Harley Davidson Softail Low Rider S Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: A Detailed Comparison

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 share a close resemblance to each other, but the Harley Low Rider S is bigger in size and has a bulkier look. They both have V-Twin engines, nose fairings, and solo seats. However, the key difference between the two motorcycles lies in their performance.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S has a large-displacement engine capable of high horsepower, and torque. The Harley Low Rider S’s large fuel tank capacity is another advantage that makes it suited for touring. Meanwhile, the Harley Iron 1200 is quicker, more reliable, and has a quality build. Also, it is much cheaper than the Harley Low Rider S. This article provides a detailed comparison between the Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S was first introduced in 2016 as part of the Dyna lineup. After the Dyna series was discontinued in 2017, this motorcycle was made a part of the Harley Davidson Softail lineup.

The 2022 Harley Davidson Low Rider S has received major updates and is now fitted with a Milwaukee-Eight™ 117 V-Twin engine. It has blacked-out parts and a comfortable solo rider seat. The gauges which were previously fuel tank-mounted were instead moved onto the handlebars. An updated rear mono-shock suspension has helped increase ground clearance by an inch. A small nose fairing is also added to improve the aesthetics. This Harley Davidson model also has removable saddlebags and a fuel tank capacity of 5 gals to make it better suited for touring.

The 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is a stylish cruiser with blacked-out parts and an upright riding position. Its 1200cc Evolution™ engine does not produce much horsepower and torque but this motorcycle can be easily customized. This vehicle comes with several upgradable options and has a light overall weight that makes it beginner-friendly. Despite the 1200 cc engine seemingly being too large for a beginner, its low-power specs actually make it safe for beginners.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S is fitted with a 1,923 cc Milwaukee-Eight® 117, V-Twin engine capable of horsepower of 103 hp at 4,750 rpm and a torque of 169.48 Nm at 3,500 rpm. The engine’s temperature is maintained by an air/oil-cooling system.

The 2022 Harley Davidson Low Rider S’s engine has similar aesthetics and size to the 2020 Harley Low Rider S model. However, the latest Low Rider S has a 117 cu in engine with a bigger air intake. The 117 cu in the engine can produce 14% more horsepower than the older Milwaukee 114, but the torque gain is smaller.

The Harley Low Rider S produces a liner and smooth power output uncommon in bigger engines. Also, the motorcycle does not control throttle response as there is no traction control system or IMU installed.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is powered by a 1,202 cc Evolution™ V-Twin engine, with its temperature being maintained by an air-cooling system. It can produce a horsepower of 60 hp and a torque of 98.97 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has not received any major updates since its introduction. It is a simple and lightweight motorcycle suited for shorter rides and offers nimble handling.

If you are an expert rider who wants a fast motorcycle that generates high horsepower, torque, and sound, the Harley Davidson Low Rider S is the better option.

The Harley Low Ride S has 721 cc more displacement, 43 hp more horsepower, and 70.51 Nm more torque than the Harley Iron 1200. The six-speed gearbox helps the Harley Low Rider S perform better at highway speeds. As far as engine and performance are concerned, the Harley Low Rider S is the bigger and more expensive option between the two motorcycles.

Despite being the bigger and more powerful motorcycle, the Harley Davidson Low Rider S can only attain a top speed of 120 mph. Meanwhile, the Harley Iron 1200 can reach a top speed of 118 mph thanks to its simple construction and low weight.

However, the Harley Low Rider S can accelerate quickly and can travel between 0-60 mph sprint within only four seconds.

For a beginner, the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is easy to handle because of its narrow design and low weight. It is easier to ride on curvy roads due to its good maneuverability. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Low Rider S is 51.99 kg heavier than the Harley Iron 1200. Starting with such a heavy motorcycle as the Harley Low Rider S will not help beginners gain confidence and learn how to handle a motorcycle.

For an expert rider, handling the Harley Low Rider S is not a problem. Though, it does require a bit of practice to make U-turns at slow speeds with a heavyweight motorcycle. The Harley Low Rider S is still a very nimble motorcycle and offers better handling when on curving roads. Once you maintain a decent speed, this motorcycle becomes easier to handle when turning.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 have smooth gear shifting, but the Harley Iron 1200 lacks the sixth gear necessary for touring at highway speeds. The Harley Low Rider S is more responsive and riders do not feel a sudden drop in acceleration at any gear level.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 are equipped with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) that ensures optimum fuel intake. Despite having a bigger engine, more horsepower, and more weight, the Harley Low Rider S has almost the same mileage as the Harley Iron 1200. The Harley Low Rider S has a fuel economy of 47 mpg and the Harley Iron 1200 has a fuel economy of 48 mpg. The Harley Low Rider S is the better touring motorcycle because of its larger fuel tank capacity.

Harley Davidson Low Rider S’s Suspension

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S has a single 43 mm inverted fork with triple clamps towards the front and a 56 mm stroke, coil-over mono-shock with hydraulic preload adjustment towards the rear. The front suspension provides a wheel travel of 5.1 inches and the rear suspension provides 4.4 inches of wheel travel. Such high-quality suspensions and longer wheel travel make the Low Rider S a comfortable motorcycle for touring and long-distance rides.

Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Suspension

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has 39 mm non-adjustable inverted forks towards the front and an adjustable variable rate spring towards the rear. The front suspension provides a wheel travel of 3.6 inches and the rear suspension provides a wheel travel of 1.6 inches. The suspensions are best suited for shorter trips on smooth roads. The suspensions will not offer good comfort when on longer trips and r damaged roads.

