2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S | First Ride

We ride the new Harley-Davidson Sportster S.
It’s 6 a.m. in downtown Los Angeles. A dozen or so groggy motorcycle journalists clamber aboard a row of Harley-Davidson Sportster S ($14,999) motorcycles parked outside our hotel. Out front, there’s a guy pressure washing the sidewalk, flooding the street in iridescent runoff. As I maneuver my test bike onto the road, the Sportster’s 180/70 rear Dunlop gets filmed in the stuff. I bring the bike near upright and snap the throttle to spool it up maybe 2,000 rpm; the back tire briefly steps out before going smoothly back in line with the help of some imperceptible electronic intervention. I haven’t traveled ten yards, but it’s already obvious the 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S is far more than the mere symbol its predecessor morphed into during its 64-year production run.
For some, the legendary Sportster family is meaningful precisely because it’s a symbol. A 45-degree air-cooled pushrod engine, classic cruiser styling, that Milwaukee sound: They’re real, valuable, and necessary, because they’re the soul of Harley-Davidson. To some, they’re even symbols of an idealized American spirit, equal parts blue-collar grit and simpler times. If the symbol vanishes, the bar bends and the shield cracks. Killing the soul kills the symbol.
For others, the old Sportster is not meaningful precisely because it’s a symbol. To them, it’s a symbol of old technology, old ways of thinking, and a culture better left in the past. The Sportster-as a motorcycle, dammit, not a freaking metaphor-is slow, crude, and hampered by a form that puts someone’s idea of fashion above performance, practicality, and comfort.
If the Sportster is a symbol, the radical departure of the 2021 Sportster S suggests it’s one that Harley-Davidson no longer thinks accurately reflects the truth.
And the truth is, the Sportster S subverts the archetype by being (nearly) everything its predecessor isn’t.
Brad Richards [no relation to the author], Harley-Davidson’s VP of Styling and Design, says, “Our conversations within the company were: ‘How far can we go outside the archetype in terms of the experience?’ You don’t want to mess with the formula too much because folks will walk. But when we did the research we found that one of the overwhelming narratives was that customers gave us permission. [Previously,] it was almost like our own state of mind was keeping us from finding the courage to branch out.”
And branch out they did. Just as the original 1957 Sportster upended proceedings when it replaced the side-valve K-model, the Sportster S is a controversial departure in certain camps. Gone are the 45-degree V angle, the pushrods, the simplicity of air cooling. Gone are the familiar rumble and the rough ‘n’ tumble personality of America’s longest-running motorcycle model.
Instead there’s a 60-degree V angle with liquid cooling, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, crankpins with a 30-degree offset, and maintenance-free hydraulic lash valve adjusters. Using a version of the Revolution Max 1250 engine that debuted on the Pan America, the Sportster S produces a claimed 120 hp at 7,500 rpm and 94 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm.
Ripping from stoplight to stoplight in a midsummer LA dawn, the engine demonstrates that it shares as little in common with the Sportser’s Evolution engine, as the spec sheet suggests. But in the details it somehow manages to convey that it’s built by the same people who build Big Twins and Evo Sportsters.
The Sportster S’s fueling is just a touch jittery below 2,000 rpm, and on/off throttle response is a bit abrupt, but mentioning these traits is nitpicking. In all other ways the motor is exceptionally refined. Power delivery is supremely linear, and the absence of vibration through the bulk of the rev range, thanks to a 90-degree firing order and primary and secondary balancers, means grabbing another gear rarely seems terribly urgent. The thing is almost eerily smooth. On top of that, it produces so much torque-more than a Panigale V4, actually-and revs so quickly that loafing around in low gear can hardly be considered loafing.
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[@RUBBERNMETAL]

I’ve never been more excited about a Harley. Was never a fan of what they were as I enjoy my sports bikes but this looks like something I can grow into. Would love to give it a try!

