Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST: faired cruiser with hard bags, 114 hp 117 High Output V-twin, 323 kg, €25,590. Full specs, press reviews and rivals.
At a glance
The Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST is the "mini-bagger" version of the Low Rider S: the same Softail frame and 1,923 cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output V-twin (114 hp, 173 Nm), plus a frame-mounted FXRT-style fairing and two removable hard bags. Priced from €25,590 in France, it targets riders who want the punch of a performance cruiser with room for a weekend away, up against the Indian Sport Chief RT and the BMW R 18 B. Reviewers praise the engine, the best handling in the Softail range and an effective fairing, but criticise high footpegs, 323 kg and bags that hold only 56 litres.
World press review
Meta-score
11 sources
Press ratings
Score shared by the Low Rider S and Low Rider ST: the best-performing Softails, with a much more precise chassis and a very lively engine in Sport mode; high-knee ergonomics and a slightly distant handlebar.
Easily the best-handling Softail, with an excellent screen, a comfortable seat and unobtrusive electronics; panniers small in practice and a high price.
Alongside the Low Rider S, the best combination of power, handling and looks in the Cruiser range; the ST is almost the same bike, plus the weight of its fairing and bags.
A genuine sport-tourer in its own way: a ferocious engine in Sport mode, predictable handling, good protection; little legroom and a spongy rear brake.
A surprisingly sporty bagger with a hard-hitting engine and much better braking than other Softails; unusual ergonomics and average comfort.
Test of the 2022-2024 generation: superb 117 engine, agile chassis for 327 kg; no traction control and sparse equipment for the price.
Test of the 2022-2024 generation: compliant ride, grunty engine and upright position; pricey, tiny display and restrictive stock pipes.
Launch test: the ST rides even better than the Low Rider S thanks to its stiffer fork; helmet buffeting caused by the non-closable centre vent.
Launch test: "the best bike Harley has ever built" for its blend of power and touring ability; the lack of traction control was regretted in the wet.
Launch test: far more comfortable than the Low Rider S thanks to the fairing, easy to handle despite 327 kg; slightly agricultural ABS and aching hips after two hours.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
Two numeric scores cover the current generation (117 High Output, 2025 and 2026 model years, technically identical): 5/5 from MCN (September 2025) and 85/100 from Motorcycle.com (March 2025), a score shared by the Low Rider S and Low Rider ST tested together. The meta-score of 93/100 is the average of these two scores (100 and 85). Visordown, Cycle World, Ultimate Motorcycling and Moto-Net tested it without a numeric score. The scores of the 2022-2024 generation (4/5 from MCN, 8/10 from WhichCar) are listed for reference but do not count towards the meta-score.
What reviewers like: the 117 High Output, which “revs higher, pulls harder” according to MCN and whose acceleration Moto-Net praises; handling and braking that Visordown, Cycle World and Moto-Net rank above the other Softails; an effective fairing, with Visordown praising the screen and Ultimate Motorcycling the protection; unobtrusive electronic aids and excellent cruise control (Visordown, Ultimate Motorcycling); widely praised FXRT styling.
What they criticise: high-knee ergonomics and a slightly distant handlebar (Motorcycle.com), very high, too-forward footpegs and average comfort (Moto-Net), little legroom (Ultimate Motorcycling); bags smaller than they look and a high price (Visordown); a spongy rear brake (Ultimate Motorcycling). On the first generation, MCN and Motorrad regretted the lack of traction control, fixed in 2025, and Cycle World reported helmet buffeting.
The 2025 tests welcome the arrival of electronic aids: Moto-Net finds the lean-sensitive traction control effective, and MCN is glad to see the new 4-inch gauge, far easier to read than the tiny display of the first generation, which WhichCar and Cycle World found hard to read.
Moto-Net sums it up neatly: “a surprisingly sporty bagger”, as long as you accept the riding position.
