Two new baggers, two new Low Riders, and four updated CVO models add up to eight additions to Harley-Davidson’s catalog.
“We are kickstands up at the dawn of a new day,” H-D says in its beautifully shot launch video.
“As part of our focus on stronghold segments, including Grand American Touring and Cruiser, the 2022 product line is designed for power and performance,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “Each of these new models feature the unrivaled 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.”
In a bit of a surprise, the “Faster. Further” launch didn’t include a new variant of the Sportster S and its Revolution Max motor, but the company teased that we’ll see one or more versions later this year.
Low Riders
Perhaps the most intriguing new model is the Low Rider ST, which employs a fairing with styling nods to the revered FXRT of the 1980s. It is also fitted with hardshell saddlebags and greater suspension travel, plus the 117 cubic-inch Milwaukee-Eight powertrain with Heavy Breather intake and 2-into-2 offset shotgun exhaust. The Low Rider S also uses the 117ci M-8 in a more stripped-down model.
Both Low Riders have styling rooted in the California “tall bike” movement and are equipped with a taller rear monoshock than the standard Softail chassis, with 0.5-inch additional stroke that translates to 1 inch more rear-wheel travel and a 0.75-inch taller seat. Harley promises improved ride comfort and more than 1 degree of extra lean-angle clearance. Dual front brakes with 300mm discs are said to deliver the responsive braking demanded by aggressive riders.
The ST’s lockable saddlebags ride high and tight, and they can be quickly removed for a cleaner appearance. Combined saddlebag capacity is 1.9 cubic feet (53.8 liters).
“A key element of this model is the frame-mounted fairing, which has a shape inspired by the classic FXRT Sport Glide model fairing favored by West Coast customizers,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design. “With a dominant central headlamp flanked by side vents, the genetic connection to the original FXRT remains familiar. The sharper creases and revised proportions in the Low Rider ST fairing provide a look that is intended to be modern, athletic, and aerodynamically superior to the FXRT fairing.”
The ST’s six-inch windshield has a dark smoke tint, and the fairing holds a single 5.75-inch LED headlamp. A deep solo seat holds riders in place, and a 1-inch moto handlebar is mounted on four-inch pull-back risers. A low-profile textured-black console tops the 5-gallon fuel tank, with a compact digital display inset in the handlebar riser for a custom “no gauges” look. An audio system is an option.
“Our customers truly inspire us, and the Low Rider ST was born from seeing the incredible builds at motorcycle shows around the world,” said Richards. “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.”
Rugged, blacked-out styling includes Wrinkle Black finish on the powertrain, primary cover, triple clamps, top clamp, rear fender supports, and tank console, while Gloss Black finishes adorn the derby cover, intake, lower rocker covers, and handlebar riser. The handlebar is Satin Black. The forks are anodized black. Mufflers and exhaust shields are Jet Black. Radiate cast-aluminum wheels (19-inch front and 16-inch rear diameter) are finished in Matte Dark Bronze to contrast the Low Rider’s dark components.
Color options for the Low Riders are Vivid Black or Gunship Gray. The S ($18,349) is available now, while the ST ($21,749) won’t arrive in dealers until late March.
Grand American Touring
The Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST are said to elevate bagger performance and bring the purposeful style of the championship-winning MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers racebikes to the street. These hot-rod baggers also feature the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain that is dolled up with new dark and bronze finishes.
These baggers are equipped with Reflex linked Brembo brakes with ABS, a Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with a color touchscreen and navigation, cruise control, and Daymaker LED headlamps. MSRPs for both start at $29,999.
Optional on the Grand American tourers is Harley’s Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements, which employ Cornering-Traction Control with ride modes, Cornering-ABS with linked braking, hill-hold control, and tire-pressure monitoring.
The Street Glide ST uses a low-profile dark windshield atop its batwing fairing and unique engine guards that differ from other Touring models, as well as a trimmed front fender and a solo seat. Black is the dominant theme, as the brightwork is limited to the pushrod tubes and tappet covers and the machined cylinder fins. Matte Dark Bronze finishes on the Prodigy cast aluminum wheels, the color band on the lower rocker box, timer cover medallion, intake medallion, and the classic script tank graphic provide subtle contrast to dark finishes. The SG-ST will be available in two paint options: Vivid Black or Gunship Gray.
The Road Glide ST uses the distinctive and shark-nose fairing with triple splitstream venting on the low-profile tinted windscreen to limit head buffeting. A low-profile engine guard and tank console combine to give the Road Glide ST trim lines. A new solo seat exposes the rear fender, and the front fender is a new trimmed version.
