Harley-Davidson’s Low Rider S is the real deal in this year’s revised Softail lineup, scoring a raft of updates that takes its performance to the next level. The dark custom styling gets a few tweaks and combined with new tech, forms a formidable, angrier package.
We were first introduced to the new Softail range back in April in the NSW regional town of Kiama, with this bike among our favourites from that event. The Low Rider S is all about attitude and performance, with the 2025 model not straying far from those roots.
It’s the kind of bike that doesn’t give a rat’s arse about anything, and is ready to attack whatever the bitumen throws at it. Performance and rider comfort is at the core of the Milwaukee Eight upgrades it scores, including new four-valve heads and oval intake ports.
A revised aluminium intake manifold provide smoother airflow and improved combustion. A reworked air/oil cooling system, circulating oil through frame-mounted coolers and the cylinder heads, delivers better thermal/heat management.
The 117 cubic inch powerplant and the bike it fills handsomely now sits in the High Output range of Softail offerings, alongside the Low Rider ST. Tuned for more aggressive riders who seek performance in the upper rpm range, it produces 85kW and 173Nm.
The Low Rider S is a real hoot when you unleash all of its anger through some windy country roads and utilise its new riding modes to get the most out of its American muscle. Yes, you read that right.
The 2025 Low Rider S now comes standard with those, tailored to suit road or emotional rider conditions. The list includes Rain, Road and Sport, and each influences the available throttle response and power output.
Road delivers a smoother riding experience with less aggression. But out on the back roads, Sport brings all of the Milwaukee Eight muscle to life and is a hell of a lot of fun. For cruising and city riding, we found the former to be most beneficial.
Of course, there is Rain for when you want to dial down the power for less than ideal conditions. Rider modes aren’t the only improvement in the electronics suite either, with the introduction of safety enhancements.
These are designed to match bike performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking. The rear suspension also cops a massive upgrade for 2025, with the introduction of straight rate springs for a vastly improved ride.
Gone are the spine jarring effects of hitting a bump at speed, replaced by a notably softened experience, with improved performance when pushing hard through the bends or just cruise and take in the sights.
Bringing the Low Rider S to a stop is the same braking package that has characterised this bike for the last few years. It’s strong up front thanks to dual discs with 4-piston callipers, coupled with ABS.
We find this setup especially good when riding a little more enthusiastically in the twisty stuff. The rear braking setup is a little weaker though and has always been a bit of an Achilles heel for the model.
The mid-mount foot controls won’t do you any favours on long rides either, and if we were planning decent trips, we’d be switching to a more forward setup. Aesthetically, the 2025 model gets some new goodies too, including bronze wheels.
A two-into-one exhaust has been added to enhance engine performance and adds probably the best version of factory growl for some time. The changes don’t stop there though, with a full LED lighting package and new hand controls.
The latter will take a little getting used to, but the buttons are still nice and large, easy to the touch and simple to engage. A new 4.0-inch multi-function LCD digital display looks the part and shows all rider info neatly and clearly.
There’s a decent amount of detail too, including speed, tyre pressure monitoring, selected ride mode, cruise control status, revs and fuel range. All-in-all, the 2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is the perfect blend of modern tech and retro character.
The attitude and performance of the name plate’s legacy remains, with a meaner, more robust feel and elevated riding experience. Pricing starts from $34,750 ride away for the Billiard Grey trim.
It’s backed by a 2-year unlimited kilometre warranty, and you can find out more by visiting the Harley-Davidson Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
Our test bike was provided by Harley-Davidson Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this bike.
