Introducing the new Harley-Davidson Low Rider S and Low Rider ST 117 cruisers
HARLEY-DAVIDSON EXPANDS ITS CRUISER MODEL FAMILY IN 2022 ABOUT THE ENHANCED LOW RIDER S AND THE NEW LOW RIDER ST
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine makes its debut on cruisers
NEU-ISENBURG, January 26, 2022 - The introduction of the new Low Rider® ST and the strengthened Low Rider® S enriches the Harley-Davidson the Cruiser series with even more performance and versatility. Both motorcycles combine the handling and precision of the Harley-Davidson® Softail® chassis with the breathtaking power of the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine.
The Low Rider S presents itself as a powerful powerhouse for all lovers of unadulterated performance. The new Low Rider ST also offers a high degree of versatility thanks to its side cases and frame-mounted fairing. Both new models are characterized by the dynamic, performance-oriented character that defines a true performance cruiser.
MILWAUKEE-EIGHT 117
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin with precision oil/air cooling has more displacement and develops more torque than any other engine produced as standard by Harley-Davidson, delivering outstanding performance and causing a sensation on the road.
- 1,923 cc displacement
- Depending on the model, up to 169 Nm at 3,500 rpm ensures outstanding performance that the rider feels with every twist of the throttle.
- The high-performance camshaft is adapted to the displacement and air flow rate to achieve maximum performance.
- The high-performance heavy breather intake with forward-facing air filter allows more air to flow into the engine, providing even more torque in the mid-range and giving the motorcycle even more hot rod character.
- The high-performance 2-in-2 exhaust system with offset shotgun mufflers provides even more torque in the mid-range and produces an attractive exhaust sound.
- Counterbalance shafts reduce vibrations at idle speed to increase driver comfort.
LOW RIDER ST
The new Low Rider ST demonstrates how Harley-Davidson can create a sports Touring Motorcycle defined in Californian tall bike style. The side cases are positioned high and close to the rear, the machine has been raised via the rear suspension, the handlebars are positioned high and the new fairing is mounted on the frame. As a result, the rider sits even more confidently and the riding experience is characterized by direct contact and clear feedback. At the end of a tour, the panniers can be removed with a flick of the wrist and the Low Rider ST transforms from a sporty tourer into a performance cruiser.
„The design of the fixed frame fairing was inspired by the classic Harley-Davidson FXRT Sport Glide®, which is very popular with customizers on the West Coast,“ says Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design. „The headlight, flanked by two side vents, maintains the genetic link to the FXRT.
The sharper edges and revised proportions of the Low Rider ST fairing create a look that is modern, sporty and aerodynamically superior to the FXRT fairing. The placement of the side cases high above the exhaust, which allows greater lean angles of the motorcycle, underlines the performance character of the Low Rider ST.“
Mathematical fluid dynamics played just as crucial a role in the development of the fairing as classic test drives. It has triple split-stream ventilation to minimize turbulence around the rider's head at highway speeds, who is also protected from wind pressure by a 15 cm high, dark-tinted windshield. The lockable, sturdy side cases are divided vertically, making it easy to load and unload luggage.
The rider can open the cases while sitting on the motorcycle with one hand; a damper ensures that the lid opens gently and slowly, allowing access to the contents of the case. The cases can be removed in seconds by activating an internal mechanism. Together, the two cases have a capacity of 53.8 liters.
The strongly contoured single seat provides the rider with plenty of support when accelerating and cornering. The curved handlebars sit on ten-centimeter-high pull-back risers, and the 19-liter fuel tank is topped by a flat, black textured console. All the information the rider needs is provided by a compact speedometer, which is concealed in the risers to give the impression that the motorcycle has no instruments.
To optimize handling and precision, the weight of the chassis has been reduced without compromising its stability. Meanwhile, the MilwaukeeEight 117 powertrain, which is bolted firmly to the frame, provides greater rigidity. The front wheel is guided by a torsion-resistant 43 mm upside-down telescopic fork with a 28-degree fork angle and single-cartridge damping to optimize braking performance and steering precision.
