Harley-Davidson 1920 Softail Low Rider S FXLRS 2023 — Specifications

What drives Harley-Davidson to drop the engine from its most exclusive models into a catalog cruiser? The answer comes down to three digits: 1923 cc. With the 2023 model year Low Rider S FXLRS, Milwaukee unleashes its Milwaukee Eight 117 V-Twin into a Softail chassis built for a fight. This powerplant, previously reserved for the gold-plated CVO series, moves down the range to give the Low Rider S a claim no other family member can make: the best power-to-weight ratio of any model equipped with this engine.

The numbers speak for themselves. 105 horsepower at 5020 rpm, 167.7 Nm of torque available from just 3500 rpm, all packed into 308 kg wet. On paper, the direct competition struggles to keep up in terms of raw torque. An Indian Chief Dark Horse, for instance, certainly delivers a healthy dose of Newton-meters, but with a very different engine character. Here, the 45-degree V-Twin, its 103.5 mm bore pistons and long 114.3 mm stroke, four valves per cylinder and 10.2:1 compression ratio — everything conspires to produce a fat, immediate surge of thrust. The kind of engine that pins you into the seat with every twist of the throttle, without needing to chase the revs.

On the chassis side, no revolution compared to the former Low Rider S 114. The steel double-cradle frame remains the same. The 43 mm inverted fork with its 130 mm of travel handles duties up front, while the hidden mono-shock under the seat provides 112 mm of travel. The notable difference lies in the length of the rear shock, extended to raise the tail slightly. The result is noticeable on the road: a touch more ground clearance, slightly less lazy turn-in, and a mild improvement in comfort. Braking relies on two 300 mm front discs grabbed by four-piston calipers and a 292 mm rear disc. Adequate, nothing more, for a machine of this size. The bronze wheels in 19 and 16 inches, fitted with 110/90 and 180/70 tires, plant the bike on the tarmac with authority.

The other visible change concerns the cockpit. The old console on the tank has all but disappeared, replaced by a simple FXLRS badge. All instrumentation migrates to a compact circular gauge cluster mounted on the handlebars — more readable and more modern. Lighting switches entirely to LED. On the electronics front, the 2023 model year brings cruise control as standard and the option to add traction control. For a Harley, it's a step toward modernity that doesn't dilute the machine's raw character. Also worth noting is the arrival of an ST variant in the lineup, fitted with a fork-mounted fairing and hard saddlebags for those looking to rack up the miles.

Then there's the matter of price: €22,590. It's not cheap, but it's the entry ticket to the big Twin 117 without going through the CVO route and its hefty five-figure invoices. The low 710 mm seat height makes the bike physically accessible, even if its 308 kg demand a certain confidence at a standstill. This is clearly not a beginner's motorcycle. The Low Rider S targets the experienced rider who wants an aggressive, blacked-out cruiser built for the boulevard and the fast back road alike, with an engine capable of reminding everyone at any stoplight that torque is the calling card of big American twins. An 18.9-liter tank does limit range, though: with an engine this thirsty, plan on frequent stops at the pump.