Harley-Davidson 1870 Softail Low Rider S FXLRS 2021 — Specifications

Who remembers the first Low Rider S, the 2016 model, built on the Dyna chassis with the 110 ci twin from the CVO line? That machine left a lasting impression with its unapologetic brutality. Harley-Davidson is back at it in 2021 with a completely redesigned FXLRS, grafted onto the Softail platform and powered by a 1868 cc Milwaukee Eight 114. The 45-degree V-twin pumps out 93 horsepower at 5020 rpm and, more importantly, 155 Nm of torque from just 3250 rpm. Numbers close to the old model on paper, but the technology surrounding them has stepped up to a whole new level.

The Softail's steel double-cradle frame delivers a rigidity the old Dyna structure could never claim. The front end proves it immediately. Where the standard Low Rider makes do with a conventional fork and a single disc, the S version rolls in with a 43 mm inverted fork and dual front brakes featuring 300 mm discs gripped by four-piston calipers. The rake has been tightened by two degrees, bringing it down to 28 degrees. The concrete result: the bike willingly dives into corners with a conviction rare for a 308 kg custom at full wet weight. The hidden mono-shock under the seat offers only 86 mm of travel, which remains tight on rough roads, but that's the price to pay for this low-slung silhouette, planted just 690 mm off the ground.

In terms of character, the Milwaukee Eight 114 plays its part with conviction. The 102 mm bore and 114 mm stroke, the 10.5:1 compression ratio, and four valves per cylinder produce a sharp response right from the low revs. The six-speed gearbox and belt drive absorb the torque without flinching. No one's talking pure sportiness here — top speed caps out at 160 km/h — but the thrust between 2000 and 4000 rpm delivers a sensation of raw force that few competitors offer in this segment. Against an Indian Chief Dark Horse or a Fat Bob 114, the Low Rider S stands apart with a more compact, more aggressive stance in the corners.

The styling matches this elegant brute philosophy. Everything is black: engine, exhaust, running gear. Only the bronze-colored wheels break the monochrome. The small wind deflector, the raised handlebar, and the solo seat that braces the lower back create the posture of a rider ready for action. The 18.9-liter tank demands regular stops, especially if the right wrist gets generous. That's the price of this streamlined silhouette.

At 19,590 euros, the Low Rider S is no act of charity. It targets a specific audience: the rider who wants the Harley DNA without touring compromise, a machine built for spirited rides and Saturday night boulevards. Not a long-distance tourer, not a track bike in disguise, but a muscular custom that fully embraces its role as patriarch of the Softail lineup. It hasn't invented anything compared to the 2016 FXLRS. It has simply matured, gained in technical rigor and mechanical refinement. For anyone seeking an American V-twin with grunt and handling worthy of the name, it remains a solid argument in Milwaukee's catalog.