Harley-Davidson Low Rider S – The S is for Stupendous
Are you looking for a new cruiser with plenty of grunt or ready to trade up to the big league? Or are you simply looking for a reason to live? Then buy this motorcycle. Right now.
It’ll change your life because the 2016 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S was made to shake, rattle and rock your world. It’s that good.
The all-new Low Rider S joins the recently released Softail Slim S and Fat Boy S models, which offers riders a Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine and a loud, sinister rumble wherever you go.
The blacked out, bare bones performance beast is perfect for commuters, weekend warriors or riders who make intrepid, intrastate incursions.
“Powered by the biggest engine Harley installs at the factory, Low Rider S is a one-up lane-splitting scooter, a quick bike for short blasts to a favorite sports bar or coffee shop,” says Forbes.com.
Lane-splitting scooter? I don’t think so. The Low Rider S is anything but that. It’s a true blue, American motorcycle made for bikers who like their machines stripped down, powerful and raw. This Harley was made for dive bars and strip clubs, not Starbucks.
The Low Rider S continues Harley’s tall-bike, custom factory cruiser line with loose, easy steering, a comfortable riding position and plenty of bad-ass attitude.
It’s a potent ride with enough engine vibration to shake a cocktail, but not the kind that reminds you of an unbalanced load in a Maytag.
“The Low Rider S is one of the best handling stock H-D’s to ever roll off the assembly line,” says Hot Bike and I can’t argue with experts like that. Except that I also think the Slim S is no slouch either.
The hard, firm saddle is good for fast, local rides, the foot pegs are positioned high and make it easier to maneuver in the twisty turns. Also, it’s real easy to get the front wheel up in the air if you are so inclined.
“The 2016 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is the only Harley I’d want to own,” says LaneSplitter. Now who could argue with that? But I have to say there is a Harley made for everyone, you just need to ride a few to figure out which one is best for you.
My only complaint about the Low Rider S is that the horn sounds a little quiet compared to other Harley horns. It’s loud, but not super loud like the one you get on a Road Glide but that’s an easy fix.
The gas tank is smooth and easy to hug with your knees and the gold tank badge is a shout out to the classic and collectible 1977 XLCR Cafe Racer. The Magnum Gold aluminum wheels contrast agreeably with the Vivid Black paint job too. If you want to buy a Low Rider S in another shade you’ll have to paint it yourself. Again, that’s an easy fix.
The Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine really rocks and cranks out 115 foot pounds of torque at 3500 rpm. It offers 13 percent more power than a regular Low Rider according to the experts at Harley-Davidson. That’s plenty of power for most folks and I think we can live with that, for now.
The Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather performance intake looks super sick and improves performance over a standard air cleaner. The 6-speed “Cruise Drive” transmission is pretty damn smooth on the freeways and as yet another bonus, Anti-Lock Braking System and cruise control are standard.
Cool frickin’ beans.
The Low Rider S starts at $16,699. You should test ride one soon. Very soon.
Images by Ed Tahaney
Email: ed.tahaney@internetbrands.com
2016 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Specifications:
DIMENSIONS:
Length: 89.9 in.
Seat Height: 26.6 in. (laden)
Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gal.
Dry Weight: 646 lb.
Powertrain:
Engine: Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110
Displacement: 110 cu in.
Engine Torque: 115 ft-lb. @ 3500
Transmission: 6-speed Cruise Drive
Wheels/Tires:
Front: Magnum Gold, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum / 100/90B19 57H
Rear: Magnum Gold, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum / 160/70B17 73V
Color Options: Vivid Black