The 2026 Harley-Davidson® Low Rider® S uses the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 High Output V-Twin engine with a total displacement of 117 cubic inches, equivalent to 1,923 cubic centimeters. The engine features a bore of 4.075 inches and a stroke of 4.5 inches, producing a long-stroke configuration designed to generate strong midrange torque. The compression ratio measures 10.3 to 1, supporting efficient combustion and stable power delivery under load.
This engine produces 114 horsepower, or 85 kilowatts, at 5,000 rpm. Maximum torque reaches 128 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm, measured using the J1349 testing standard. The torque curve concentrates usable output in the lower and middle rpm ranges, supporting rapid acceleration without requiring high engine speeds.
Valve operation relies on a pushrod-operated overhead valve system with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters. Each cylinder contains four valves. The hydraulic lifters reduce the need for routine valve adjustment and maintain consistent valve timing. Fuel delivery is managed through Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, which meters fuel precisely according to throttle position and engine demand.
Air intake flows through a Heavy Breather system with a synthetic, washable exposed filter element. Exhaust gases exit through a 2-into-1 system with a catalyst integrated into the header. The lubrication system uses a pressurized dry-sump design with an oil cooler to regulate temperature during sustained operation.
Transmission Ratios and Power Transfer
The 2026 Harley-Davidson® Low Rider® S incorporates a 6-Speed Cruise Drive® transmission. Gear ratios are structured to support both acceleration and highway efficiency. The overall ratio for first gear is 9.311, allowing strong initial drive from a stop. Second gear carries a ratio of 6.454, followed by 4.793 in third, 3.882 in fourth, and 3.307 in fifth. Sixth gear has an overall ratio of 2.79, reducing engine speed during highway cruising.
The primary drive uses a chain configuration with a 34-tooth engine sprocket and a 46-tooth clutch sprocket. Final drive transfers power through a belt system with a 32-tooth front pulley and a 66-tooth rear pulley.
Clutch operation is mechanical with a 10-plate wet clutch design featuring assist and conventional functions. The assist mechanism reduces lever effort while maintaining firm engagement under acceleration.
Structural Frame and Steering Geometry
The frame consists of a mild steel tubular structure with a rectangular section backbone. It integrates stamped, cast, and forged junctions joined through MIG welding. Aluminum forged fender supports contribute to strength while managing overall weight distribution.
Steering geometry plays a significant role in handling stability. The rake measures 28 degrees, with a fork angle of 28 degrees. The trail measures 5.7 inches. The wheelbase extends to 63.6 inches, providing directional stability during high-speed operation while preserving predictable steering response.
Lean angles measure 31.3 degrees on both the right and left sides, tested under J1168 standards. This symmetry supports consistent cornering clearance in either direction.
The swingarm uses mild steel tubular sections with a stamped cross member and forged axle junctions. MIG welding ensures structural integrity. The design includes a removable belt spacer to facilitate service access.
Suspension Calibration and Wheel Specifications
The front suspension uses a 43-millimeter inverted single-cartridge fork with aluminum triple clamps and a single-rate spring. The inverted configuration increases front-end rigidity and improves feedback under braking loads. Front suspension travel measures 5 inches, or 130 millimeters.
Rear suspension employs a hidden coil-over monoshock with a free piston design and 56 millimeters of stroke. Hydraulic preload adjustment allows riders to adapt rear suspension sag to varying load conditions. Rear suspension travel measures 4.4 inches, or 112 millimeters.
The motorcycle rides on black Radiate Cast Aluminum wheels. The front wheel measures 19 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in width. The rear wheel measures 16 inches in diameter and 5 inches in width. This staggered configuration contributes to steering precision at the front and traction stability at the rear.
Michelin® Scorcher 31 tires are standard. The front tire specification is 110 over 90B19 with a 62H load and speed rating. The rear tire specification is 180 over 70B16 with a 77H rating. These tire dimensions provide a balance between cornering stability and acceleration grip.
