2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S - It's Bigger And Better, But Is It Enough?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- Harley-Davidson’s Low Rider S is updated for 2022; it’s bigger and better yet still the same-and that’s a good thing.
When Harley-Davidson released the Low Rider S in 2016 it represented a subculture. The first FXLRS exemplified what customers had been doing with the dual-shocked Big Twin since the first Super Glide in 1971. That final Dyna S model had evolved through 45 years of research and experimentation by both the factory and aftermarket, and it showed. So when Harley-Davidson stopped manufacturing the Dyna line for model year 2018, it felt a bit strange to be calling Softail models by iconic Dyna names, like Street Bob and Low Rider, and even more so when the company launched the 2020 Low Rider S.
But the new S feels different. When Harley-Davidson translated the Low Rider S name from Dyna design to Softail in 2020, it felt like H-D was trying to prove that the Softail was a viable platform for high-performance customization, an area where the Dyna was a cult superstar. Now, more than four years since the cessation of the Dyna and birth of the new line, we’re seeing more high-performance components for these new Softails in the aftermarket. The growth of V-twin racing has stoked this trend as well, both in terms of widespread popularity and product development. More customers are pursuing what H-D calls “West Coast style” on their own, which means the Softail platform is genuinely being used this way. And it’s a natural fit, because when you look at the numbers-or just ride it-the Softail platform performs better than the Dyna in nearly every way.
The FXLRS has a bigger engine that puts out more power than any previous Low Rider. It has greater available lean angle on a more stable chassis. It’s inarguably better on the road than the Dyna, both in a straight line and through turns. It is strange, though, that while comparing these “high-performance” H-D models, performance is only the second most important thing.
On a morning ride, I chased friends riding Ducati and BMW sportbikes up SoCal’s Angeles Crest Highway. It became clear that as quick as the FXLRS may be, it’s really only fast in its class. It’s still low and heavy. It still scrapes too early, can’t stop all that quickly, and has limiting ergonomics. It’s powerful, absolutely, but fast, not so much. H-D could make a more performance-oriented bike if it wanted to, but major changes toward high performance tend to be major changes away from traditional form. But designers say the balance of performance and traditional form was a styling choice. I can’t argue with them. If you wanted a really fast bike, you would be shopping for something like the similarly priced 2022 Yamaha YZF-R1. No, you’re here because you want a Harley first and a fast bike second, which is exactly what this is. The Low Rider S is a balance of style and performance, with style dictating the measure of performance allowed.
We stopped at Newcomb’s Ranch, where we walked around to appreciate the mixture of supercars and vintage beauties. I felt only slightly out of place as I imagined the S to be a two-wheeled amalgam of both. The glossy flat gray paint and matte finishes are understated and don’t demand attention from the uninitiated, which I like. I don’t want to hear about your dad’s Harley or what you almost bought once. The Low Rider S seems to share that mood with me.
Earlier Low Rider models were defined by their 2-to-1 exhaust, tank-mounted gauges, and mag wheels. The 2020 Softail Low Rider S had some of these features, but these have been reduced with each new S model. After moving the previously tank-mounted gauge system to above the handlebar riser, the ‘22 Low Rider S’ only major visible tie to the earlier Low Rider (other than its entire silhouette) is the font on the gas tank and mag wheels. When asked about this departure, project lead Dais Nagao said to think of this as the Low Rider’s grandchild. It’s not the same bike, but they share the same inspiration and origins.
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I love the gauge and I’m so glad they didn’t put that digital gauge on the new fxlrs
Glad we all can disagree with this dude.
@@mattd03411 Not me dude.
I have a 2022 Lowrider S. I'm 5'6" with a 28" inseam and can flat foot the bike with no problem. The reach to the bars in a little bit of a stretch. Not uncomfortable but noticeable. Of course the main attraction is the power of the 117ci engine. Power from down low and when you get to around 3000 rpm it really starts to pull. In 5th at 70 mph give the throttle a good twist and you're at 90 mph before you know it and you still have another gear. Vibration is minimal to the point that the mirrors don't show any wobble. The mid controls are very comfortable for me as is the seat. Personally I like the location of the gauge. The glance down to see speed (digital), rpm (anolog) as well as fuel still allows me to not lose track of what's ahead. The suspension/ride for my weight (165 lbs) is very comfortable and I've never experienced a jolt on any bump in the road. It has been a joy to ride.
Analogue looks nicer than digital
Took mine to Forest Hill/Hwy 49 in Auburn CA the other day. Absolute blast to ride. Dont miss my 2012 gsxr 750 at all. Great job Harley 🤙🏽
That's my favorite road as well, it's such a nice place to be.
Definitely a great road to ride. It’s not too sketchy for some
You took off the side reflectors on your Low Rider S?
