The 2017 Low Rider S is a unicorn. Ask anyone who spends their weekends covered in primary oil or scouring Craigslist at 2:00 AM, and they'll tell you the same thing. It was the high-water mark for a specific era of American motorcycling. It was the end of the line. When Harley-Davidson dropped the FXDLS, they weren't just releasing another cruiser; they were giving a middle-finger salute to the "chrome and tassels" crowd while accidentally creating a cult classic that would only get more expensive as the years ticked by.
It’s weird to think about now, but back then, the Dyna chassis was the backbone of everything cool in the custom world. Then Harley killed it.
The Screamin’ Eagle Heart
Most people buy a bike for the looks, but you buy the 2017 Low Rider S for the motor. This was the year Harley stuffed the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110B into the Dyna frame. We're talking 1,801cc of air-cooled aggression. It wasn't just big; it was "wake the neighbors three blocks away" big. While the standard Low Rider was making do with the 103, the S model gave you 115 foot-pounds of torque right out of the gate.
Honestly, the power delivery is a bit crude. It shakes. It vibrates your teeth. At a stoplight, the mirrors are a blur. But that’s exactly why people love it. It feels alive in a way the newer, smoother Milwaukee-Eight engines just don't. You twist the grip and the bike lunges. There’s no delay, just a massive wave of torque that makes you glad Harley decided to include the heavy-duty clutch as standard equipment.
The 110ci engine had its quirks, though. If you talk to mechanics like the guys over at Fueling Parts or specialized Dyna builders, they'll mention the heat. These motors run hot. Like, "searing your right thigh in stop-and-go traffic" hot. It’s the price you pay for having a factory-built hot rod. Most owners immediately swapped the stock "Heavy Breather" intake or the exhaust just to let the thing breathe better, but even in stock form, it was a beast.
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It’s Not Just a Blacked-Out Paint Job
You’ve probably seen the "Club Style" look everywhere. Tall T-bars, a small fairing, 2-into-1 exhaust. The 2017 Low Rider S basically took that entire underground aesthetic and put it in the showroom. Harley ditched the chrome. Everything was blacked out—the battery box, the fender struts, the engine covers. The only splash of color was those "Magnum Gold" wheels, which honestly shouldn't work with black paint, but they absolutely do.
But the "S" stood for more than just styling.
- Suspension: This is where the bike actually justifies the hype. Harley tossed out the mushy standard shocks for Premium Ride emulsion shocks in the rear and a cartridge fork up front. It actually handles. You can lean it into a canyon carve without feeling like you're piloting a wet noodle.
- Braking: It has dual front discs. For a brand that historically treated "stopping power" as an optional suggestion, having twin four-piston calipers was a revelation. It stops when you tell it to.
- Ergonomics: It’s a bit cramped if you're over six feet tall. The mid-controls give you great lane-splitting control, but your knees are high. It's an aggressive stance. It says, "I'm here to go fast," not "I'm here to cruise to the nearest buffet."
The Dyna vs. Softail Drama
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: 2017 was the final year of the Dyna. In 2018, Harley-Davidson merged the Dyna and Softail lines into one single platform.
Purists lost their minds.
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The 2017 Low Rider S uses the classic twin-shock design. This matters because Dyna riders swear by the way the bike "talks" to you through the seat. The newer Softail Low Rider S is objectively a better motorcycle—it’s lighter, stiffer, and the M8 engine is more efficient—but it lacks the soul. Or at least, that’s what the guys holding onto their 2017s will tell you. There is a raw, mechanical feedback from the 2017 model that the newer bikes have filtered out. When you're leaning through a sweeper at 80 mph and you feel that slight Dyna wobble? That's character. Or terror. Depending on how much you trust your tires.
What to Look for if You’re Buying One Today
If you're hunting for one of these in 2026, be prepared to pay. These bikes have held their value better than almost any other modern Harley. It’s not uncommon to see a 2017 Low Rider S with 15,000 miles selling for nearly its original MSRP.
When you go to look at one, check the lifters. The 110ci Twin Cam is known for having lifter issues if it's been ridden hard and put away wet. Listen for any weird tapping sounds that don't go away once the bike is warm. Also, look at the motor mounts. Because the engine is rubber-mounted in the Dyna frame, those mounts take a beating from all that torque. If the bike feels excessively loose or if the vibration feels "wrong" (and you’ll know if it does), the mounts might be shot.
Also, check the electronics. 2017 was a transition year for some of the CAN bus wiring systems. Most of the time it's rock solid, but if the previous owner did a hack job installing tall bars without the proper extensions, you're going to have a headache down the road.
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Real-World Riding: The Truth
I’ve spent enough time on these to know they aren't perfect touring bikes. The seat is okay for about an hour. After that, you're going to want to swap it for a Saddlemen or a BMC. The wind protection from the stock "speed screen" is basically nonexistent; it just moves the air from your chest to your forehead.
But none of that matters when you're on a backroad.
The 2017 Low Rider S makes you feel like a bit of a degenerate, in the best way possible. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it looks mean sitting in a parking lot. It represents a moment in time when Harley-Davidson leaned into their performance heritage before they started worrying about global platforms and modular frames. It was the last of the mohicans.
Getting the Most Out of an FXDLS
If you actually manage to snag one of these, don't keep it stock. The bike was designed to be messed with.
- Fuel Management: Get a real tuner. The factory tune is lean to satisfy emissions, which contributes to the heat. A proper map from something like a Vance & Hines FuelPak or a Dynojet Power Vision will make the bike run cooler and smoother.
- The "Safety" Upgrade: Check your cam chain tensioners. While the 2017 models have the improved hydraulic tensioners, they still wear. It's cheap insurance to peek at them every 20k miles.
- Tires: Ditch the stock rubber if it hasn't been changed. A set of Michelin Commander IIIs or Metzeler Cruisetecs will transform how this bike tips into corners.
The 2017 Low Rider S isn't just a motorcycle; it’s a collector's item you can actually use. It’s the bridge between the old-school vibratory Harley experience and the modern performance era. If you find a clean one, buy it. You likely won't see its like again.
Actionable Insights for Prospective Owners:
- Verify the VIN: Ensure you are looking at a true 'S' model (FXDLS) and not a standard Low Rider (FXDL) that has been modified to look like one; the 110ci engine and the specific "Magnum Gold" wheels are the primary tells.
- Budget for Cooling: Plan to spend at least $500 on an oil cooler upgrade or a high-flow fan kit if you live in a warm climate, as the 110ci engine is notorious for thermal management issues.
- Check Maintenance Records: Prioritize bikes that have had their 1,000 and 5,000-mile services performed at a reputable dealer, specifically looking for notes on primary chain adjustment and motor mount inspections.
- Test the Braking: During a test ride, ensure the ABS engages without pulsing the levers excessively; the 2017 was the first year many of these performance features became standard on the Dyna S, and they should feel sharp.