Harley-Davidson is known for doing things its own way, and the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST is no exception. This unique take on a sport tourer weighs a hefty 327kg and boasts a nearly 2-litre engine, which piqued my interest to discover what the Low Rider ST has to offer.
Harley-Davidson’s approach to design has always been unique, and the Low Rider ST exemplifies this. For instance, while the bike has water-resistant panniers that hold up to 53.8 litres, it also boasts one of the highest cornering clearances in Harley’s lineup. Essentially, this bike is a slightly modified version of the Low Rider S, which was discontinued in India a few years back. The key differences lie in the inclusion of a larger front windscreen and panniers.
The Low Rider ST is neither as massive as the Street Glide nor as nimble as the Nightster, occupying a middle ground. The front fairing, with an interesting design and small visor, is equipped with cutouts that channel cool air to the rider. Riding on a particularly hot day, this feature was a welcome relief. Standing at 5ft 11in, I experienced minimal buffeting at speeds of 120–130kph, thanks to the well-designed fairing.
However, I found the excessive black plastic in the rider’s line of sight somewhat unappealing. Despite the bike’s otherwise meticulous design, this facet detracted from its overall aesthetic. I'm typically not a fan of blacked-out Harleys, but this bike’s bronze-finished accents make it visually appealing. On the features front, the Low Rider ST comes equipped with traction control, dual-channel ABS, and a small negative LCD dash similar to the one on the Breakout, which we reviewed earlier.
When you start riding, you quickly realize that the Low Rider ST, often seen as a middle-ground motorcycle in Harley’s terms, is far from average. With 168Nm of torque available at just 3,500rpm, it becomes evident that revving this motor beyond its 5,500rpm redline isn’t necessary for an enjoyable ride. The engine runs smoothly up to 4,000rpm, after which a gentle buzz starts to build, ultimately crescendoing at the rev limiter. All along, you're treated to that signature Harley V-Twin burble, though I wish it were a bit throatier.
Featuring the same engine as the Breakout, the Low Rider ST stands out with tyre sizes more conducive to sporty handling—it seems the engineers took precedence over designers for this model. With a higher ground clearance of 150mm, it can tackle most Indian roads with relative ease.
For a bike of its weight, the Low Rider ST handles turns impressively well. It leans in quickly and maintains stability, making it suitable for riders who enjoy a brisk pace without necessarily pushing the bike to its limits like a sportbike. The braking system, enhanced by twin disc brakes at the front, ensures reliable stopping power.
The bike I tested came with forward-set foot pegs, which felt awkward while cornering and uncomfortable even on highways, placing undue pressure on the tailbone. Additionally, the foot pegs caused my knees to bump against the air filter, much like they do on the Breakout. Thankfully, the Low Rider ST also offers mid-mounted foot pegs as a standard option, which mitigates these issues.
After spending some time with the Low Rider ST, I concluded that this bike makes a lot of sense for the Indian market. It's quick, comfortable, relatively practical, and boasts the unmistakable kerb appeal of a Harley-Davidson. Overseas, it fills the gap between the Fat Bob and Fat Boy, suggesting that if H-D brings it to India, it should be priced around Rs 23.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Let's hope to see this American sport tourer cruising Indian roads by 2025!
Nissan's best-selling Magnite has received a facelift, retaining its starting price of Rs 5.99 lakh. The updated model boasts subtle design changes, new features, and the same powerful engine options.
The 2024 Nissan Magnite facelift offers a refreshed design, enhanced features, and powerful engine options, making it a compelling choice in the sub-4m SUV segment.
KTM has officially launched the 2024 200 Duke in India, priced at Rs 2.03 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This updated model demands a premium of Rs 4,000 over its predecessor.
The 2024 KTM 200 Duke Bike is priced at Rs 2.03 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), slightly higher than its predecessor (Rs 1.99 lakh). With its enhanced features, design, and functionality, this updated model promises a richer riding experience.
Kia India has officially unveiled its highly anticipated EV9, a three-row electric SUV, priced at ₹1.30 crore in the Indian market. Originally showcased as a concept at the Auto Expo 2023, this luxury vehicle boasts an impressive ARAI-certified range of 561 kilometers on a single charge.
The Kia EV9 exemplifies luxury and innovation in the electric vehicle sector, offering Indian consumers a high-end SUV option that combines performance, technology, and safety.
