FEATURE - 2022 HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOW RIDER S AND LOW RIDER ST - JUST BIKES

FEATURE - 2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S and Low Rider ST

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Harley-Davidson

As part of Harley-Davidson’s “Further, Faster” theme for their 2022 model range, the Softail lineup has been given some tweaks. Some are more significant than others, but one in particular will be most welcome…

FEATURE - 2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S and Low Rider ST

For the 2022 Softail (aka Cruising) family, Harley-Davidson have made the usual colour changes and added some new tank badging, options and accessories, but the key change is that two members of the family are now fitted with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine as standard.

Previously exclusive to the CVO range, the 117 is now available on two members of Harley’s Touring range, the Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST, as well as the Low Rider S and all-new Low Rider ST models in the Softail family.

As applied to these two Softails, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 offers listed maximums of 77kW at 4750rpm and 169Nm at 3500rpm. This is an increase on the (approx.) 74.5kW and 161Nm maximums offered on the Milwaukee-Eight 114 which was previously the largest engine available for any Harley outside the CVO range.

A high-performance camshaft and tuned Heavy Breather air intake, dual counter-balancers to reduce engine vibration and a 2-into-2 shotgun exhaust system are all standard on the Milwaukee-Eight 117 v-twin fitted to the Low Rider S and Low Rider ST.

Obviously, the Softail is a lighter platform than anything that the Milwaukee-Eight 117 has been fitted to previously, so it covers the “Sport” part on the “Sport Touring” (ST) models that have been introduced this year.

Along with the engine upgrade, there’s raised rear suspension height and some other changes that serve to move ST-badged models outside of the typical laid-back cruiser space.

For the “Touring” side of the equation, fairings and panniers are standard on the Low Rider ST and other ST-badged models for 2022. Also, STs are offered as solos only, so two-up seats and pillion pegs are not part of the standard fitment.

West Coast Style

According to Harley-Davidson, the updated Low Rider S and all-new Low Rider ST have a “lean, performance-comes-first posture that defines West Coast custom style”.

That style is said to have been influenced by the California “tall bike” movement which is essentially the opposite of the tail-dragging bagger aesthetic.

As applied to the Low Rider S and Low Rider ST, the tall bike approach is evidenced in the higher mounting of the panniers and jacked-up rear suspension. The Low Rider ST adds a fairing inspired by the FXRT Sport Glide from the 1980s, while the Low Rider S moves the instrumentation from the fuel tank to a pod on the handlebars.

Additionally, both new models offer a Gunship Grey paint option that Harley describes as the hot new colour for custom cars and hot rods theses days. The only other MY22 paint option for these models is Harley's staple Vivid Black, which in this instance is combined with bronze accents and C1980s Harley tank decals.

2022 Low Rider S

Seen alongside last year’s model, there aren’t a lot of obvious differences on the Low Rider S for 2022. Visible changes include the forward-facing Heavy Breather air intake for the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine upgrade, along with the instrumentation that’s been relocated from the tank console to the handlebars. The raised rear ride height is a more subtle change that’s only noticeable when you see the 2021 and 2022 models side by side.

According to Harley-Davidson, the 2022 Low Rider S offers “the big attitude of West Coast style and unrelenting performance previously only attainable with significant investment in accessories” and is for riders who are looking to push their bike to the limit.

Obviously, the larger, more powerful engine helps with that push, but the raised rear ride height plays a part, too. Stroke on the coilover monoshock is increased from 43mm to 56mm, which not only increases rear suspension travel from 86mm to 112mm, but also offers more lean angle. The difference is marginal at 31.3 degrees for the new Low Rider S compared to 30.1 on the 2021 model, but it will allow for more aggressive cornering before the pegs and pipes start grounding out.

Rear suspension preload adjustability remains and the front suspension carries over unchanged. That means 43mm USD forks with triple rate springs and travel of 130mm. Rake and trail are unchanged, too, at 28 degrees and 145mm, but the changes at the rear mean that seat height increases from 690mm to 710mm.

The repositioned instrument cluster is another reflection of the MY22 Low Rider S’s performance riding focus. Moving the instruments from the tank to the handlebars obviously places them closer to the rider’s line of sight, thus minimising time spent not scanning the road ahead.

Dominated by an analogue tachometer, the single round gauge includes LCD displays for the speedometer, gear position, odometer, fuel level, range, tripmeters and clock.

The space previously taken up by the instrumentation on the fuel tank, now features a textured black panel bearing the FXLRS model code.

Most of the rest of the 2022 Low Rider S componentry is carried over from last year, including the deep solo seat, 1-inch handlebar on 4-inch risers, headlight fairing, mid-mount footpegs and LED lighting.

This model’s ‘Radiate’ cast alloy wheels (in 19-inch front and 16-inch rear sizes) also carry over, as do the Michelin Scorcher 31 tyres and ABS-equipped braking – dual 300mm front rotors with 4-piston fixed calipers and a single 292mm rear rotor with a 2-piston caliper.