[@vincentbeijing6926]

So much negativity in the comments... I personally am impressed by the pan-am and this new Sportster, and how Harley is catching up with modern technology while keeping their bikes unmistakably a Harley. I’ll probably keep my 2016 1200 roadster forever, for its unique “new while classic” feel that I love, but I would also love to own one of the new bikes besides, and look forward to what’s coming for this new generation of bikes. A low bar, rear set, higher lean angle model would certainly look tempting

[@oieae]

U just need to stay in a Museum

[@johnbarrett7534]

I ordered mine the minute the Reveal was over!!!

[@candiedorangepiggy3281]

Same, but I ordered the day after the reveal. I was the fourth guy to call that day! Has your dealer told you any info about delivery dates? Mine said fall, which is pretty vague

[@johnbarrett7534]

My dealer did not give me a date. All I was told was early fall.

[@fmchayabusa]

Can you do a double disc aftermarket setup?

[@Firestorm637]

Nice Harley has so many reviewers from so many different type of riders. Usually Harley does not want to compete across a wide range of riders. Obviously, they want a wider appeal of their bikes. It looks great.

[@adambarczi6305]

Great job Harley Davidson! It must be terribly difficult for a traditional bike manufacturer to find its identity in this digital-electric-plastic 21st century. They managed to re-invent themselves without losing who they were

[@chriscoates2399]

Cant wait for Australian dealers to get them in Love what I See and Hear . Great job HD you've won me on This Bike

[@sebaswolf2822]

Dude this thing with a 2 into 1 exhaust,side mount for the plate 🤑😍 I need to get one for sure !!

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

I think there will be some neat Sportsters coming. One with more suspension travel and a sportier riding position would have quite some potential.

[@invasion1824]

It looks amazing

[@alleghenymotorcycleadventu3737]

It's a great start. Imagine if they put a tuned up version of that motor in a sport tourer. In addition to performance, riders would have a bike with range, storage, comfort and handling that they could ride all day to just about anywhere.

[@maniUSArmy]

LOVE this bike (I ride a ZX14R and a Yamaha Raider), but HD is wasting the enormous grip potential of that enormous front tire without enormous dual discs to go with it.

[@6amamoeba677]

It's a 4 pot brembo... it'll stop on a dime...

[@paulkmaster3231]

I love this bike too. I ride a 2020 ZX14r and 2020 Vmax and a 2018 Streetglide Special. It only has 120hp and only weighs 500lbs big deal it doesn’t have to have Dual disks but it would be much better off with twin disks I agree. Bet in the near future they will have muscle version with twin disks and the other 30hp it’s missing off the Pan America but at a $2-3k more premium. And yeah I’d probably pony up the extra cash for both because I’d make use of it the way I ride but others probably not as much. And yeah I’d go with the mid controls option as well

[@BMWHP2]

@@6amamoeba677 No it doenst. Everyone that had the chance to test it says the same, it stops barely enough. . . but not as good as it could or should. The single brake dont fit the engine and the chassis does not belong to that "sporty" bike. 4 pot Brembo . . . should be 6 and the amount of disk metal to use those pots on is 50% of what is needed for a sporty bike. They didnt fit 2 disks, just for keeping the price low . . . .it is already $22.000 in many parts of Europe.

[@georgewetzel4380]

How do you know? Have you ridden it with both front brakes?

[@BMWHP2]

@Fire Ant Powersports What you say with this, is that people that ride a Sportster S like a cruiser/bobber are ok as long as you never go above 60mph. The Sportster S is dangerous when driven in a Sporty manner. It is not the rider that devines the dna a bike, the bike does. Why do other brands decide that a "sporty" bike needs dual disks for enough stopping power? Harley chose a single disk for economical reasons, not coarse a single disk is better.

[@Firestorm637]

No stage 4 needed. Power from the factory

[@scrumthebum2451]

Haha I’m a old guy. I might buy this bike as soon as S&S and zippers get ahold of it and it produces 180 hp

[@normanparthiban4383]

I have an buell scg. Very little travel in the front. Unless you got some pristine California roads, it is quite sketching hitting bumps while cornering. It looks way cooler when the bike is lower though

[@fmchayabusa]

I love this harley like the v rod if only there was a round headlight version

[@Firestorm637]

Light years ahead of previous Sportster

[@An_Enraged_Pig]

It's a different type of sportster

[@raoulduke3770]

And in some ways a step back

[@TheImtoomuch]

In some ways.