Jeep India has unveiled the Compass Anniversary Edition to commemorate eight years in the Indian market, priced at Rs 25.26 lakh (ex-showroom). This limited-edition model is designed for adventure-seekers and features exclusive accessories.
The Jeep Compass Anniversary Edition is a unique offering that combines adventure, design, and innovation. With its exclusive features and robust performance, this limited-edition model is perfect for Jeep enthusiasts in India.
Mahindra has launched the ZEO EV, a 4W electric pickup truck, priced at Rs 7.52 lakh (ex-showroom), marking its entry into the electric commercial vehicle segment. This innovative vehicle targets those seeking sustainable transport solutions, aligning with Mahindra's vision for a greener future.
Mahindra's recently launched Thar Roxx SUV has achieved an unprecedented milestone, garnering 176,218 bookings within a mere hour of availability. This overwhelming response has resulted in an extended waiting period for prospective owners.
The Mahindra Thar Roxx has created a buzz in the automotive world, shattering records with its impressive booking numbers. As the company prepares to deliver its highly anticipated SUV, Mahindra is poised for a milestone moment in meeting customer expectations.
Kia Motors India has launched the 2024 Kia Carnival, a premium offering in India's luxury automotive market, priced at Rs 63.9 lakh (ex-showroom). This fourth-generation model embodies a perfect blend of luxury, space, and advanced features, creating a new era in luxury mobility.
The 2024 Kia Carnival offers an unbeatable combination of luxury, comfort, and practicality at a competitive price point. With its unique positioning and lack of direct competition, it is poised to capture a significant share of India's luxury automotive market.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reaffirmed its dedication to the Halewood factory, with investments now surpassing a significant £500 million. Initially, back in 2022, the company laid out its vision for transitioning the factory to support electric vehicle (EV) production, and since then, it has shown substantial progress. Over the past 12 months, the company has dedicated an impressive 'one million hours' to construction, resulting in a 32,000-square-foot extension to the historic facility, which originally began as a car factory for the Ford Anglia in 1963.
This half-billion-pound investment includes an initial outlay of £250 million, primarily aimed at modifying the production line to accommodate JLR’s forthcoming Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. This platform will support a new generation of medium-sized electric luxury SUVs. Though these future models remain officially unnamed, there is widespread speculation that the next generation of Range Rover Velar will be the first to roll off the new production line in 2025.
However, plans for Halewood to transform into an exclusively electric vehicle manufacturing facility have been postponed. Last month, JLR announced it would extend its investment in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles longer than previously planned. As a result, Halewood is now set to produce ICE, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV) side by side, before eventually becoming the company's first all-electric production facility—though, notably, without a fixed timeline.
Looking ahead, JLR has earmarked an additional £250 million to fully realize its objectives for Halewood. Considerable advancements have already been made, including the installation of 750 autonomous robots, ADAS calibration rigs, and laser alignment technology to ensure perfect part fitment. In the pursuit of creating a 'factory of the future,' state-of-the-art cloud-based digital plant management systems have also been integrated.
These investments have expanded the length of the production line from 4km to 6km, accommodating new battery fitment processes. Additionally, seven-metre build stations have been installed to cater to the different proportions of EMA electric vehicles. Previously, the factory was mainly focused on the production of the current Land Rover Discovery Sport, highlighting the substantial scale of transformation JLR is undertaking.
Moreover, JLR has prioritized training, offering High Voltage Training to over 1,600 employees, and has constructed a new body shop capable of producing 500 vehicle bodies per day. The paint shop has also been modified to meet the higher demand for contrasting roofs.
Sustainability remains a core focus. Halewood plans to install 18,000 photovoltaic panels, projected to satisfy 10 percent of the facility’s energy needs. This move aligns with JLR’s broader goal of becoming a carbon net zero firm by 2039. Despite significant progress, the company acknowledges there is still much work ahead to meet this ambitious target but proudly asserts that they are moving in the right direction.
In summary, Jaguar Land Rover's continuous and exponential investments in Halewood underscore its commitment to transforming the factory into a state-of-the-art facility capable of producing a diverse range of vehicles. As it carefully balances ongoing ICE production with its ambitious EV goals, JLR is set to position Halewood at the forefront of automotive manufacturing innovation.
