Take a Ride: 2022 Low Rider S 117 M8

In recent years, the Low Rider S has taken its spot in the stable as Harleys canyon carving, west coast style ride and earned its place, deservedly, as the number one choice for performance junkies. For a few years the bar and shield turned these bikes out equipped with the 114’’ M8 with a brilliant canvas for customization. That was until in early 2022 when they disappeared from the website. The rumor mill lit ablaze online and in dealerships with whispers Harley was re-releasing the Low Rider S with a bit more gusto. It was announced shortly thereafter the 2022 Low Rider S would come with a 117’’ M8, new intake, and a raised rear suspension. The people spoke. The MoCo listened.

While a larger motor and suspension upgrades are the main selling points for the new 2022 Low Rider S, ergonomically and aesthetically HD has also put their nose to the grindstone. In previous years tank mounted gauges were stock and while I liked the lines and the side profile look these created (not to mention they’re classic), when riding the bike aggressively, a quick view to the tach was no easy task. Harley changed this in 2022 combining the speedo and tach into one gauge, an analogue tach with an electric speedometer mounted directly on the bars. What the Low Rider S lost in nostalgia, it gained in functionality. To combat the loss of gauge nostalgia, HD design department stuck with the classic logo on the tank. While the big changes are the most noticeable, it’s the small detail touches that make the difference. The FXLRS badge on the top of the tank is done with the same bronze flake paint as the 117’’ badge that adorns the intake which matches the bronze flake painted bar and shield on the timing cover. This trio visually ties the bike together thematically. Going one step further, the MoCo has also done away with boring plain fork tube tops and added a more stylized top for a finished look. It’s these little premium detail touches that keeps the eyes on the bike long past a first view.

So the new 2022 Low Rider S looks great, but how does it ride? The short answer is like a beast. While the addition of three cubic inches to the Milwaukee 8 may not seem like a big improvement, one twist of the throttle proves that theory wrong. With a stout 125 ft-lbs of torque at 3500 rpm it’s easy to see what Harley is going after. Most riders after purchasing a bike do a Stage I or Stage II upgrade to increase power but the FXLRS already feels as if it has had a Stage I upgrade. Laying on the throttle sits you back hard in the saddle as the bike takes off showing its muscle.

The other major improvement on the Low Rider S heading into 2022 is the suspension. Harley Davidson has kicked up the rear to accomplish 4.4 inches of suspension travel in turn giving the rider an additional 1.3 degrees of lean angle in the corners. This allows the rider to use that extra horsepower and torque to canyon cave harder than on the previous Low Rider S, or any other stock Harley for that matter cementing its place as the top horse in the stable.

If you were a fan of the Dyna, visually enjoy the west coast styling, and are looking for a bike that begs to be ridden aggressively yet can still comfortably put down miles, the 2022 Low Rider S should top your list of potential rides. Out of all of the bikes I’ve ridden over years on Ride and Rally shoots, the 2022 Low Rider S will be my first choice the next time the road calls.