Harley-Davidson has added their latest model to the Softail segment in the form of the 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard. Designed to be a ‘blank canvas’ or starting point for those who want to jump in the H-D bandwagon, the Softail Standard offers simplistic riding experience with several customising options to fit any individual. (more…)
We reported yesterday that 2020 Harley-Davidson Touuring and CVO models, in addition to the LiveWire will receive rider assistance electronics. The announcement accompanies the Motor Company’s reveal of their 2020 models.
The 2020 CVO Tri Glide trike features the Milwaukee-Eight 117 (1917 cc) V-Twin as all CVOs.
The Low Rider makes a return! Now called the Low Rider S, it uses the Softail instead of Dyna frame. Likewise, it’ll be equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 (114 cubic inch equals 1868 cc) V-Twin. The Low Rider S is all “blacked-out” to look dark and aggressive.
The 2020 Road Glide Limited replaces the Road Glide Ultra in the luxury touring line-up. A new Black Finish Option is added.
The 2020 Heritage Classis is all about glimmer. As in shiny chrome as per its er… heritage. Mechanically, it remains the same as the current and outgoing model but shinier. Available in Vivid Black, Billiard Burgundy. Two-tone options include Silver Pine and Spruce, and Blliard Red with Vivid Black.
As mentioned earlier, the new Reflex Defensive Rider System (RSDS) is only available on the CVO (including the Tri Glide), Touring and LiveWire models. The system includes lean-angle sensitive traction control and ABS. We believe the Softail line-up will be equipped with it in short order.
Harley-Davidson have long been slightly rudimentary in terms of electronic aids. That’s changing now that these features will be present in the 2020 Harley-Davidson models.
The Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS) is more than just traction control, however, as it encompasses aspects of chassis, brake and powertrain control. These features are found in the 2020 CVO and touring models, except for the Road King and Electra Glide Standard.
It will also be added to the electric LiveWire and may soon equip the Softail next.
While the technologies aren’t new, it’s good to see the Motor Company finally adapting them to their bikes.
This system applies brake pressure to both wheels when the rider uses either the front or rear brake, allowing for more balanced braking on both ends. This is the linked braking function. The system is lean angle sensitive for the two-wheeled models. On the Trike, however, the system detects lateral (side to side) movements. It will apply the right amount of brake pressure on both ends of bike to let the rider hold his intended line.
Standard ABS function prevent the wheels from locking in a straight line, but the Cornering ABS function takes lean angle into consideration and controls braking pressure, to avoid lowsiding the bike.
This system also takes lean angle into consideration when regulating tyre slip.
The first system avoids rear wheel hop when the rider downshifts too aggressively or decelerating too hard on slippery surfaces. It detects rear wheel slip and uses the engine’s torque to match the tyre to the rear road speed. The Cornering function does the same but is lean-angle sensitive.
This is Harley’s version of Hill Hold Control. It activates some brake pressure to stop the bike from rolling backwards or forwards when stopped on an incline. It is really useful when carrying a passenger and/or luggage.
While this is useful for all bikes, it’s especially important for tourers since their rear tyres are hidden away. The pressures are displayed on the Boom! Box GTS screen, or a symbol on the Road King’s instrument cluster.
Harley-Davidson Freewheeler and Tri Glide Ultra models are equipped with Trike-specific Reflex Defensive Rider Systems with Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB), Cornering Enhanced ABS (C-ABS), Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS) and Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DSCS). The CVO Tri Glide model will add TPMS to the Trike-specific Reflex Defensive Rider Systems.
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