Harley previews 2020 range
Harley-Davidson have released details on their model range for 2020, which is headlined by an all-new member of the CVO family, the return of a favourite on the Softail platform and the addition of new rider-control technologies for the premium Touring and CVO families.
This time next year, we’ll be experiencing the electric LiveWire for the first time, with more information likely on the Pan-America adventure tourer, Custom 1250 roadster and Streetfighter naked, as the ‘More Roads to Harley-Davidson’ campaign continues on its march to 2022.
For now, the new models to get excited about start with the Low Rider S and CVO Tri Glide trike.
2020 Low Rider S
Last offered on the Dyna platform in 2017, the Low Rider S returns for 2020 as a Softail, but very much in the same mould, appearance-wise, as the old model.
Defined by a high and wide handlebar, headlight fairing and “premium suspension components tuned for aggressive riding”, the Low Rider S is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine that delivers a listed 155Nm (although some data says 161Nm), compared to the 145Nm from the Milwaukee-Eight 107 in the standard Low Rider. The MY17 Low Rider S Dyna with the Twin Cam 110 produced 156Nm.
“The look of the new Low Rider S is really rooted in the legacy of the pre-Dyna FXR models of the 1980s, which have a devoted following that has spread world-wide from origins in Southern California, and in the recent Dyna-based Low Rider S model,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling & Design.
“We’ve applied that coastal style and performance-first attitude to the Softail chassis to create a Low Rider S that’s more powerful and agile than ever, with a heavy dose of tough-as-nails attitude.”
Style features on the new Low Rider S include raised controls made up of a one-inch diameter motocross-style handlebar mounted on four-inch risers. A high-back solo seat is standard, shaped to “hold the rider in place under hard acceleration”, while a standard headlight fairing provides a small degree of wind protection.
In place of the usual chrome and bright metal trim on the Milwaukee-Eight v-twin, multiple black finishes have been applied on the new Low Rider S, including: Wrinkle Black for the powertrain, primary cover and tank console; Gloss Black for the derby cover, intake, and lower rocker covers; and Jet Black for the mufflers and exhaust shields.
The forks, triple-clamp, risers, handlebar and rear mudguard supports are finished in Matte Black, the LED layback tail lamp has a smoked lens and the 18.9-litre fuel tank features an ’80s-style Harley-Davidson graphic.
‘Radiate’ cast-aluminium wheels (19-inch front and 16-inch rear diameter – the previous Low Rider S ran a 17-inch rear) are standard, finished in Matte Dark Bronze.
Claiming strong acceleration, responsive handling and performance-oriented braking, the key technical features on the new Low Rider S include a reduced rake (from 30 degrees on the standard Low Rider to 28 degrees) and stiffer suspension for sharper handling. A 43mm USD front fork is valved to be firmer than other Softail front ends and features single-cartridge internal damping to deliver what Harley says is improved braking and handling performance.
The rear mono-shock has been optimised for sportier handling and features an under-seat pre-load adjustment to suit road and load conditions.
Braking has been upgraded from the Low Rider’s single front disc to twin 300mm discs, with ABS standard. The Low Rider S is also fitted with Michelin Scorcher 31 tyres as standard.
Seat height is listed at 690mm, which is 5mm higher than the old Dyna Low Rider S, while the larger engine and other components means the Low Rider S Softail’s dry weight of 295kg is 2kg heavier than its MY17 Dyna predecessor.
Available in a choice of Vivid Black or Barracuda Silver, the MY20 Low Rider S is priced from $27,995 (NZ$29,995): a $3,500 premium (NZ$4,245) over the standard Low Rider.
2020 CVO Tri Glide
According to Harley-Davidson, the CVO Tri Glide is the most requested CVO model since the Custom Vehicle Operations programme began in 1999.
The first trike to carry the CVO badge, the CVO Tri Glide is the most comprehensively-equipped new model in the MY20 lineup for Australia and New Zealand – and also the most expensive.
Based on the Tri Glide Ultra, the CVO Tri Glide is powered by the 1,923cc twin-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, matched to a 6-speed transmission with an electric reverse gear.
Maximum torque from this engine is 168Nm, the most of any current Harley production engine, but in the CVO Tri Glide, it does have to haul a 563kg dry weight. Add fluids, rider, pillion and gear and that could easily exceed 750kg.
Described as “the ultimate 3-wheeler”, the CVO Tri Glide is a premium model, with features like LED lighting throughout, heated rider and passenger seat covers, backlit hand controls, a power-locking storage boot, a CVO-specific luggage and boot organiser, CB radio and a number of ‘Kahuna Collection’ accessories as standard.