@@tinman3586 pretty random question but yes lol
@@hengloose I know random lol! I was just looking at your bike on your profile and wanted to maybe remove the reflectors from my bike (not a LRS) but I don't know if state law allows it.
SO much torque. It’s pretty nuts
Not really, with almost 2000cc and only 2 cylinders don't expect anything else.
@@GIGABACHI You ever rode one? Gobs of torque dude.
At least they finally honored the tradition of the S models and put this biggest motor in it.
As someone that has a built up dyna street bob and a 2020 z900 just know that fast for a Harley is NOT the same as naked/Supersport fast....learned that real quick. Since the low rider s is Harley's performance bike
I have a '23 LRS 117 with a cr483 cam and tbr pipe. All in all out of all my bikes, this brute is my favorite. Looks excellent, gobs of power and even handles like a champ. My only complaint is HD doesn't paint these beauties in really striking colors. Mine's black, but how about some blue, metallic red, or dark metallic green? I'll have mine painted someday, but don't want it to be out of service too long. I really love this bike.
I agree with the touch screen and stuff but I don’t want riding modes on a bike like this
How does it compare to the Indian Chief DarkHorse?
I like that this dude is 6’4”. Now I can get a good sense of how the bike will feel for tall riders.
I'd say Indian for being a slightly cheaper bike, really nice digital display with NAV, I believe ABS is standard. Both look amazing though. Indian just wins barely, for me.
This is a really good looking bike and, I'm sure, fast enough to satisfy most street riders, but every time he dipped into a curve, I saw him angling his foot away from the ground. That would drive me crazy.
thats because his foot positioning is wrong
Been riding Harleys for a couple years, came from the soort bike world. never scraped a peg. What most people dont get is that you can stand the bike up a bit more and lean your body to bring the bike around a corner better similar to how youd ride a sport bike.
Great review, very cool bike. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
I like the analog hot rod comparison
I’m sure this is a great motorcycle in it’s own right. However, I don’t understand why Harley insists on hanging on to names that do not remotely apply to a specific model. There’s absolutely nothing low about this one. Hence, shouldn’t it be called the High Rider instead? 😛
Good, professional and true moto-journalist test review as usual …compared to all the nothingness “content” by “influencers” and all the other utterly unqualified individuals 🙄 who clog up the feed with rambling, annoying, time wasting bull on TH-cam, this is how it is done! Thanks, and keep up the great work! 👊
From Southern California ~ Ride Forever!
Every motorcycle manufacturer hangs in names of older models because it makes the newer model or variation recognisable
Well yeah, but when the point of a model is to be X and it is not X, then they need to rename it. The name “Lowrider” is way too specific to be carried forward in a High Rider model, is my point. If Harley all of a sudden came out with a new Fat Boy that was skinny, and instead of calling it Skinny Boy still carried on with the Fat Boy model name, then that would be just as wrong.
Aren’t we all high riders?
Milking dead cows, relying on the past and old names
What great work... that was written by Harley
Bro...forget the bike...let's discuss your hair! What happened to the rocker 'do? You're the before & after of Phil Anselmo now lol jk. Yo...the bike is cool, but as another commenter stated, the Street Bob is the best value proposition in the Softail lineup. Of course I'm biased as a '21 Street Bob owner, but I've put 9800K miles on mine since I bought it new in July of '21 and couldn't be happier. I think the Lowrider S and ST are SO CLOSE to "bagger money," that people should just save a little more and go for a bagger (particularly if they're considering the Lowrider ST). For real, great content as always. Thank you! ✌🤘
It is the underrated one i guess
Good review and good job Harley
Please help! I always wanted an iron 883 but that is no more. I rode the Sportster S, liked it but it reminds me of my Japanese Sports bikes and its not like the an Iron. I want to go on small long rides like 200km round trip and I am 50 years old. Not sure whether a Low rider S is better long term or buy the Sportster S and make it work for me. My daughters told me the Low Rider S is an old man’s bike and Dad you are too young and cool for that. I am an Architect, so that matters as well! 😊 Look forward to your advice!
Would love to see how this and the new nightster compare in the twisties
The new frame and revolution max will dog walk this bike. Better power to weight, rider modes, better geometry.
@@mopar21 oh I’m sure. I just want to see by how much
i MUST OWN ONE...I will own this, ready to empty my savings. thanks for this review.
Great review!
Lo strumento analogico fa parte del fascino di questa harley.
Un quadrante totalmente digitale sarebbe stato inadeguato.
Amazing 👍💯🔥
I can't wait for the grey paint fad to go away. Harley-Davidson is rocking the same paint scheme as a Toyota Camry, and so many other cars out there in grey, c'mon Harley, get some decent paint.
Your left running light is out ,???🤷🏼♂️🤨
And it wouldn't have been if Harley had just gone with LED.Oh well,Custom Dynamics for the win on that one.