[@TheImtoomuch]

@@raoulduke3770 how is it a step back?

[@raoulduke3770]

@@TheImtoomuch Let me say I really do love all different kinds of motorcycles. But the air cooled Sportsters were cool, easy to work on, cheap to maintain, reliable and easy to customize into whatever you wanted. Just like Ducati air cooled 2 valve motors, old Triumph twins, old Japanese in-line 4s; theres something to be said for the visceral feel of older motorcycles.

[@Stevieboy130664]

Great looking thing - especially exhaust side - not so sure about single disc at the front and one and a half inches of rear suspension travel (you probably get half that again from the tyre compression).

[@Firestorm637]

With the optional mid controls you can stand over potholes with limited shock travel

[@stevem4783]

If you're running over potholes on your bike, you're riding it wrong.

[@Firestorm637]

Modern Fat Bob with standard RDRS. 120 horsepower and 500 pounds better power to weight than low rider s 131 conversion.

[@bharsen]

I pre ordered mine in black 3 days after the reveal haha. I always was an Indian man since Polaris took em over, Used to love the Scout. Then this came out and outdid it by 21 horsepower so I was like "SIGN ME UP" Never cared for Harley before this bike. The 45 degree air cooled thing just ain't my jam. Even the 114 Milwaukee 8's and thunderstroke 116's from Indian were lackluster IMO, especially for the weight of the bikes. But this? This is a proper Vtwin, (60 degree, liquid cooled) Everyone knows the tighter you make that V the more horsepower you lose by design. If it were up to me I'd make it a 90 degree liquid cooled 1250cc engine and watch anything but a liter bike drift into my rearview.

[@geoffstartswithg]

I'd like to see a flat track/scrambler version. Maybe I do want a Harley now...?

[@spacecoastz4026]

Nice bike, but I don't get the idea of chopping off the rear fender only to add an ugly rear bracket that holds the brake light and tag. Just give me some more fender. And for ergos...give me options...free options of different controls and handlebars. How hard could that be?

[@Kaitokid3800]

Is the rear exhaust hot? 🤔

[@zwegyi7434]

Quick question.! May I have ur jacket name ? I love it .

[@zwegyi7434]

@Morgan Gales thanks brother.

[@steadysteve893]

Nice

[@mikeogden5256]

Does it wheelie?

[@gray_wolverine63]

I own a 2023 Harley Davidson Sportster-S the only reason I got it is bike is because I came from the sport bike world. It's all I road for 25 years. It's a bike. I am very familiar with riding, and after customizing it with Thuderbike aftermarket parts, I love it. But I do understand why you guys who own a real Harley Davidson don't like it. It doesn't carve turn like a regular Harley. That is why I call it a Hybrid Harley. It's just not your granddad bike. Respectfully, I respect your feelings. But to me, I'm at home with this bike. It has all I need in a modern Hybrid Harley Davidson. now I can say I own a made in USA will not 100% but close enough so good bye to Japanese bikes, 🇺🇸👍🏼

[@Antimortem]

Next Harley should use this engine in Moto American racing, get it to the next level👍

[@azhaaziz65]

It's either a LIKE IT or HATE IT bike

[@quinnkirlew9892]

Not a huge fan of the bike, but I gotta say great review!

[@bladerunner750]

So the question is, "Are we gonna pat HD on the back for making a bike so much better than the past, or are we gonna say Nice Try HD, but you still have a long way to go to be as good as many other bikes which have been in Production for years"? Would you buy it because it's a HD? Because it's Amurrican? I don't think this bike can compete with any current similar Japanese bike such as Yam FZ-09, CB1000, Kaw Ninja 1K SX, Suz GSX-S, etc.

[@ajayaghising664]

wow

[@AbnormalWrench]

Isn't that the same engine in the Pan Am....that makes 150hp?

