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The Sporster S is everything that a Harley-Davidson can be; in one cool-looking hooliganistic package.
Harley-Davidsons are known for their mechanical appeal with air-cooled V-twins and rumbling exhausts. But things have taken a rewarding turn recently amidst the dramatic ups-and-downs that the automaker has gone through. In 2019, they made a pretty bold move to let go of the iconic Milwaukee hearts for a modern engine called the Revolution Max.
Taking things further, Harley-Davidson decided to bring this new engine and an iconic name together with the Revolution Max 1250T V-twin powered Sporster S. This motorcycle is based on the "High-Performance Custom" Concept that was showcased back in 2018, along with the Pan America ADV and the Bronx streetfighter.
While we got the ADV, the Bronx was not given the green light. Apart from all the modern bits used in the wicked new Sportster S, it is the history behind the nameplate that makes things more interesting. The "Sportster" name is synonymous with HD fanatics as it has been around since 1957. The old Sporster line-up was known for its simplicity and was a go-to choice for custom motorcycles.
Its steel cradle frame and a dramatic air-cooled 45-degree V-twin motor were the character features of the good old days. All of these put a lot of responsibilities on the new Sportster S's shoulders to live up to the legacy. Thankfully, it has some of the widest tires in the motorcycle world to take care of things!
The Sporster S is everything that a Harley-Davidson can be; in one cool-looking hooliganistic package.
The engine is the Sportster S's boldest and best feature. While it is the same engine architecture as seen in the Harley-Davidson Pan America ADV, the Revolution Max motor used in the Sportster S has a lot of changes done internally to cater better to the "Sportster" nameplate. This power-cruiser packs in a 60-degree Revolution Max 1250T and here the torque levels are Godly!
It churns out 121 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque via a six-speed gearbox to the belt-driven rear wheels. The numbers are normal for a cruiser, but it is how HD has spread the torque in this bad boy that puts a wide grin on the rider's face. The "kick" surges low down in the RPM meter and peaks out at 6,000 RPM. The power peaks out at 9,000 RPM and so the Sportster S is a bit shy of its top speed.
But it is the oodles of torque that are sure to get you hooked. The "T" in the engine name makes all the difference for the Sporster S. While it shares almost everything with Pan America, the madmen at Harley divided to give it distinctive internal components like new pistons, cylinder heads, and velocity stacks. The airbox design and the 2-1-2 exhaust layout are unique to the Sportster S that adds to its character.
All of these come together to provide a raspier exhaust note that might hurt the sentiments of HD fans who adore the iconic potato note! But change is inevitable and the direction that Harly-Davidson has taken with the Sportster S is all the more desirable. Without the impressive Revolution Max motor, the Sportster S will only "look" the hooliganistic part!
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The mountain of torque spread neatly across the rev range makes the Sportster S a very comfortable cruiser. Also for a change, there isn't a steel cradle frame to make you nostalgic here. HD has used the 1252 cc Revolution Max motor as a stressed member. This is a first from Harley and the front, mid, and rear frames all bolt on directly to the engine mounts.
This layout helps increase the chassis stiffness, not to mention, the weight savings that come with lesser pipes. The low-slung design also helps improve its stability. Talking of which, the Sportster S gets huge Dunlop GT503 tires. The 160/70-17 front tire is even wider than the rear tire found on a Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114! Yup, it's that huge.
Suspension duties are taken care of by fully-adjustable 43mm Showa USD forks and a linkage-assisted mono-shock coupled to the asymmetrical swingarm. Braking duties are taken care of by heavy-duty Brembos. The rider's triangle, according to HD, is exactly the same as the Forty-Eight. The low-slung design with a 29.6-inch seat height; and the forward-biased stance gives it a fierce outlook.
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The styling is fresh, but Harley-Davidson has managed to fuse in some classic bits as well. The upswept twin pipes, the tail section, and even the fuel tank shape are inspired by the Harley-Davidson XR750. There are bits of bobbers and even cafe-racers with the petite front fender and those bar end mirrors. The sleek LED lighting setup and the bare-bone design give it a shrewd character of its own, unique from any other Harleys.
There are ample technology features too, that include five ride modes and a full suite of IMU-supported aid features that includes bits like leaning traction control and even wheelie control. All of these bits can be integrated via a concise yet crisp four-inch TFT color display.
The display even supports Bluetooth connectivity that seamlessly connects your smartphone for navigation, caller ID, and more. The Sportster S's prime competitors include the Indian FTR 1200, the Ducati Diavel, and the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster.
The HD Sportster S is truly a cocktail of fun, comfort, and sheer hooliganism. The 2022 Sportster S starts with an MSRP of $15,499 and comes in three sick shades. Whoever said that Harley will lose its aura with its new wave of machines; the Sportster S is a befitting reply that says - NOPE!
Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.