Key quotes
"The new motor has the guts and gusto to induce an irresistible smile – it revs higher, pulls harder and with less weight to lug, feels brighter."
"In terms of stop, go, and handling, it is easily the best of Harley-Davidson's Softail line-up."
"It's the ergonomics that leave me wanting."
"The Low Rider S and ST brake hard, to the point where you can feel the 43 mm fork twisting when you grab the right lever abruptly!"
"Combining power, touring ability, performance and style, the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST is unquestionably the best bike Harley has ever built."
"Harley-Davidson, a company that is constantly seeking the right balance of heritage and performance, has nailed it with this model."
Pros
- 117 High Output engine with 114 hp and 173 Nm, lively up to 5,900 rpm
- Best handling and braking in the Softail range, according to reviewers
- Frame-mounted fairing that works well against the wind
- Cornering-optimised electronic aids and standard cruise control
- Lockable hard bags that come off without tools
- Simple maintenance: no valve adjustment, belt final drive
- Range of about 345 km
Cons
- High footpegs and bent knees, a divisive position on long trips
- 323 kg in running order, heavy to manoeuvre at a standstill
- 56 litres of luggage in total, awkward to pack
- Solo seat as standard, pillion kit is an accessory
- No TFT screen or Bluetooth
- €2,600 more than the Low Rider S
Our review
What is the Low Rider ST?
The Low Rider ST (model code FXLRST) is a Softail-family cruiser, listed by Harley-Davidson in its Cruiser range. It takes the base of the Low Rider S (frame, engine, inverted fork, dual front discs) and adds a fairing inspired by the 1980s FXRT Sport Glide, mounted to the frame rather than the fork, plus two lockable hard bags. Harley-Davidson calls it a sport-tourer; MCN sees it more as a weekend escape bike than a rival for full-dress tourers, and Visordown reckons a “GT” badge would be more honest.
It should not be confused with the Low Rider S (€22,990), which has neither fairing nor bags, with the Low Rider El Diablo, a 2022 limited edition of 1,500 bikes built on the ST, or with the CVO Road Glide ST and CVO Street Glide ST, big limited-production Grand American Touring machines (€49,100 for the CVO Street Glide ST).
What changes for 2026?
The current generation dates from the 2025 model year: 117 High Output engine, cornering-optimised electronic aids, 2-into-1 exhaust and symmetrical bags. For 2026, the European press-kit specifications are identical to 2025: only the colours change, still with two trims, Chrome and Black. The 2025 model year is still listed on the French website from €24,590.
How much does it cost?
Harley-Davidson France lists the 2026 Low Rider ST from €25,590 with the Chrome trim in Dark Billiard Gray. Still in Chrome, Vivid Black adds €700, White Onyx Pearl and Olive Steel Metallic €800. The Black trim, which swaps the chrome for black, costs €1,450 more and comes in Dark Billiard Gray, Vivid Black, Blood Orange, White Onyx Pearl and Aurora Blue Denim, from €27,040 to €27,840 depending on colour. The ST costs €2,600 more than a Low Rider S. In the United States it starts at $23,999.
How good is the engine?
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 is a 1,923 cc air/oil-cooled V-twin with four valves per cylinder, operated by pushrods and hydraulic lifters. Its High Output version, reserved for the Low Rider S and ST, gets the SE8-511 camshaft developed for the CVO Road Glide ST’s 121 engine (according to Cycle World), a Heavy Breather intake with an exposed filter and a 2-into-1 exhaust; the rev limit rises from 5,600 to 5,900 rpm. Harley-Davidson France quotes 114 hp (85 kW) at 5,020 rpm and 173 Nm at 4,000 rpm under the European method; the press kit gives 174 Nm under SAE J1349.
Visordown likens the acceleration to being shot out of a cannon and finds the engine happy to sit at 80-85 mph all day without excess vibration. MCN likes an engine that “revs higher, pulls harder”. Motorcycle.com, however, finds the kick around 3,000 rpm almost too abrupt in Sport mode. The clutch is still cable-operated and, says Visordown, needs a strong left hand.
