The biggest news to come out of Milwaukee for the 2020 model year is the all-new Live-wire electric motorcycle, which we’ve already ridden and reviewed. Harley-Davidson has announced the wider availability of technological features that debuted on the Live-wire, as well as several new or updated models, including the Low Rider S, Road Glide Limited, Heritage Classic and three CVO models.
First seen on the Live-wire, H-D Connect is a subscription-based cellular service that allows riders to connect with their motorcycle using their smartphone and the Harley-Davidson app. H-D Connect provides key vehicle information (e.g., battery voltage, fuel level, available range, riding statistics and more) as well as remote security monitoring, including tamper alerts and stolen vehicle assistance. H-D Connect is a standard feature on 2020 Touring (except Road King/S and Electra Glide Standard models), Tri Glide Ultra, CVO models and Live-wire, and it includes free service for one year.
Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS)
Also seen on the Live-wire, Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) is a suite of electronic riding assistance features, including cornering enhanced linked braking, ABS, traction control and drag-torque slip control; hill hold control; and tire-pressure monitoring. All RDRS features are standard on CVO models (though on the CVO Tri Glide, nothing is “cornering enhanced”), and they are available as options on all Touring models except the Electra Glide Standard.
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
Chopper-style, Dyna-chassis Low Rider models have been in Harley-Davidson’s lineup since the late ’70s. The Low Rider S, a dark, bare-knuckled version that entered the ring for 2016, was built around a 110-cubic-inch Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam V-twin. When Dyna models were rolled into the Softail family for 2018, the standard Low Rider got a new chassis and the Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin while the S took early retirement.
The Low Rider S is throwing punches again for 2020, and it packs a wallop with a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin good for 119 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm (claimed), up from 114 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm on the previous model. Its Gloss Black Ventilator air intake with exposed filter is said to improve airflow and its 2-into-2 offset shotgun mufflers look menacing in black but their sound is family friendly. Now rolling on the updated Softail chassis, the LRS has a shorter wheelbase, less rake and more trail, and claimed curb weight is 679 pounds, seven more than its predecessor.
Its premium Showa suspension includes a 43mm USD single-cartridge fork and a coil-over, free-piston rear shock with adjustable preload; front travel is unchanged at 5.1 inches, but rear travel has more than doubled at 4.4 inches. Radiate cast wheels, with a 19-inch front and a 16-inch rear, are finished in Matte Dark Bronze and they carry triple-disc brakes with standard ABS.
Inspired by the West Coast style, the Low Rider S has a 1-inch diameter motocross-style handlebar perched atop 4-inch straight risers, a color-matched mini fairing, a high-back solo seat and black finishes on nearly every surface. At 6 feet tall with long limbs, I had some trouble folding myself into the LRS’ cockpit.
The pegs are high and set back, which put my knees well above my hips. Fortunately the seat is well padded, but an hour of riding was about all I could handle before needing to stop and stretch. Such a locked-in seating position can leave a rider’s lower back vulnerable to bumps, but the rear shock did an excellent job of softening hard impacts with no bottoming-out or jolts to the spine.
With serious grunt, a responsive chassis and 30 degrees of cornering clearance, the Low Rider S is just as happy on a back road as it is cruising around town. It’s available in Vivid Black and Barracuda Silver; pricing starts at $17,999.
2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
Replacing the Road Glide Ultra for 2020 is the new Road Glide Limited, which is mechanically identical but offers premium features such as painted pin-striping, a gloss-finish inner fairing, heated grips, Slicer II Contrast Bright wheels and new tank, front and rear fender medallions. With its frame-mounted shark-nose fairing contributing to light steering feel, we’ve always been impressed by the handling of Road Glides, and its triple Split-stream vents create smooth airflow around the rider with minimal buffeting.
Powered by the Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114, which belted out 101 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel at 3,000 rpm in the RG Ultra we strapped to Jett Tuning’s dyno last year, I cruised along with minimal vibration and heat, always plenty of grunt available to make a pass or pull me out of a deep bend. The Road Glide Limited has premium suspension, linked Brembo brakes with ABS, a Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with color touchscreen, H-D Connect and dual Daymaker LED headlamps.
The Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations lineup is made up of models from other Harley-Davidson lines. CVO models aren’t in stock, because the CVO team customizes these bikes to offer more power, more performance, and more premium style. They also generally get more standard equipment, including upgraded infotainment, navigation, and more.
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