PREVIEW - 2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider El Diablo

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Harley-Davidson ANZ

Introduced last year, Harley-Davidson's 'Icons Collection' is a series of limited-edition motorcycles that are based on current platforms, but tap into The Motor Company’s long and rich history for styling, colours and details.

Last year’s Electra Glide Revival was the first in what will be an annual release under the Icons Collection banner. The second instalment in that series is the Low Rider 'El Diablo'.

Classic Inspiration

Where the Electra Glide Revival was inspired by a 1969 FLH Electra Glide, the upcoming El Diablo tips its hat to a newer model, specifically the 1983 FXRT Sport Glide.

“The Low Rider El Diablo is a modern expression of the iconic 1983 FXRT and a representation of the creative times it was born in,” said Brad Richards, Vice President of Design and Creative Director – Motorcycles Harley-Davidson.

Although it debuted after Harley’s AMF era, the FXRT Sport Glide was developed during this period and can trace its origins back to the FX Super Glide that was created by Willie G. Davidson and released in 1971. While the original Super Glide is considered a Harley icon now, that wasn’t the case when it was new, and it wouldn’t be until the arrival of the FXS Low Rider in 1977 that customers started to embrace the mix of Big Twin and Sportster parts that defined the FX platform.

Several FX variants followed in the’70s and early ’80s, of which the FXWG Wide Glide is perhaps the best known. In 1982, the platform was modernised with the creation of the FXR which featured a new frame design (with input from Erik Buell) and rubber mounts for the Shovelhead engine amongst other changes.

The FXR and FXRS ‘Super Glide II’ were the first models on this platform, with the FXRT ‘Sport Glide’ added for the 1983 model year.

Defined by its frame-mounted half-fairing and hard panniers, the FXRT (‘T’ for ‘Touring’) also featured adjustable air-assisted suspension front and rear, plus an air-operated anti-dive system that increased the fork spring rate under braking.

Cast alloy wheels, an improved headlight and enclosed final drive chain were all standard, along with tall gearing to suit touring and engine improvements that had already been incorporated into earlier FXR models. Disc brakes were fitted front and rear, with dual discs on the front end originally, but these were swapped for a single disc after the FXRT’s first year on the market.

Filling a market niche for a touring bike with sportier performance and better handling than the big FL twins, the FXRT Sport Glide was popular enough to remain in production for a decade.

For all its various innovations and mechanical improvements (including adding the Evo engine from 1984, a switch to belt final drive and other updates), it was the fairing and panniers that grabbed attention on the Sport Glide. The softer, rounded shapes were unlike anything that Harley-Davidson had offered previously but were as practical as they were stylish, with effective wind protection from the fairing and good carrying capacity from the panniers.

Red. . . and More Red

Most period images of the FXRT Sport Glide show it in a deep burgundy colour with gold pinstriping. This treatment provided inspiration for the Low Rider El Diablo.

“[The El Diablo] embodies the spirit of counterculture in Southern California in the ‘80s in a contemporary package that features meticulously crafted custom paint, including pinstripe trajectories that nod directly to those of the original FXRT,” says H-D’s Brad Richards.

Based on the Low Rider ST, an all-new Low Rider variant that was introduced earlier this year, the El Diablo is hand-painted by Gunslinger Custom Paint in Colorado, the same team that have painted Harley’s premium CVO models and other short-run projects on the past.

In this instance, the Low Rider ST’s standard fairing and panniers, along with the fuel tank and mudguards, are first hit with a bespoke El Diablo Bright Red shade, then Bright Red Sunglo. Masking off sections, then applying a layer of El Diablo Dark Red and Dark Red Pearl creates double pinstripes in the lighter colour, with the darker shade carefully faded around the outer edges of the panels to add depth.

Additional masking, followed by a layer of El Diablo Dark Red Metallic, creates contrast sections, with more fading added here, too. Atop this, hand-applied gold pinstripes within the perimeter of the dual El Diablo Bright Red pinstripes ties all the bodywork pieces together.

To protect this artisanal approach, a top coat of El Diablo Bright Red Sunglo includes a tint to create a candy effect.

The finishing touches are gold Bar & Shield badges in the panniers, while late-70s style Harley-Davidson tank decals incorporate a clever touch in the form of devil’s horns and a forked tail!

Complementing this are ‘Radiate’ alloy wheels in matte bronze, but to make that abundance of red pop out, virtually everything else is finished in black, including the engine, exhaust, frame, forks, oil tank, bars and mirrors.

The fairing is topped with a bobbed and smoked screen, as per the standard Low Rider ST, but on the fuel tank console, there’s El Diablo identification, as well as each unit’s individual build number.

Standard ST Spec

Beyond its special paint finish and selection of blackout parts, the Low Rider El Diablo is unchanged from the regular Low Rider ST in most areas.

The powerplant is a Milwaukee-Eight 117, producing 77kW at 4750rpm and 167Nm at 3500rpm. A high-performance camshaft and tuned Heavy Breather intake with exposed filter are standard and unchanged from the ST, as is a 2-into-2 shotgun exhaust system, but dealer-installed Screamin’ Eagle upgrade parts will be available when the El Diablo arrives in Australia and New Zealand.

The transmission is the standard Cruise Drive six-speed, while the suspension consists of 43mm USD forks and a monoshock rear, offering 130mm and 112mm of travel, respectively. With adjustable preload at the rear, this set-up explains the Low Rider’s increased lean angle and superior handling compared to other cruisers in the Softail family.

Braking is made up of dual 300mm front discs with four-piston calipers and a 292mm rear disc with a two-piston caliper. This, along with standard ABS, is unchanged from the Low Rider ST.

Instrumentation consists of a 2.14-inch TFT display nestled into a handlebar that’s on four-inch pullback risers. A USB charging port is fitted, lighting is LED all round and a low (720mm), supportive solo seat is standard. The panniers hold a combined 53.8 litres, are lockable and include a quick-release mechanism, too.

El Diablo upgrades

While much of the El Diablo’s mechanical and tech spec carries over from the Low Rider ST, the Rockford Fosgate sound system that’s optional on the regular model will be fitted as standard.

Jointly developed with Harley-Davidson, this system includes two 5.25-inch woofers and two tweeters, with a compact 250-watt amplifier mounted within the fairing. Bluetooth connectivity is standard, with additional functionality, including automatic volume control, available via the Rockford Fosgate mobile app.

Limited Edition

As with last year’s Electra Glide Revival, the Low Rider El Diablo in this year’s Icons Collection offering will be limited to just 1,500 units globally, more than half of which are expected to go to the US. The Australian/New Zealand allocation of that total has been confirmed at just 40 units.

The Low Rider El Diablo is expected to arrive in Australia before Summer, priced from $39,995 ride away; a $4,745 premium over the standard Low Rider ST. New Zealand pricing of NZ$42,750 carries a similar premium over the regular version.

To confirm availability, order and get more details, see your Harley-Davidson dealer.