Rumours of the death of the Harley-Davidson Sportster brand seem to have been greatly exaggerated!
Instead of replacing the 883cc and 1200cc Evolution-powered Sportster with a water-cooled 1250cc Revolution-engined Bronx, Harley has kept the 64-year-old model name alive with the new Sportster S.
It may be Harley’s attempt to keep fans of the Sportster happy after their experience killing off the Dyna range a few years ago when it merged with the Softail family, much to the chagrin of many Dyna devotees.
However, the new Sportster S is really a Sportster in name only.
It looks more like the short-lived Softail FXDR and, of course, it’s water cooled to meet tougher emissions standards and keep it selling in Europe.
The new model was expected to be called the Bronx Streetfighter, but in May last year it was revealed the company had listed a Sportster Streetfighter in its 2021 line-up.
We expect a 950cc model to follow to replace the current 883 models.
Pricing
Well, it’s now the Sportster S and is powered by a 121hp Revolution Max 1250T V-Twin engine that will no doubt power a whole new line of water-cooled Sportsters.
That makes it the most powerful Sportster yet.
It’s also the most expensive.
Harley-Davidson Australia says it will be available late this year from $A26,495 ($NZ28,750) ride away for the Vivid Black model.
There has never been a Sportster that cost more than $20,000.
Harley says the new Sportster S has a “taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension” and claims it will corner like no other.
They quote a 34-degree lean angle on both sides thanks to the high scrambler-style pipes and higher-mounted forward-mounted footpegs.
Harley boss Jochen Zeitz says the next-generation Sportster is “defined by power, performance, technology and style”.
“And it’s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley-Davidson,” he says.
Styling
The bike is dominated by fat “balloon” tyres, a bobbed rear end, shorty front guard, upside-down forks and a slim solo seat.
Harley says it is inspired by their XR750 flat tracker, but those forward controls seem out of place.
However, a mid-mount conversion kit will be available as an accessory.
Images released show the bike in a matte black and a “Chocolate Satin” paint with bronzed engine highlights.
They say it all be available in Vivid Black, Stone Washed White Pearl and Midnight Crimson.
Technology
It will come with three ride modes (Sport, Road and Rain) and two rider-customised modes as well as traction control.
Harley says the round, 4.0-inch-diameter TFT screen will mirror the rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth so it could have Apple CarPlay and the Android version.
That means music, hone calls and satnav on the screen.
All lighting is LED and the headlight is an oval shape more like a modern Fat Bob than a traditional Sportster.
Chassis
The engine is a central member of the chassis which keeps wet weight down to 228kg.
Harley says the stiff chassis and welded tubular steel trellis swingarm with stamped X-member provide sharp handling.
It comes with fully adjustable Showa 43mm upside-down forks and Showa Piggyback reservoir rear shock with hydraulic hand-adjustable pre-load.
The aluminium alloys are shod with high-profile Dunlop/Harley-Davidson GT503 tyres 160mm up front and 180mm at the back.
Brakes are supplied by Brembo with a radial monoblock four-piston caliper and a 320mm single disc up front and a two-piston caliper and a 260mm diameter disc at the rear.
Seat height is a low 752mm and the hand levers are adjustable, so it should suit shorter riders.
It comes pre-wired for accessory heated hand grips, has two power points for heated riding gear and a USB-C port for charging a phone or other device.
Cruise control and a proximity-based security system are standard.
Accessories
Harley says there will be a range of accessories available at launch, but we are not sure which will be available in Australia, although we expect most will be.
They include the mid-mount conversion kit, passenger pet, seat and backrest, a comfort rider seat, detachable windscreen and mailbag.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S
|
Model |
RH1250S Sportster® S |
Notes |
|
Dimensions |
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Length |
89.2 in. (2,265 mm) |
|
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Overall Width |
33.2 in. (843 mm) |
|
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Overall Height |
42.9 in. (1,089 mm) |
|
|
Seat Height, Laden |
28.9 in. (734 mm) |
2 |
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Seat Height, Unladen |
29.6 in. (753 mm) |
|
|
Static Ground Clearance |
3.66 in. (93 mm) |
|
|
Rake (steering head) (deg) |
30 |
|
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Fork Angle (deg) |
28 |
|
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Trail |
5.8 in. (148 mm) |
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Wheelbase |
59.8 in. (1,518 mm) |
|
|
Tires, Type |
Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series, radial |
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|
Tires, Front Model |
GT503 |
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Tires, Front Specification |
160/70TR17 73V |
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Tires, Rear Model |
GT503 |
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Tires, Rear Specification |
180/70R16 77V |
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Fuel Capacity |
3.1 gal. (11.8 l) |
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Reserve Fuel Capacity, Fuel Injection (warning light) |
0.8 gal. (3 l) |
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Oil Capacity (w/filter) |
4.75 qt. (4.5 l) |
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Transmission Capacity |
N/A |
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Primary Chain Case Capacity |
N/A |
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Coolant Capacity |
2.32 qt. (2.2 l) |
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Weight, As Shipped |
486 lb. (220 kg) |
|
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Weight, In Running Order |
502 lb. (228 kg) |
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Gross Vehicle Weight Rating |
922 lb. (418 kg) |
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Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front |
359 lb. (163 kg) |
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Gross Axle Weight Rating, Rear |
595 lb. (270 kg) |
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Luggage Capacity -Volume |
N/A |
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Engine |