[@6amamoeba677]

Same engine, different cylinder head and cam profile

[@stevem4783]

Pan Am makes more total power, but the S has a flatter torque curve and earlier peaks which (IMO) makes for a better ride. I am hardly ever winding my bike out to it's absolute peak.

[@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou]

So near yet so far

[@Modellbau321]

looks really sick but im not sure about a single disk for braking at the front...

[@patw9175]

plan on taking a sportster to a track?

[@TheImtoomuch]

@@patw9175 good brakes are only for the track?

[@patw9175]

@@TheImtoomuch No, dual brakes are for heat management. Single disc is fine, it's a sportster ffs not a ducati

[@TheImtoomuch]

@@patw9175 dual discs are definitely not only for heat management. I'm fact, dual discs add stopping power.

[@patw9175]

@@TheImtoomuch Cool!

[@Dan-rc4cx]

Why the hell does Harley insist on forward foot controls with higher performance motorcycles.

[@jamesstafford5564]

I want to hear it

[@icorezx14r]

I really want to hear this thing with after market cans. The snappy revs of this motor should sound great without the cat.

[@Firestorm637]

Harley stepping out of their comfort zone. Trying to obtain new riders

[@gigi9467]

Unfortunately that new rider is broke and loving with the dad and mom. This is why at 15k i believe this will be a dumb idea, slap a better engine on an old sportster mess the looks some but keep the 8k to 10.k pricing i think that would of been a better idea.

[@rohannk224]

@@gigi9467 for what it offers, it's priced perfectly. Maybe the smaller displacement bikes will be priced starting from 8-10k

[@gigi9467]

@@rohannk224 not arguing that, let me be clear, for what the demographic this bike was designed for its un affordable. Do you really think the normal harley rider will choose this over a street bob that cost The same? Nope! Not sure what small cc bike ur talking about i thought the street was discontinued

[@stevem4783]

@@gigi9467 why would I choose a Street Bob over the Sportster S? The S is faster, more nimble, lower maintenance, and offers me a lot more for that same price tag.

[@andrewmadge]

@@stevem4783 Fast? The Street Bob is putting out a lot more power with a bigger displacement. Short race maybe but the 114 will kill it in the end. Maintenance? says who? There is no way H-D won't find a 'reason' to do more servicing, different type of servicing. Cost? Bike is 3K more expensive than a Street Bob in AUD. Plus the fact you can't ride that thing for more than an hour without a broke ass. And lastly options, offers more. The Street Bob, in fact any Softtail will have a lot more P&A options to make that bike into a reasonable touring bike, or just a single cruiser. Try doing a few day trip on that little Sportster with small tank, horrid seat and you'll be the pain the neck other riders have to put up with. The Sporster S is good no doubt for the people who like short runs and doing a 1 hour trip max. But at that price, its a big no to most comparing features, price and needs. But hey if you love the thing go nuts man, your money, your opinion and each is entitled to it.

[@jamessouthworth1699]

I want to see what these are like with long-term ownership. Will they do over a hundred thousand miles without an engine rebuild? Once it gets there is the engine rebuildable or is it a throwaway Bike? What does the cost of Maintenance look like over the lifetime of the bike? This is why I was drawn away from Japanese bikes to Harleys 15 years ago. If the cost of keeping these new Harleys is too much and they are just throw away bikes then I may go back to Japanese.

[@robedmunds7163]

My Suzuki GS550 is 40 years old and I do all the maintenance on it, so they were never throw away really. My Sporty is easier to work on though.

[@jamessouthworth1699]

@@robedmunds7163 Same with the early 80s Yamaha XS650s I used to mess around with. But I'm not so sure about these new bikes

[@choilive]

might trade in my fat bob for this. looks like everything i am looking for.

[@spookydog6959]

Bronx is coming

[@richardcasey7521]

Has Harley revealed who designed and built the engine?

[@tomfjr3872]

Nice motor and tranny ... I'll wait until they put it into something with nekkid bike ergos.

[@irvan36mm]

That would have been the Bronx. Hopefully, we’ll see it next year?

[@Jaxen90841]

1) .Can we get a better front fender for it? I know someone who just had a rock fling into his radiator on his Honda. 2). Is this Made in the USA? Assembled in the USA?

