Dyna Model 2016 Low Rider S is the ultimate hurdle for Harley-Davidson lovers Dyna. Motor Co. are on track to absorb the Dyna line into their new Milwaukee-Eight Softail line, and it’s time to cram in one final variation. So they rebuilt the iconic Low Rider, increased it from 103 to 110 ci, dropped in a hotter cam, and attached an ‘S’ to the name.
The resulting bike is an absolutely tough race to ride — the Dyna noodle frame and all. And while the newer Softail Low Rider S is a rad bike in its own right, there’s still something special about the original Low Rider S that makes Dyna hot under their Carhartt necklace.
Most Customs Low Rider S adopt the California ‘club style’ treatment, but these two tire shredders from MB cycle in Heidelberg, Germany goes a different route. Dubbed the ‘Cross’ [below left] and ‘Racer’ [below right] For obvious reasons, they feel like two sides of the same coin – but really made for two different customers.
Both bikes stand taller than the bobbers and choppers we’re used to seeing from MB Cycles, and both have a unique style mix. But that’s exactly what builder Martin Becker loves about these projects. “It’s great to mix different styles on a bike,” he says, “like a chopper with high performance components.”
The Low Rider S Cross is the first of two Harleys to come to the bench. “My client knew he wanted a Harley, but didn’t know the exact model,” says Martin. “He used to be a professional mountain biker, so I proposed the idea of making something a bit off-road — and powerful enough for fun.”
Martin finds a suitable sponsor for ‘rival‘ and cracked. But a week after joining the project, another customer came in to collect his custom Harley Road King, and wondered about the Low Rider S. Within three days he had found the bike. donor bike for his own and dropped it off at Martin’s workshop, with instructions for “Building a Great Racer.”
Building both bikes simultaneously meant Martin could order all the parts he needed at once. And a healthy budget means those parts can come from the top of the top shelf. “It’s nice to order things like this regardless of the price,” he quips.
Thus, the two builds share some key parts. Both wear complete fronts from Rebuffini; an Indianapolis-specific setup with Scott steering damper on the Cross and a Nexo 4.0 system with Öhlins forks on the Racer. And both sport Öhlins shocks at the rear, finished in gold and black, respectively.
Martin also treats each Low Rider S with an extended swingarm from Krüger & Junginger in Germany. The bikes roll on their stock, but there are plans to trade the Cross wheels for a pair of hook loops from Kineo (they’re on pre-order now). The knots are Bridgestone AX41, while the street tires are Avon Cobra Chromes.
The brake settings are also identical: four-piston calipers at the front, with a four-piston caliper at the rear. The calipers are Rebuffini’s, while the plate is Galfer’s.
This vintage bike’s 110 ci Twin Cam engine is fun to go out of the factory, so Martin isn’t too fancy there. He simply dropped an Andrews cam into each engine for good measure, and switched each bike’s ultimate transmission from belt to chain.
MCJ’s two-in-one exhaust system in Italy; Both setups include a valve that can be opened or closed via a lever, to adjust the volume. Air cleaners are standard Screamin’ Eagle fare.
Moving on to the chassis, Martin trimmed a bit off the rear of both bikes. But each person was dressed differently.
The Cross bike has a custom subframe that supports the custom side saddles, ending with a neat rear rev. There’s a custom fender at the rear, with a pair of integrated Kellermann LEDs that act as turn signals and taillights. A modified Cult Werk fender is on duty at the front, with an aftermarket flyscreen mounted higher.
The Racer wears an R&R Customizing tailpiece, in the style of classic Storz design on classic flat trackers. There’s an LED taillight at the rear, along with a pair of small LED turn signals from Kellermann.
Up front are carbon fenders and carbon fenders, both from Rebuffini. A set of Thunderbike cranks, modified with a red windshield, surround the upgraded LED headlights.
Other Rebuffini features include bike footpegs, handlebar lifters, grips, levers, and backlit switches built to plug right into Harley’s CAN bus system. Both handlebars are from Biltwell Inc., while the mesh fuel cap and fuel level gauges are Kuryakyn parts.
Cross is finished with Highsider mirrors and Cultwerk license plate frames, while Racer wears contactless lenses Motogadget mirror and a Heinz Bikes license plate holder.
Martin gave it the highest rating for showing restraint in each bike’s finish. One of the best things about the Low Rider S is its factory paint color: a lot of black, with matte gold wheels. Martin has left all of that alone (along with the stock speedometer and fuel tank clutch arrangement), and just added an accent color to each version.
Chiko’s Pinstriping handles some of the detailing on the Racer build, while Metal Skin Works handles all the powder coating work.
Does it make sense to put a tire with a knob or a flat tail section on a thug cruiser? Probably not, but do we care? Neither.
Like all Martin bikes, these two Low Rider S styles are neat, well thought out and perfectly judged. We’ll take the black one, please.
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