With the popularity of cruisers refusing to die down, there is healthy competition in the segment today. And competition usually urges bikemakers to overhaul their products in order to stand out. Yet, most full-size cruisers in the market today are quite dated. Heck, some bikes from Japan haven’t received a notable update in well over a decade. So if you want a cruiser that has aged like fine wine over the years, you’ll have to look at either European or American bikemakers. Among these, there is one bike that has broken the norm in recent years. Not only has it gained more performance, but it has also become notably cheaper.
Regular Overhauls Are Rare In The Cruiser Segment
Cruiser bikes are way simpler compared to other categories. There is a set norm followed by most brands, comprising a simple steel chassis, basic suspension components, and understressed engines. At the same time, technology remains equally docile. We have just started getting bits like traction control as standard, and even ABS used to be optional a couple of years ago.
Since cruiser fans prefer a proven package over innovation, we rarely see regular updates to popular cruiser names. Take Indian for example. Its Chief range hasn’t had sizable changes in this decade, while the Scout has had incremental updates. It’s the same with the BMW R 18, which has had one big update since its inception.
The Cruiser That Refuses To Wear Out
If you are a one-motorcycle kind of person – that’s one motorcycle for life – then the Honda Shadow is the bike for you.
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Has Aged Better Than Its Rivals
The Low Rider has been an icon in Harley-Davidson’s cruiser lineup. It was originally part of the Dyna range, where it joined hands with a Screamin’ Eagle engine. A few years later, Harley overhauled things by introducing an updated version as part of the Softail lineup. The engine was changed to the Milwaukee-Eight 114, a new chassis became the centerpiece, and more modern suspension boosted sporty riding abilities.
Recent Updates Have Brought More Oomph
Not long after, Harley swapped the 114 engine with the 117 engine on the Low Rider S. That brought more performance to the party. Today, the cruiser carries on with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, but it was recently updated to the High Output version. That makes it the most powerful Harley Softail today. The update also brought cornering-enabled electronics as standard equipment.
Costs Almost As Little As The 2016 Model
Finally, we have the price. The Low Rider S has had two price revisions in recent years. The MSRP first dropped from $20,499 to $19,999, and now, it has gone down by another $1,000. So you get the most powerful and loaded Low Rider ever for just $18,999. For reference, the 2016 Low Rider S sold for $18,199 with the optional security and ABS option. Taking all this into account, we can happily say that the Low Rider S has aged much better than its rivals from all over the world.
Harley-Davidson’s Cornering-Enabled Electronics Make It Safer Than The Competition
How does the Low Rider trump its rivals, you ask? Well, allow us to explain. For starters, the electronic package is right up there with the best in the segment. And no, these are not optional bits like a few years ago. Harley has thrown in a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire system, which brings cornering traction control, cornering ABS, cornering drag-torque control, and ride modes. This is topped with cruise control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a USB port.
All of these put it ahead of its arch-rivals, like the Indian Sport Chief and 101 Scout. However, the Indian duo has a digital TFT instrument cluster, which the Low Rider misses out on. No, it’s not available as an option, either. To claw back some points, the Softail does get you class-leading color options. These include:
- Dark Billiard Gray/Chrome trim
- Vivid Black/Chrome trim (+$300)
- White Onyx Pearl/Chrome trim (+$650)
- Olive Steel Metallic/Chrome trim (+$650)
- Dark Billiard Gray/Black trim (+$1,000)
- Vivid Black/Black trim (+$1,300)
- Blood Orange/Black trim (+$1,450)
- White Onyx Pearl/Black trim (+$1,650)
- Aurora Blue Denim/Black trim (+$1,650)
The Cruiser With Honda Reliability And Harley-Level Presence
This metric cruiser bike is designed in the image of the classic Harley-Davidson Roadster.
Boasts More Performance Than Its V-twin Rivals
Like the electronics, the performance here is in a league of its own. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output engine comes loaded with a forward-facing Heavy Breather intake, a performance-tuned 2-into-1 exhaust, high-performance SE8-511 camshaft, and a raised redline. These ensure an output of 114 horsepower and 128 pound-feet. That puts it well clear of its direct rivals, such as the Indian Sport Chief and Indian 101 Scout. You might argue the Buell Super Cruiser has more oomph, and you’d be right. But it costs over $25,000, and Buell has yet to start deliveries.
Decent Efficiency Ensures 230 Miles Of Riding Range
So much performance usually takes a big toll on efficiency. Yet, somehow, Harley claims its usual 47 miles per gallon here. That means a tank-to-tank range of over 230 miles (provided you’re easy on the gas). If you don’t care about that, you can just keep it pinned, and the Low Rider will take you over 124 miles per hour in sixth.
Showa Suspension Brings Riding Confidence
Most Harley cruisers employ simple suspension and brakes, since they have barely any sporty intentions. The Low Rider S, though, stands out. The front end has 43 mm Showa upside-down forks, joined by a rear monoshock with preload adjustment. Alloy wheels (19/16-inch) bring further modernity, and so do the dual disc brakes at the front. Add to that the near-6-inch ground clearance, and you can lean 31.3 degrees on each side. Other notable dimensions are:
- Ground clearance: 5.7 inches
- Seat height: 27 inches
- Wheelbase: 63.6 inches
- Weight: 670 pounds (wet)
- Tire size: 110/180-section (F/R)
The Milwaukee-Eight Harley Cruiser That Quietly Gets Everything Right
Comfy seats, lockable saddlebags, a mighty Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engine, and under $20,000 price make this Softail worth considering
The Ergonomics Are Typical
Lastly, being a Softail, the Low Rider S follows the usual brief in the ergonomics department. Forward-set footpegs and a curvy handlebar promise a laidback riding triangle, while the scooped saddle should ensure your tushy doesn’t go sore. Just remember that there are no pillion accommodations as standard here. You’ll have to pay around $600 extra for a pillion-ready seat and footpeg kit.
Source: Harley-Davidson