How does it ride?
The steel Softail frame hides a monoshock under the seat. The 43 mm inverted cartridge fork, with a straight-rate spring, offers 130 mm of travel. The shock provides 112 mm of wheel travel (56 mm stroke according to the press kit, 53 mm according to the French website) and hydraulic preload adjustment. The wheelbase is 1,615 mm, trail 145 mm and lean angle 31.3° each side. Dual 300 mm floating discs and fixed four-piston calipers handle the front braking. At a claimed 323 kg in running order, the ST weighs 19 kg more than the Low Rider S.
Visordown rates it easily the best-handling Softail, more bump-tolerant than a Street Bob, but notes fork dive under braking. MCN finds the brakes strong and confidence-inspiring, and Moto-Net can even feel the fork twist under hard braking. Ultimate Motorcycling dislikes a spongy rear brake. On the previous generation, Cycle World measured 10.32 s from 0 to 100 mph and 137.36 ft (41.9 m) to stop from 60 mph.
How well does it protect, and how much can it carry?
The fairing, shaped with computational fluid dynamics, has three fixed vents, a short tinted screen and a 146 mm LED headlamp. Visordown rates the screen among the best it has tried; MCN says it is not cocoon-quiet but does a decent job against fatigue. At the 2022 launch, Cycle World and Cycle News suffered helmet buffeting caused by the centre vent, which cannot be closed.
The clamshell bags open with one hand and come off without tools. Since 2025 the 2-into-1 exhaust has made them symmetrical: Harley-Davidson quotes 56 litres in total, up from 53.8 litres. Visordown reckons you will realistically fit about 20 litres per side.
What equipment does it have?
The bike gets three riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport), cornering-optimised ABS, traction control and drag-torque slip control, tyre pressure monitoring, standard cruise control, a 4-inch analogue gauge with LCD screen, full LED lighting and a USB-C socket. It has no TFT screen, no Bluetooth, no quickshifter and no wheelie control. The seat is a solo: at launch, MCN and Cycle World noted that the pillion seat and footpegs were sold as accessories.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Harley-Davidson quotes 5.5 L/100 km (128 g/km CO2), giving a range of about 345 km from the 18.9-litre tank. No reading has been published for the 117 High Output; WhichCar recorded 5.5 L/100 km on the 2023 version. The 2026 maintenance schedule calls for a service at 1,600 km, then an oil change every 8,000 km or every year, with inspections every 4,000 km. The valves need no adjustment, the engine has no coolant and the belt needs no lubrication. The warranty is 2 years with unlimited mileage.
Recalls
The 2025 and 2026 Low Rider ST are recalled for a rear brake line that may rub against the body control module and leak (NHTSA 26V-234; RappelConso SR/02316/26 for bikes built from 25 June 2024 to 18 March 2026). The 2022-2024 generation was also recalled for front brake lines that may touch the fuel tank (NHTSA 24V-753, RappelConso A12/03492/24) and, in the United States, for the rear shock fastener (2022-2023, NHTSA 23V-591) and its preload adjuster mounting tab (NHTSA 25V-375).
Where does the Low Rider ST come from?
Its fairing pays homage to the FXRT Sport Glide built from 1983 to 1992, brought back into fashion by West Coast customisers. Launched in January 2022, the Low Rider ST paired the Milwaukee-Eight 117 with a 2-into-2 exhaust, bronze wheels and a small LCD display, without traction control, at 327 kg. The 2025 model year brought the 117 High Output, the electronic aids and the 2-into-1 exhaust, and shed 4 kg. For a comparison with a true Harley tourer, see the Street Glide.
