Harley Davidson Low Rider ST (FXLRST)
Well, I finally did it. I got myself a Low Rider ST.
Over time, I found myself slowly turning my Street Bob into my own version of a Low Rider. Once I started looking into inverted forks and a dual-disc front brake conversion, I realized what I had to do.
It was still a hard decision. I really liked the FXBBS. It was a great bike, and I had put a lot of work into making it my own. But I wanted something better suited for longer rides, and the Low Rider ST checked a lot of boxes right out of the gate: a larger engine, 5-gallon tank, better brakes, improved suspension, and much better wind protection.
Deciding to Make the Switch
About six months earlier, I had test ridden both the FXLRS (Low Rider S) and FXLRST (Low Rider ST).
The Low Rider S didn't feel like enough of an upgrade over my modified Street Bob, and at the time I wasn't completely sold on the bags or fairing on the Low Rider ST. I decided to run some numbers on the ST anyway, but the dealer and I couldn't come to an agreement on the price.
So I went home and started thinking about what I liked about the Low Rider and what I could bring over to my Street Bob instead.
I started with some of the cheaper changes, like raising the rear suspension, along with a few cosmetic modifications like a license plate relocation kit.
But after a few more months of riding the Street Bob, I started researching inverted front ends and converting the bike to dual front discs.
At that point, I had to ask myself what I was actually doing.
I kept looking at the Low Rider ST and couldn't get it out of my head. With the 2025 models coming soon and motorcycle sales slowing down, I decided it was finally time. I traded in the Street Bob and came home with a Low Rider ST.
I couldn't be happier with the decision. My only regret is not doing it sooner it probably would have saved me some money.
Making the ST Mine
Of course, I couldn't leave it stock for long.
The first things to go were the stock seat and shotgun exhaust.
Saddlemen SDC Pro Gripper
This time around, I went with a Saddlemen SDC Pro Gripper. I wasn't sure how I felt about the backrest at first, but since it's removable, I decided to get it anyway.
So far, so good.
SPC Big Bore 2-Into-1
For the exhaust, I went with an SPC Big Bore 2-into-1 paired with a Dynojet Power Vision tuner.
I had run Vance & Hines Short Shots on the Street Bob, but I wanted to go in a different direction with the ST and move to a 2-into-1 setup.
Lucky Dave's Lucky 13s
The stock bars actually felt okay, but I really liked the T-bars I had on my FXBBS, so I went back to Lucky Dave's.
This time I chose 11-inch Lucky 13s to get some additional pullback.
Since I was already changing the bars, I figured I might as well change the grips too. I went with brown ODI Vans Lock-On grips to complement the bronze wheels.
MoonsMC Fly Eye V2
I also really liked the MoonsMC Fly Eye headlight I had on the Street Bob, so the ST got the newer Fly Eye V2.
What's Next?
So far, I've been really happy with both the bike and the modifications.
There are still a few things I want to change, but I'm going to take my time and enjoy the bike for a while instead of immediately tearing everything apart.
One of the next things I'm looking at is a new taillight. Aside from changing the look, I'm hoping a lighter taillight assembly might reduce some of the stress on the rear fender. I've seen several reports of the ST rear fender developing cracks around the taillight area, so I'd rather get ahead of that if I can.
The Street Bob was a great bike and taught me a lot about what I actually wanted out of a Harley. In the end, I spent a couple of years modifying it toward something Harley already made.
Sometimes you just have to buy the right bike.