Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST: bikesales Bike of the Year 2022 finalist
Mixing old school cool with a modern package, the Low Rider ST is Harley-Davidson doing what it does best
Why is the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST a bikesales BOTY finalist?
In a bid to prove it is not guilty of complacency, Harley-Davidson has been on a new bike spree with a range of new models that don’t fit the typical Harley mould. That raft of models includes the Pan America adventure tourer, the electric LiveWire, and the radical Sportster S and Nightster pair.
And while all of those models were arguably great moves by the Motor Company, sometimes it pays to stick to the basics. The new Low Rider ST is a perfect example.
Powered by H-D’s awesome Milwaukee-Eight 117 and inspired by the iconic FXRT Sport Glide of the '80s, the Low Rider ST is Harley at its old-school best.
Of course, this isn’t an old bike. It still has ABS, electronic fuel injection, LED lights, an alarm system, lockable saddlebags, and the modern Softail chassis, but it has an old school simplicity and cool factor that cannot be beaten.
It also rides like a demon, turning better than we’ve come to expect from a Harley-Davidson V-twin cruiser, and delivers power and torque in spades.
Add in the functionality of the frame-mounted fairing and the saddlebags, and you’ve got a cool V-twin cruiser that will never disappoint.
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Who will the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST appeal too?
Hardcore Harley enthusiasts will argue that nothing beats the old Dyna platform that characterised the Sport Glide, and many will overlook the modern Softail bikes based solely on history. But the modern Softail chassis is a gem and possibly the best-handling H-D platform ever.
Those H-D diehards should take a serious look at the Low Rider ST because it combines great cruiser style with hard-riding performance. They might just be swayed enough to put their preconceptions behind them.
What does the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST cost?
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST’s performance and cool factor earned it a Bike of the Year nomination, but its hefty price tag might just stop it from going all the way.
At $35,250 ride away, the Low Rider ST definitely won’t suit everyone’s budget. In fact, it won’t suit a lot of people’s budget. That is a lot of dosh for a bike whose main goal is to exude cool.
But most cruisers are expensive, and a Harley-Davidson badge is worth the price of admission alone. Plus you get an incredible engine, a great chassis, and plenty of functionality. That won’t completely ease your financial concerns, but it does justify the cost somewhat.
What have we already said about the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST?
The Low Rider ST is based on the Low Rider S that bikesales’ Kaz Anderson tested back in July. Kaz was a big fan of that bike, so we were keen to see if the ST version would match it.
bikesales editor Dylan Ruddy managed to get his hands on the ST in September and lauded not only the bike’s performance, but also its functionality.
“Touring practicality is the main drawcard of the ST over its sibling,” he said in his review. “The large fairing adds to the comfort levels, giving you plenty of protection from the wind, while the handy detachable saddlebags are a worthy addition.”
In summing up, he said: “There is still something to be said about good ol' fashioned cruisers, and the Low Rider ST is a great example of how a modern package can still hold on to old-school spirit and style.”
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