Zane has just jumped off the 2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST in it's limited edition Fast Johnnie colour-scheme. Check out what he thought of this sporty cruiser with plenty of heart! Photos: Impact.
Harley-Davidson continues to impress me, my opinions on the brand as a whole change drastically with each bike that I throw my leg over. Possibly one of the most enjoyable big-bore machines I’ve ridden in recent times is the 2023 Low Rider ST.
“Possibly one of the most enjoyable big-bore machines I’ve ridden in recent times is the Low Rider ST.”
True to my heart, I am a sportsbike rider and I always will be. Nothing else seems to excite me quite like a high-revving four-cylinder or a lightweight, short wheelbase machine. That’s why every time I throw a leg over a Harley I’m greeted with an unfamiliar and confusing sense of enjoyment, the Low Rider ST manages to encapsulate all the enjoyable aspects of a sportsbike combined with the unapologetic nature of a humongous V-Twin.
We got given the Fast Johnnie edition, a limited paint scheme that looks absolutely spectacular, which is what brings me to the overall aesthetics of this bike. In my opinion, it’s by far the best-looking bike in the Harley-Davidson line-up, that top fairing matched with a gorgeous tank, streamlined panniers and a sleek tail is a work of beauty. LED lighting front and rear around removes the clunkiness of the sealed beam lights.
Compared to the Low Rider S, that Nick tested last year, there aren’t huge changes from the S model to the ST. Namely, the ST gets a bigger fairing, saddle bags, cruise control and traction control. With a price difference of $4,500, I’d say it’s right on the edge of going all out on the ST over the S.
Check out our Low Rider S review here…
Throwing a leg over the Low Rider ST for the first time I’m met with a serious accessible seat height. The weight is noticeable while lifting it off the stand but once you release that clutch and start moving, it’s such a well-mannered bike to ride.
“The weight is noticeable while lifting it off the stand but once you release that clutch and start moving, it’s such a well-mannered bike to ride.”
The Milwaukee-Eight is a tried and proven powerplant for the Softail range and beyond, it excellently compliments the chassis and Harley-Davidson has somehow made it so smooth they had to offset the crank balancers to retain that famous H-D vibration.
The ST is powered by a 117ci which gives the Low Rider a noticeable torque increase over the 114ci.
The ST is powered by a 117ci version which gives the Low Rider a noticeable torque increase over the 114ci fitted to the standard model. Quite possibly one of the more impressive things about the Low Rider ST is its ability to eliminate the vibrations at higher-rpm. Cruising on this thing feels plenty smooth but you’re still reminded that you’re on a thumping V-Twin every time you return to idle.
The exhaust note is yet another positive on the ST. While it is certainly on the quiet side, I feel like it still sounds tough and maybe a slightly louder slip-on would improve it. I don’t think the ST suits a straight pipe like many would opt for on it as it’s quite a nice cruiser and anything too noisy would take away some of that riding pleasure.
“The 117ci seems to just keep climbing and climbing and climbing as you hold on for dear life until it starts bouncing off the limiter, grab another gear and watch as the speedo goes to the moon.”
Typical of Harley there’s simply bucket loads of torque available from extremely low in the rev range. The 117ci seems to just keep climbing and climbing and climbing as you hold on for dear life until it starts bouncing off the limiter, grab another gear and watch as the speedo goes to the moon.
“The 168Nm of torque sounds scary on paper to those who have only ridden smaller-capacity motorcycles but it’s seriously easy to manage.”
The 168Nm of torque sounds scary on paper to those who have only ridden smaller-capacity motorcycles but it’s seriously easy to manage. The clutch action is smooth as you have that large friction point and you almost don’t need to touch the throttle when you take off from the lights.
Most of my test period was spent in the twisties, of all places, on the Low Rider ST and man can this thing handle. The added confidence of traction control does wonders to make this thing so enjoyable to tip into the corners and crack the throttle on the exit. Unlike the Fat Bob I rode last year, this bike has suitable tyres for it’s engine output, giving confidence-inspiring grip through the corners.
The added confidence of traction control does wonders to make this thing so enjoyable to tip into the corners and crank the throttle on the exit.
