Overview & Price
Performance And Engine
The Indian version of the Low Rider S uses a 1,923 cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output V-twin engine, producing 115.6 PS at 5,000 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. This setup gives strong acceleration, making it easy to overtake heavy trucks on highways. The engine is air- and oil-cooled, with high-flow heads, larger valves, and a freer-flowing intake and exhaust, emphasising lively performance rather than just low-end power. The deep exhaust note stands out on open roads. In real-world riding, the bike feels quick during roll-on acceleration from 60-120 km/h, even with its 308 kg weight. The engine works well across India’s different terrains, letting you cruise above 100 km/h without needing to downshift. However, in city traffic, the engine can get hot, so riders should be mindful of ventilation during the hottest months.
The bike uses a smooth 6-speed manual gearbox with a chain drive (34/46 ratio) to handle the engine’s power. The lower gears are close together for quick starts, while the top gear is tall for better fuel efficiency on highways at 100-140 km/h. The first gear ratio is 9.311:1 for strong launches, and the clutch is designed to be smooth in traffic and during hard shifts. In India, this transmission works well on roads like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, making it easy to hold gears thanks to the engine’s torque. However, chain drives require more frequent maintenance than belt drives, especially in dusty conditions.
Mileage And Fuel Efficiency
Similar Harley models with the 117 engine are ARAI-certified at about 18 kmpl, which translates to around 5.5 L/100 km. With the 18.9 L tank, you can expect a theoretical range of 340 km, though official Low Rider S figures are still pending. This makes it practical for planning 300 km trips with some fuel left in reserve.
In real-world use, the Low Rider S gets 14-17 kmpl in mixed conditions, but drops to 12-14 kmpl in heavy city traffic, especially in places like Delhi or Bangalore. Throttle use and extra weight affect these numbers. On the highway at 100 km/h, careful riders can get 16-18 kmpl. Monthly fuel costs are about ₹3,500-₹4,000 for 500 km on premium petrol, though prices vary. Weather, air-cooling, and carrying a passenger can lower the average to 15 kmpl, so expect to stop every 250-280 km on longer rides.
Features And Technology
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S enters the Indian market as a blacked-out performance cruiser. It features the Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output V-twin engine, premium suspension, multiple ride modes, and advanced safety technology for riders who enjoy aggressive riding on highways and winding roads
- Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output V-Twin: 1,923 cc air-/oil-cooled engine with high-flow heads, larger valves, and freer-flowing intake/exhaust pumping 114 HP at 5,000 rpm and 174 Nm at 4,000 rpm—sharp rev-happy power for Indian overtakes and spirited runs.
- Selectable Ride Modes: Road, Rain, Sport modes tailor throttle mapping, traction control, and ABS intervention for dry highways, wet monsoons, or aggressive canyon carving on ghat roads.
- Cornering Traction Control: Enhances rear grip during acceleration out of corners, vital for slippery rural tarmac or loaded highway blasts in India.
- Drag-Torque Slip Control (DTSC): Smooths engine braking to prevent rear wheel lock or hop on downshifts, key for traffic-heavy descents or panic stops.
- Cornering ABS & Linked Braking: Dual-channel ABS with lean-sensitive front/rear modulation and adjustable levers for precise control on potholed or gravel-strewn Indian surfaces.
- Cruise Control: Maintains set speeds effortlessly on long NH stretches like Delhi-Mumbai, reducing throttle fatigue during multi-hour tours.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Alerts to low pressures for safety on variable road temps and loads common in Indian touring.
- Premium Suspension: 43 mm inverted cartridge front forks (Showa-tuned, 122 mm travel) and piggyback monoshock rear (adjustable preload/rebound, 112 mm travel) for plush compliance over speed bumps and superior cornering poise.
- High-Performance Brakes: 300 mm dual floating front rotors with 4-piston radial callipers and 292 mm rear rotor with 2-piston calliper—towering stopping power tuned for heavy kerb weight and high speeds.
- Full LED Lighting: Adaptive LED headlamp (low/high/signature DRL), LED bullet turn signals, and buffet-style LED taillight for superior night visibility on dimly lit highways.
- Instrument Cluster: 102 mm analogue tach/speedo with digital readout for gear position, fuel, ride modes, TC/ABS status, TPMS, cruise, clock, trip A/B, range, and heated gear—glanceable info for mixed riding.
- Aggressive Dark Styling: Mid-mount controls, 19-inch front/16-inch rear black Radiate cast aluminium wheels (tubeless), headlamp cowl, blacked-out engine/transmission, and 2-into-2-1 exhaust for menacing muscle look at bike meets.
- Ergonomics & Dimensions: 710 mm seat height, 1,660 mm wheelbase, 171 mm ground clearance, 308 kg kerb, 18.9 L tank—forward-leaning sport-cruiser posture for dynamic control in traffic or leans.
- Chain Drive & Clutch: Robust 34/46 primary ratio with mechanical 10-plate wet assist clutch for precise shifts under hard acceleration.
- BS6 Phase 2 Compliance: Meets latest emission norms with refined EFI for reliable starts in cold Himalayan mornings or humid coastal heat.
Build Quality
Harley upholds elite construction on the India-bound Low Rider S via a high-tensile steel Softail frame—the stiffest in its class—bolstering the 308 kg kerb weight against twisting forces from uneven roads or hard launches, with powder-coated finishes and blacked-out components resisting rust in coastal humidity or dust bowls. The 117 HO engine boasts reinforced high-flow cylinder heads, larger valves, and a Heavy Breather intake for sustained high-rev durability, complemented by a performance 2-into-1 exhaust and a chain primary drive built for torque abuse, serviced via Harley’s expanding network of metro-stocked fast parts.
