2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Review
Not seen since the demise of the Dyna line, the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S returns as a Softail with a big-inch Milwaukee-Eight 114 powerplant.
Suspension and braking updates make the 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S the most powerful and aggressive edition of the storied Low Rider since its inception in 1977.
2. Brakes are hugely important on a motorcycle with serious acceleration, and the Low Rider S’s pair of discs up front deliver. No, they aren’t radially mounted monobloc calipers. Despite that, the pair of 300mm discs get the job done, with the help of the 19-inch Michelin Scorcher 31 front tire and plenty of engine compression braking. It’s a good thing the front discs are strong, as the 292mm rear disc adds almost nothing to the mission of decelerating the 679-pound motorcycle (claimed curb weight). ABS is standard, so feel free to get on the brakes as hard as needed.
3. Chassis performance on the 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is boosted by a 43mm inverted cartridge fork from Showa. Along with an aluminum triple clamp, the beefy forks give the Low Rider S and a great feel for the road. You can get aggressive in corners without worrying that the front end will wander. Action is plush without being mushy, as the Showa fork has 5.1 inches of travel to work with. The Showa shock moderates 4.4 inches of rear-wheel travel, so the overall ride on the Low Rider S is smooth. Given that you’ll likely be hitting bumps and dips at a higher rate of speed than normal, the premium suspension is an integral part of the sporting personality of the Low Rider S.
5. To further incentivize cornering, the 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S has mid-controls. Although it is certainly possible to ride hard into corners with forward controls, mid-controls are unquestionably the preferred foot position for the typical aggressive rider. This gives the Low Rider S 31 degrees of lean angle to work with before anything metal starts to touch down–even then, that means peg feelers that are glad to pivot up for another degree or two. The Michelin tires give full and complete confidence in that 62-degree range, and the generous cornering clearance is rarely exceeded.
6. Although it has mid-controls, the ergonomics are far from strictly sporting. The Motor Company went with what it describes as the “coastal style,” according to Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling & Design Brad Richards – that is shorthand for narrow handlebars on four-inch risers. Although going that route looks cool, and you can’t underestimate how important that is, it does put the rider in a seating position that is more attitude than aptitude. The riding position is defiantly knees and hands up rather than being primarily suited to sporting riders. Regardless, the Low Rider S is still willing to respond to rider input and go where you want it to go, even if the seating position suggests otherwise.
8. Atop the tank is a full-size speedometer and tachometer. They look cool, but are too far out of the field of view to be useful–particularly the tach. Full-face helmet wearers will complain the most, though open-face aficionados will still have to look quite far down to get a rev count. A small digital readout in the dead space behind the mini-fairing would be welcome.
9. Around town, the 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S feels like it is looking for a fight. You put up your dukes, advertise your 114 cubic inches of the Gloss Black Ventilator open air-filter cover, and the 180mm rear tire is wide enough to show you mean business. If you’re in the mood to rev the M8 up, enjoy the sound of the shotgun exhaust, and drop the clutch, you will be rewarded with a spinning rear tire and a black stripe away from the start. We, of course, cannot condone such behavior, but we certainly understand it and undeniably enjoy it when we see, hear, and smell it happening.
11. The 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is an unorthodox combination of power, handling, and ergonomics. This is not a motorcycle that will appeal to all riders, by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, the Low Rider S is aimed at a rider who wears a confrontational personality proudly, and wants a motorcycle ready and willing to support that belligerence. Without any doubt, the 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S has your back.
Riding Style:
- Helmet: Arai Defiant-X
- Communications: Sena 30K
- Jacket: Joe Rocket Vintage Rocket
- Gloves: Power Trip Jet Black Lined
- Jeans: Joe Rocket Accelerator
- Socks: Harley-Davidson Wings Coolmax
- Boots: Tour Master Vintage WP 2.0
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Milwaukee-Eight V-twin
- Displacement: 114ci (1868cc)
- Bore x stroke: 4.016” x 4.5”
- Maximum torque: 119 ft/lbs @ 3000 rpm
- Compression ratio: 10.5:1
- Valvetrain: Pushrod, 4vpc
- Exhaust: 2-into-1
- Cooling: Air
- Lubrication: Dry sump w/ oil cooler
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Mechanically actuated assist-and-slip
- Primary drive: Chain
- Final drive: Belt
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable Showa single-cartridge inverted 43mm fork; 5.1 inches
- Rear suspension; travel; Spring-preload adjustable Showa shock; 4.4 inches
- Wheels: Dark bronze, Radiate cast aluminum
- Tires: Michelin Scorcher 31
- Front tire: 110/90 x 19
- Rear tire: 180/70 x 16
- Front brakes: 300mm floating rotors w/ 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 292mm floating w/ 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 63.6 inches
- Rake: 28 degrees
- Trail: 5.7 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 5 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 47 mpg
- Curb weight: 679 pounds
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Colors/Prices (MSRP)
- Vivid Black: $17,999
- Barracuda Silver: $18,399