay Bridge-Tunnel crossing, the weight and balance offer some welcome stability. It stays planted, even when the wind decides to play rough.
4. What about passenger comfort? Is it really comfortable for two?
You won’t find many touring bikes that prioritize passenger experience quite like this one. The King Tour-Pak® has a deep backrest and armrests that make longer rides genuinely enjoyable for the person on the back. There's space to stretch out, room to shift around, and that wide seat is made for real-world use, not just showroom looks. Couples who’ve done multiday trips often say the passenger ends up enjoying the ride just as much, if not more.
5. Can I pack everything I need for a weekend trip (or longer)?
Definitely. This is one of the standout features for anyone looking to tour. The saddlebags are wide and tightly sealed, and the Tour-Pak® adds even more capacity. Altogether, you’re looking at close to 5 cubic feet of storage. That’s enough for your gear, a passenger’s gear, some roadside tools, and whatever souvenirs you grab along the way. There's also smaller storage up front for personal items like phones or gloves.
6. How advanced is the tech on the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra?
This isn’t your granddad’s Harley-Davidson®. The new Skyline™ infotainment system is a 12.3-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay® and comes preloaded with navigation tools. It’s bright, intuitive, and actually usable with gloves on, which is something touchscreen systems often fail at. The bike also includes keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, and a full array of ride safety aids, from traction control to hill hold assist. It's like having a digital co-pilot that doesn't get in the way but steps in when needed.
7. Is it easy to control a bike this big in town?
Surprisingly, yes. While it’s no lightweight, the motorcycle’s balance and throttle control are well-tuned. It doesn’t feel top-heavy, and the wide bars give you leverage in low-speed turns. If you're used to a smaller Harley-Davidson® and you're stepping up, there’ll be a learning curve. But once you get moving, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra rides like it’s built around you. In stop-and-go traffic near the Oceanfront or navigating parking at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market, you won’t feel overwhelmed.
8. What kind of safety features does it have?
The bike includes Rider Safety Enhancements, which cover cornering ABS, traction control, electronic linked braking, and more. There’s also hill hold, which is a game-changer on any incline, especially if you're loaded down. The system is designed to be invisible until you need it, with no unnecessary alerts or interruptions. It just works in the background, giving you confidence without taking away the analog joy of riding.
9. How does the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra compare to other touring bikes?
In the world of heavyweight touring motorcycles, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra punches at the top of the class. It brings better wind management than the Road Glide® thanks to the fairing design, more comfort out of the gate than most competitors, and an unmistakable Harley-Davidson® feel. Bikes like the Honda Gold Wing may offer a different kind of tech appeal, but they lack the visceral connection the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra delivers. It’s not trying to be a luxury car on two wheels; it’s trying to be your favorite road machine, and it succeeds.
10. Where can I check one out near Virginia Beach?
You’ll want to stop by Bayside Harley-Davidson®, just a short ride from downtown Virginia Beach. We’ve got the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra in stock and ready for test rides. Our team knows what long-distance riders are looking for and can walk you through the real-world advantages of the bike, not just the brochure highlights.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. For those who love long rides and want a machine that’s built for the journey, it hits the mark. From the power under the tank to the thoughtful features that make each mile smoother, this is a bike that feels at home.
If you’re ready to gear up and go, now’s the time to get behind the bars of one for yourself.
Swing by today to schedule a test ride. Feel how the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra handles, explore its storage options, and see how it fits your long-haul goals. Your next great ride might just start there.