Showa inverted forks (43 mm, straight-rate springs), piggyback rear shock (hydraulic preload), and radial-mount Brembo callipers on 300 mm dual fronts exemplify precision assembly, with Michelin Scorcher 31 tyres (110/90-19 front, 180/70-16 rear) mounted tubeless for puncture resilience on debris-strewn tarmacs. Indian feedback praises vibration isolation at cruise and heat dissipation via cooling fins, though chain lubing demands diligence in grimy conditions; overall, it promises bulletproof longevity with regular 8,000 km intervals.
Handling
India-specific prowess defines the Low Rider S’s dynamics, thanks to a 1,660 mm wheelbase balancing straight-line stability on NH bomb blasts with flickable agility for ghat sweepers, aided by reduced rake and trail for quicker steering response than plush tourers. Showa suspension—122 mm front/112 mm rear travel with firm damping—devours mid-corner bumps without unsettling the line. At the same time, wide rubber and low CG enable planted leans beyond stock cruisers, enhanced by Sport mode’s sharp throttle and minimal TC intrusion on dry asphalt.
Cornering aids like lean-sensitive ABS, traction control, and DTSC shine in Rain mode for monsoon slicks or gravel, preventing slides during panic inputs. However, 171 mm clearance demands wheelie caution over deep craters. Users laud its canyon-carver poise—pressing bars initiates turns predictably, with mid-controls fostering confidence for 140 km/h sweepers—making it more involving than torque-biased siblings on twisty Mumbai-Pune or Lonavala climbs.
Comfort
The Low Rider S prioritises sporty ergonomics for India, with a 710 mm solo seat and forward mid-pegs creating a tucked, knees-up posture ideal for aggressive riding without hunching, while 4-inch moto risers position chunky bars for wrist-neutral control over hours. Rear shock’s hydraulic preload tunes for solo/pillion loads on tours, absorbing highway chatter plushly at 100-120 km/h, with forks filtering urban rumble effectively, though firmer settings transmit sharp hits.
Vibration from the revvy 117 HO buzzes pegs/bars characterfully up to 4,000 rpm but fades at cruise, minimised by rubber mounts; cruise control eases throttle arm on endless straights, USB-C powers devices, and TPMS prevents flats mid-journey. Pillion space is tight for long hauls sans backrest, making it suited to short rides. At the same time, solo comfort excels for 400 km days, barring summer leg-roast from pipes—overall, a fatigue-fighter for dynamic souls over pure loungers.
Styling
India-spec Low Rider S screams dark-side aggression via a fully blacked-out motif: wrinkle-black engine covers, gloss-black forks/triple clamps, matte-black headlamp nacelle, and Jet Black exhaust shields, crafting a stealth predator ready for urban prowls or canyon hunts. The slim Softail tank flaunts bold graphics with “Low Rider S” badging, steep-backed solo seat hugs the tail for a chopped stance, while 19/16-inch Radiate black cast wheels (optional laced) and tucked 2-into-2-1 pipes underscore muscular minimalism—mirroring club-style customs without fab-shop sweat.
This head-turner thrives in India’s vibrant scene, its cowled LED headlamp piercing night traffic on Marine Drive, compact 2,345 mm length threading gaps effortlessly, and mid-controls/moto risers projecting forward aggression that photographs well for Insta tours. Heritage nods as the horseshoe tank console blends with modern LED taillights’ smoked lens, ensuring a standout presence amid chrome-heavy rivals.
Colour Options And Variants
Harley outfits the Low Rider S for India with five premium hues, kicking off with:
- Dark Billiard Gray
- Vivid Black
- Blood Orange
- White Onyx Pearl
- Aurora Blue Denim
Durability shines with UV/scratch-resistant clears over graphics, tank medallions, and fenders—crucial for monsoons or salty coasts—allowing seamless matching to optional chrome/black trim kits. Indian portals highlight Vivid Black’s low-maintenance appeal in dusty climes, while pearls pop at meets.
The Low Rider S arrives in India as a mono-variant headliner with Milwaukee-Eight 117 HO across all, subdivided by paint/trim combos. Dealership custom packs add solo/double seats or bags. Still, the core remains singularly potent, pricing competitively vs the sportier Sportster S while offering bigger-displacement drama—perfect for buyers seeking one-and-done performance without tier confusion.
Value For Money And Pricing
Ex-showroom for the Low Rider S starts at ₹ 16,41,728 for the base variant. The Low Rider S packs elite value via 114 HP/174 Nm 117 HO (shared with ₹35 lakh+ tourers), Showa USD forks/piggyback shock, Brembo brakes, and lean-sensitive electronics—elevating it beyond torque cruisers into sport territory for ghat shredders or highway blasters.
ARAI ~18 kmpl curbs running costs (₹4,000 monthly/500 km), strong resale (75-80% after 2 years), and 10,000 km intervals (~₹12-18k) suit 8,000 km/year owners, outshining costlier Euros in big-twin drama. Drawbacks like chain maintenance and heat pale in comparison to rivals’ milder power; Indian verdicts hail it as the “ultimate bang-for-buck performer” for thrill-per-rupee, especially versus smaller-displacement pretenders
The Low Rider S spars with
- Indian Scout Rogue
- Bonneville Bobber
- Streetfighter V2
- BMW R nineT
- Kawasaki Z900RS