Suspension is similar to the SG-ST, with emulsion-technology rear shocks with hydraulic preload adjustments and a 49mm fork with dual bending-valve technology. It’s also equipped with the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with a color touchscreen, two fairing-mount speakers, and a hidden radio antenna.
Like the SG-ST, the RG-ST features blacked-out finishes for the front end, controls, powertrain, and exhaust, with shiny highlights from bright pushrod tubes and tappet covers and machined cylinder fins. Further contrast is provided by a Matte Dark Bronze finish on the cast aluminum Prodigy custom wheels, the color band on the lower rocker box, timer-cover medallion, intake medallion, and the script tank graphic. The two paint options are Vivid Black or Gunship Gray.
Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO)
Four updated CVOs join H-D’s 2022 lineup, “designed to represent the pinnacle of style and design.” The premium limited-production factory custom models boast exclusive and hand-crafted paint, as well as high-end features like a Rockford Fosgate audio system, a Boom! Audio 30K Bluetooth headset, and the Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements system. Each is fitted with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain.
CVOs have always featured the best in paintwork, and that’s the case with these 2022 offerings.
“Gunslinger is our partner in custom paint that’s been that’s been adding incredible artisanal techniques to our CVO arsenal and family for a long time now, and they’re inspiring us to push the limits, so we try to do the same thing with them,” said Brad Richards. “When most manufacturers are at the limits of a robot, Gunslinger can go in there with an artist who has the ability to brush by hand and deliver the sharpest pinstripe possible. That hand-applied technique allows for very intricate two-tones, three-tones, airbrush drop shadows, and really transcends the ‘expected’ by delivering a truly custom look.”
The CVO Street Glide “is a super-premium bagger for the rider who rolls loud and proud” behind the iconic batwing fairing. It features a Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather intake, new decorative insert finishes and Scorched Chrome powertrain covers (with the Blue Steel paint option), Rockford Fosgate Stage II premium sound, heated Kahuna Collection hand grips that match Kahuna Collection shifter pegs, brake pedal cover, muffler end caps, and rider and passenger pegs, plus a Daymaker Adaptive LED headlamp.
Fugitive wheels can be had with gloss black and contrast chrome, all gloss black, or Blue Steel and contrast scorched chrome finish, depending on paint options. New paint colorways include Hightail Yellow Pearl/Black Hole with Lightning Silver Two-Tone and Bright Chrome finishes, Envious Green with Black Hole Fade with Flame Pattern and Gloss Black finishes, and Blue Steel solid color with Scorched Chrome finishes. Prices start at $41,899.
The CVO Road Glide ($41,899) uses frame-mounted shark-nose fairing and its distinctive dual LED headlamps. Additionally, it uses an exclusive 21-inch front wheel with an 18-inch rear with laced spokes mated to cast-aluminum rims for a cool look that also enables the use of a tire-pressure monitoring system on a laced wheel. The bike also boasts Rockford Fosgate Stage II audio, and the fairing features splitstream venting to mitigate head buffeting.
Color options include Wicked Orange Pearl/Black Hole with Lightning Silver Two-Tone and Bright Chrome finishes, Envious Green with Black Hole Fade with Flame Pattern and Gloss Black finishes, and Blue Steel solid color with Scorched Chrome finishes. A Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather intake and Fang front spoiler round out the styling upgrades.
The CVO Road Glide Limited raises the bar for luxury and long-haul comfort, as it’s equipped with premium audio and heated seats and grips, as well as most of the non-Limited CVO Road Glide features. Its M-8 motor is the Twin-Cooled version.
Like the CVO Street Glide, the RG Limited uses heated Kahuna Collection hand grips that match shifter pegs, brake pedal cover, muffler end caps, and rider/passenger boards. The wheels are Harley’s Tomahawk hoops. Paint options include Wicked Orange Pearl/Black Hole with Lightning Silver Two-Tone and Bright Chrome finishes, Hightail Yellow Pearl/Black Hole with Lightning Silver Two-Tone and Bright Chrome finishes, and Dante’s Red with Dante’s Black Sunglo Fade Flame Pattern and Gloss Black finishes. Prices start at $44,899.
And for something that will never tip over at a stop, the CVO Tri Glide trike offers distinctive style and long-haul touring capability, along with a premium audio system and the Twin-Cooled 117ci Milwaukee-Eight motor. It also gets the Tomahawk contrast-cut wheels and heated Kahuna Collections grips and dual-zone heated seats. The new paint scheme is Dante’s Red with Dante’s Black Sunglo Fade Flame Pattern and Bright Chrome finishes. It’s priced at $49,999.
Visit H-D.com to learn more about the lineup of 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, gear, accessories, and more.
The post Harley-Davidson Announces New Models to its 2022 Lineup first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com