Harley-Davidson has announced its 2020 line of updated models, and along with the return of the return of the Lowrider S there is a host of tech updates off the back of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire.
For the 2020 model year Harley-Davidson is, so far, introducing five new motorcycles into the Australasian market, with the Low Rider S, CVO Tri-Glide, CVO Limited and CVO Street Glide joining the 2020 LiveWire which we recently rode in the USA.
Beyond the new bikes, the big news is that Harley-Davidson is finally implementing rider aids beyond ABS braking in their motorcycles. This tech, which Harley calls the Reflex™ Defensive Rider Systems (aka RDRS), first debuted with the LiveWire and includes cornering ABS, electronically linked braking, traction control, Drag-Torque Slip Control (essentially a slipper clutch function) and what Harley calls Vehicle Hold Control – basically a hill hold system.
Now obviously this addition of technology will be welcomed by those riders who like to ride hard but also want a safety net, but the reality is Harley is one of the last major manufacturers to the party in terms of adding the option of traction control and lean sensitive ABS braking systems.
The RDRS system will also be installed on 2020 touring models with the exception of the Road King and Electra Glide Standard. Harley hasn't said why the popular Road King and Electra Glide won't be benefitting from RDRS next year but we expect that these bikes to gain RDRS in the near future due to the increasing demands of the European emissions laws.
Beyond the 2020 Touring bikes and the five models above, we expect Harley-Davidson to launch its 2021 models which are based around an all new 1250cc water-cooled platform (which includes the PanAmerica Adventure bike and a Streetfighter rumoured to be named the 'Bareknuckle') to also feature RDRS.