Specifications
| Displacement | 1923 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 114 hp (85 kW) @ 5,020 rpm |
| Torque | 173 Nm @ 4,000 rpm (EU 134/2014 method; 174 Nm under the SAE J1349 standard in the press kit) |
| Weight | 323 kg (in running order) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2.83 |
| Seat height | 715 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 18.9 L |
| Fuel consumption | 5.5 L/100 km (EU 134/2014 method) — 128 g/km CO2 |
| Maintenance interval | Service at 1,600 km then every 8,000 km or every year, inspections every 4,000 km — Valves: no adjustment (hydraulic lifters) — Spark plugs: 48,000 km or 2 years (H-D 2026 maintenance schedule) |
| Engine type | Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output V-twin, 4-stroke, pushrod, 8 valves, air/oil-cooled |
| Cooling | air_huile |
| Transmission | 6-speed, belt final drive |
| License | A |
| MSRP | €25,590 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 103,5 x 114,3 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 10,3:1 |
| Fuel system | Electronic sequential port fuel injection (ESPFI), Heavy Breather intake with washable exposed filter |
| Valve train | Pushrod-operated overhead valves, hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 5020 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 4000 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric (1.6 kW) |
| Euro standard | Euro 5+ |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Softail: mild steel tubular frame with rectangular-section backbone, steel swingarm |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 28 ° |
| Trail | 145 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1615 mm |
| Ground clearance | 145 mm |
| Front suspension | 43 mm single-cartridge inverted fork, aluminium triple clamps, straight-rate spring, 130 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Hidden free-piston monoshock, hydraulic preload adjustment, 56 mm stroke (press kit; 53 mm according to the French website), 112 mm wheel travel |
| Front brake | Dual 300 mm floating discs, fixed four-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | 292 mm floating disc, floating two-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 110/90B19 62H (Michelin Scorcher 31) |
| Rear tire | 180/70B16 77H (Michelin Scorcher 31) |
| ABS system | Cornering ABS (C-ABS), standard |
Electronics & rider aids
| Riding modes | Road, Rain, Sport |
|---|---|
| Traction control | Yes |
| Anti-wheelie | No |
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | Yes |
| Dashboard | 4-inch (102 mm) analogue speedometer with LCD screen (gear, modes, range, tyre pressure, rev counter) |
| Connectivity | None (no Bluetooth) |
| Other features | Cornering ABS (C-ABS), Cornering traction control (C-TCS), can be switched off, Cornering drag-torque slip control (C-DSCS), Tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), Full LED lighting, 146 mm headlamp, USB-C socket (5 V, 2.4 A), Lockable, removable hard bags (56 L in total) |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Performance cruiser: flat bar on tall risers, high mid-mounted footpegs |
|---|---|
| Passenger comfort | Solo seat as standard |
| Wind protection | Frame-mounted FXRT-style fairing, short tinted screen |
| Payload | 203 kg |
| Max total weight | 526 kg |
The Low Rider ST has a stepped solo seat at 715 mm unladen, 686 mm with an 81.7 kg rider, a flat handlebar on tall risers and mid-mounted footpegs. The riding position divides opinion: Motorcycle.com finds the knees high and the bars a little far, Moto-Net describes very high, too-forward footpegs and average comfort, and Ultimate Motorcycling notes the lack of legroom. MCN calls it an acquired taste but likes the feeling of sitting in rather than on the bike, and the step in the seat that braces you under acceleration. Visordown finds the seat as comfortable as Harley’s touring saddles and gets both feet down easily at 6ft 1in. During its 2023 long-term test, MCN covered 10,392 miles without being convinced by the position for touring, until fitting an accessory Sundowner seat. The fairing protects the upper body well, the pillion seat is optional and the 526 kg gross vehicle weight rating leaves about 203 kg of payload (calculated: GVWR minus 323 kg in running order).
