While much of the automotive industry jam-packs their vehicles with technologies of convenience (satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, ride modes, etc.), for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST the Motor Company went in a different direction by offering a distraction-free ride experience. 

By Christian Pierce  Courtesy TOPSPEED

The 2024 Low Rider ST is, by design, a minimalist motorcycle for a modern age, and we recently had the opportunity to test this bike for a few days at Laconia Motorcycle Week. With the rally as a backdrop and some of the most scenic roads anywhere in the country, we racked up 450+ miles on the Low Rider ST and appreciated the bare-bones nature of this brilliant bagger.

The 2024 Low Rider ST lacks many of the bells and whistles offered by competitors and instead zeroes in on quality essentials like an explosive 117-in V-Twin engine, a smooth suspension, and quick-mount luggage, all in a package starting at $23,399. At that price, without the gimmicks that many tech-savvy riders crave, the Low Rider ST is not for everyone, but for those looking for a refreshing return to pure motorcycle riding, there may be no better bagger on the market today.

2024 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST

SCORE: 8 OF 10

The Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST offers minimal tech but maximum fun. By eliminating distractions like satellite navigation and phone connectivity, the Low Rider ST is a refreshing return to pure motorcycling. The emphasis is on a quality ride and the thrills that come with a mean V-Twin motor. The Milwaukee-Eight 117-inch engine (the same engine that comes in the Street Glide and Road Glide) unleashes loads of power in this lighter bagger, resulting in awesome acceleration off the line. Some riders may miss the tech features available on other modern motorcycles, but for those seeking a spirited ride, there may be no better bagger on the market today.

Model

Low Rider ST

Engine

1,923 cc V-twin

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

103 HP @ 4,750 RPM

Torque

125 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM

Driveline

RWD

Starting Price (MSRP)

$23,399 - $25,299

Pros

• Powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 Engine
• Quick-Mount Saddle Bags
• Designed for a Distraction-Free Ride
• Smooth Suspension

Cons

• Small Dash Display
• Spongy Rear Brake
• Windscreen Too Short for Tall Riders
• Lacks Tech Features (No Ride Modes, No Bluetooth, No Navigation)

Those old enough to remember the FXR models of the 1980s and early 1990s will see the clear aesthetic connections that the Low Rider ST has to the FXRT and FXRP. With a frame-mounted two-thirds fairing and a set of bags, the Low Rider ST once again illustrates the endless ways in which Harley-Davidson capitalizes on nostalgia, in this case without diving as deep into the past. The old FXR's are some of the most respected bikes to ever come out of Milwaukee, long appreciated by law enforcement and outlaws alike. So, the Low Rider ST undoubtedly pays homage to this line of classic cruisers, while adding a new chapter to the legacy of Harley-Davidson's baby baggers.

For prospective buyers, that story has room for a choose-your-own ending narrative, as Harley-Davidson provides a relatively clean slate with which riders can interpret their vision of that legacy and its future via a whole host of accessories and custom add-ons (including soft luggage and an audio system). The Low Rider ST is only offered in the black trim package, meaning the engine cases, rocker boxes, and exhaust pipes are powder-coated black from the factory and even the paint options are fairly understated. The bike we tested came in Billiard Gray (the base color option), which, whether intentional or not, reminds this reviewer of primer gray.

And having been around many a muscle car adorned in basic primer, especially sleepers with lots of horsepower, the color suited the Low Rider ST well. As outfitted, this bike made a statement. It let the world know that its owner couldn't be bothered with flashy paint colors, as there are bigger concerns in life, namely wheel-spinning acceleration off the light thanks to that blacked-out 117-in engine. But don't worry, if you're looking for something more eye-catching, riders can opt for Vivid Black (a $550 option), Red Rock (a $750 option), or the stunning Tobacco Fade (a $1,900 option).

While Harley-Davidson takes a no-frills approach to much of the Low Rider ST, they spared no expense with the engine. Like the Street Glide and Road Glide, the Low Rider ST comes with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine. That engine cranks out 103 hp (at 4750 rpm) and 125 ft-lb of torque (at 3500 rpm), in a package that is noticeably lighter than Harley's bigger baggers. The Low Rider ST weighs in at a svelte 721 lbs compared to the over-800-pound Street Glide and Road Glide.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that the leaner Low Rider has a significant power-to-weight advantage, and that may very well be the best thing about this bike. Cut all the accessories and tech you want from a modern motorcycle, but give us a power plant that puts out some serious performance and buyers will line up to hand over their money. In the Low Rider ST, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 is a stealthy assassin. Due to emissions standards and noise regulations, the stock exhaust is throaty, but never truly signals the power potential of this bike.

That fact is quickly discovered once the rider rolls on the throttle, as acceleration is often explosive, especially from a stop where it is easy to lose traction. One of the few pieces of modern tech that does come standard on the bike is traction control, if for no other reason than to help tame that monster motor. After some time in the saddle, one gets used to the sudden throttle response. A gentle twist gets the bike underway, and a determined twist unleashes all the ponies from the stable.

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