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Engine |
Revolution® Max 1250T |
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Valves |
Chain-driven, DOHC, hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, intake & exhaust VVT; four valves per cylinder |
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Bore |
4.13 in. (105 mm) |
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Stroke |
2.85 in. (72.3 mm) |
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Displacement |
76.4 cu in (1,252 cc) |
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Compression Ratio |
12.0:1 |
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Fuel System |
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
3 |
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Air Cleaner |
Downdraft intake, tuned velocity stacks, washable filter media |
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Exhaust |
2-into-1-into-2; catalyst in muffler |
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Lubrication System |
Semi-Dry Sump |
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Drivetrain |
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Primary Drive |
Gear, 49/89 ratio |
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Final Drive |
Belt, 80/34 ratio |
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Clutch |
Mechanical, 8 plate wet, assist & slip, 1090N |
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Transmission |
6-speed |
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Gear Ratios |
12.21 |
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Gear Ratios |
9.022 |
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Gear Ratios |
6.994 |
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Gear Ratios |
5.641 |
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Gear Ratios |
4.731 |
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Gear Ratios |
4.131 |
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Chassis |
||
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Frame |
Stressed-member, high strength low alloy steel trellis frame; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; MIG welded; aluminum forged mid-structure |
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Swingarm |
High strength low alloy steel, tubular sections, stamped x-member, forged axle junctions; MIG welded |
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Front Fork |
43 mm inverted fork with compression, rebound and spring preload adjustability. Aluminum fork triple clamps. |
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Rear Shocks |
Linkage-mounted, piggyback monoshock with compression, rebound and hydraulic spring preload adjustability |
|
|
Wheels, Optional Style Type |
N/A |
4 |
|
Wheels, Front Type |
Aluminum cast, satin black |
4 |
|
Wheels, Front Width |
4.5 in. (114 mm) |
|
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Wheels, Front Height |
17 in. (432 mm) |
|
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Wheels, Rear Type |
Aluminum cast, satin black |
4 |
|
Wheels, Rear Width |
5 in. (127 mm) |
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Wheels, Rear Height |
16 in. (406 mm) |
|
|
Brakes, Caliper Type |
Front: radially mounted, monoblock, 4-piston caliper Rear: floating, single piston caliper |
|
|
Brakes, Rotor Type |
Front: single rotor, floating, tower- mounted Rear: solid uniform expansion rotor |
|
|
Brakes, Front Diameter |
12.6 in. (320 mm) |
|
|
Brakes, Front Thickness |
0.2 in. (6 mm) |
|
|
Brakes, Front is dual |
No |
|
|
Brakes, Rear Diameter |
10.2 in. (260 mm) |
|
|
Brakes, Rear Thickness |
0.2 in. (5 mm) |
|
|
Front brake lever free travel |
N/A |
|
|
Rear brake pedal free travel |
N/A |
|
|
Brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) |
Standard |
|
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Suspension Travel, Front |
3.6 in. (92 mm) |
|
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Suspension Travel, Rear |
2 in. (51 mm) |
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Performance |
||
|
Engine Torque Testing Method |
J1349 |
|
|
Engine Torque |
94 ft-lb (127 Nm) |
5 |
|
Engine Torque |
6,000 |
|
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Power |
121 HP / 90 kW @ 7500 rpm |
|
|
Lean Angle Testing Method |
J1168 |
|
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Lean Angle, Right (deg.) |
34 |
|
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Lean Angle, Left (deg.) |
34 |
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Maximum hill-starting ability |
N/A |
|
|
Fuel Economy Testing Method |
Estimated City/Hwy |
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|
Fuel Economy |
49 mpg (4.8 l/100 km) |
6 |
|
CO2 Emissions Testing Method |
N/A |
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CO2 Emissions |
N/A |
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Electric |
||
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Battery |
Sealed, maintenance-free, absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery, 12V, 12Ah, 225 CCA at 0°F |
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Charging |
Three-phase, 45 Amp system (300 Watts @13 Volts, 1200 rpm, 585 Watts max power @ 13 Volts, 2250 rpm) |
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Starting |
0.9 kW electric with direct drive starter motor engagement |
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Lights (as per country regulation), Headlamp |
All LED headlamp, low and high beam with signature position lighting |
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Lights (as per country regulation), Tail/Stop |
All LED Tail/Stop lamp with signature tail lighting |
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Lights (as per country regulation), Front Signal Lights |
LED Bullet Turn Signals |
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Lights, Rear Turn Signals |
LED Bullet Turn Signals |
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Gauges |
4 inch viewable area TFT display with speedometer, gear, odometer, fuel level, clock, trip, ambient temp, low temp alert, side stand down alert, TIP over alert, cruise, range and tachometer indication BT capable – phone pairing to access phone calls, music, navigation (H-D App ONLY) |
|
|
Auxiliary Lamps |
N/A |
|
|
Electric Power Outlet |
USB C-Type , Output 5V at 2.4 Amp |
|
|
GPS System |
N/A |
|
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Reverse Gear |
N/A |
|
|
Warranty And Service |
||
|
Warranty |
24 months (unlimited mileage) |
7 |
|
Service Interval |
First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter |