This nameplate debuted for the 2018 model year as part of a major Softail redesign that replaced the previous Dyna and Softail split with a lighter, stiffer chassis and a more modern chassis package. It was positioned as the long, low, drag-style cruiser in the line, defined by its stretched stance, wide rear tire, side-mounted instrumentation, and clean custom-bike look straight from the factory. The launch coincided with the introduction of the Milwaukee-Eight big-twin family in 107 and 114 cubic-inch forms, and this variant used the larger displacement to give the bike a stronger performance-oriented identity.
For the next several model years, it remained one of the most recognizable members of the Softail family and stayed closely tied to the modern factory custom trend: minimal bodywork, bobtailed rear fender, forward controls, and an emphasis on straight-line attitude over traditional cruiser ornamentation. It appealed to riders who wanted the visual impact of a slammed custom without sacrificing the refinement and reliability of a current-production motorcycle.
The 114 designation remained in use through the 2022 model year. After that, the motorcycle line continued in revised form for 2023, but the displacement-specific 114 name was dropped in favor of a different engine badge, making 2022 the final model year for this exact nameplate. In enthusiast circles, it is remembered as the first modern Softail-era expression of the breakout-style formula and as an important bridge between classic drag-bike aesthetics and the brand’s newer chassis architecture.