Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Tuning – 131cui Stage IV
Harley-Davidson in Lübeck has taken on the Low Rider S from the 2020 model year to show what the DYNOJET tuning and the Stage IV kit bring to the 114cui Milwaukee-Eight engine in terms of performance increase.
Let's start with the production model, because the Low Rider S is by no means underpowered ex works. She installed the Milwaukee-Eight 114cui engine for propulsion. The equivalent is almost 1.9 liters of displacement, which brings together 69 kW (94 hp) and 155 Nm at 3000 rpm, which already ensure a sporty appearance ex works.
With its 308 kilos curb weight, it can easily reach a top speed of 190 km/h. It has a 28 degree steering head angle, which gives the driver this special seating position; you sit in it and have the command center organized in front of you. So far, you could be satisfied if you didn't know the Low Rider S 131cui Stage IV tuned by House of Thunder.
Low Rider S 114 cui – production bike
She's a monster!
Unbelievable, we are talking about two completely different worlds! The Stage IV kit brings you to over 2.1 liters of displacement, which some cars don't have and certainly not in just two cylinders.
The Stage IV kit now comes with the Midland air filter, in combination with the Jekill & Hyde exhaust system. The Stage IV kit is additionally modified by House of Thunder and is generally tailored to each vehicle specifically on the in-house dynamometer. Because each engine has its own performance data, there are technical engine differences between the Softail and Tourer engines. The entire tuning package is tuned by Jens Pott (House of Thunder) on the DYNOJET 250i dynamometer. This Dynojet 250i test stand, braked with eddy current, can be found wherever things need to be done very precisely and not thrown out of the cupped hand. With motorcycle manufacturers, in racing and with the experts who really understand tuning.
Interfering with the engine electronics is only for professionals
Interventions in the engine electronics belong in the hands of specialists, otherwise you will quickly pay for it. Jens Pott is an expert in the field, he does the DYNOJET general sales in Germany and in this role advises many of his Harley-Davidson dealer colleagues.
But enough beating around the bush, what's the bottom line? It's amazing, I would have expected anything, but not such a huge increase in performance. It's really easy to drive and doesn't seem unruly. The power delivery is brilliant, basically you only need three gears, 1st gear for starting, 3rd gear in the city and 6th gear from 80 km/h.
The engine is tuned so that it makes its 180 NM available from 2500 rpm and this only decreases at around 5100 rpm. If you accelerate in 6th gear at 80 km/h, the buck pulls at full throttle until well over 200 km/h, the speedometer display is definitely not enough. If you switch through the gears one by one, you really have to hold on tight. I've driven 1100 Kawa and something like that before, but this was something different, really perfect. Despite being over 300 kilos, the eggcup group under 170 hp really has a problem when the Low Rider S appears in the rearview mirror and roars from behind.
Already good handling ex works
What really surprised me was the behavior of the brakes, the chassis and the Michelin Scorcher tires. The entire series combination is full of reserves, I wouldn't have expected that. It stays on track, especially when you accelerate out of a curve in a slight lean angle. This shows how perfectly tuned it is, it remains very easy to control despite the power.
The question is more about whether you have yourself under control, because it's fun. The nice thing is that the Low Rider S 131cui has plenty of power and torque in every gear, you can glide with it and cruise along the country roads very calmly and without shifting gears. The Low Rider S 131cui is also suitable for touring; the forward footrests from Thunderbike are mounted on this 2020 model. For the 2021 models, the tuning kit with the Jekill & Hyde system in combination with the air filter etc.
What really surprised me was the behavior of the brakes, the chassis and the Michelin Scorcher tires. The entire series combination is full of reserves, I wouldn't have expected that. It stays on track, especially when you accelerate out of a curve in a slight lean angle. This shows how perfectly tuned it is, it remains very easy to control despite the power.
The question is more about whether you have yourself under control, because it's fun. The nice thing is, the Low Rider S 131cui has plenty of power and torque in every gear, you can glide with it and cruise along the country roads very calmly and without shifting gears. The Low Rider S 131cui is also suitable for touring; the forward footrests from Thunderbike are mounted on this 2020 model. The tuning kit with the Jekill & Hyde system in combination with the air filter is not yet available for the 2021 models. (as of April 2021),
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 131 Cui Stage IV
| Combination of Stage IV 131cui (2.1 liter) displacement kit and House of Thunder tuning |
| Jekill & Hyde with Midland air filter and combination report |
| DYNOJET Tuning House of Thunder |
| Thunderbike forward footpegs |
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 131 Cui Stage IV can be viewed at Harley-Davidson Lübeck (House of Thunder), where you can also get expert advice on tuning.
Harleysite livestream on Facebook from 6:00 p.m. on April 8th, 2021 and we will answer your questions. You are welcome to send them in advance to info@harleysite.de .
Memories are awakened and longings for the past are awakened... but I think it remains a nice dream because I won't be seen with a mask on the Harley because that restricts freedom...