Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a modern motorcycle far from retro

Harley-Davidson motorcycles were considered obsolete, but this was their special charm. Reliability in American bikes has always prevailed over technical innovation. Today we have a review of the 2021 Sportster model. This is a modern bike that is able to compete on equal terms with the Japanese motorcycle industry.


Will the Harley-Davidson Sportster S become a bestseller? Does he have that legendary "spirit of freedom" for which Harley models are famous? Or is it a continuation of the new traditions established in 2021 by Pan America's revolutionary heavy enduro?

Appearance

The first thing people pay attention to is the appearance of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S. It is immediately clear that this is not a traditional cruiser. Rather, the spirit of the old sports bikes, bobbers, which were used for street racing, is felt here.

But the outdated appearance of the bike cannot be called with all desire - it is made in the cyberpunk style.

Motorcycle Chassis

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S engine is the powerhouse of the chassis. This decision allowed to seriously reduce the weight of the model. The bike doesn't actually have a frame.



The bike handles well, but only in a straight line. Turning the steering wheel more than 20 degrees is already problematic. The fault lies entirely with the thick front tire. You can get used to it, but the first couple of days you have to get used to turning.



Harley-Davidson Sportster S suspension is something! Now it is customizable, and you do not need to get used to it, as it was before. The suspension travel isn't too big, but the bike isn't off-road either! Everything is easily adjusted according to the preferences of the driver.

The Italian brand Brembo brakes work perfectly, but the second disc on the other side of the front wheel is not enough for reliability and soothing nerves.

Engine and gearbox

Motor Harley-Davidson Sportster S received the most modern - the same as in Pan America. This is a Revolution Max 1250T with a displacement of 1 cm250. For installation on a new bike, the engine was slightly modified, increasing traction at medium speeds by 3%. Power at the same time decreased to 10 hp. With. Recall that in Pan America the engine develops 121 hp. With.



There are no questions about the engine at all - it cheerfully accelerates a 228-kilogram bike both from a standstill and while driving. It seems that the power reserve is inexhaustible. Moreover, no one will accelerate a motorcycle without wind protection to such speeds when l. With. and volume is not enough.

But there is one serious drawback with this motor - it does not sound like a “real” Harley-Davidson should have. This is due to the modern design and environmental requirements. The engine, by the way, is water-cooled, of course, injection. The manufacturer has not put carburetors on its bikes since 2006, at least on the Sportster model for sure.

Unexpectedly, there are no complaints about the gearbox, although it worked in a peculiar way for the old Harleys. Thanks to the traction on the bottoms, you can only move in the city on the second, and on the highway there is enough third, the wind still prevents further acceleration. I mean, it will work out that way, but it's uncomfortable.



The bike is assembled with high quality, just in the spirit of the old Harley-Davidson. As for reliability, it’s hard to talk about it now - the motorcycle is “fresh” and not widespread.

Model equipment

Although the motorcycle looks ascetic, it does not lack modern technologies.

The engine is electronically configured in three modes:

• ? track
  
• ? Rain
  
• ? Sport
  

There is an anti-slip system and ABS, but anyway, it’s better for beginners to use the “Rain” mode for the first time - a powerful engine can show its character!



For an additional fee, options can be ordered for the Harley-Davidson Sportster S, their list will take more than one page.

Feelings of the motorcycle

All this is fine, but how will the motorcycle perform in operation? The first thing you notice is the atypical operation of the variable valve timing system for Harley-Davidson.



Engines used to be a bit sluggish, now the Revolution Max 1250T runs with Japanese precision.
The Sportster S is best driven in the middle rev range. The gearbox pleases with smooth shifting.

But there is one point in which the manufacturer miscalculated - he did not equip his bike with a quickshifter, which depresses experienced motorcyclists. Inexperienced do not even know what kind of option this is, so they will not notice anything.

For those who are interested, I explain - the quickshifter is a special device that allows you to shift gears without a clutch.
Two exhaust pipes, brought to one side, look bold, but in the city in the summer they are great toast the ass of a motorcyclist. The catalytic converter is especially hot. But in cold weather it is pleasant to move around. But on the tracks there is no heat.

The ABS and traction control intervene too early, even when set to the most realistic setting. For beginners, this is a plus, but for experienced motorcyclists it can interfere.



There are enough brakes. One front disc is made for a reason - it is a tribute to classic fashion.

On the move, the bike surprises with the stiffness of the suspension. For a sportbike, this is good, but for a Harley-Davidson Sportster S, this is rather a minus. Bad road and 50 millimeters of rear suspension travel don't go well together.

The forward footrests do not save the situation, on the contrary, they make it difficult to get up when passing bumps. So get ready to strain the "rolls".

The front suspension has up to 90mm of travel, so it handles bumps better than ever. Plus the Dunlop 160/70 R16 tire - and the front end is protected from breakdowns.

If desired, you can order additional steps located in the middle. This will help you lift up over bumps.
Creating a new Harley-Davidson Sportster S, the manufacturer tried to give the motorcycle a sporty character. We can say with confidence that it was 100% successful and even more. Electronics fit into the design of the bike without problems, the display, stylized as a speedometer well, is especially successful.



The Harley-Davidson Sportster S offers many touring accessories that can be used to create a motorcycle touring. So-so idea - the bike is too rigid, just ride the highway from city to city without turning anywhere. But will that stop real fans of the Harley-Davidson brand?

In the United States of America, the motorcycle is offered from $15. Expensive, of course, but only until you find out how much they ask for a bike in Russia. We want from 000 rubles for it, which is about 1 dollars more expensive. Delivery, mark-up of local dealers - this is the cost.



The used Harley-Davidson Sportster S 2021 model year is not yet found on the used market. Perhaps the situation will change soon.
The motorcycle is excellent, but it is hardly destined to become popular in Russia. The price is too high, and indeed, Harleys are not very common with us, which is a pity.