The Lowrider ST is one of the most versatile Harleys in the lineup. Three different characters all in one!

Harley-Davidson Lowrider ST…From 3,228,000 yen (released July 3, 2025)

The Lowrider ST was released as a new model for the 2022 season. At the time, the price started from 3,062,000 yen. This year, in its fourth season, the muffler has been changed from two exhausts on the right to two exhausts on the left, making the shape of the saddlebags symmetrical.

This is the 2024 Lowrider ST, priced from 3,165,800 yen. Comparing them like this, you can see that the previous model had a smaller saddlebag on the right side.

Looking from directly behind, you can see that the left and right saddlebags are the same size. Although I wasn’t able to find specific figures, the capacity should have increased considerably.

Previously, only “black trim” was available, with major parts such as engine covers and mufflers unified in black, but the 2025 model also includes a new “chrome trim” option for some body colors (gray, black, and blue). The color variations have increased from four in the 2024 season to five colors and eight patterns this year. The most expensive combination is Midnight Firestorm + black trim, which costs a total of 3,561,800 yen.

New riding modes significantly change the character of the bike

Going back eight years, there was a shocking change in the Harley-Davidson lineup. The Softail and Dyna families, which had been separate for many years, were merged at the start of the 2018 season and reborn with a new frame and engine. The new Softail-design chassis, with its cleverly hidden rear shock, was fitted with a newly designed, air-oil-cooled, 45° V-twin “Milwaukee-Eight” engine mounted on a rigid mount. This merged group was named the “Cruiser Family,” and its lineage continues to this day.

What we’re introducing today is the latest model of the Lowrider ST, a member of the cruiser family that first appeared in 2022. The model was created by Japanese designer Dice Nagao, and is based on the FXRT, which was sold from 1986 to the mid-1990s. I was one of those who fell in love with it the moment I saw the photo, and I was particularly struck by the limited edition “El Diablo” color, which sold out immediately in 2022.

Let’s start with the engine. Since its debut as a 2022 model, the Lowrider ST has been equipped with the largest Milwaukee-Eight 117 (1923cc) engine. This is in contrast to other cruiser models, which use displacements such as 107ci = 1745cc or 114ci = 1868cc. The latest 2025 model features a new riding mode selector and a 2-in-1 muffler.

The Cruiser family is equipped with a 1923cc air-oil-cooled, four-stroke OHV, four-valve, 45° V-twin engine, which comes in three variations: Classic with a maximum output of 92.3 PS, Custom with 104.4 PS, and High Output with 115.6 PS, with the Low Rider ST being equipped with the most powerful High Output. The 2025 model features a riding mode selector, with Sport, Road, and Rain modes changing the engine characteristics as well as the intervention level of the ABS and traction control. In addition, the engine redline has been raised from 5600 rpm to 5900 rpm.

A heavy breather intake that improves filling efficiency and peak torque. The words “HIGH OUTPUT” can be seen on the side emblem.

The muffler has been changed from the twin silencer that was the mainstream for the Cruiser family to a newly designed 2-in-1 type for the 2025 model.

I sat down on the low solo seat and started the engine. Thanks to the dual counterbalancer, vibrations were suppressed to an extent that it was hard to believe it was a rigid mount, and there was no unpleasant shaking even at idle around 900 rpm. And yet, the energy hidden in the large-displacement V-twin was transmitted firmly along with its heartbeat and sound.

I put the gear in low and engaged the clutch. Then, even though I barely opened the throttle, the bike lurched forward. I instinctively applied the rear brake to slow it down. I had just test-ridden a Harley Street Glide Ultra, also with a 1923cc engine, the other day, but it was clearly more powerful, with more torque. The fact that the Lowrider ST is 70kg lighter was directly reflected in the feel.

On public roads, the maximum you can rev it to is 3000 rpm. Even within that range, the sheer torque of the 1923cc engine is overwhelmingly felt through the kick of each combustion stroke. Opening the throttle wide open produces an acceleration force that can be described as a rush. However, the lack of any sense of ferocity is perhaps due to the minimal vibration transmitted to the body and the bike’s responsiveness to the movements of your right hand.

The riding modes are clearly differentiated between Sport, Road, and Rain. In the most powerful Sport mode, you’ll feel a sudden shift in the seat, clearly shifting your hips, and this starts just above idle. In contrast, Rain mode, designed for riding in the rain, gently responds across the entire range, but without the time lag of the old CV carburetors, making it easy to handle on any road surface. And Road mode, which is between these two, lets you experience the power of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 across the entire range, without showing off acceleration more than the rider desires. It’s truly impressive how one engine can so clearly create three distinct characters.

This is a handling machine, with great wind protection and load capacity.

The Cruiser family frame has a hardtail-like appearance, a concept that is similar to that of the old Softail family. However, the position of the rear suspension shock unit shows that the two are different. The old model had two shocks arranged horizontally below the engine, while the current model has one under the seat. It’s easier to understand if you think of it as a linkless cantilever type.

The old Softail frame looked like a rigid suspension (hardtail) but actually had a hidden rear suspension mechanism. The Cruiser family inherited that concept while adopting a new layout that places the rear shock under the seat. The Lowrider ST’s shock unit is equipped with a hydraulic preload controller.

The Lowrider ST, like its sibling Lowrider S, uses a longer rear shock absorber to increase wheel travel while setting the caster angle at a slightly steeper 28°. This has a tremendous effect, resulting in extremely natural handling. At 323 kg, the bike is by no means light, but once it starts moving, it doesn’t wobble at very slow speeds and responds very quickly to inputs. The steering angle is neutral like a naked bike, and the banking angle is ample, making it possible to ride smoothly on winding roads.

