2020 Rumor Thread
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 773
From: Earth
Really strange. The HD website says the new 2020 Low Rider S comes equipped with cruise control. However, Laidlaw just confirmed that it isn't there. So the old LRS had it and Harley decided to remove it, but the website says the bike has it when it actually doesn't. Hmmm. Nifty way to market new models. . . I guess.
A bike like this probably doesn't get ridden with the cruise on all the time. Nevertheless, cruise is still a handy feature to have on a cruiser, especially since it essentially costs next to nothing to include it as part of the build. So WTF remove it? Then again, maybe the goal is to upcharge for it later.
While we're talking about poor design decisions, could they not come up with a better instrument setup? Exactly what good is a tach supposed to be if the rider has to look down at their crotch to see it?
This is EXACTLY the kind of stupid and careless design decisions which turn people off to Harley-Davidson. They take a bike that was popular, cancel it, then bring it back missing some of the features the original had, but at a higher price. Shrewd!
Also notably absent from this design is the 117 engine. The FXDR was supposed to attract performance-oriented riders, but it's a flop and might go away. So if new LRS is another attempt at attracting some of those same riders, then why equip it with the same engine as, oh I don't know -- every other bike?!!!
From what Laidlaw said, the 117 is a performance engine and therefore is reserved for the big fat touring hogs, not a bike like the LRS. Oh, well, it's all starting to make sense now!
Watching these big Harley expos, I sometimes feel like I'm watching an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Do Harley designers actually ride motorcycles? Is there beer on the sun? I don't know. Who cares about features and stuff anyway! It's the name that actually matters. So crank the Molly Hatchet and let's roll!
A bike like this probably doesn't get ridden with the cruise on all the time. Nevertheless, cruise is still a handy feature to have on a cruiser, especially since it essentially costs next to nothing to include it as part of the build. So WTF remove it? Then again, maybe the goal is to upcharge for it later.
While we're talking about poor design decisions, could they not come up with a better instrument setup? Exactly what good is a tach supposed to be if the rider has to look down at their crotch to see it?
This is EXACTLY the kind of stupid and careless design decisions which turn people off to Harley-Davidson. They take a bike that was popular, cancel it, then bring it back missing some of the features the original had, but at a higher price. Shrewd!
Also notably absent from this design is the 117 engine. The FXDR was supposed to attract performance-oriented riders, but it's a flop and might go away. So if new LRS is another attempt at attracting some of those same riders, then why equip it with the same engine as, oh I don't know -- every other bike?!!!
From what Laidlaw said, the 117 is a performance engine and therefore is reserved for the big fat touring hogs, not a bike like the LRS. Oh, well, it's all starting to make sense now!Watching these big Harley expos, I sometimes feel like I'm watching an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Do Harley designers actually ride motorcycles? Is there beer on the sun? I don't know. Who cares about features and stuff anyway! It's the name that actually matters. So crank the Molly Hatchet and let's roll!
Last edited by DM426; Aug 23, 2019 at 02:23 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 4,433
From: Texas
I posted this over in my other thread about the 2020 parts catalog, but here are several key items I found by looking at new parts numbers.
Attached is a list of all NEW parts introduced in MY2020. If you want to know if something has changed part numbers, you can pull up the parts catalog (link in first post) and grab one of the part numbers and search the excel document, or vice versa to see the change in the diagram.
Interesting to see "Telematics Control Module (TCM)" (probably for H-D Connect or RDRS) - this along with the new wiring harnesses mean that no backward-compatibility is going to happen. Also new BCMs, ECMs, ABS control units - possibly due to the new RDRS stuff. The new oil pump, transmission case, the primary vent hose and primary vent kit. Also, I'm not aware of any new engines, but there are new engine assemblies listed that are not revisions of old engine part numbers - All engines in 2020 models have new numbers.
Looking at the parts catalog online (link in first post), it appears that the FLHR, FLHX, and FLHTRX use 16200659 (new in MY2020) and the FLHT uses 16200666 (also new in MY2020). Hmm...
It also seems that all air cooled engines are black and twin cooled engines are available in black or chrome.
New cylinders, cylinders heads and transmission case part numbers are listed and are "(ASEAN, China)" only.
The inner primary housing has a revision A now, which includes the primary vent.
The BCM and ABS controller numbers are just updated revisions, while the ECM number is brand new.
New rear axle and axle cam number listed for all touring models (why?)
Road king and Road king special have new tank and filler cap
Radios all have a revision A now.
Interesting to see "Telematics Control Module (TCM)" (probably for H-D Connect or RDRS) - this along with the new wiring harnesses mean that no backward-compatibility is going to happen. Also new BCMs, ECMs, ABS control units - possibly due to the new RDRS stuff. The new oil pump, transmission case, the primary vent hose and primary vent kit. Also, I'm not aware of any new engines, but there are new engine assemblies listed that are not revisions of old engine part numbers - All engines in 2020 models have new numbers.
Looking at the parts catalog online (link in first post), it appears that the FLHR, FLHX, and FLHTRX use 16200659 (new in MY2020) and the FLHT uses 16200666 (also new in MY2020). Hmm...
It also seems that all air cooled engines are black and twin cooled engines are available in black or chrome.
New cylinders, cylinders heads and transmission case part numbers are listed and are "(ASEAN, China)" only.
The inner primary housing has a revision A now, which includes the primary vent.
The BCM and ABS controller numbers are just updated revisions, while the ECM number is brand new.
New rear axle and axle cam number listed for all touring models (why?)
Road king and Road king special have new tank and filler cap
Radios all have a revision A now.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 4,433
From: Texas
It will depend on the bike. Any difference from the transmission to the rear wheel will change the torque rating. The 2020 Low Rider S is showing 119 ft-lbs, the 2020 Fat Bob is showing 118 ft-lbs (different tire circumference/diameter).
Last edited by BrandonSmith; Aug 23, 2019 at 02:43 PM.
According to HD's site, both years use the same transmission gearing, but 19 has it at 3000 rpm, while 20 is at 3250 rpm.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 4,433
From: Texas
There could be new ECM tunes (ECMs changed for 2020 as well) for all we know.
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I've posted in another thread that there are new engine part numbers (not revisions) for MY2020. Maybe there is more to the story. But in terms of what we're seeing here with the differences in tire diameters and torque, I wouldn't go down any rabbit hole speculating about engine differences.
There could be new ECM tunes (ECMs changed for 2020 as well) for all we know.
There could be new ECM tunes (ECMs changed for 2020 as well) for all we know.
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