Best looking Harley right now.
nice video thanks
The only thing I believe Harley got wrong with this new LRS is not keeping the gauges on the gas tank. I own a 2020 Harley Low Rider S that I juts bought used (it had 562 miles on the odometer). I poaaibly would have bought the 2022 model if they had not doen away with the gauges on the gas tank. I think that they somewhat destroyed the retro look when they did that. Not to mention that the gauge on the new bike is so small, cheap looking. My Harley Super Low 1200T has a larger better gauge. I do plan on replacing the rear shock on my 2020 with the shock that is used on the 2022 and adding an after market slip on exhaust. just saying
What happened to the daymaker in left turn signal🥲🥲🥲
THem stock bulbs...had to replace my 2018 bulb about a year in. Just decided to go dynamic LEDs
I prefer analog clocks.
Good for hd
Not for me
Still clanging on the same drum may get current owners to trade for the newer tech but will not bring many new to the brand
they actually sell a lot of harleys to first time harley riders.
Below I attached an article concerning an analysis of HD. My comment is based in reality.
What can you show
Euro 5 requires TC?
Such a good looking bike, my favorite 2022 Harley
How tall are you bro?
He's 6.4 foot tall. He said it at around 3:59.....
@@mihaimihai9254 Didn't want to sift through it to find out... Thanks
Let the beef with the analog tach go.
By the time you have become a wrinkly old man the analog part of that gauge will still work like day one, unlike you.
Can you really say the same about some "toy grade, phone screen" gauge that will go obsolete, dead, burnt in the time it took me to write this ramble ?
The digital gauge would suck... it already sucks the removed it from the tank...
Digital is just pathetic...
Knees look so high compared to tank.
Those mids truly suck, riding with your knees around your ears is no fun no matter how you try to sell it
Well he’s 6’4, most bikes would look small with him on them. Surprisingly he said he enjoyed the ride despite being crunched up.
There is a difference between a show bike and a rideable motorcycle. The format of the two do not compare to each other
Is that got water cooled heads? or is that just a big oil cooler?
Oil cooler.
Honda Rebel is still going to steal the market share I think especially with new riders.
That's funny.
An 1.1 l two cylinders in line engine will never be able to steal Harley's market. Those who love Harlyes love it because those big V TWEENS....
ITY. needed a good laugh.
I could see newer riders shy away from the pricing of the Harley brand for Honda, but I believe people buy Harleys for more than just the price, Harleys are more Of an American Iconic brand that people will just always love
@@lortega081989 exactly
Why is this bike $18,000 🥴
I want to like the Low Rider S, but it's like a wannabe Indian Sport Chief.
😎👍🏽
Digital gauge? Hell they have an IMU on the Sportster S.... and more features for far less... kind of tells you how inefficient their big twin manufacturing really is.
Used to be Harley aficionados would scoff at feature comparisons where Harley lacked the features other brands brought for less money but not Harley does it to themselves with the Revolution Max bikes.
To be blunt, if KTM can put an IMU on a 6k bike what is Harley's excuse...
Looking thru the harley line up i can honestly say the only bike thats worth the price currently is the street bob, the rest are extremely over priced even for harley. was waiting for thr nightster but yea 13.5k lol hell no.
If all you care about is price youre looking at the wrong bikes. Nobody who owns a harley cares how much it is because it doesnt matter once you ride one. Then you dump thousands of more dollars into it making it even better than they already are. That’s the fun of it. You wanna save money? go buy a Honda Rebel or a cheap sport bike.
@@micahvelli_236 sure i use to be that person cuz the value was there but tbya has long gone, to make matters worst they arent even real harleys any more, so might as well get something else with less maintenance and more performance, the only exception still is the streets bob i believe that is the best value right now and would be the one to get if i got that route. The rest
Are overpriced
Club Style, oh you mean (Son's of Anarchy). Only Poser's want that look. Clubs on the East Coast would never ride that.
bro you ride a trike
@@anonjohnnyG bet you do. I ride 2 wheels.
Narrator: All "club" riders are actually posers.
@@barrybarnes96 Guess you could never qualify for a club. No wonder you want to emulate them. I hope you enjoy your training wheels.
That color is terrible
I dunno, I kind a like those new colors....like the sand one.
The original Dyna rules! Nice job Harley, you screwed it up. Should have changed the name.
As someone that has a built up dyna street bob and a 2020 z900 just know that fast for a Harley is NOT the same as naked/Supersport fast....learned that real quick. Since the low rider s is Harley's performance bike
who would think it would be even remotely like a naked or sport bike.. lol? That's not even a goal or target for the bike. This is not their performance bike... this is their performance heavy cruiser. Their performance bikes they actually list under sport, which is the Sportster S, and Nightster.
@@AyaWetts yeah but a 114 engine with a cam would be enough to zoom past a Pan Am or Sportster S and Harley provides these cams from the factory with a warranty