The rear single suspension strut of the Low Rider ST is longer than that of the normal Softail suspension - it has 12.7 mm more suspension travel, which results in 25.4 mm more travel at the rear wheel and raises the motorcycle to a 19 mm higher seat height. The longer suspension strut optimizes suspension comfort and increases the possible lean angles by more than one degree, which allows a sportier riding style. The adjustment wheel for the hydraulic spring preload under the seat can be used to adjust the rear suspension to the load and road conditions.
The front dual disc brake with 300 mm brake discs provides the deceleration that sporty riders want and offers additional safety reserves. The sporty qualities of the chassis are further enhanced by the first-class Michelin® Scorcher® 31 tires in 110/90B19 at the front and 180/70B16 at the rear. The signature LED headlight, bright LED taillight/brake light, and USB charging socket round out the Low Rider ST's features.
The ST is predominantly black—with Wrinkle Black for the engine, transmission, primary drive housing, triple clamps, rear fender struts, and tank console, and Gloss Black for the derby cover, intake, lower rocker covers, and handlebar risers. The handlebars are in Satin Black, the fork in anodized black, and the mufflers and exhaust covers in Jet Black. The finish of the Radiate cast aluminum wheels—19 inches in the front, 16 inches in the rear—is in elegant Matte Dark Bronze, creating a fascinating contrast to so much black.
- Optional audio system: A high-performance motorcycle needs a high-performance audio system. The Harley-Davidson® Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate® kit for the Low Rider ST fairing, available as an accessory, was developed in parallel with the motorcycle to ensure optimal performance and a perfect fit. The system consists of a compact amplifier with 250 watts of power and DSP (digital signal processing) technology, as well as two 13 cm woofers and two separate tweeters. Music can be played or streamed from a mobile device via Bluetooth. More
For information about Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate, please visit here.
Available paint colors: Vivid Black and Gunship Gray
The Low Rider ST will be available worldwide at Harley-Davidson dealerships at the end of March 2022.
LOW RIDER S
The Low Rider S is a power cruiser for riders who want uncompromising performance and want to use their bike's full potential. Because: The first-class chassis ensures plenty of riding pleasure. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine develops five percent more torque than the Milwaukee-Eight 114 in last year's Low Rider S. This bike combines the fascination of West Coast style with uncompromising performance that previously could only be achieved with costly retrofitting.
The 2022 Low Rider S is equipped with a special display that combines an analog tachometer with a partially digital speedometer and is mounted on the handlebars. It replaces the instruments placed in the tank console on previous Low Rider S models, bringing the display closer to the rider's field of vision. The tank now features a flat, black textured console with an FXLRS emblem. A signature LED headlight provides optimal illumination of the road, and the bright rear/brake light also uses LED lamps.
The same longer single shock absorber as on the Low Rider ST lifts the rear of the Low Rider S, providing more suspension comfort and a degree more lean angle than on previous Low Rider S models – for an even sportier ride. The hydraulic spring preload adjustment wheel under the seat allows the rear suspension to be adjusted to the load and road conditions. The front wheel is supported by a
Torsion-resistant 43 mm upside-down telescopic fork with a 28-degree fork angle and SingleCartridge damping to optimize braking performance and steering precision. The front dual disc brake with 300 mm brake discs provides the deceleration that sporty riders want – including additional safety reserves. This is further supported by the Michelin Scorcher 31 tires.
Numerous features underscore the West Coast style of the Low Rider S, from the cranked handlebars on ten-centimeter-high risers to the strongly contoured single seat and centrally positioned footrests to the color-coordinated handlebar fairing, which reduces wind pressure on the rider on the highway. The drivetrain, front end, and exhaust system are finished entirely in black, while the finish of the radiator
Light alloy wheels—19 inches at the front, 16 inches at the rear—in elegant Matte Dark Bronze, providing a beautiful contrast to so much black.
Available paint colors: Vivid Black and Gunship Gray
The Low Rider S is now available worldwide at authorized Harley-Davidson dealers.
Link to the Low Rider S 117 and Low Rider ST 117 on the Harley-Davidson website
Text & image credits Copyright Harley-Davidson
