2016–2017 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
The Factory Hot Rod Outlier
The Low Rider S was Harley's limited-run factory hot rod, and the hardware backs the intent. A Screamin' Eagle 110 air-cooled 45° V-twin, 1801 cc, 115 lb-ft and 96 hp, wrapped in a Dyna chassis finished in black from the powdercoated cases out to the trim. Solo saddle, uprated suspension, belt final drive, six speeds, ABS standard. Inside its own family this was the aggressive outlier, built for riders who wanted the muscle-cruiser look with torque behind it rather than another mild boulevard bike.
It rides like what it is. The 110 pulls hard from just off idle and rewards a short shift instead of revs, and the chassis was clearly set up with that in mind. The 27.0 in (685 mm) seat is low enough that both boots land flat at a light. This one suits a rider who wants mechanical theater and presence, not a quiet appliance. Honest caveats: 672 lb (305 kg) is real weight, the 4.7 gal (17.8 L) tank sets the rhythm of a long day, and the top end on these engines deserves watching well before high mileage.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 96 hp (71 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 115 lb-ft (156 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1801 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 100/90B19 |
| Rear tire | 160/70B17 |
| Wheelbase | 64.2 in (1631 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.0 in (685 mm) |
| Wet weight | 672 lb (305 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.7 gal (17.8 L) |
Equipment check
Safety
Hit the starter and the whole bike rocks in the frame before it drops into that lopsided idle you feel through the pegs, the seat pan, and the grips. It never goes quiet. Around town the twin sends a steady tremble up through the bars that changes texture with load, which is exactly what this kind of motorcycle should do. The bar bend puts your hands out and slightly up, feet on the mid-mount pegs right under you, back upright, weight sitting low between your knees. Roll out onto an open two-lane and the whole thing stretches out and calms itself; the mirrors clear, the belt takes up without any snatch, and 672 lb (305 kg) stops registering as a number. An hour in you notice your shoulders have dropped and you are riding it with your hips.
High-speed wobble
Dyna models, including the Low Rider S, can develop a front-end wobble or weave at high speeds or when encountering road imperfections. This is often attributed to the chassis design and may require a steering damper to mitigate.
Premature valvetrain and lifter wear
Some owners have experienced noisy valve operation and lifter failure before 25,000 miles, often requiring cam chain, camshaft, lifter, and pushrod replacement. The issue appears linked to the 110 engine's higher lift cam profile.
Intermittent electrical faults (lights, fuel gauge, ignition)
Some owners report simultaneous failure of brake light, turn signals, fuel gauge, and security light, sometimes accompanied by battery drain and starting problems. The issue may be linked to the ignition switch or body control module, and can reoccur even after dealer repairs.
Where this Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider S FXDLS pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Dyna Low Rider S FXDLS is actually built for.
This is your bike. Stance, sound, and a blacked-out factory custom that looks right parked outside a rally bar, with enough torque that the ride there counts as much as the arrival.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Small towns and unhurried two-lanes suit it, and it earns a second look at every stop. Plan around the 4.7 gal (17.8 L) tank and pack light, because the solo saddle sets the terms.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
It will hold highway speed all day, but the 4.7 gal (17.8 L) tank and solo saddle say this was not built for loaded two-up distance. Fine for a week of scenic loops, harder work coast to coast.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider S FXDLS. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
