Harley-Davidson is kicking off its 2022 model year in a big way, with the Motor Co announcing a range of models which will now roll out of the crate with the big block 117 cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight.
Getting an upgrade for 2022 is the Low Rider S, which moves from the 114 cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight up to the new 117 model
Harley-Davidson is kicking 2022 off in a big way, releasing a range of new models packing the big block punch of the 117 cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight as standard.
With the World Premiere dubbed “Further. Faster” we always knew Harley was going to drop something special for its touring line of motorcycles. With the release centred around the 117 Milwaukee-Eight, we sadly haven’t received a new model line based around the new Revolution Max engine to compete with Indian Motorcycles’ water-cooled Challenger, but we have more powerful versions of some of Harley’s touring stalwarts.
The new bikes include a range of new Sport Touring (ST) models including the Street Glide ST, Road Glide ST and Low Rider ST, while the popular Low Rider S will now come standard with the 117 as well. On top of the new ST bikes, Harley’s super-premium Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models are also gaining the new 117 heart.
“As part of our focus on stronghold segments, including Grand American Touring and Cruiser, the 2022 product line is designed for power and performance. Each of these new models features the unrivalled power of the Milwaukee-Eight 117, for those riders who want nothing but the biggest and the best, building on our position as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson.
New Low Riders
While the Low Rider S’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 powerplant was no slouch, Harley says that owners of the performance cruiser are always seeking more, and as such the new 117 powered Low Rider S was born.
In a similar vein, the new Low Rider ST has been launched as a result of what Harley-Davidson was seeing in the custom scene around the world, with a new stylish fairing and hard bags adorning the Low Rider S frame.
“Our customers truly inspire us and the Low Rider ST was born from seeing the incredible builds at motorcycle shows around the world,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design. “We took the iconic Motor Company design from the Eighties and gave it a new identity with a modern echo. Add the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, a taller suspension and raised saddlebags and the Low Rider ST delivers both a dynamic visual package as well as a dramatic performance punch.”
Brawny Baggers
Following on from their victory in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers competitions, Harley-Davidson has decided to celebrate by giving their two bagger models a boost in performance for 2022
Setting the new Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST models are set apart from their regular counterparts is the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain and new dark and bronze finishes. The new ST bikes also feature the complete suite of Harley- Davidson Grand American Touring features including Reflex linked Brembo brakes with ABS, a Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with colour touch screen and navigation, cruise control and Daymaker LED lighting.
The Street Glide ST features the iconic Harley-Davidson batwing fairing, while the Road Glide ST rolls with Harley’s signature frame-mounted shark nose fairing with dual headlamps.
CVO BLING
For 2022, Harley’s premium limited-run Custom Vehicle Operations models also receive the 117 engine as standard options. In keeping with the premium aspirations each CVO model represents, each comes with hand-crafted paint and designs, a premium Rockford Fosgate audio system, a Boom! Audio 30K Bluetooth Helmet Headset, and Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements.
The first examples of the new Harley-Davidson 117 models are expected to arrive in dealerships in around a month’s time.