Harley-Davidson 1920 Softail Low Rider 'El Diablo' FXRST 2022 — Specifications

What drives Harley-Davidson to resurrect its own ghosts? The answer lies in the Icons collection, those limited-edition series that dig into Milwaukee's historical catalog to reinterpret iconic silhouettes. After a well-received first installment, it's the Low Rider ST's turn to hit the workbench and become the FXRST El Diablo, a machine that owns its volcanic temperament right down to its name. Produced in just 1500 numbered units, it appeals to collectors and riders alike, provided you've got 29,990 euros to slap on the counter.

The lineage is obvious at first glance. The half fairing and its angular cutline are a direct nod to the 1983 FXRT, the first FX to inaugurate the Sport Glide designation. But it's the livery that truly stops passersby in their tracks. The deep red and burgundy hues, enhanced with golden highlights, are hand-applied by the painters at the Gunslinger workshop using a multi-layer process worthy of CVO-grade finishes. The result stands in stark contrast to the dark, predictable colorways of the standard Low Rider ST. The devil is displayed everywhere, horns and tail woven into the house logo, without the slightest restraint. You love it or you hate it, but indifference is impossible.

Beneath this incendiary skin beats the Milwaukee-Eight 117, a 45-degree V-twin displacing 1923 cc. Four valves per cylinder, a bore of 103.5 mm paired with a stroke of 114.3 mm, and a compression ratio of 10.2:1. The numbers speak for themselves. 105 horsepower at 5020 rpm is respectable without being earth-shattering, but the torque changes the game. 167.7 Nm available from just 3500 rpm — that's the signature of this powertrain. The American twin never asks to be whipped. It pushes hard, down low, with a thick, creamy smoothness that sticks to the tarmac. The Heavy Breather air filter, fitted as standard, contributes to the engine's generous breathing and unapologetically flaunts the size of the mechanical heart it feeds. Against an Indian Challenger or a BMW R 18, the positioning is different. Harley isn't chasing sportiness or technological refinement. The brand sells a raw sensory experience, tractor-like torque wrapped in American culture.

The Softail chassis, with its steel double-cradle frame and a mono-shock hidden beneath the seat, handles the 331 kg wet weight with relative stoicism. The 43 mm inverted fork provides 130 mm of travel, which remains adequate for highway cruising. The low seat, perched at 720 mm, reassures shorter riders but limits comfort on long hauls. The braking setup, with twin 300 mm discs up front clamped by four-piston calipers, proves sufficient without ever delivering an exceptional bite feel. This is a machine built to devour miles, not to carve through tight switchbacks.

On the equipment front, the El Diablo sets itself apart from the standard Low Rider ST with a factory-integrated Rockford Fosgate audio system. The 250-watt amplifier powers 133 mm speakers, all managed by a DSP processor and a seven-band equalizer. Volume adjusts automatically based on speed, and Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream your playlist wirelessly. The 54-liter saddlebags complete the package, positioning this FXRST somewhere between a pure bagger and a laid-back tourer. The 18.9-liter tank demands regular fuel stops, the only real drawback for anyone considering long-distance rallies. With its belt drive and six-speed gearbox, the El Diablo stays true to the Harley philosophy. No mechanical revolution here, but an unapologetic object of desire, built for American custom enthusiasts who want to ride with the devil without fearing the burn.