Harley-Davidson’s new Low Rider S employs the Softail’s platform but tuned for “aggressive riding”
Harley-Davidson India has launched the new Low Rider S in the country at Rs 14.69 lakh ex-showroom. India’s COVID-19 lockdown protocol has brought many automotive businesses (including manufacturing facilities) to a halt but it seems OEMs have opted the digital space to introduce their latest products. On the other hand, several automotive dealerships are at the verge of shutting down permanently.
Coming back to the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, the motorcycle is based on the American brand’s Softail series. Compared to the existing Softail models, Harley-Davidson has employed premium suspension components to provide an “aggressive riding” experience. The design pays tribute to the original Low Rider models from the ‘80s. From the Softail, the designers have borrowed its “coastal style and performance-first attitude”.
The 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is available in two colour choices: Baraccuda Silver and Vivid Black. The above-mentioned pricing is for the latter option and Harley-Davidson India is expected to share the price tag of the latter in a few weeks’ time.
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S – Specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 2,355 mm |
| Seat Height | 690 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.9 l |
| Dry weight | 295 kg |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Milwaukee-Eight® 114 |
| Displacement | 1,868 cc |
| Engine Horsepower | 93 PS / x69 Kw @ 5020 rpm |
| Engine Torque | 155 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Cruise Drive® |
| Wheels/ Tyres | |
| Wheels | Dark bronze, Radiate cast aluminum wheel |
| Tyres Front | 110/90B19,62H,BW |
| Tyres Rear | 180/70B16,77H,BW |
Powering the new Harley is a BS6-compliant 1,868cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin that churns out 92bhp @ 5,020rpm and 161Nm @ 3,000rpm. It features a dual counter-balancer to keep the vibrations in check. If you have observed or experienced the current line of Harley-Davidson products, you would not miss the superior levels of refinement they offer over their older counterparts.
Supporting the engine is a ‘Gloss Black Ventilator’ air intake with an exposed filter. The purposeful ‘2-into-2 offset shotgun mufflers’ adds a lot to overall aesthetics. The power plant is mated to a 6-speed Cruise Drive gearbox.
The cruiser motorcycle rides on 19-inch wheels at the front and 16-inchers at the rear. Either wheel is shod with 110/90 and 180/70 section Michelin Scorcher 31 tyres, respectively. As expected, the new Low Rider S is quite heavy at a dry weight of 295kg. Compared to the regular Low Rider, the S variant’s rake angle is down from 30 to 28 degrees. This has resulted in sharper handling characteristics.
In our market, the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S primarily locks horns with the Indian Scout Bobber (which is yet to receive BS6 update). At around Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom, there are several alternatives across sports, super sports, streetfighter, adventure, dual-sport and modern classic genres of motorcycles. However, Harley-Davidson riders are part of a strong community of individuals who rarely make a shift to another brand.