[@johnnynitro7523]

Whos gives a fuck..

[@jonwalwick2517]

It sounds like we need a Buell version of this bike!

[@6amamoeba677]

Buell wouldn't be caught dead making a cruiser

[@jonwalwick2517]

@@6amamoeba677 I guess I should have said we need to have Buell build a bike for this engine. We already have the cruiser with the new sportster.

[@mikem597]

Remember when Porsche first started making SUV's ? Many of us moaned Porsche was going soft, that Porsche would lose itself. What happened was that the SUV products became hugely successful, AND the cash from that success has allowed the company to have MORE funds for sports car development. The success came because the SUV's maintained "PORSCHENESS". I think this new line of Harleys will go down that same road, and be huge for the company.

[@loganturner3895]

How much top speed??Horsepower?

[@mlmccollum100]

V rod engine... almost identical

[@robedmunds7163]

Love the motor, but 2 inches of travel is a knock against the bike, it is stupid, what are they doing, it is just not functional.

[@luisbermudez1721]

So, still it's not an automatic bike.

[@MotorheadRedo]

I like the new engine, but hate it in a Sportster. I don't want to buy one.

[@THEBANDIT7979]

Change the headlight and is a winner

[@jackmac66]

Mini fat bob

[@mikuPS3]

I really hope this will trigger Indian to put its 120 HP V-twin from FTR into Scout Bobber and name it Scout Bobber S.

[@BMWHP2]

Or . . . it triggers Harley to build a FTR-like flattracker with this engine, but with dual front disks so it has a shorter stopping distance :)

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

Let’s see: a 60-degree VTwin, 4valve liquid cooled engine in a cruiser chassis. Wait, they already did that 20 years ago, it was called the Vrod.

[@jonnycando]

And the engine is somewhat related….

[@6amamoeba677]

Except this is 5k cheaper weighs only 500 lbs wet and comes with loads of premium tech

[@Prairie_Barbarian]

Well no shit lol, it's called the Revolution engine, just like the Vrod's was. Thanks Captain Obvious

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

You’ve heard of the concept of irony I’m sure! The underlying thought here is that the OG Harley camp rejected that bike as too un-Harley like. What has changed in 20 years? We’ll see.

[@jonnycando]

@@oldschoolmotorsickle they did reject it by and large but those who bought one pretty much loved them. And yes that’s a wonderful irony that i knew would play out eventually…emission rules pretty much require water cooling. In order to get specific emissions results you have to carefully control temperature..,something air cooling can’t do.

[@NoPrivateProperty]

Harley will be out of business before long

[@masterspin7796]

Feet position is goofy...it needs dual disk brakes in front and the headlight is ugly...Otherwise it's pretty cool...

[@stogie0608]

Bikes look very nice, I’m not a fan of exhaust location and design, looks too bulky.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

If Harley Davidson but their New Engine in a Buell Chasis they would really have a Great Bike .. BUT NO HD SPENT $125 MILLION ON JAN 2009 TO CLIOSE THE NEW MODERN BUELL FACTORY ..

[@randalmontgomery4595]

Kudos for the engine. Shame about the chassis. My 1950 Indian also has only 1.5" of rear travel. I have a 1983 Suzuki GS1100 that handles incredibly well. Why can't H-D do something like that (but use their new mill in it). I love my 1966 XLH and 1964 Duo-Glide but they needed better brakes and handling. Here we are 55 years later and same complaint about H-D.

[@TheImtoomuch]

2” of rear travel is a knock against any motorcycle and it should be. That spec, alone, kills this bike for me. Close Harley, but so far away.

[@paolo4002]

Function following form. That makes it a no for me.

[@donttalktome4696]

14k dollars? No thank you.

[@XV250]

$15 grand, not 14. Plus taxes, dealer prep, etc, so more like $16 out the door.

[@hogsandsooners]

Everyone wants Harley to change, until they actually do.

[@Shah_creates]

huh?