Brake System Engineering and Control
Braking components include dual 11.8-inch front rotors with a thickness of 0.2 inches. The front system uses four-piston fixed calipers. The rear brake uses an 11.5-inch rotor with a thickness of 0.23 inches, paired with a two-piston floating caliper. Both front and rear rotors feature a black split seven-spoke floating design.
Anti-Lock Braking System functionality is standard equipment. The system monitors wheel speed and modulates brake pressure during emergency braking to reduce the likelihood of wheel lock.
Rider Safety Enhancements and Cornering Systems
The 2026 Harley-Davidson® Low Rider® S integrates electronic rider safety systems that support traction management and braking control. Standard Anti-Lock Braking System functionality works alongside a Traction Control System that regulates rear wheel spin during acceleration. Drag-torque Slip Control System technology manages rear wheel behavior during aggressive downshifting to reduce wheel hop or instability.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System provides ongoing monitoring of front and rear tire pressures through the instrumentation display. This function allows riders to verify tire condition before and during operation.
Cornering Enhanced Anti-Lock Braking System functionality modifies brake pressure based on lean angle. Cornering Enhanced Traction Control adjusts torque management during leaned operation. Cornering Drag-torque Slip Control System functionality extends rear wheel stability management into leaned conditions. These systems use lean angle data to refine electronic intervention during cornering.
Electrical Output and Lighting Systems
The electrical system centers on a sealed, maintenance-free absorbed glass mat battery rated at 12 volts and 17.5 amp-hours. Cold cranking output measures 310 CCA at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Charging is handled by a three-phase 48 amp system producing 364 watts at 900 rpm and up to 624 watts at 2,000 rpm.
Starting power comes from a 1.6-kilowatt electric starter motor with solenoid shift engagement.
Lighting components are fully LED. The headlamp includes low beam, high beam, and signature position lamp functions. The tail and stop lamp use LED technology. Front and rear turn signals are LED bullet-style units.
Instrumentation consists of a 4-inch analog speedometer combined with a digital information display. The digital section provides gear position, odometer, fuel level, ride modes, heated gear status, traction control status, ABS indicator, tire pressure monitoring system information, cruise control status, clock, trip information, range calculation, and tachometer readout. A USB C-Type outlet supplies 5 volts at 2.4 amps for device charging.
Infotainment features such as integrated speakers, Bluetooth® audio, navigation display, or headset intercom are not included on this model.
Dimensions, Capacity, and Operational Measurements
Overall length measures 92.9 inches. Overall width measures 35 inches. Overall height measures 47.4 inches. Laden seat height measures 27 inches with a standard 180-pound operator. Unladen seat height measures 28.1 inches. Static ground clearance measures 5.7 inches.
Fuel capacity is 5 gallons, with a reserve warning light indicating approximately 1 gallon remaining. Oil capacity with filter measures 5 quarts. Transmission capacity is 1 quart, and primary chain case capacity is 1.25 quarts.
Weight as shipped measures 644 pounds. Weight in running order measures 670 pounds. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 1,160 pounds. Gross Axle Weight Rating measures 450 pounds for the front and 730 pounds for the rear.
Fuel economy is estimated at 47 miles per gallon under combined city and highway testing conditions.
Visit Tower’s Baton Rouge Harley-Davidson® for a Test Ride
The 2026 Harley-Davidson® Low Rider® S presents a configuration that combines 114 horsepower output, 128 foot-pounds of torque, advanced cornering safety systems, and a performance-calibrated suspension platform. We encourage riders who want to evaluate its Milwaukee-Eight® 117 High Output engine characteristics and six-speed transmission ratios to schedule a detailed test ride. Experiencing the braking response, traction control calibration, and lean-sensitive safety features firsthand provides a clearer understanding of the model’s engineering capabilities. Our team at Tower’s Baton Rouge Harley-Davidson® in Baton Rouge, LA, will prepare the motorcycle for a focused evaluation of its handling geometry, suspension travel, and throttle response. Contact us to arrange your test ride and examine how its mechanical and electronic systems operate together under controlled riding conditions.
