What Brand Is a Lowrider?

A lowrider is not a brand—it’s a style of customized vehicle (often cars or bicycles) built from many makes and models. In motorcycles, however, “Low Rider” is a specific model name used by Harley-Davidson, including the Low Rider S and Low Rider ST.

What “lowrider” actually means

In automotive culture, a lowrider is a vehicle modified to sit close to the ground, typically featuring custom paint, wire wheels, whitewall tires, and hydraulic or air suspension that lets the car raise, lower, and “hop.” The term emerged from Mexican American/Chicano communities in the mid-20th century, especially in Los Angeles, and has grown into an internationally recognized style and subculture that celebrates craftsmanship, cruising, and community.

Popular car brands and models used as lowriders

While lowriders aren’t tied to a single manufacturer, certain makes and models are favored because their frames and styling lend themselves to customization and hydraulic setups. Below are common choices enthusiasts start with before transforming them into lowriders.

• Chevrolet — Impala (especially late 1950s–1960s), Caprice, Monte Carlo, Bel Air
• Buick — Regal, Riviera
• Cadillac — DeVille, Fleetwood
• Oldsmobile — Cutlass Supreme
• Pontiac — Grand Prix, Bonneville
• Lincoln — Continental
• Ford — Thunderbird, Galaxie

These platforms are popular for their classic lines and body-on-frame construction, which can better accommodate hydraulic systems. That said, builders create lowriders from a wide range of vehicles, including newer unibody cars, depending on vision and budget.

Products and models actually named “Low Rider”

Although “lowrider” describes a style, some companies use the term as a product name. The best-known example is in motorcycling, where “Low Rider” denotes specific Harley-Davidson models. Other uses are descriptive rather than brand-specific.

• Harley-Davidson Low Rider / Low Rider S — Cruiser motorcycles in Harley’s Softail lineup; the current Low Rider S features the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin.
• Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST — A sport-touring variant with a frame-mounted fairing and bags, also powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117.
• Lowrider Magazine — A long-running media brand covering lowrider culture, cars, and shows; while its print edition paused in 2020, the brand continues digitally and through events.
• Bicycle accessories labeled “lowrider” — For example, front cargo racks called “lowrider racks” (used by touring cyclists). Here, “lowrider” describes the rack’s low-mounted design, not a brand.

Among these, Harley-Davidson is the manufacturer using “Low Rider” as an official model name. Other references typically use “lowrider” as a style or functional descriptor rather than a standalone brand.

Lowrider bicycles

Lowrider bicycles mirror the car style on two wheels: elongated frames, twisted or chrome-plated components, sissy bars, and elaborate paint or engraving. These are custom builds, not a single brand, and often start with cruiser-style frames from various manufacturers before extensive personalization.

How to tell which “lowrider” someone means

Context usually reveals whether the question is about cars, motorcycles, bikes, or media. Use these cues to pinpoint the right answer.

• Car context (hydraulics, wire wheels, classic Chevys): Lowrider is a style across many brands, not a brand itself.
• Motorcycle context (Low Rider S/ST, Softail, Milwaukee-Eight): Refers to Harley-Davidson models.
• Bicycle context (custom cruisers, twisted forks, mirrors): A style of custom bike, not a brand.
• Media/events context (car shows, culture coverage): Likely Lowrider Magazine, a media brand.

If you can identify these context clues—model names, components, or cultural references—you can quickly determine whether “lowrider” points to a style or a specific Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Summary

Lowrider is a customization style, not a brand, most commonly associated with classic American cars like Chevrolet Impalas. The notable exception is motorcycling: Harley-Davidson sells “Low Rider” models (including the Low Rider S and ST). In bicycles and accessories, “lowrider” is descriptive, not a manufacturer name.