[@marcoluoma3770]

Harley engineers are to be commended for trying to join this century. It remains to be seen, though, whether the dealers will know what to do with the bike, and whether the form-over-function HD faithful will have anything to do with it.

[@davidseal2359]

Did he say 2" suspension travel? Why would a mfr design a bike like that?

[@theeaselrider4032]

From the first time I saw this, it reminded me of something, but I couldn't figure out what. Now I do. When you go to a dollar store, or some kind of discount place like that, and you buy a generic, plastic toy motorcycle that kind of looks like something you recognize, but for obvious copyright issues has some oddly-shaped parts on it. That's what this thing looks like to me - a toy motorcycle from a Dollar Store.

[@mupokupo]

Opinions are like assholes I guess

[@Dan-rc4cx]

nice motorcycle. It shouldn't be called a Sportster though.

[@BMWHP2]

Indeed, it is a cruiser, where there are already SOOO many cruisers in the Harley line-up. Kuddo's to Harley for building the Pan American, and step outside the comfortzone. Now start building more bikes in the other categories. Let Harley build a sporty flattracker like the FTR. Streetfighter segment next.

[@wooddawg4868]

The big deal with the new Sportster is the new engine and the new technology, a lot of Harley riders are going to have to get use to smoother, cooler running, smoother shifting, and less vibration. Moving forward HD has to refine their bikes and technology because for so long they catered to the old school crowd and old school MC clubs and fell behind while their competition leaped forward with smoother motorcycles. The days of hot air-cooled engines/bikes are gone. Pushrods, huge primary chain drives rotating in oil, 3 hole oil change procedure, air cooling that had the engine feeling like a hot volcano between your legs are gone as well. There will be plenty of old-school Harley Davidson bikes for old-schoolers to tinker with for another 30 years while HD gives rise to advancement. Full counter balancing is another 1st for HD and it's welcomed as well. HD knew how to produce Cadillac smoothness but didn't until a new forward thinking CEO came on board knowing pushrods and bottom end cams are old 1950's/1960's technology that held HD back. I am very happy with Harley Davidson for finally moving on to a higher standard.

[@scottmckeen3908]

That is why the old models are asking new model prices. It's insane that a 26 year old harley is only a few thousand less than an ugly new one.

[@omarsalgado9715]

Engine temperature of Sportster is barely noticeable if ridden without stops. Now, ridden in traffic, better get a 150 cc bike. That's what I do. Air cooled V-Twins are fantastic if a rider knows how and where to ride them.

[@andrewmadge]

@@electriccowboy4747 Agree 100%

[@Dan-rc4cx]

The foot controls look like torture devices. Nice otherwise.

[@michals1108]

I like when they avoid price information :) not for young riders again...

[@Ritalie]

How the hell does a belt drive work with 120 horsepower, and 100 ft lbs of torque?

[@throyTube]

My 2020 Road Glide Special with 131 SE has 131ft lbs of torque, 121 horsepower and the built does work perfectly if not planning to do some wheeeelies

[@XceedDriver]

Belts are pretty dang strong and smooth. The xDiavel is belt drive too.

[@CraneMoto]

@@ferociousfrankie it is not chain driven

[@mikewin7056]

Well! It works well

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

They use it on Boss Hoss. It will be fine.

[@j.moto3435]

Sportster S has 111 dyno hp for $15k. Z900 has 115 dyno hp for $8999. MT-09 has 110 dyno hp for $9399. Sportster S is a horrible buy. HD claims this is a "sport motorcycle". What a joke. I am the target market and I’m taking a hard pass.

[@taylor2105]

So it's got bad fuelling and a clunky transmission bad suspension and a bad transmission? It's bad at corners and it needs more brake power? Hard to read between the lines with the press lingo. This is still an amazing step in the right direction for Harley. I do hope they still offer the classic sportster tho. At least it's got character

