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Harley-Davidson Heats Up Its Baggers, Reveals New Low Rider ST Tourer


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Harley-Davidson took the wraps off new models in its 2022 lineup, which included some performance-enhanced baggers and the return of the popular Low Rider S. It did not materialize with the hoped-for Revolution Max powerplant many were hoping would be included in the popular power cruiser. However, the Low Rider S does have a new sibling in the form of the new Low Rider ST light-duty tourer.

Harley CEO Jochen Zeitz did say there would be more new models revealed as the year goes on, which will hopefully include models with the new high-powered, liquid cooled V-Twin.

In the online video event streamed live Wednesday morning, Zeitz focused early and heavily on new high (or at least higher) performance bikes and racing, especially the new King Of The Baggers (KOTB) series which has proven to be both entertaining and unexpectedly popular. In the KOTB series, which grew from essentially a single oddball lark of a race in 2020 to a bona fide series, Harley and the Polaris-run Indian have renewed their storied rivalry, with Indian taking the trophy in the three-race 2020 series and veteran racer Kyle Wyman taking it back for Harley in 2021, riding the last race with a broken elbow held together with screws and plates from a race crash injury only three weeks previous. So it should be game on for 2022 as the series doubles up to six races, including a stop in Daytona. Here are some highlights in case you missed the last 2021 race at the always challenging Laguna Seca circuit.

Per usual, racing informs production, and Zeitz introduced two new production “ST” series performance baggers, a Road Glide and a Street Glide, that feature punched-up 117-cubic inch air/oil cooled motors, Öhlins rear suspension, stripped-down amenities, tuned intake and exhaust systems and $29,999 price tags. Harley said the 117ci plants make 126 pound feet of torque but as is typical for Harley’s air-cooled bikes, no horsepower figures were released.

Screen-Shot-2022-01-26-at-9.28.01-AM-750

While the PanAm’s frontal style has been a point of contention, the new blue/white combo punches up the look a bit. – Harley-Davidson

Zeitz spent a small bit of time on the popular new Pan America, citing its “Best of” reviews by Cycle World and Motorcycle.com, but there was no big new news for the PA besides some new color options (above) and minor tweaks for 2022. Prices remain unchanged at $19,999 for the up-spec Special and $17,319 for the base bike. Adding wire wheels, panniers, aux lights, the optional Adaptive Ride Height feature and other bits will quickly pad those numbers, of course. Still, the Pan America remains hugely popular, and several sources (including a local dealer) telling me the bike is currently backordered. Zeitz reiterated that the Pan America was the best selling adventure bike in North America in 2021.

And while Zeitz also spent some time on the company’s luxe $42,000-and-up CVO touring models, the day’s widely expected news was confirmed with the return of the Low Rider S model, and its new stablemate, the Low Rider ST, which includes a smaller fairing than the new ST baggers as well as quick-release rear hard cases.

Screen-Shot-2022-01-26-at-10.30.21-AM-75

Low Rider ST: Taller suspension. Simple fairing. Quick-release bags. Do you dare add knobbies? – Harley-Davidson

The Low Rider S, with its bigger 117ci motor, uprated suspension and stripped-down style, has been a popular model since it was introduced in 2017 as part of the last run of the popular Dyna platform. I rode the 2017 model and was suitably impressed, and am happy to see it back in the line-up with a more touring-capable sibling. The S has also gotten some needed tweaks: The tach and speedo that were on the tank on past models have been consolidated into a single, high-tech clock now properly located on the handlebar, and the suspension has been revised to allow for more lean angle. The 2017 model had the old 110ci 2-valve motor and it was surprisingly fast, we would imagine the additional cubes from the Milwaukee 8 117ci V-Twin will add a bit more pop.

Screen-Shot-2022-01-26-at-10.29.22-AM-75

Low Rider ST will come in black or the “new grey” that’s apparently all the rage. – Harley-Davidson

In the video, Harley designers said they started to see Low Rider S models at gatherings kitted out with minimal touring gear and decided to offer a factory option with a smaller fixed fairing that harkens back to the popular and minimalist sportier-touring FXR and FXRT Dyna bikes from the 1980s and 90s. Despite the small fairing size, Harley says a “loud” audio system will be an available option for the LR ST. First impressions? Looks good, but there is some disappointment the Low Rider S and ST are not RevMax motor-based sport-touring machines.

But, never say never. Zeitz ended the presentation by saying they will share the “next chapter in the Sportster story,” which could mean a sport-touring Sportster with a RevMax heart. “There are a few more surprises in store for 2022,” Zeitz said toward the end of the video over teaser shots of a bike with a red tank and flush gas cap. Or maybe it’s a charging port? We’ll see.

2023 will mark The Motor Company’s 120th year in business, so hopefully some early model year 2023 releases will include some new bikes utilizing the new engine. Time will tell.

You can watch the entire 30-minute “Further Faster” presentation below:

 

Vezi sursa

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