2020 Harley Low Rider S: Softail Low Rider S

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Bike Reviews

By JeffWare - 09 December 2020

Words: Jeff Ware Photography: Heather Ware

The new Softail based Low Rider S replaces the dropped Dyna version. It has a stiffer, lighter frame, upgraded suspension, sportier geometry and more power – while maintaining the unmistakeable SoCal West Coast style of the Dyna Low Rider S...

The LRS looks awesome from almost any angle in my opinion.

The new Low Rider S upgrades over the $3495 less expensive Low Rider include the bikini fairing, the M-8 114 engine, USD forks, 2º steeper rake, 15mm shorter wheelbase, 10Nm more torque, a tiny bit more lean angle and different paint on bodywork and parts plus of course the MX-style 'bars and 4in riders. It has 10mm reduced ground clearance and is 8kg heavier.

At $27,995 Ride Away, the Low Rider S gives good bang for buck, particularly with that cracking 1868cc motor punching out a stonking 155Nm at 3000rpm.

Air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin, 1868cc (114 cu. in.), 102 x 114mm bore x stroke.

10.5:1 compression ratio, ESPFI, two-into-two exhaust.

The Softail frame is constructed from mild steel tube, with a rectangular section backbone and stamped, cast and forged junctions.

Wet weight is 308kg but that weight is carried low. With the tall 'bars, moving the bike around standing next to it is easy, while parking or super low speed work is easy thanks to that low seat height allowing both feet to be firmly on the ground.

The LED headlight and bikini fairing really set the look off.

Tradition centrally mounted clocks are near impossible to see while riding.

The mass centralisation combined with the steep steering angle and tall, wide 'bars, makes the Low Rider S super easy to handle in traffic and during the urban crawl, as I found out heading home to the coast from Harley-Davidson Australia, in Sydney. The mid-mount 'pegs really help here, too...

Throw in a light, smooth-action cable actuated clutch and a slick gearbox and the LRS is a pleasure to ride through the suburbs.

The ride position of the Low Rider S has polarised motorcycle journalists around the globe. Personally, I find the ergonomics comfy and I like the footpeg position. Many find it too cramped. Perhaps it is my sportsbike background. Even though I am tall at 187cm, I really like the position.

Having an upright nakedbike riding position helps utilise your legs as part of the suspension and gives more control than foot-forward.

I would not want them any further forward, I like to be able to use my legs to help steer a bike, support my weight over bumps, shift my weight for cornering and braking and so forth.

The reach to the 'bars, for me, is natural, with a slight bend at the elbow and the width helps muscle the bike and take advantage of the steering geometry. The seating position is bolt upright for me. The controls fall easily to hand, while the switchgear is standard H-D stuff. I can't stand the indicator switches on Harley's...

180-section Michelin helps leaning into turns and direction change.

300mm rotors, Four-piston fixed calipers.

The clocks are mounted centrally on the fuel tank, which incidentally has one fake fuel cap, and are in a spot that is basically a pain in the neck - literally! Considering there is huge black area of emptiness behind the bikini fairing, I really scratch my head as to why the Low Rider S doesn't have its own fairing mounted dash, all in the name of the Dyna look I guess.

For the extra money over the Low Rider, it should have been done. It looks unfinished and is a real talking point. I lost track of how many people asked me about the empty space! The LED headlight housed in that fairing, however, is pretty good and does the trick at night.

LED lights front and rear are featured.

The fairing offers good wind deflection on the freeway, at least for my height, the wind just hitting the top of my lid. The bike is really comfy on the open highway considering the style and is good for around two hours before a good stretch is needed.

The M-8 114 ticks along at around 2500rpm@120km/h. Top gear, at 2.79:1, and final gearing at 32/66, means that big engine is not working at all at highway speeds. It's super quiet though... Needs pipes.

LED taillight looks the business.

That tall gearing and ability to short-shift and be lazy on the Low Rider S brings with it good fuel economy, with H-D claiming 5.6L/100km. This bike averaged 6.0L/100km during my test period of two weeks, and that is with a mixture of cruising, town work and flat-out riding. With the 18.9L fuel tank capacity, a theoretical range of 290-300km is possible.

One of the best steering and sweetest handling Harley’s on the roads. Great fun.

With narrow tyres the Low Rider S is a great cornering machine. The 28º steering angle and tall, wide handlebars mean initial turn-in is quick and accurate, on or off the brakes, yet the whopping 145mm of trail results in a big footprint from the front tyre, meaning lots of feel and confidence – not to mention front grip. The harder I pushed, the deeper I braked, the better the Low Rider S felt.

Ground clearance, at 30.1º, is not too bad. Touch down is predictable and as mentioned, the 'pegs fold up anyway. The 43mm inverted forks are fantastic. They give good support when loading up the front, don't collapse through their stroke even on sudden hard braking, yet they keep the tyre on the tarmac, soaking up the bumps.

Ground clearance, at 30.1º, is not too bad. Touch down is predictable.

The lRS is too quiet and would sound much better with open more open.

Once in the corner, the Low Rider S is well behaved. It'll sit on its side all day long through the longer turns and there is no stand up or squat on the gas off the turns. Even if the bike is ridden in more of a point-and-shoot style, which also works well on it, the rear remains composed and the bike stays on line. With only 86mm of rear travel, there are hard hits, but overall the set-up is great.

Pulling up a big cruiser is never an easy task but the overall braking package is adequate. A good hard squeeze on the front is needed for serious stopping during spirited riding but the feel is there and there is good modulation at the lever, however, I always find the chunky Harley levers take some feel and intimacy away from the fingertips...

Having the right indicator switch on the right block is a PITS.

Harley switchgear is chunky and overdue for a rethink and redesign.

There was some brake fade after repeated hard braking in my local hills, with front lever travel increasing as the brakes became hotter. Possibly a fluid change would solve this, as these press bikes do cop a hard time...

The rear brake lacks feel and power unless it is really stamped on, however, for me I prefer this type of feel from a rear brake as I'm a heavy-footed rear brake user.

I always find the chunky Harley levers take some feel and intimacy away from the fingertips.

Engine-wise, it pulls from zero and absolutely cranks between 2000 and 4000rpm. A real monster. Fuelling is good, of course there are some lean areas due to emissions regulations no doubt... However, in general it is smooth and responsive. There is plenty of engine braking from the two massive cylinders and that takes a little getting used to if you are not a regular V-twin rider but can be very useful in getting the bike pulled up. The gearbox is smooth in shift, without a huge throw at the lever, which many bikes with more forward controls tend to have.

With minimal rear suspension travel the LRS can be harsh at the back over bumps.

The stand is not too much of a PITS to get to and flick out, the bike starts easily every time, the standard Harley mirrors are vibe-free and offer a good view, the fob system makes life easy and the security system is good.

Service intervals are 1600km then every 8000km, which is quite frequent these days, but in saying that, this is a premium product and owning any premium bike comes at a price... Finish and quality is exceptional on this bike, so I'd imagine it will retain its value for a long period.

Some reports mention the footpeg position to be too far back but I found it comfortable.

I suggest that if you are in the market for a performance cruiser, the Low Rider S is worth a decent test ride – not just around the block, you need to get out of town and find some corners. A great bike...