The only unfortunate thing is that I struggled to get a rolling burnout happening, something I love doing with every Harley I ride, because there’s just way too much grip for it. On the plus side, it means you’re getting 100 per cent of that power to the ground without the fear of the rear spitting you off.
An enjoyable ride through the twisties is further enhanced by the usage of USD forks. Moderate-sized 43mm tubes signal some inspiration from the sportsbike world, and well… this combo works wonders. The front-end is just so predictable through the corners and creates this overwhelmingly comfortable ride while cruising without the sacrifice of sloppy compression or the need for an overly tall setup.
The front end is just so predictable through the corners and creates this overwhelmingly comfortable ride while cruising without the sacrifice of sloppy compression or the need for an overly tall setup.
The rear is that typical monoshock setup, which I’m not overly fussed with in terms of comfort, but it does handle sporty riding quite well. It’s adjustable for preload which is a nice addition if you’re riding with fully loaded saddle bags. The Low Rider does sit slightly taller than most of the Harley-Davidson range which means you get an extra few degrees of lean angle, only further supporting that this thing is made for the twisties.
The brakes are spectacular for a Harley. Every time I throw a leg over a bike from this brand I always think “Yeah it’s fun but it needs more braking force” and they’ve answered my prayers. Two four-piston calipers grip floating rotors at the front and everything just feels perfect. The braking power, the initial bite and at no time did I feel an overwhelming amount of brake fade under heavy usage. Having brakes that work this well on a 327kg bike is something else.
This bad boy weighs in at 327kg. Once you kick the stand up and release the clutch, that weight seems to disappear.
The rear brake offers plenty of feeling while using it to moderate your speed. Thankfully, Harley has placed the footpegs in a position that isn’t obstructed by the massive intake so you can comfortably leverage your foot on and off the brake.
Ergonomics are plenty comfortable, my 183cm frame feels at home in terms of leg space, but if I owned one I would most likely angle the ‘bars a little closer to me so I can lean back in the seat more. Overall comfort is nice, the seat makes up for the harsh monoshock but you can still feel some of the more aggressive potholes and bumps in the road through your back.
I will admit that the 327kg wet weight is noticeable while coming to a stop and you no longer have that gyroscopic effect holding you up. It takes me a few goes to find neutral which is frustrating as it’s one of those bikes you need both feet on the ground at a stop. The gearbox is a typical Harley-Davidson notchy and clunky shift, not that you really need to be rummaging through the gears on such a torquey motorcycle, it suits it well but it gets fatiguing on the feet.
The cruise control works wonders for this bike. The engine braking does a good job of slowing the bike to your set speed while rolling down a hill so you don’t have to worry about exceeding the speed limit with it set. It’s all very simple to use and an LED will pop up on the dash when it’s switched on and set.
The ergonomics of the Low Rider ST suit a wide-range of shapes and sizes!
Speaking of dashes, the LCD does suit the overall styling of the Low Rider but I can’t help but feel that it deserves a larger TFT dash with phone connectivity and gadgets at this price point. The dash is absolutely tiny and the tacho is laggy, it’s just far too simple for a $37k bike…
The higher gears are quite long on the Low Rider ST. While travelling down the freeway there’s really no need to switch into sixth at 110km/h, fifth and even fourth will tackle the duties well. The larger fairing on the ST does handle the wind relatively well, I feel as if I’m too tall the really maximise the usage of it as my head sticks out above it. There are little plastic winglets on the side that direct air away from you and the air holes in the fairing don’t really blow on you, I think they’re there so it doesn’t act like a massive airbrake.
The hardcase saddlebags don’t hold a whole heap of luggage, maybe a parcel bag and a laptop. It is recommended that you use them as I found out…. The Low Rider ST has no pillion seat and your backpack will scuff up the paint if you’re carrying some heavy items. Sorry H-D Australia! I was distraught when I jumped off the bike and saw that my bag had damaged the paint on the tail.
H-D is really good at making a bike that’s not the fastest, best handling or most techy just really enjoyable to ride.
Due to this my test period was cut short due to the bike needing to go to paint. It left me with a sense of wanting more, I put on around 400km and I still felt like it wasn’t enough and that’s a sign I really enjoyed the bike.
Harley-Davidson is really good at making a bike that’s not the fastest, best handling or most techy just really enjoyable to ride. The Low Rider ST is one of those bikes that just makes you feel good while riding it and I could certainly see myself owning one of these.