Harley Davidson Low Rider S

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S is fitted with a split seven-Spoke four-piston brake towards the front and two-piston floating rotors towards the rear. These powerful brakes along with the ABS are standard for the 2022 Harley Low Rider S, giving it reliable and robust braking capability. The brake lever is also responsive and easy to pull.

Harley Davidson Iron 1200

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has adequate braking due to its dual-piston 300 mm rotor towards the front and 260 mm disc towards the rear. The ABS is an optional feature for the Iron 1200 and comes at a cost of $795.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S has a wider, longer, and modern cruiser look. Its overall design and construction are compact and better than the Harley Iron 1200. It has a large teardrop-shaped fuel tank and a small nose fairing installed that improves its aesthetics but offers little protection against any incoming wind while riding. The Harley Low Rider S has a small front fender and a bigger rear mudguard with a taillight, turn signals, and a license plate holder installed. The frame and engine are blacked-out with two separate and simple parallel mufflers.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 looks similar to the Harley Davidson Low Rider S as it also comes with a small nose fairing, two separate parallel mufflers, and blacked-out parts. It has a small front fender and an average-sized rear fender. The turn signals and license plate bracket are mounted on the frame. The front tire is positioned far in front of the handlebars due to its bigger trail and rake angle.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 have similar-shaped side mirrors mounted on the handlebars. However, both motorcycles have differently shaped handlebars. The Harley Iron 1200 has high risers installed that give the handlebars extra height and are tilted towards the rider.

Both the Harley Davidson Low Rider S’s front and rear wheels are made of radiate cast aluminum in dark bronze color and covered in a Michelin Scorcher™ 31 110/90B19,62H,BW front tire and a 180/70B16,77H,BW rear tire.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has nine-spoked, blacked-out wheels covered in a Michelin Scorcher™ 31 100/90B19 57H front tire and a 150/80B16 77H rear tire.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S has a fuel tank capacity of 5 gals, making it suitable for touring and long-distance trips. The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has an overall narrow design and a small fuel tank capacity of 3.3 gals, not enough to go touring.

The 2022 Harley Davidson Low Rider S has a low seat height of 27 inches and a wet weight of 307.99 kg, making it tough to handle low-speed travel. Also, if you have taller legs, the large air breather installed on the right side may become pressed against your shin.

Having relaxed riding ergonomics and upfront foot controls comparable to a cruiser, the Harley Low Rider S provides a compact sitting position with mid-mounted foot controls. However, this makes it less comfortable than a cruiser. Also, this motorcycle’s weight shifts to the front end while maneuvering or turning at low speeds.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S is more comfortable in almost every aspect than the Harley Iron 1200. Because of the Iron 1200’s narrow design, the pressure shifts mainly to the rider’s spine.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is good for short rides as this motorcycle becomes less uncomfortable after an hour of riding. The seat height of 25.7 inches, compact legroom, and raise handlebars are ideal for small and average-sized riders but it can also accommodate taller riders as well.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 come with a solo rider seat. The Harley Low Rider S has a deeper, cushioned seat that offers soft back support for the rider. The Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s seat is similar in design to the Harley Low Rider S, the only difference being that it is flatter. It also offers little back support for the rider.

Harley Davidson Low Rider S

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S is fitted with one-inch handlebars that are mounted on four-inch risers.  The rider has to extend his/her arms to reach the Low R Harley ider S’s handlebars. The handlebars are considerably higher than the low seat height, resulting in a slightly forward riding position. Having to raise your arms so high can be tiring if the rider does not take regular breaks in intervals.

Harley Davidson Iron 1200

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s handlebar has high risers but thanks to its swept-back angle, the rider can reach the handlebars while relaxing the arms. The Harley Iron 1200’s handlebar position ensures an upright back position while riding.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 have mid-mounted foot controls that prevent riders from stretching their legs and forcing them to lean forward slightly.

The Harley Low Rider S’s low seat height, high handlebars, and mid-mounted foot controls ensure an upright riding position. Meanwhile, the Harley Iron 1200 also offers an upright riding position.

Despite all the advantages the Harley Davidson Low Rider S has, its price is way higher than the Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s price. Also, its insurance is higher and its aftermarket parts, including the seat and handlebar risers, are more expensive too.

The 2022 Harley Davidson Low Rider S has a base price of $17, 530. Meanwhile, the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has a base price of $10, 249.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is a good beginner motorbike because of its low performance. Its engine does not produce much horsepower and torque. Also, its narrow design and low weight make it easy to handle.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 can be transformed into a good touring motorcycle if modified with Harley Iron 1200 aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags. These aftermarket parts include SADDLEBAGS, CRASH BARS, FAIRINGS, HANDLEBARS, SEATS, SISSY BARS, and BACKRESTS.

A well-maintained and regularly inspected Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 can last for more than 75,000 miles or 15 years if you ride 5,000 miles per year.

The Harley Davidson Sportster line-up, particularly the Iron 883 and Iron 1200, are underpowered motorcycles that saw most of their sales being women. They do not produce much horsepower and torque due to being lightweight and nimble vehicles. These qualities make them ideal for women riders.

The Harley Davidson Low Rider S is an expert motorcycle as it produces more horsepower and torque, and has good throttle response. Too heavy for beginners, even an experienced rider has to put in the effort while maneuvering at low speeds.

On the other hand, the Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is a good beginner motorbike with its low weight, narrow design, nimble handling, and underpowered performance. Because of these attributes, the Sportster Iron models became popular among women riders.

Overall, the Harley Davidson Low Rider S has better overall performance with good touring capability. It can be modified further by purchasing aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags. The aftermarket parts that are specially designed for the Harley Low Rider S include SADDLEBAGS, HANDLEBARS, and SISSY BARS.