Premium touring suspension includes front forks with dual bending valve internal technology and emulsion technology rear suspension with easy pre-load adjustment to match luggage and passenger load. Luggage capacity is listed 0.19m3 and a Tour-Pak top box is standard.
The CVO Tri Glide is also fitted with the new Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS) as standard, which is made up of Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (dual 320mm front brake discs and 360mm rear discs with integrated parking brake are standard), Cornering Enhanced ABS, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System, Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System, Vehicle Hold Control and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
While RDRS is available on all MY20 CVO models, settings on the CVO Tri Glide have been tailored to suit the trike.
Further tech features include the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with four Stage I speakers and a 300-watt amp as standard, a full-colour TFT monitor, USB port, Bluetooth and wireless rider-passenger headset intercom system.
CVOs are always distinctively-styled and the Tri Glide is no exception, with a bagger-style bobbed windscreen, ‘tri-stripe’ graphics and a choice of Black Stardust or Blizzard White paint. Depending on paint choice, the Tomahawk Contrast Cut wheels are finished in grey or gloss back, with the front mudguard cut away to show more of the wheel.
Kahuna Collection parts fitted to this model include the grips (heated), pegs, rider and passenger footboards, and muffler tips.
The most expensive model in the 2020 Harley-Davidson range, the CVO Tri-Glide is priced at $73,250 (NZ$78,995). Deliveries are expected later this year.
2020 CVO updates
While the CVO Road Glide has been dropped for 2020, the Limited and Street Glide remain, and both have been updated for the coming year.
The MY20 CVO Limited adds RDRS, new rider and passenger seat/backrest cover material and stitching, and new smoked mid-frame air deflectors.
New colour choices include: Moonlight Blue with Deep Sea Blue accents; Smokey Grey with Stormcloud accents; and Premium Sand Dune monotone. All three feature new-look graphics and badging, a mix of gloss, satin and matte finishes for the engine and cycle parts, as well as different finishes for the Tomahawk wheels, which are standard.
CVO Limited pricing is listed at $57,495 (NZ$59,750).
For the MY20 CVO Street Glide, RDRS is standard, along with the same updated seat coverings as the CVO Limited.
Other new features include a Heavy Breather air cleaner for the standard Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, a larger oil cooler cover, smoked air deflectors, fairing-mounted billet mirrors, Fugitive alloy wheels and a low-profile two-piece tank console.
Three new paint options are as per those on the CVO Limited, but in place of Moonlight Blue with Deep Sea Blue, the CVO Street Glide offers Black Stardust Fade to Stormcloud with a mix of satin chrome and bright chrome finishes. Treatments of the wheels, engine/body trim and detailing also vary with each colour scheme.
Pricing for the 2020 CVO Street Glide is $54,995 (NZ$56,495).
Harley-Davidson 2020 range overview
A scan through the 2020 Harley lineup for Australia and New Zealand shows several changes – not just the CVO trike and Softail Low Rider S.
Like most other motorcycle brands in the Australian market, Harley-Davidson sales fell in 2018, with a further fall expected this year, based on current figures. As such, slow-selling variants have been dropped for 2020, including the smaller-engined versions of the Breakout and Heritage Softail Classic, as well as the standard Road Glide and Street Glide from the Touring family.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the discontinuation of the Street Rod. The sportsbike-challenging 750 seemed a good package, but sales to date have shown that Harley buyers – once they step up from the LAMS Street 500 – almost invariably choose a cruiser-style Softail or Tourer.
While further changes may come, here’s the MY20 Harley-Davidson lineup as it stands now.
STREET
Street 500
Arriving: None
Departing: Street Rod XG750
SPORTSTER
Iron 883
Iron 1200
Superlow
1200 Custom
Forty-Eight
Forty-Eight Special
Arriving: None
Departing: Roadster
SOFTAIL
Street Bob
Fat Bob
Fat Bob 114
Low Rider
Low Rider S
Breakout 114
Softail Slim
Deluxe
Sport Glide
Fat Boy
Fat Boy 114
Heritage Classic 114
FXDR 114
Arriving: Low Rider S
Departing: Breakout 107
Heritage Classic 107
TOURING
Road King
Road King Special
Street Glide Special
Road Glide Special
Electra Glide Standard
Ultra Limited
Arriving: None
Departing: Street Glide
Road Glide
TRIKE
Freewheeler
Tri Glide Ultra
Arriving: None
Departing: None
CVO
CVO Street Glide
CVO Limited
CVO Tri Glide
Arriving: CVO Tri Glide
Departing: CVO Road Glide
