Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST 2022 — Specifications

Can a Harley really be a sporty touring bike? The question might make BMW or Kawasaki riders smile, but with the Low Rider ST, the Milwaukee manufacturer delivers an answer that hits like an American flag in the wind. This machine, unveiled in 2022, is not a simple stylistic evolution. It embodies the resurgence of the “club style,” a philosophy born in the 1980s with the Dyna FXR, popularized by cult series, and which advocates for a practical, fast motorcycle ready to devour kilometers in a group.

At the heart of the matter, of course, is its engine. Harley brought out the heavy artillery by fitting the mythical Milwaukee Eight 117, the large 1923 cm3 V-twin previously reserved for CVO models. The numbers speak for themselves: 105 horsepower may seem modest, but it is the monstrous torque of 167.7 Nm, available from 3500 rpm, that defines the character. This engine doesn’t like to rev, it prefers to pull with the authority of a locomotive, propelling its 327 kg fully fueled with disconcerting ease. The Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST test reveals a motorcycle that accelerates with furious elegance, far from the wail of sportbikes, but with formidable efficiency on the national road.

Compared to its sister, the Low Rider S, the ST is distinguished by two major attributes that forge its touring identity. First, a fairing fixed to the frame, inspired by historical FXRT models, which protects without weighing down the steering and gives a look that is both retro and aggressive. Then, a pair of 54-liter rigid saddlebags, tall but perfectly integrated, which transforms the beast into a true travel companion. The price of this transformation? Count around €22,500 for a 2024 version, a surcharge justified by the equipment. The accessories catalog, such as the Tobacco Fade finish or the Rockford Fosgate audio system, allows for even greater personalization, a tradition at Harley.

On the road, the magic happens. The position, with a 720 mm saddle, is an ideal compromise between control and comfort. The revised Softail chassis, with a 43 mm inverted fork and a rear shock absorber offering 112 mm of travel, surprises with its agility. It leans with an unexpected willingness for a custom of this size, far from the softness of some competitors. It will never reach the level of a Japanese GT, but that’s not the goal. The Low Rider ST offers a unique sensory experience, where the rumble of the V-twin and the sensation of raw power count as much as top speed.

So, who is this machine for? It clearly targets the Harley touring rider who refuses the format of large baggers, but who doesn’t want to settle for a purely aesthetic custom either. It’s the motorcycle for those who want to cover long distances alone or in a club, with luggage, without sacrificing bite and badass style. Opinions on the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST agree that it has succeeded in its bet: to create an American touring bike, full of character, that makes travel a stylish act of rebellion. A model that, on occasion, could well become a classic.