[@mociczyczki]

zostawili wysokosc siodla i rozstaw osi i kat głowki czyli ogólna geometria bez zmian jak w starych sportsterach wieksz tarca z przodu i wiecej tłoczkow ., wiekszy kat zlozenia silnik chlodozny ciecza ,calkowcie zmienili geometrie pracy tłoka = zmniejsyzli skok zwiekszyli srednice dzieki czemu w głownej meirze przy tej samej prawie pojemnosci co sportster iron 1200 bardzo mocno zwiekszyli moc silnika bo prawie 100% i moment n wale o 20 % około silnik stracił charketrystyczna prace h-d i wolnoobrotowa charaketrystyke ale zyskał duzo na osiagach pozatym rama jest sztywniejsza z przodu jest grubszy widelec usd i obnizyli mase z 260 na 235 kg z pelnym bakiem i zwiekszyli kąt złozenia z 28 na 34 stopnie co jeszcze neiznaczy ze w winklu bedzimy szybsi bo pamietajmy ze z przodu mamy ta szeroka 160 mm opone ktora przy tej samej predkosciw winklu i pozycji na jednosladzie wymusza glebsze pochylenie ....z tyłu tez zreszta wladowali szersza opone obstawiam jednak ze mimo to nieco szybszy bedzie w winklu od poprzednich wersji reasumujac mamy do czynienia z mniej oldschoolowa szybszą wersja sporstera i obecnie w gamie h-d z 2 najlepiej przyspeiszajacym h-d po panameryce nieliczac livewire.,komu to pasuje a komu nie ch.era wie .... gdybym mial wybeirac miedzy ironem 1200 a nowym sportsterem s wybrałbym ...... zeby wykrecic jak najlepszy czas 1 okrazenia na torze = nowy zeby wykrecici jak najlepszy czas na 1/4 mili = nowy zeby smigac na codzien po miescie i w trasie = remis ., praca sinika =iron 1200 w sensie dzwiek etc bo tam bardziej kazdy wybuch pisga a w nowej wersji jest bardziej szlifierski typ pracy .

[@mociczyczki]

gdybym jednak miał kupic z tych 2 wybrałbym jednak starsza wersje do 50-60 spod swiatel i tak bedzie bez roznicy bow syztko limituje grip laczków i wheeeli pozniej nowa wersje odjedzie fest aletaki but mi potrzebny niejest a podoba misie bardziej klasyczny wygald zeber silnika chlodzonego powietrzem w starych wwersjach i dzwiek jak w trakturze bum bum jeps bum a nie wziuuuuu wziuuuuuu :x .

[@mikesnickel]

So it's kinda like the Indian FTR 1200 "but it's not that kinda bike?" 🤔 I do admire reviews when they are trying to be positive but may not be able to completely accomplish the task.

[@jeepstertj556]

It's more like the scout bobber too me with the fat tires, single front brake and low suspension. The tracker version hasn't come out yet just the concept model of it

[@VeteransOutpost]

Keep it. I prefer my 1200 Evo. Does a bag of rice come with it?

[@philippep5924]

En retard de 50 ans sur les machines Japonaises et Européennes 😂

[@daniellang6112]

just call it a ster

[@_Bryant.R]

The old Evo Sportster 1200S is a much, much better bike. What's the point of having all that power if you can't use it?

[@jeepstertj556]

The xr1200x is the best handing sportster

[@ellistomago3369]

Executive summary: Good engine, okay chassis, mediocre brakes, and terrible suspension.

[@pipolebnene]

I don't know how they decided to cheap out on a disk at the front. Come on this shit doesnt cost you 200$ you could have added it

[@alicesrustychains6767]

Harley let’s mate a 6 speed for hi way cruisers then match it with our new state of the art pee pad for them long miles good logic thinking Harley realy impressing nobody lol I’ll stick with my low

[@irvan36mm]

An old school phone book would have made a better seat than this.

[@ericqualls5422]

Sounds like a sewing machine! Not a fan

[@robertprosser6856]

Single front disc break again! FFS HARLEY!🤦

[@allwheeldrive]

Befuddling. Why is it a good idea to have such limited suspension travel?! And isn't this supposed to be made for real humans. A nice motor, modern electronics, a great look - then stupid seating and suspension compromises that simply aren't necessary. This is the Lincoln/Cadillac Syndrome where they're trying to placate their (actually) old customers while trying to woo new ones. Maybe version 2 will do it.

