S FOR SUSPENSION
HEAVY DUTY Magazine|July - August 2020
Putting the Sport back in the Low Rider S …
Chris Beattie
S FOR SUSPENSION

I don’t like being passed. Especially when I’m going hard on a new bike that I bought specifically coz it was supposed to be the duck’s nuts in terms of performance and handling. So when I joined a few mates for a three dayer across the Victorian highlands, I was looking forward to showing them a clean pair of heels on my just run-in 2020 Low Rider Sport.

These guys wear dayglow leathers with scratched knees and ride European weaponry so they tend to set a bit of a pace. On my previous H-D, a particularly nasty 117-cube 2016 Dyna Low Rider S, it was not uncommon for me to beat them to the pub at the end of a hectic day of flogging through the twistery. The Dyna had the advantage of gobs of ground clearance, great handling courtesy of a pair of Ikon shocks, sticky Avons, humongous reserves of torque and pretty decent brakes.

But a little while ago I was seduced into parking the Dyna LRS in favour of Harley’s brand new Softail-framed replacement, the 2020 single-shock Low Rider S.

As soon as I saw the pics and video reviews, I wanted one. Lots of positive comments about the 114-cube M8 donk, and especially about the Low Rider’s handling and ride, sealed the deal.

It also helped that the Dyna’s engine had just imploded – bigtime. A story, for another day, perhaps ...

With a set of trick-looking inverted forks up front and a beefed-up single shocker down back, on paper it looked likemy position at the front of the pack was secure.

So there we were on the first day of our run into the hills hooking into a nice curly set of corners when I immediately noticed three things: I’m leaving a trail of sparks on both sides; I’ve just been bounced out of the seat and, worst of all, I’m being passed!

Esta historia es de la edición July - August 2020 de HEAVY DUTY Magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July - August 2020 de HEAVY DUTY Magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HEAVY DUTY MAGAZINEVer todo
Polishing The Facets
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

Polishing The Facets

Finessing the sharp edges and making that 124 sing and dance

time-read
5 minutos  |
July - August 2021
The Fabulous Flexi Flyer
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

The Fabulous Flexi Flyer

A genuine time capsule with history oozing from every single unique pore.

time-read
3 minutos  |
July - August 2021
Road Raves Living The Life With Doc Robinson
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

Road Raves Living The Life With Doc Robinson

WORDS OF WISDOM “When I was old enough to ride a motorcycle and got my license, I bought a ’69 Sportster.” – Chuck Zito

time-read
2 minutos  |
July - August 2021
The End Of The Line
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

The End Of The Line

Writing a road test about a bike that is due to disappear from dealers’ floors any minute is a bit weird. Should this be more of a eulogy?

time-read
5 minutos  |
July - August 2021
Now It's Time To Head Down Track
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

Now It's Time To Head Down Track

What happens when I’m ready to race at an IHRA-sanctioned dragstrip?

time-read
3 minutos  |
July - August 2021
RAUCOUS ROCKY
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

RAUCOUS ROCKY

With our own area called the Motorcycle Precinct, bikers were well catered for at this year’s RockyNats

time-read
3 minutos  |
July - August 2021
S&S SUPERSTREET
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

S&S SUPERSTREET

With a Softail Deluxe already dripping in chrome, of course Paul was easily swayed by the offer of a shiny, new S&S SuperStreet two-into-one.

time-read
5 minutos  |
July - August 2021
SPORTS STILL ROARING
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

SPORTS STILL ROARING

Blues skies greeted the National Roaring Sporties racers for Round Two at the challenging Morgan Park Raceway near Warwick, Qld.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2021
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Even some of the locals are over the yodelling and pedal steel guitars. HOG member and history nerd, Roderick Eime explores another side of Tamworth and the surrounding region.

time-read
5 minutos  |
July - August 2021
HAPPY HOGGIES
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

HAPPY HOGGIES

The drought was well and truly broken with HOG members from all over Australia making it to Rockhampton.

time-read
3 minutos  |
July - August 2021