Let’s get to pricing though, the ST starts at an eye-watering $36,995 rideaway, add another $3,850 to the price if you want the Fast Johnnie colour scheme too.
Let’s get to pricing though, the ST starts at an eye-watering $36,995 ride away, add another $3,850 to the price if you want the Fast Johnnie colour scheme too. It’s certainly up there and in terms of equipment it’s not huge bang for your buck, in terms of making you feel special it’s certainly worth it…
Who Is Fast Johnnie?
Earlier this year Harley-Davidson added three new racing heritage models dressed in the Fast Johnnie paint scheme. This is part of the H-D Enthusiast Motorcycle Collection that dresses bikes in factory-direct custom paint and graphic treatments…
Earlier this year Harley-Davidson added three new racing heritage models dressed in the Fast Johnnie paint scheme.
“Executed in Celestial Blue with white racing stripes, this special Enthusiast Collection paint scheme is offered factory-installed for three 2023 Harley-Davidson models: the Low Rider ST, the Street Glide ST and the Road Glide ST motorcycles, with combined production limited to no more than 2000 bikes.”
H-D say that the Fast Johnnie paint scheme taps into iconic design themes featured on high-performance muscle cars and (USA) pony cars of the 1960s and 1970s. The Fast Johnnie character applied to the left side of the fuel tank also appears on the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory bikes raced in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series.
“The piglet often perched on a motorcycle fuel tank for a post-race victory lap and is usually cited as the source of the “Hog” moniker that to this day is often applied to anything Harley-Davidson”…
“The piglet often perched on a motorcycle fuel tank for a post-race victory lap and is usually cited as the source of the “Hog” moniker that to this day is often applied to anything Harley-Davidson. The piglet often perched on a motorcycle fuel tank for a post-race victory lap and is usually cited as the source of the “Hog” moniker that to this day is often applied to anything Harley-Davidson”…
It was inspired by the story of a piglet named Johnnie adopted in 1920 by Harley-Davidson racer and member of the infamous Wrecking Crew, Ray Weishaar, which became a team mascot. The piglet often perched on a motorcycle fuel tank for a post-race victory lap and is usually cited as the source of the Hog moniker that to this day is often applied to anything Harley-Davidson.
2023 Harley Davidson FXLRST Low Rider ST Specifications
Price: From $36,995 rideaway
Colours: Vivid Black, White Sand Pearl (additional $355), Fast Jonnie ( Additional $3,850)
Warranty: Two-years unlimited km
Service: 1600km then every 8000km
Claimed Fuel Consumption: 5.6L/100km
Claimed Power: 78kW@5020rpm
Claimed Torque: 168Nm@3500rpm
Wet Weight: 327kg
Fuel capacity: 18.9L
Engine: Air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin, 1923cc, 103.5 x 114.3mm bore x stroke, 10.2:1 compression ratio, ESPFI, two-into-one-into-two exhaust
Gearbox: Primary drive: 34/46. Six-speed ratios – 1st: 9.311, 6.454, 4.793, 3.882, 3.307 6th: 2.79 Final Belt 34/46 Clutch: Wet multi-plate, cable actuation
Chassis: Mild steel tubular frame
Rake: 28° Trail: 145mm
Suspension: Single cartridge 43mm inverted with aluminium fork triple clamps; triple rate spring(f) Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 56mm stroke; toolless hydraulic preload adjustment (r)
Brakes: Front and rear black, Split seven-spoke floating rotors four-piston fixed front and two-piston floating rear, ABS
Wheels & Tyres: Dark bronze radiate cast aluminium wheels, 110/90B19,62H,BW (f), 180/70B16,77H,BW (r), Michelin Scorcher
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1615mm
Seat height: 720mm
Ground clearance: 150mm
Overall Length: 2365mm
Instruments & Electronics: Multi-function analogue and digital LCD displays, tank mounted. TCS and ABS. LED lighting…
Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.
The Verdict | Review: 2023 Harley-Davidson FXLRST Low Rider ST Fast Johnnie
Gorgeous!
Zane has just jumped off the 2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST. Check out what he thought of this sporty cruiser with plenty of heart!
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