Originally Posted by Big Al 59

I agree with you, ST should have been build on Sport Glide base (2 into 1 and low saddlebags) but with the ST fairing, dual dics and with a mix of chrome and black trim...

Originally Posted by Calif Fat Bob

There is NO PERFECT HARLEY for everyone. If Harley built the ST on the Sport Glide base, you'd have people saying it's lame with forwards and long front rake and all that chrome. Thant and the low bags scrape when I canyon carve. Lol

I would wager 30% of ST owners install forward controls to get a Sport Glide like bike.
I would wager another 20% of ST owners, swap the 2 into 2 for 2 into one and remove the saddlebags.
The remaining 50% (like me) go from "Damn I hated this thing" to "Hmmm install taller risers, better seat, mini-floorboards, and the appropriate aftermarket windscreen, this thing is pretty bad ***.

I have yet to see a stock Harley on the road. Every model is the base for each of us to change, modify, and make them our own!

Originally Posted by Calif Fat Bob

There is NO PERFECT HARLEY for everyone. If Harley built the ST on the Sport Glide base, you'd have people saying it's lame with forwards and long front rake and all that chrome. Thant and the low bags scrape when I canyon carve. Lol

I would wager 30% of ST owners install forward controls to get a Sport Glide like bike.
I would wager another 20% of ST owners, swap the 2 into 2 for 2 into one and remove the saddlebags.
The remaining 50% (like me) go from "Damn I hated this thing" to "Hmmm install taller risers, better seat, mini-floorboards, and the appropriate aftermarket windscreen, this thing is pretty bad ***.

I have yet to see a stock Harley on the road. Every model is the base for each of us to change, modify, and make them our own!

Originally Posted by tmac00333

So I drove an hour and a half to the dealer to test ride a 2023 Low Rider ST. I was seriously considering buying it and driving it off the floor that day, which was yesterday. I had read tons of reviews, loved the power-to-weight ratio, the fairing, the hard bags and especially the sleek looks. I loved the idea that to me it's sort of a powerful baby bagger.

Then I rode it. I hated it. I felt awkward from the moment I sat on it. When we actually got out on the street, I got gale-force wind in my face, my knees were up around my ears, my arms were stretched out to the bars like a cartoon character and the pipes - despite a stage 2 - were quiet as a church mouse. I didn't check but they were most likely Screamin' Eagle.

The sales gal who rode with me was stunned when we got back and I told her, thanks but no thanks. I would need to change the seat, the bars, the windshield and the foot controls to get comfortable. I would need an exhaust I could hear. I would have to spend a small fortune on top of the asking price, which we never even got around to discussing.

They were cool about it. No problem, they wanted me to have a bike I enjoyed riding. I'm bummed because, like I say, it is really a great-looking, performance-driven motorcycle. Just shows to go ya, better test ride before you buy.

The upside is that it gives me further proof that my M8 Heritage is the best HD - for me - in the lineup.

Originally Posted by smurf_bob

i think the LRST has become so common place on the road (at least in California) that when I went to buy my new bike, I was between the LRS and ST and I just think the ST gets uglier every time I look at it, and to be frank both bikes are set up horribly from the factory. Bars are too low, and the seat absolutely sucks. Harley know almost everyone does either a 10in riser or something on these and so they can get a couple extra bucks off you having to buy extended lines when you do it. I wound up with the Lowrider s and clubbed it out with 14 in Fxr division mxtbars , jd t sport fairing, leatherpros etc.

I work at a dealer in SoCal and I actually am sick of seeing the same build on every single bike that gets bought from our store, we have premade accessory packages for the typical build of Thrashin risers, Memphis shades road warrior and lp6’s. I think the bikes are good but I have put nearly 8k in parts and it’s only now getting to where I want it to be, which is ridiculous for a 22-28k bike.

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

you pretty much described every SoCal road glide also . LP6 headlights , saddlemen step up , thrashin T bars .

Originally Posted by smurf_bob

i think the LRST has become so common place on the road (at least in California) that when I went to buy my new bike, I was between the LRS and ST and I just think the ST gets uglier every time I look at it, and to be frank both bikes are set up horribly from the factory. Bars are too low, and the seat absolutely sucks. Harley know almost everyone does either a 10in riser or something on these and so they can get a couple extra bucks off you having to buy extended lines when you do it. I wound up with the Lowrider s and clubbed it out with 14 in Fxr division mxtbars , jd t sport fairing, leatherpros etc.

I work at a dealer in SoCal and I actually am sick of seeing the same build on every single bike that gets bought from our store, we have premade accessory packages for the typical build of Thrashin risers, Memphis shades road warrior and lp6’s. I think the bikes are good but I have put nearly 8k in parts and it’s only now getting to where I want it to be, which is ridiculous for a 22-28k bike.