[@SSS-mp8th]

If HD really wants to change perceptions they need to bring out a class competitive naked bike. They have finally brought out a bike along with the Pan-America that isn't overpriced crap. If you want to be more of motorcycle company instead of a MURICA cruiser company then they need to compete in a range of categories. Reviewers when they say "massive leap forwards.." It should be caveated, its a massive leap forwards for HD it's barely competitive with the rest of the manufacturers. If you want to see the best motorcycling on YT and a great history of HD: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Daqauphcainbs

[@XibeastmasteriX]

Shitty first ride video but awesome bike. No first person views at all like come on bro

[@randybounds2244]

Welcome to 1986 HD

[@rusipathan]

DOA. Too expensive for what it is.

[@vaughanboyce3702]

Really disappointed with this bike, why doesn't it get the 150hp motor that the pm has, silly fat front tyre, forward controls and cruiser geometry means it handles like a turd not to mention the single front brake on a 120hp bike... Really this is the flagship "sportster"...just another v-rod replacement and we all know what happened to them..

[@wasteofusername1]

There’s gonna be other sportster models lol , they just released the flashiest one first to get peoples attentions whether good or bad.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Because… it’s not a sport bike…?

[@mikkoolavijarvinen3653]

"What" happened to V-Rod? It sold reasonably well in Europe and some other places and was made for sixteen years?

[@mchristr]

Suspension travel is pathetic. Add to that the cartoonish front tire and it's no sale. I bought a Roadster instead.

[@jefferyturner4675]

From the frame, to the tech, to engine, this is a direct ripoff of the Indian Scout Bobber.

[@RidingintheOzarks]

Harley made a stressed member of the Frame motorcycle with a Model W decades ago, The Engine is based of the Vrod engine but improved which came out long before the Scout 60 degree water cooled engine... Maybe Indian ripped Harley off first...just depends on how you want to look at it, I don't care competition is good for all of us as consumers.

[@jefferyturner4675]

@@RidingintheOzarks The Model W borrowed heavily from the British Douglas motorcycle while the Vrod borrowed from Porsche R&D. Seems like HD has a history of "borrowing" from other designs including Indian.

[@RidingintheOzarks]

@@jefferyturner4675 You said frame, tech and engine and used the words ripoff. Lets be honest, Harley Collaborated with Porsche to make the Vrod engine they didn't "borrow" you use borrow to imply they copied not collaborated. Honda Collaborated with harley to create the Magnas in the 80's, people who don't know that think Honda tried to copy Harley, which they did but not behind their back, Harley helped them do it. You said it was Ripoff which I would personally disagree with... Are the things in this motorcycle ground breaking new technology never used by another motorcycle company? No but neither was the design of the scout. You like Indian great, the scout is great bike my point is simply that several things you pointed out that Harley ripped off from the scout existed long before the scout. Stay safe and keep on riding.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Yes cause no motorcycle manufacturer ha ever thought their competitor had a good idea and wanted to make their own version of that.

[@espacef1fan]

So they made an ugly Scout. Also thanks for canceling the Bronx. I was going to buy one but oh well.

[@jmaxx73]

Ugly!!! Looks like a diecast matchbox not a Harley.

[@MCTeck]

1.5 inches of rear suspension travel? Why ? Big mistake Harley. I guess you could run 15 psi in the rear tire...and never go over 35 mph in town.

[@elgar6743]

It is a 'parade' bike after all...

[@tomquinn607]

I think Harley could have vastly improved the Sportster without trashing the Icon for this really ugly way more expensive sister. I don't think the future looks bright at all for HD.

[@dragoclarke9497]

You did your best to gloss over the many problems with the bike but I certainly won't be buying one yet. Come on HD, this was the opportunity to get it right but you've still clung onto the old way of thinking.

[@elgar6743]

Big engine + lame chassis = just like a Boss Hoss. LOL. Conclusion? Another 'parade' bike from HD with a very limited performance envelope. Shocking.

[@lucasmorse3425]

Gross. So ugly. Looks like a Yamaha plastic space bike.