How the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Powers the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® in Virginia Beach
There’s something about Virginia Beach that makes it feel like the perfect stretch of coastline to enjoy on two wheels. Maybe it’s the wide-open skies, the salty air drifting off the Atlantic, or the winding roads that blend city sights with coastal charm. When it comes to taking it all in, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® is the only bike that comes to mind. And the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 is what makes the bike go. It has a sleek fairing and a powerful shape.
This V-Twin isn’t simply there to look tough. It’s built to deliver a ride that feels powerful, smooth, and endlessly satisfying. So let’s get under the surface and talk about how this engine brings the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® to life especially when the road ahead winds through the heart of Virginia Beach.
At the core of the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® lies the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine, and it doesn’t mess around. With 117 cubic inches of displacement and a torque rating that clocks in at a bold 130 ft-lb at 3,250 rpm, this V-Twin delivers serious power with a satisfying rumble. It's tuned for touring, which means it brings low-end punch for confident roll-on power, even when fully loaded.
But this engine isn’t only about raw output. What sets the 117 apart is its balance of performance and refinement. Harley-Davidson® pairs this powerhouse with liquid-cooled cylinder heads and a high-performance intake system, which keeps things cool even on those humid summer days in Virginia Beach.
The powerband is broad and predictable. Twist the throttle, and the response is instant, but not overwhelming. It's the kind of power that encourages longer rides, and thanks to the engine's relatively smooth demeanor for such a big V-Twin, fatigue sets in late if at all.
This engine isn’t working in isolation. It’s the star of a well-orchestrated system that includes electronically adjustable rear suspension, custom ride modes, and a refined drivetrain. All of this is designed to let you enjoy the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 in a way that matches your surroundings be it the chill pace of Atlantic Avenue or the scenic sweep of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® offers three standard ride modes: Road, Sport, and Rain. Each one tweaks the throttle response, engine braking, and traction control settings. Want a bit more jump to match an open road on Route 58? Sport mode sharpens the bike’s attitude. Need a bit of caution on a slick morning ride through the Naval Base area? Rain mode dulls the edge without watering down the experience.
What’s impressive is how these tech features don’t dilute the traditional Harley-Davidson® feel. The 117 still thumps with that classic rhythm, but it’s more refined, better controlled, and far more suited for real-world riding.
Then let’s talk aesthetics. The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 isn’t hidden away behind a bunch of plastic. It’s on full display, finished in either blacked-out or polished metal to match the mood of your build. This engine is the visual and mechanical centerpiece of the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide®, nestled inside a frame that’s all about presence.
Above it, the iconic Batwing fairing cuts through the air with help from computational fluid dynamics, reducing buffeting and improving rider comfort at speed. The fairing also houses the 12.3-inch TFT display running the Skyline™ OS, an intuitive interface that puts navigation, audio, and performance metrics at your fingertips.
All these components surround the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 like a stage around its lead performer. It's the kind of cohesive design that makes the engine feel less like a part of the bike and more like the soul of it.
Now imagine putting all of this together on the streets of Virginia Beach. The contrast of polished chrome or blackout finishes against sunlit beachfront roads? It’s a visual feast. And the ride itself? Even better.
Start your route near First Landing State Park and let the bike stretch its legs. The light traffic and curving two-lane sections give the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 room to shine. Head toward the Oceanfront, and you’ll enjoy slower speeds that highlight how manageable the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® can be. Then punch onto the highway and feel the torque take over.
Virginia Beach offers the kind of riding variety that brings out the best in this machine. From beachside cruising to downtown traffic and even a few twisty backroads, the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 handles it all without breaking a sweat.
And let’s not forget those weekend trips. With a fuel economy of 44 mpg and a 6-gallon tank, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® becomes the ultimate partner for riding out toward Sandbridge or even into the Dismal Swamp area.
The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 doesn’t pretend to be a race engine. It’s built for riders who want dependable, thrilling, day-after-day performance. It delivers predictable power, smooth operation, and a rumble that speaks directly to the heart of every Harley-Davidson® fan.
Combined with the bike’s modern chassis, ride modes, and comfort tech, it becomes a versatile machine for every corner of Virginia Beach.
There’s only one way to really understand what the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 brings to the table and that’s to throw a leg over the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® yourself.
Bayside Harley-Davidson®, located near Virginia Beach, VA, is the go-to spot for riders ready to step up their touring game. Our team knows these bikes inside and out and can help you dial in the perfect setup for your style.
Schedule your test ride today and find out how this powerhouse engine transforms every road into an opportunity.