When turning at high speeds, you can feel the weight due to the inertial mass and aerodynamics of the cowling, but that’s about the extent of the concern. The front fork works great, so you feel extremely secure while cornering. In addition, the rigidity of the entire chassis is very high, so I really felt that the current cruiser frame is sportier than the previous Dyna family.

The wheel diameter is 19 inches in the front and 16 inches in the rear, and the standard tires are Michelin Scorchers. The inverted telescopic fork has an inner tube diameter of 43 mm and uses a single cartridge. The front brake is a dual disc.

Of the seven models in the 2025 Cruiser family, only the Lowrider ST and S models feature an inverted fork and double disc brakes on the front. The fact that a body weighing over 300 kg can be decelerated firmly with a light lever input is not just due to the high stopping power of the brakes, but also to the high rigidity of the forks and frame that can absorb the force. Furthermore, excellent controllability and the ability to freely adjust speed make this machine a machine that you’ll want to ride in a sporty manner. The Lowrider ST also features advanced ABS and traction control that take lean angle into account, as well as DSCS (Drag Torque Slip Control System) that reduces engine braking, which also provide great peace of mind.

The wind protection provided by the cowling is clearly more comfortable than on a regular naked bike, and although I feel a moderate amount of wind pressure on the upper half of my helmet for someone my height of 175cm, the large slits eliminate wind noise. Another thing I found convenient was the saddlebags that come as standard, which will allow you to carry your luggage smartly even on overnight trips.

In Harley’s current lineup, the Lowrider ST is undoubtedly one of the most versatile models, competing for first or second place. The iconic cowling in particular is not only stylish, but also impeccable in terms of functionality. I’m proud that it was created by a Japanese designer in faraway America.

Riding position and foot reach (175cm/68kg)

The footpegs are positioned at the mid-control position, the lean angle is sufficient, and the slim solo seat provides firm support for the rider’s lower back during intense acceleration.

The seat height is 715mm, which is the same as or even lower than that of a 50cc scooter. As you can see, the foot reach is excellent, and both feet can firmly support the vehicle’s weight of 323kg.

Detailed explanation

The Lowrider ST’s frame-mounted cowling gives it a Road Glide-like feel, a member of the Grand American Touring family. However, the inside of the cowling is very simple, effectively differentiating it from the Road Glide.

The LCD meter, which was previously embedded in the handlebar clamp, has been replaced with a 4-inch analog type for the 2025 model. The internal LCD display is small but multifunctional, and also displays the tachometer numerically.

The switch box has been completely redesigned. The passing switch has been moved to a position that is easier to operate with the index finger, and a riding mode selection button has been added. Cruise control is now standard equipment.

A deep solo seat is standard equipment and can be removed to adjust rear shock preload.

The cowling design was inspired by the FXRT, which was released in 1986. It was completed after undergoing computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wind tunnel testing, and actual riding tests. The LED headlight has a diameter of 146mm.

The 2025 model gets LED front and rear turn signals, and the taillight design has also been changed.

The saddlebags (pannier cases) can be removed without tools and have a maximum load capacity of 6.8 kg (per side).

There is a USB-C port on the lower left side of the steering head.

Harley-Davidson Lowrider ST Main Specifications

Dimensions:

Length 2,360 mm ,

Width 890 mm

, Seat height (unladen) 715 mm,

Ground clearance 145 mm,

Rake 28,

Trail 145 mm,

Wheelbase 1,615 mm

, Tires, Type Michelin™ Scorcher 31, front and

rear , Tires, Front 110/90B19 62H BW

, Tires, Rear 180/70B16 77H BW,

Fuel capacity 18.9 L

, Oil capacity (with filter) 4.7 L,

Kerb weight 323 kg,

Luggage capacity (volume) 0.056 m3

[Engine]

Milwaukee-Eight™ 117 High Output

Engine Bore 103.5 mm

Stroke 114.3 mm

Displacement 1,923 cc

Compression Ratio 10.3:1

Fuel System Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Exhaust 2-in-1, Catalyzer (Header)

Performance:

Engine Torque Test Method EC 134/2014

Engine Torque 173 Nm

Engine Torque (rpm) 4000

Horsepower 114 HP / 85 kW @ 5020 rpm

Lean Angle, Right (degrees) 31.3

Lean Angle, Left (degrees) 31.3

Fuel Economy Test Method EU 134/2014

Fuel Economy 5.6 L/100 km

Drivetrain:

Primary drive chain, gear ratio: 34/46;

1st gear ratio (overall): 9.311

; 2nd gear ratio (overall): 6.454;

3rd gear ratio (overall): 4.793

; 4th gear ratio (overall): 3.882

; 5th gear ratio (overall): 3.307;

6th gear ratio (overall): 2.79

[Chassis]

Front fork: Single cartridge 43 mm, aluminum fork triple clamp, single rate spring,

rear shock: Free piston coilover mono shock, 56 mm stroke, hydraulic preload adjustment

, optional style type: Radial finish black aluminum cast

wheel, front type: Chrome, radial finish aluminum cast

wheel, rear type: Chrome, radial finish aluminum cast

wheel, brakes: Caliper type: Front: 4-piston fixed, rear: Floating 2-piston

brake, rotor type: Black, split 7-spoke floating rotor (front & rear)

[Electrical equipment]

Lights (in accordance with each country’s regulations), headlamps, tail/stop/front signal lights. Headlamps: All LED, low beam, high beam and signature position lamps. Tail/stop: LED buffet tail lamps. Front signal lights: LED bullet turn

signals. Gauges: 4-inch analog speedometer. Digital displays for gear, odometer, fuel gauge, ride mode, heat gear, traction control, ABS, TPMS, cruise control, clock, mileage, range and tachometer.