Riders Preferred Membership
Shop by Vehicle
Track Order
Contact Us
As part of Harley-Davidson's new strategic plan to focus on premium products, the company is introducing a limited-edition Icons Collection model each year, and now we see the 2022 issuance: the Low Rider El Diablo, a hand-painted, stereo-festooned, cruiser/bagger based on the Low Rider ST that's "a nod to an American West Coast custom styling trend" and comes with a $27,999 price tag.
If you're seeing shades of the old FXRT, well that's just what Harley-Davidson was hoping for.
“The Low Rider El Diablo is a modern expression of the iconic 1983 Harley-Davidson 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. “It 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.”
You know how some riders really like to be noticed? El Diablo makes a strong bid for attention from at least two senses. Most obvious is the custom paint, which is applied by hand by Gunslinger Custom Paint of Golden, Colorado. Four shades of red are applied and a fade effect is used where colors meet to convey depth. Then pale gold pinstriping is applied by hand. The color contrasts with black finishes on the engine and exhaust and the Matte Dark Bronze paint on the wheels.
The other appeal to the senses? That would be sound. If you can't turn heads with the paint job, blast 'em with your Lynyrd Skynrd or Bad Bunny (depending on your age and taste), right? That's made possible by the 250-watt Rockford Fosgate amplifier and 5.25-inch woofers mounted inside the fairing.
If you actually want to ride El Diablo (the bike, not the devil himself nor Fabio Quartararo), Harley-Davidson has carried over useful features from the Low Rider ST, such as cruise control and the clamshell saddlebags, which provide a combined 53.8 liters of storage. As on the standard ST, that luggage can be popped off in a flash to convert El Diablo from sport-touring duty to unencumbered cruising. H-D says the fairing is designed not just to bring back memories of the FXRT, but also has vents incorporated to reduce buffeting of the rider's head at speed. The six-inch windscreen is tinted.
Power is provided by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine making a claimed 125 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. It's fitted with a Heavy Breather intake and a two-into-two exhaust. Like the regular ST, there's a 43 mm inverted fork up front and the rear monoshock provides 4.4 inches of travel, so El Diablo doesn't skimp on suspension in the name of looks, like some Harley-Davidson models. Dual anti-lock front disc brakes come standard.
The Low Rider El Diablo follows last year's inaugural Icon model, the Electra Glide Revival. Both trade heavily on Harley-Davidson's history.
Yes, 28 grand is a lot for a motorcycle. Also, the average new car purchase in the United States topped $48,000 recently. Whether you consider that outrageous or just the cost of having nice things may determine whether you're the type who's inclined to ride low with the devil.
Image Gallery
