Best North Carolina Backroads to Ride with the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob®

Apr. 7 2025 Harley-Davidson® News By Raging Bull Harley-Davidson®

North Carolina’s Triangle region is known for its blend of Southern charm, historic towns, and winding two-lane roads that seem purpose-built for Harley-Davidson® riders who appreciate more than the ride—they live for it. With Raleigh as a starting point, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® gives riders an ideal machine to make the most of the area's lesser-known but deeply satisfying backroads. With its lightweight frame, aggressive stance, and torque-rich Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® turns familiar routes into dynamic, immersive rides. It’s a bike that doesn’t ask for permission—it’s ready the moment you are.

One of the most rewarding stretches for riders in the Raleigh area starts just outside the city limits—Old Stage Road. Running south from Garner toward Fuquay-Varina, this road isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. With long, gentle curves and patches of open farmland that seem to roll on forever, it’s the kind of ride that invites a steady rhythm. On the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob®, that rhythm is matched by the engine’s deep, even pulse. The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 Classic delivers 120 ft-lb of torque in a flat, responsive curve that makes rolling on the throttle feel effortless and immediate. You’re not muscling the bike through the corners—you’re guiding it, with power always in reserve.

From there, many experienced riders head toward Ten Ten Road, a local favorite that carves across Wake County with smooth elevation changes and subtle transitions. This road has the right balance of flow and challenge. What stands out on the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® here is the bike’s updated suspension setup—SHOWA® dual-bending valve forks up front and an easily adjustable rear monoshock. These components give the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® a confidence-inspiring ride even when the pavement shows its age. You feel connected to the road surface, but never punished by it. Mid-corner stability is excellent, and thanks to its mid-mounted foot controls and upright riding position, you always feel in control without sacrificing long-distance comfort.

Another top-tier backroad just a short ride west of Raleigh is Lystra Road. As it snakes through Chatham County toward Jordan Lake, this route treats riders to fast sweepers and moments where the treeline pulls back just enough to expose views of the water. It’s the kind of ride where subtlety matters—judging throttle input on corner exit, setting your line early, and letting the bike work underneath you. On the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob®, that experience is elevated by its precise chassis and 19-inch front wheel, which strike a solid balance between responsiveness and composure. Optional tubeless laced wheels add a traditional touch without compromising modern performance, while the Dunlop® tires keep the grip consistent across varying surfaces.

Cruising through the outskirts of Apex and Holly Springs, riders will find New Hill-Holleman Road, a route with less traffic and more of what matters: tight S-curves, blind crests, and stretches of shaded asphalt that disappear into hardwood forests. On roads like this, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® shines not just because of its powertrain but because of the riding experience it delivers. The mini-ape handlebars offer just the right amount of leverage to guide the bike through technical transitions, while the low 25.8-inch seat height keeps you grounded and planted, even during quick changes in lean angle. The two-into-one exhaust adds to the ride’s intensity, producing a low-end rumble that’s powerful without being overbearing.

If you head northeast of Raleigh, into the rolling terrain near Wake Forest, NC 98 is a proven favorite. This stretch mixes open straights with tight, tree-lined curves. You get moments of pure acceleration followed by corners that demand focus and finesse. The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® responds well to these changes in rhythm, thanks in part to its updated rider aids. The Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System and Cornering ABS step in subtly when needed, especially when entering a downhill bend or dealing with uneven pavement in a hard lean. These systems are integrated into the riding experience—not a crutch, but a safety net that works with you.

Push farther north and you’ll reach Rolesville and the entrance to Mitchell Mill Road, one of those “if you know, you know” routes favored by locals. This road is narrower, with quick elevation changes and tight, blind turns that demand a machine with balance and predictability. Again, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® proves its mettle. Ergonomic hand controls have been refined for 2025, giving you easier access to ride mode settings and rider safety enhancements. And with the new four-inch multifunction display mounted just above the analog gauge, key information is right where it should be—visible, but never in the way.

The deeper into Johnston County you ride, the more you begin to appreciate the range and efficiency of the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob®. At 47 mpg combined, that 3.5-gallon tank goes a long way, making longer loops through rural backroads a reality without frequent stops. Along Cleveland Road and Polenta Road—both known for light traffic and an unhurried pace—you can cruise without the interruptions of modern life. And thanks to integrated USB-C charging and Bluetooth® support, you’re connected when you need to be, without sacrificing the stripped-down aesthetic the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® is known for. It’s a raw, honest machine that doesn’t compromise.

Throughout every ride, what separates the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® from anything else on the road is how it translates rider input into feedback you can trust. Every mechanical and technological update serves a purpose. The new air intake design complements the bike’s classic bobber silhouette while improving airflow. LED lighting ensures you’re visible at all hours, with a 5.75-inch headlamp that provides a wide, clear beam for backroad riding after dusk. The updated tank medallion, based on Willie G’s 1966 original, gives the bike an unmistakable link to its heritage—an identity that resonates deeply with riders who value authenticity.

The Raleigh area and its neighboring towns offer more than pleasant rides—they provide a genuine opportunity to experience the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® as it was meant to be ridden. It’s not about chasing speed or showing off—it’s about riding with intent. With the right road under you and the right machine beneath you, even the familiar becomes extraordinary. 

If you’re ready to take these North Carolina backroads and make them your own, start by visiting Raging Bull Harley-Davidson® in Raleigh, NC. The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® is ready to ride, and our team is ready to help you experience everything this powerful, refined bobber has to offer. Schedule your test ride today and see why local riders trust this bike to turn backroads into something unforgettable.


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