Get FinancingHarley-Davidson Soups Up The Low Rider S Cruiser, Introduces New Low Rider ST
Harley-Davidson recently took the wraps off of its new Low Rider ST cruiser and a more powerful version of its Low Rider S. Both cruisers emulate the West Coast “tall bike” style for solo riders. They’re based on Harley-Davidson’s Softail chassis and powered by a V-Twin Milwaukee-Eight 117-cubic-inch (1,917-cc) engine, which is the manufacturer’s most powerful factory-installed motor.
“Our customers truly inspire us and the Low Rider ST was born from seeing the incredible builds at motorcycle shows around the world,” says Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design Brad Richards. “We took the iconic Motor Company design from the ’80s and gave it a new identity with a modern echo. Add the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, a taller suspension, and raised saddlebags, and the Low Rider ST delivers both a dynamic visual package as well as a dramatic performance punch.”
The New Low Rider ST
The Low Rider ST combines a new fairing with hard saddlebags and an optional Rockford Fosgate sound system. It becomes available in Vivid Black or Gunship Gray in late March 2022.
“A key element of this model is the frame-mounted fairing, which has a shape inspired by the classic FXRT Sport Glide model fairing favored by West Coast customizers,” Richards says. Three fixed split-stream vents reduce helmet buffeting at higher speeds. “With a dominant central (LED) headlamp flanked by side vents, the genetic connection to the original FXRT remains familiar,” Richards continues. “The sharper creases and revised proportions in the Low Rider ST fairing provide a look that is intended to be modern, athletic, and aerodynamically superior to the FXRT fairing.”
The available Rockford Fosgate system comes with dual 5.25-inch (133-millimeter) woofers and two remote tweeters nestled inside the fairing. A 250-watt amplifier drives the speakers with audio optimized by digital signal processing.
Carving Corners
The Low Rider ST’s lockable, rigid saddlebags have a clam-shell design and a total capacity of 1.9 cubic feet (53.8 liters). They can open easily with one hand, Harley says, and can be quickly detached using the provided internal release mechanism.
“The raised fitment of the saddlebags high above the exhaust reinforces the performance of the model,” says Richards. “The message being that these bags will not limit lean angle when the bike is pushed to the limit.”
The motorbike’s 1-in. (25-mm) moto handlebar is mounted on 4-in. (102-mm) pull-back risers, which also bear a digital display for a custom, “no gauges” look. Under the single-rider seat is a hydraulic pre-load adjustment for the rear monoshock, which is taller than a traditional Softail model and results in a 0.75-in. (19-mm) greater seat height. Up front, a 43-mm (1.7-in.), single-cartridge, inverted fork is raked to 28 degrees.
The Low Rider ST comes with standard antilock brakes and LED tail and brake lights. Dual 300-mm (11.8-in.) discs provide control and stopping power. The ST wears Michelin Scorcher 31 tires—110/90B19 in front and 180/70B16 in the rear—on cast-aluminum wheels finished in Matte Dark Bronze.
The Low Rider S
Available now, Harley’s upgraded Low Rider S ramps up the power in a sport-touring package. Its Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine generates 5% more torque than did the 2021 model’s Milwaukee-Eight 114. The rigid-mounted, oil- and air-cooled motor produces 125 pounds-foot (170 newton-meters) of torque at 3,500 rpm and features a Heavy Breather ram-air intake and a 2-into-2 offset shotgun exhaust.
The 2022 Low Rider S relocates its analog tachometer and digital speedometer unit up to the handlebar, which is closer to the rider’s line of sight than the earlier tank-mounted console. Like the Low Rider ST, the S exhibits a 1.3-degree greater lean angle than before with a taller rear monoshock. Its headlamp is set within a color-matched mini speed screen fairing.
Find The Right Harley-Davidson
MotorSportsUniverse.com offers a selection of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles for sale, including a number of Harley cruisers.
Source: Harley-Davidson