Harley-Davidson continues to expand its Softail cruiser family with the MY2022 Low Rider ST sport-tourer. It borrows from an '80s design for a classic look, but the underpinnings are all modern with the new Softail chassis, and 117 cc engine to push it all down the road for a nice balance of features.

2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST Performance and Capability

The power package on the new Low Rider ST is particularly peachy with a plant heretofore unseen outside of the CVO lineup. I'm talking about that Milwaukee-Eight 117 yummygoodness. Bore and stroke mic out at 4.075-inches and 4.5-inches, respectively, for a 1,923 cc displacement with a medium-spicy, 10.2-to-1 compression ratio that should tolerate mid-grade gas just fine.

Pushrods actuate the four-valve heads that give the engine its “Eight” designator. It's mainly an air-cooled unit so it relies on pinpoint waste-heat removal from internal oil-cooling points.

As usual for a Harley Big Twin, the power output is all about the grunt, and the Low Rider ST produces 103 horsepower at 4,750 rpm and 125 pound-feet of torque on tap at 3,500 rpm. Even at 721 pounds soaking wet, that's a whole lot of giddy-up-and-go, especially for a non-CVO machine.

The primary drive is a wide chain within the left-side case ahead of the slipper clutch for some anti-hop protection and light clutch pull. A six-speed Cruise Drive transmission and a carbon-reinforced belt-type final drive finish out the drivetrain for quiet, low-maintenance performance. This culminates in a Low Rider ST top speed of 120 mph, governed.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine:

Milwaukee-Eight® 117, Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; four valves per cylinder

Displacement:

117 cu in (1,923 cc)

Bore x Stroke:

4.075 in. (103.5 mm) x 4.5 in. (114.3 mm)

Compression Ratio:

10.2:1

Engine Torque (J1349):

125 ft-lb (169 Nm) @ 3,500 rpm

Power:

103 hp (77 kW} @ 4,750 rpm

Fuel System:

Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Air Cleaner:

Heavy Breather intake with synthetic media, washable exposed element

Exhaust:

2-into-2 offset shotgun; catalyst in muffler

Lubrication System:

Pressurized, dry-sump with oil cooler

Primary Drive:

Chain, 34/46 ratio

Final Drive:

Belt, 32/66 ratio

Clutch:

Mechanical, 10 plate wet, assist & conventional

Transmission:

6-Speed Cruise Drive®

Gear Ratios (overall):

1st: 9.311, 2nd: 6.454, 3rd: 4.793, 4th: 3.882, 5th: 3.307, 6th: 2.79


Design

You can go ahead and pencil me in as a fan of the new Low Rider ST design. The inspiration is clear. It's based on the FXRT of the '80s that combined a bullet fairing, tall glass, and hard-side saddlebags, topped off with a narrow version of H-D's Tourpak.

Originally, the FXRT, as well as the Low Rider of the day, came on the long-retired FXR frame, but this contemporary one rolls on the new Softail platform that mimics the lines of the old rigid frames. The triangular swing-cage rear end really sells the look.

Admittedly, there isn't much to choose from between this and the Low Rider, but the differences make all the difference in the world. It's clear that the fairing borrows heavily from its '80s origins, both in its general “bullet” shape and in its frame mounting points that let the front end swivel beneath its fixed position.

Granted, the fairing isn't quite the same shape as the original, but the genetic markers are plain to folks familiar with the old FXRT/FXRP. For one thing, the smoked glass is quite short by comparison, and it comes with a vent through the fairing to relieve the vacuum behind the screen and ease the head-buffet effect.

Now for a real Easter Egg. Did you note the molded vents on either side of the round cyclops headlight? Yeah, those are vestigial bumps from the originals that carried driving lights on the FXRT (T for "tour") and the blue lights on the FXRP (P for police) models.

The factory calls it a West Coast look, and that may be true as far as it goes, but it doesn't go quite far enough. Around behind the glass, the high-rise handlebars are another historical throwback. It's meant to keep the handlebar clear of the fixed fairing and windshield ahead as it swings through the steering arc.

A solo seat and mid-mount foot controls complete the rider's triangle. This puts the pilot in a relaxed, upright riding position which is conducive to long-term comfort.

Out back, stock, hard-side panniers complete the touring package. Like the originals, they run with a limited vertical dimension to give the ST a total of 1.9 cubic feet of secure dry storage.

All-around LED lights ensure effective two-way visibility. An LCD screen handles instrumentation.

Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST Specs

Length:

93.1 in. (2,365 mm)

Overall Width:

34.3 in. (870 mm)

Overall Height:

51.2 in. (1,300 mm)

Wheelbase:

63.6 in. (1,615 mm)

Seat Height, Laden/ Unladen:

27 in. (686 mm) / 28.3 in. (720 mm)

Static Ground Clearance:

5.9 in. (150 mm)

Fuel Capacity:

5 gal. (18.9 l) w/ 1 gal. (3.8 l) reserve

Fuel Economy:

47 mpg (5 l/100 km)

Dry Weight:

694 lb. (315 kg)

Curb Weight:

721 lb. (327 kg)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

1,160 lb. (526 kg)

Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front / Rear:

450 lb. (204 kg) / 730 lb. (331 kg)

Luggage Capacity -Volume:

1.9 cu ft (0.05 m3)


Chassis

Tubular mild-steel members make up the dual-downtube/double-cradle frame on the Low Rider ST. That combined with the specialized swingarm contributes to the old-school look.