While the braking hasn’t been upgraded to match the additional grunt from the Milwaukee-Eight 117, it’s worth noting that weight hasn’t increased, either; still at 308kg wet. Moving the instrumentation has no effect on fuel capacity, which remains at 18.9 litres.

As with the 2021 version, the colour palette for the 2022 Low Rider S is limited to two options. Vivid Black remains, but last year’s Midnight Crimson is replaced with Gunship Grey. Matte Dark Bronze on the wheels and some engine details is common to both colour options, as is the blackout engine treatment. The only difference is a bronze tank decal on the Vivid Black version and black decal on the Gunship Grey.

Pricing for the 2022 Low Rider S starts at $30,750 for Vivid Black, with Gunship Grey at $31,105. That starting price is a $2,755 increase on last year’s model, most of which is accounted for by the engine upgrade.

2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S – basic specs

ENGINE: Milwaukee-Eight 117 air/oil-cooled 1923cc v-twin

POWER/TORQUE: 77kW @ 4750rpm / 169Nm @ 3500rpm

TRANSMISSION: Cruise Drive six-speed

FRAME: Steel backbone w/steel swingarm

FRONT SUSPENSION: 43mm USD telescopic fork, 130mm travel

REAR SUSPENSION: Coilover monoshock w/adjustable preload, 112mm travel

FRONT/REAR WHEEL: Radiate cast aluminium, 19-inch front / 16-inch rear

FRONT/REAR TYRE: 110/90B19 62H / 180/70B16 77H

FRONT/REAR BRAKE: Dual 300mm w/4-piston caliper / Single 292mm w/2-piston caliper, ABS

LxWxH: 2365mm x 870mm x 1195mm

WHEELBASE: 1615mm

SEAT HEIGHT: 710mm

FUEL CAPACITY: 18.9lt

WEIGHT: 308kg wet

2022 Low Rider ST

An all-new addition to the Softail family for 2022, the Low Rider ST is based heavily on the Low Rider S and offers the same “urban performance cruiser” characteristics of that model, but adds extra comfort and capability for touring. The key additions are a set of rigid panniers and an upper fairing.

As already described, the California “tall bike” movement led to the creation of the Low Rider ST, bringing a factory version of what enthusiasts were doing themselves through Harley’s own Genuine Parts & Accessories catalogue, or via the aftermarket.

“A key element of this model is the frame-mounted fairing, which has a shape inspired by the classic FXRT Sport Glide model fairing favoured by West Coast customisers,” says Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design.

While not a direct copy of the fairing from the C1980s FXRT, the lineage is obvious, thanks to the large central headlight, flanked by side vents.

“The genetic connection to the original FXRT remains familiar,” Richards adds. “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.”

Modern computational fluid dynamics analysis was combined with real world testing of the fairing to produce a shape, complemented by a six-inch fixed windshield, that’s said to limit head buffeting at highway speeds.

The Low Rider ST’s other key feature is its panniers. The lockable rigid panniers sit high – the opposite of low-slung baggers - and the clamshell design is said to make loading and unloading easy with one hand. While they appear small, combined capacity is 53.8 litres (1.9 cubic feet). An internal quick-release mechanism makes the panniers easy to remove, too.

“The raised fitment, high above the exhaust reinforces the performance of the model – the message being that these bags will not limit lean angle when the bike is pushed to the limit,” Richards adds.

Fairing and panniers aside, the Low Rider ST specification is much the same as the Low Rider S, with the same low solo seat and raised rear suspension, for example. The Low Rider ST gets different instrumentation, though, with a 2.14-inch full LCD display for speedo, tacho, gear position, fuel level and other essential information.

The Milwaukee-Eight 117 is the only engine offered on this model and produces the same 77kW and 169Nm maximums as the Low Rider S. The clutch and Cruise Drive six-speed transmission are also the same, right down to the gear ratios.

Wheels, ABS brakes and suspension are the same, too, with no extra travel in the latter to allow for luggage load. There is under-seat preload adjustment for the rear suspension, though, while the seat itself is a marginally higher than the Low Rider S at 720mm.

Unsurprisingly, the addition of the fairing, panniers and related fixtures adds weight over the Low Rider S – to the tune of 19kg for a total wet weight of 327kg.

LED head and tail lights and a USB charge port are also part of the Low Rider ST specification, and while this model is set up for touring, there’s no assistance tech like cruise control or riding modes.

Optionally available on the Low Rider ST is the Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate. This ‘Inner Fairing Audio Kit’ comprises a compact 250-watt amplifier, two 5.25-inch woofers and remote tweeters. With digital signal processing, the kit can also be connected to your mobile via Bluetooth.

Low Rider ST colours and detailing are all as per the Low Rider S. Vivid Black and Gunship Grey options are matched with Matte Dark Bronze detailing on the ‘Radiate’ alloy wheels and a handful of other areas. The rest is a feast of black, including a wrinkle black finish on some engine parts and gloss black on others, jet black 2-into-2 shotgun pipes, satin black handlebars and anodised black forks.

The 2022 Low Rider ST is priced at $35,250 in Vivid Black, with the Gunship Grey version $35,605.