MotoAmerica’s revolutionary King of the Baggers series has changed how motorcyclists view cruisers. While relaxed low-and-slow cruisers remain for casual rides, hot-rodding is now mainstream. The 2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is the beneficiary of that new attitude. It features a new Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output (H.O.) motor that is ready to push you back in its comfortable and supportive seat as it hurtles down the road. Of course, there’s more to the new Low Rider S, as it benefits from the lineup-wide upgrades applied to the Softails—known as Cruisers in current H-D marketing lingo. So, let’s go riding.
- The Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output motor is not playing. It’s not just about the 128 ft-lbs of torque it delivers at 4000 rpm and the 114 horsepower at 5000 rpm. Updates include new cylinder heads, an aluminum contoured intake manifold, and improved oil cooling. The 117 High Output has an electronics package that exploits the potential of the muscular powerplant. Let me mention right now how cool the Heavy Breather intake looks.
- Three power modes mean business. It used to be you got one state of tune from a big-inch Harley-Davidson powerplant, and you did what you could with it. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 H.O. motor has Sport, Road, and Rain modes at your disposal. In addition to altering the throttle response, the modes feature distinct traction control, engine braking, and ABS settings. They’re packages that make a difference.
- Sport mode is like nothing you’ve felt on a Harley-Davidson Softail. The throttle response is instant and highly rewarding. The new tuning lets the engine rev quickly to that 128 ft-lb torque peak and reveling in its commitment to acceleration. Sport mode is a blast around town, though you do have to mind your right wrist—you can get in big trouble quickly. In the canyons, where the new suspension settings shine, you don’t have to worry about carrying corner speed. Just twist the throttle and hang on. If you’re really sloppy, the throttle can seem notchy—something new for Harley-Davidson, which has motors that reliably deliver relentlessly smooth power.
- Sport riding the Low Rider S is unspeakably enjoyable. The ergonomics are a bit odd—it’s like a sporting position rotated rearward at 30 degrees (wild guess, here). It feels cramped initially, though comfortable once you get adjusted to it. This results in good control, thanks to the compact grips, pegs, and seat triangle. It also aids in cornering clearance, as it takes some effort to touch anything down. If you have chicken strips on the Michelin Scorcher 31 tires, you’ll have only yourself to blame. For the truly committed sport rider, you can turn off the traction control and let physics have the final word.
- Aiding in the Low Rider S’s cornering prowess are new suspension settings. Harley-Davidson engineers discovered that multiple spring rates are not the hot ticket for handling, as they allow excessive pitch change during acceleration and braking. The new S has straight spring rates at both ends for predictable movement through the travel of the inverted 43mm fork and single shock. Speaking of travel, it is well-regulated and generous—five inches in the front and 4.4 inches in the back. Square-edged holes can get through to you, but the rider is otherwise treated nicely.
- Braking is strong, with a good balance between the front and rear. As usual with Harley-Davidson Cruisers, you don’t want to rely exclusively on the front brake. The 292mm rear disc has plenty to offer, though the twin 300mm discs in the front will have their say, despite the lack of radial mounting for the Harley-Davidson-branded calipers. ABS, once a weak spot for Harley-Davidson, now excels with cornering-aware tech that includes traction control and engine braking. Although the faithful may not like all the electronics, they work fantastically, and you don’t feel nagged.
- If you’re marking your territory around town or riding casually through the twisties, Road mode keeps things comfortable. This is more like what veteran Harley-Davidson riders expect, only with far more power on tap. The motor responds appropriately when you get on the throttle, though it resists the temptation to get snatchy if you’re lazy. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 H.O. is still far from shy, and it’s not likely anyone will successfully challenge you. The power is there when you want it, while staying unobtrusive when you just want to get to that watering hole. Freeway stability is good, and the bike feels planted at 100 mph, which it reaches effortlessly. The bikini fairing probably makes a difference, though not much of one. At stops on warm days, your right leg gets toasted by the rear cylinder—position your leg accordingly.
- There’s a Rain mode for those wet days. I only rode the 2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S in the dry, so I can’t tell you how it will work on a rainy day. However, clicking it into Rain mode certainly has a taming effect. Me? I just leave it parked if it looks like rain—cleaning the bike isn’t high on my list of pastimes.
- The analog-style speedometer sits on the handlebar clamp. That makes it easy to read. The required LCD inset tells you what ride mode you’re in, how full the five-gallon fuel tank is, and has other scrollable information. It’s a good look.
- New switchgear makes the electronics simple to control. It’s easy to make desired changes. Having the right turn signal switch share duties with the mode selector sounds like a bad idea; however, it works. Additionally, the new angular shape of the turn signal switches represents a significant upgrade in usability.
- There has always been quite a bit to like about the Low Rider S, and this edition stretches its capabilities. Harley-Davidson has done a great job of leveraging the success of the King of the Baggers series, and even hired MotoAmerica photo ace Brian J. Nelson to shoot our action photos. Sure, there’s nothing inherently wrong about wanting to ride in a relaxed manner. However, motorcycles such as the 2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S offer up a performance temptation that is hard to resist.
Action photography by Brian J. Nelson
Static location photography by Kevin Wing
RIDING STYLE
2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output 45-degree V-twin
- Displacement: 117 ci (1923cc)
- Bore x stroke: 4.075” x 4.5”
- Maximum power: 114 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
- Maximum torque: 128 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm
- Compression ratio: 10.3:1
- Valvetrain: Single cam w/ pushrods; 4 vpc
- Exhaust: 2-into-1; catalyst in header
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed Cruise Drive
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist function
- Primary drive: Chain
- Final drive: Belt
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable inverted 43mm single-cartridge fork; 5 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable shock; 4.4 inches
- Wheels: Radiate cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 19 x 2.5
- Rear wheel: 16 x 5
- Tires: Michelin Scorcher 31
- Front tire: 110/90-19
- Rear tire: 180-70-16
- Front brakes: 300mm discs w/ 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 292mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 63.6 inches
- Rake: 28 degrees
- Trail: 5.7 inches
- Seat height: 28.1 inches
- Fuel capacity: 5 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 47 mpg
- Curb weight: 670 pounds
COLORS
- Billiard Gray
- Vivid Black (+$350)
- Brilliant Red (+$650)
- Iron Horse Metallic (+$650)
- Mystic Shift (+$1200)
2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Price: from $19,999 MSRP
2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Review Photo Gallery