Rake and trail measure 28 degrees and 5.7 inches, respectively. This puts the Low Rider ST at the stable end of the spectrum for easy, low-effort steering.

An aluminum tripletree holds the single-cartridge, 43 mm forks that float the front end on fixed variables. Out back, the 56 mm shock rides hidden beneath the seat. It comes with a hydraulic preload adjuster as the only suspension tweak. Seat height rides at 27 inches off the deck, providing you weigh at least 180 pounds to compress the rear shock just a skosh.

Cast aluminum is the material of choice for the wheels. The Dark Bronze finish makes for a nice bit of contrast against the blackout treatment that prevails.

Michelin Scorcher booties make the connection to terra firma in a 110/90 ahead of a 180/70 with an “H” rating that will tolerate up to 130 mph, plenty for the 120 mph governed top speed.

Dual four-bore calipers bite the front discs with a two-piston anchor to handle business out back. Both ends benefit from ABS protection right off the showroom floor.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame:

Mild steel, tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; MIG welded; aluminum forged fender supports

Swingarm:

Mild steel, tubular sections, stamped x-member, forged axle junctions; MIG welded; removable belt spacer

Front Suspension/ Travel:

Single cartridge 43 mm inverted with aluminum fork triple clamps; single rate spring/ 5.1 in. (130 mm)

Rear Suspension/ Travel:

Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 56 mm stroke; hydraulic preload adjustment/ 4.4 in. (112 mm)

Rake (steering head):

28°

Fork Angle:

28°

Trail:

5.7 in. (145 mm)

Lean Angle, Right/ Left (J1168):

31.3°/ 31.3°

Wheels:

Dark bronze, Radiate cast aluminum wheel

Wheel, Front:

2.5 in. x 19 in. (64 mm x 483 mm)

Wheel, Rear:

5 in. x 16 in. (127 mm x 406 mm)

Tires, Front & Rear:

Michelin® Scorcher® "31"

Tire, Front Specification:

110/90B19,62H,BW

Tire, Rear Specification:

180/70B16,77H,BW

Brakes, Front:

Dual 300 mm black Split 7-spoke floating discs, 4-piston fixed calipers

Brakes, Rear:

292 mm black Split 7-spoke floating disc, 2-piston floating caliper

Brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS):

Standard


2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST Price and Availability

You have a choice between two monochromatic paint packages on the new Low Rider ST, each with its own sticker. Naturally, there is a Vivid Black model that pairs well with the blackout treatment on the non-sheet metal parts. The 2022 Harley Davidson Low Rider ST costs $21,749 in Vivid Black.

If you'd rather lighten the mood a bit, the Gunship Gray model may be your Huckleberry. However, you'll have to add another $450 to the out-the-door price.

Pricing

Model ID:

FXLRST

Warranty:

24 months (unlimited mileage)

Service Interval :

First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter

Color:

Vivid Black, Gunship Gray

Price:

$21,749, Color: $22,199


Competitors

H-D makes up half of the American Pair, so I thought I'd look to see what the other half has going on. Indian offers the new Challenger as a suitable competitor.

Indian Challenger

This pair has more in common than not. A fixed front fairing leads the way, even if it's a bit beefier than the Low Rider.

It's the same with the bags out back. Indian runs full-size, 2.4 cubic-feet worth of baggage versus the short, 1.9 cubic-foot bags on the H-D for a bit more visual weight there as well.

The actual weight is quite a bit heftier at 831 pounds wet – that's a gain of 110 pounds – though the power figures from the liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine are still impressive. It checks in with 122 ponies and 128 pounds o' grunt against 103/125 to give a solid performance edge to the challenging Challenger.

Plus, Indian brings the hurt with its Ride Command infotainment center and selectable Ride Modes. Plus it has a stock audio system to add to Harley's woes.

The paint is eerily similar. Indian shoots the 2022 Challenger with Black Metallic, or if you prefer, a lighter monochrome Titanium Smoke finish. You'll pay for those features though, to the tune of $23,999 for the black model, and $24,749 for the gray.

He Said

“No doubt about it, my '89 FXRP was the best bike I've ever owned, and by far, my favorite, so this bike really takes me back. The only thing missing is the sprung solo saddle they ran on the old cop bikes. So yeah, I'm definitely digging this addition to the Softails.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “My husband really liked his old FXRP even though cop bikes are tall and he is not a tall guy. I think he has me beat for the number of times he had to do the toe-to-toe bounce at a stop. Cop-bike aside, the seat height on the Low Rider ST is perfect even for those of us folks with less-than-average inseams.”

“I have to love the Milwaukee-Eight engine. Not only is it an aesthetically pleasing engine (rivaled, in my opinion, only but the Thunder Stroke), but it's so strong anywhere in the rev range and it sounds so sexy.”

“I'm a little disappointed with the tiny panniers and for a bike touted as a sport-tourer, there's no audio system. The Rockford Fosgate audio kit will add $1k to the price and the accessory catalog has oodles of luggage additions including a choice of Tour Paks.”

“So, yeah, there are checks in the Plus column and checks in the Minus column. Overall, I like it. I really do.”