Motorcycle specifications Harley-Davidson1745 Softail Low Rider FXLR 2020 Harley for everyone and everything

This is definitely the most versatile of Harleys. And the one every Harley rider wants to have in their hands when it comes to having fun or taking the big twin out for an impromptu spin. That's what it was born for, back in '77, to be a bit of an industry agitator. The task is less obvious today, but the spirit is still there. Well, almost, because the Low Rider has changed family.

A Softail now. It had no choice: the Dyna frame, on which it was based, has been retired. Pure riders will have to swallow a coconut to accept this change. Technically, it's a win-win situation. The chassis in question has been extensively redesigned. Falsely Hardtail, of course, with a simplified frame requiring fewer parts and welds. Its rigidity is far superior: much more so than the old Softail frame, much more so than the Dyna. With a new monoshock under the seat (making it invisible) and an improved fork, the Low Rider's chassis should be much more efficient.
Except perhaps when it comes to braking. Strangely enough, a brake disc has disappeared from the front. Could it be that the machine has become more confident as a result of its weight loss? Watch out for optimism. While it has lost 9 kilos since the previous generation, it still weighs 287 kilos dry on the scales. The Low Rider shrugs it off - claiming to be faster and able to take unimaginable turns. That says it all!

No, not quite. Because there's still the key component: the engine. And what a block it is. The M8, which replaced the Twin Cam in less than two years. Harley-Davidson has moved much faster than usual to install its latest Big Block in all its high-caliber models. The Milwaukee Eight is a 1745 cm3 engine with 8 valves and 4 spark plugs in all. Plus a balancer to greatly reduce vibrations at idle. Its power develops in line with the brand's standards, with 2 mkg more than the old engine. Almost enough to rival the vigorous former 1800 Low Rider S with its Scream'in Eagle engine. Still full of character but less rough around the edges, this V-twin perfectly matches the spirit of the Low Rider.
Among the most striking peripherals, the Shotgun 2-in-2 muffler reinforces the guidelines, while the wheels now feature 'Radiate' rims; still 19 inches at the front, but 16 inches at the rear.

Despite its profound technical changes, the Softail Low Rider remains true to its raison d'être. Welcomed into a new family, it won't be long before it's accepted by both its siblings and its public, who should enjoy it even more than before.
More guts and punch, even dynamism, are also available in the S version, with an improved chassis and the big 114 between the knees.

M.B
(manufacturer's photos)