Is Harley's New Low Rider S Their Best Handling Motorcycle?

There are many different opinions regarding the Harley Low Rider S on the internet. Those who don’t know the bike and haven’t test-ridden it remain confused regarding whether to go for the Low Rider S or a Sportster.

People start comparing the Low Rider S with Harley Sportsters mainly because of its handling. Considering the type of bike the H-D Low Rider is, it looks minimalistic, nimble, and aggressive around corners.

For those who are confused about whether to buy the Low Rider S or some other Harley motorcycle that handles great, this article answers all the questions for you.

“Is Harley's New Low Rider S Their Best Handling Motorcycle?” Almost every Harley enthusiast asks this question. Therefore, it must be answered so that riders can make a decision if they are confused about choosing between two or three motorcycles.

Continue reading this article to know whether the Harley’s New Low Rider S is their best-handling motorcycle.

Whether the Low Rider S is Harley’s best-handling motorcycle depends on riders’ preferences and skill levels. Considering the whole package, motorcycle’s size, class, category, weight, and type, it may be the best handling Harley for most experienced riders.

However, for the rest of the riders, the Harley lineup offers better options if they are looking solely for great handling and nimbleness.

According to most reviews and users’ opinions, the Harley-Davidson Pan America is considered the best-handling Harley ever produced.

However, it is unfair to compare the Harley Pan America with the Low Rider S. Though the Low Rider S has an aggressive and sportier style, it is still a cruiser motorcycle. Meanwhile, the H-D Pan America belongs to the ADV motorcycle category.

The Harley Low Rider S is primarily designed for better linear stability, comfort, and superior long-distance riding experience.

Meanwhile, the H-D Pan America is built to overcome multiple terrains and challenges with superior maneuverability. Thus, it is obvious that Pan America handled the situation better than Pan America.

Suppose your sole purpose or preference is to buy a better Harley-Davidson bike with light handling, maneuverability, and cornering. In that case, the Sportsters are better than the Low Rider S.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster models are particularly built to be lightweight, with aggressive riding stances to make them more nimble. Sportsters are easier to ride and lean better than the Low Rider S.

Harley Sportsters are perfect for winding down backcountry twisty roads and canyon carving. However, that’s not the whole story. The Low Rider S still attracts many riders thanks to its premium, classy nature and better torque delivery.

Before we get into the details of Low Rider S’ handling, we need to discuss the profile of this bike.

The Harley Low Rider S is a cruiser motorbike, also known as the performance cruiser. It is one of the lightest Harley-Davidson cruiser motorcycles with a powerful engine. It is a stripped-down cruiser bike with only a small nose fairing installed for aesthetics.

The Harley Low Rider S is a classic bike with the least modern features. It has a minimalistic design and elements. The purpose of this bike is to let riders enjoy the raw riding experience with a timeless design.

The Low Rider S handles considerably better than other Harley cruisers and baggers. However, it is not as agile as Harley Sportsters.

Though this bike is substantially stripped down with minimal elements, being a Harley, it is considerably heavier than most cruisers. The 2024 Low Rider S has a wet weight of 679 lbs (308 kg).

Therefore, considering its 117 cu in (1917.29 cc) engine displacement and weight, it is unsuitable for beginners.

If you are a cruiser guy with experience riding such cruisers, the Low Rider S handles well. The standout performance feature of this bike is its stability. It feels quite planted on straight roads.

Despite being heavier, the low seat height and low center of gravity help keep this bike upright. If the rider is trained enough, this bike can be easily handled while cornering.

The Low Rider S does a pretty good job of cornering. However, it is heavyweight and low to the ground enough to avoid leaning too much. The Steering or handlebar feedback is responsive enough to make cornering easier for trained riders.

However, you will need to use your muscles to countersteer the bike while cornering. If you can push the bars heavily, cornering feels quite rigid and pleasant.

The Low Rider S has a 43 mm single cartridge, an inverted front fork, and a hidden single mono-shock with hydraulic preload adjustment, giving it a hardtail look. The suspension keeps this bike stable while cornering.

Riders need to slow down a bit when dealing with twisty roads and sharp corners. They also need to take tight corners on the Low Rider S a bit calmly.

The 2024 Low Rider S has a rake angle of 28°, making it slightly steeper than other cruisers with a 30° rake angle. The steeper rake angle allows for better responsiveness while turning the handlebars and sharper steering.

However, due to the bike's weight, the 28° rake angle doesn’t make much difference compared to 30°.

The fact is that anything less than a 28° rake angle is not suitable on cruiser motorcycles. It can interfere with the stability of a cruiser bike in a bad way.

The Low Rider S has a slightly steeper rake angle of 28° because it is an aggressive-style performance cruiser.

The Harley Low Rider S looks like an ideal classic cruiser but is also a modern bike in design and riding style. It is ideally designed for both worlds. It is a great choice for those looking to travel within the city on a Harley-style bike every day.

Meanwhile, do not underestimate its cruising ability. This bike is comfortable enough to cover miles, and its 117 cubic-inch Milwauke-Eight 117 V-Twin engine is powerful if you want extreme fun on a cruiser bike like the Low Rider S.

Despite being huge, heavy, and loud, the Low Rider S is a true Harley to ride that feels like an original Harley. The handling and cornering abilities of this bike are good only if you know how to muscle a big bike like the Low Rider S.

Whether cornering sharply on twisty roads or braking hard on the Low Rider S, you need to apply all your force to ride it perfectly.

The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S may be the most simplistic and stripped-down cruiser in the Harley cruiser lineup. However, it is considerably heavy and a full-sized motorcycle. It is referred to as a performance cruiser because it is fitted with a large-displacement Milwaukee-Eight engine.

The Low Rider S is the lightest cruiser with a highly potent M-8 engine, so it feels incredibly quick. Its low-end grunt makes it exceptional for riders who want a torquey motor on a stylishly classic bike.

Though the Low Rider S can go extremely fast, it requires slowing down when overcoming tight corners. Being a performance cruiser, it is a bit sporty and aggressive. However, it doesn’t turn corners like a sports bike. While handling this bike on tight corners, you must respect its weight, stature, and size.