Ownership & maintenance
5.5 L/100 km (WhichCar reading on the 2023 Low Rider ST with the previous-generation 117; no reading published for the 117 High Output)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~345 km (calculated from the official figure: 18.9 L tank / 5.5 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 8,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Spark plugs | every 48,000 km |
| Chain | Not applicable: belt final drive, inspected and adjusted at every service |
Average service cost
Not published by Harley-Davidson; around £300 per service in the UK according to MCN (2022)
Warranty
2 years / Unlimited mileage
The 2026 Softail maintenance schedule, published on Harley-Davidson’s Service Information portal, calls for a running-in service at 1,600 km, then an oil and filter change every 8,000 km or every year, with inspections of certain components every 4,000 km. Primary chaincase oil is changed every 16,000 km, transmission oil every 32,000 km, spark plugs every two years or 48,000 km and brake fluid every two years; the fork is rebuilt at 80,000 km. Hydraulic lifters mean no valve adjustment, the air/oil-cooled engine has no coolant and the belt is simply inspected and adjusted. The engine holds 4.7 litres of oil with the filter. Harley-Davidson does not publish a service cost; in 2022 MCN put it at around £300 in the UK, and its owners rated the reliability of the 2022-2024 generation at 4.7/5. On the recall front, check that the rear brake line has been dealt with on a 2025 or 2026, and the front brake lines on a 2022-2024. The factory warranty is 2 years with unlimited mileage.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST | €25,590 | 114 hp (85 kW) @ 5,020 rpm | 323 kg (in running order) |
| Harley-Davidson Low Rider S2026 | €22,990 | 114 hp | 304 kg (in running order) |
| Indian Sport Chief RT2026 | €23,990 | Not published (156 Nm) | 312 to 322 kg (weighing condition not stated) |
| BMW R 18 B2026 | €28,200 | 91 hp | 398 kg (wet) |
| Harley-Davidson Street Glide2026 | €32,850 | 107 hp | 368 kg (in running order) |
Generations
- Softail Low Rider ST 117 (FXLRST)2022 – 2024
1,923 cc · 105 hp · 169 Nm · 327 kg (road-ready)
Birth of the model: the Low Rider S 117 gains a frame-mounted FXRT-style fairing, 53.8 L removable hard bags, a stiffer fork and an LCD display in the riser clamp; 2-into-2 exhaust, ABS and cruise control, but no traction control.
- Softail Low Rider ST 117 High Output (FXLRST)2025 – today
1,923 cc · 114 hp · 173 Nm · 323 kg (road-ready)
117 High Output engine (+11% power), riding modes, cornering ABS, traction and drag-torque control, TPMS, 2-into-1 exhaust and symmetrical 56 L bags, 4-inch gauge and full LED lighting; the 2026 model year only changes the colours.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softail Low Rider ST 117 (FXLRST)2022 – 2024 Birth of the model: the Low Rider S 117 gains a frame-mounted FXRT-style fairing, 53.8 L removable hard bags, a stiffer fork and an LCD display in the riser clamp; 2-into-2 exhaust, ABS and cruise control, but no traction control. | 1,923 cc | 105 hp | 169 Nm | 327 kg road-ready |
| Softail Low Rider ST 117 High Output (FXLRST)2025 – today 117 High Output engine (+11% power), riding modes, cornering ABS, traction and drag-torque control, TPMS, 2-into-1 exhaust and symmetrical 56 L bags, 4-inch gauge and full LED lighting; the 2026 model year only changes the colours. | 1,923 cc | 114 hp | 173 Nm | 323 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
The rear brake line may rub against the body control module (BCM) and wear through: brake fluid leak and loss of the rear brake. Affected in the United States: 2025 and 2026 Low Rider ST and Low Rider S, Heritage Classic and Street Bob
Voir le rappel →Same defect in Europe: the rear brake line may rub against the body control module and leak, reducing rear braking. Affected: Heritage Classic, Street Bob, Low Rider S and Low Rider ST built from 25 June 2024 to 18 March 2026
Voir le rappel →