Harley-Davidson Sportster S sound [RAW Onboard]

[@petrol_burner]

I have my Sportster S, 18 months now, and have put 12k Km on it, on the Irish Coast roads. On warm dry days it is superb

[@Craplatte]

Schaaf putting the Sport in Sportster 🙂

[@Schaaf]

On the straight bits, yes :D

[@AndrewLewer90]

I personally don't like HD but I'm happy it seems to have kept it's nature as a cruiser. Also, it sounds good.

[@Schaaf]

thanks Andrew!

[@Aksh8Edits]

As in my opinion, bmw bikes are just better.. for sport. You have 9t or s100rr... adv bmw 1250 gs which is way better than HD pan America .. cruiser as the r18... just my opinion though

[@M_Proximo]

Just stumbled upon your channel and I’m hooked. Love how you can bring out the potential of the bikes you review. So many reviewers on here don’t even know how to counter steer.

[@toofastnobrakes]

I love that Harley leaned into the sportsters “sport heritage” for this bike. But I feel like they didn’t go far enough. They made a bike that like you said doesn’t really fit in any category. I think this bike needs a little taller seat and peg height, the optional mid controls should be standard, and it desperately needs dual disc brakes. They could have made this bike a modern recreation of the XR1200

[@colinrobinson9674]

points of view, this bike is perfect for me. Fast, stiff and masculine

[@niks2017]

bro i for real envy you for the nice curvy roads you ride on,wish the roads in my country had such beatufull scenery and were this well maintained

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@halo-7797]

Austrian roads are very nice indeed. I was passing through austria just yesterday. Beautiful scenery.

[@marekskoczylas5891]

I own 2008 XR1200 which is also unique in many respects (yet a Sportster) and being a non Harley guy, I actually enjoy it. It leans, it holds the line, it sounds gorgeous with Termis I bought for it. Brakes (2 discs) and suspension are adequate at most. The sound especially got me into harley camp. Been eyeing a new Nighster (similar, or same maybe to what you ride here?), but it sounds like new bike. To sum it up, these bikes aren’t very good in motorcycling terms, yet, there is something about them that makes me keep it and I rather change around other bikes I own, than this one..

[@Schaaf]

Could be that the Nightster uses the same engine but I don't know. But I definitely understand your Harley motivation :)

[@gigelfranaru]

@@Schaafits a smaller engine. 975 on the nightster vs 1250 on the sportster

[@MrRide77]

Nice to see this variety of motorcycles on your channel.

[@gokulkrishm51]

Sounds so good at the lower revs. And what a colour!

[@Schaaf]

Thanks Gokul!

[@DoctorMotorcycle]

Personally, I think the right move would've been to just modernize the EVO sportster (add liquid cooling, VVT, 4V heads) like they're doing with the M8 motor. The evolution engine pretty much saved HD, kind of a bummer that it's relegated to the history books, but that's just me.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bytesandbikes]

Seems pretty good. I rebuilt an 80s sportster for a friend many years back. That thing was build like a Soviet Tractor, so any change is good in my eyes! 😅

[@Schaaf]

Hehehe

[@thomasmuler2452]

Mit Jekyll & Hyde steigt der Fun-Faktor noch mal immens. 😂😎🤟

[@Schaaf]

Das glaub ich dir gern ;)

[@justwoody6511]

Das ist ein Unterschied wie Tag und Nacht. Mehr Hooligan Bike geht nicht. Würde aber wahrscheinlich meistens mit halb geöffneter Klappe fahren, da das mit geöffneter Klappe bei meiner Probefahrt schon sehr assozial war. :D

[@Redwood91]

Gibt es irgendwo ein RAW Video mit Jekill?

[@FedoraQuilava87Music]

I tested the nightster 975 this weekend, compared to my 04 Sportster 1200, its super sporty. Id love to see a ride on the nightster!

[@dizelsanatlarfakultesi]

Hi, I'm following you from Turkey, I really like your videos. I came to your gas and bought a 98 model africa twin. You are super. i love you schaaf thx for all videos :)

[@Schaaf]

Awesome! Thank YOU for watching!

[@rafaelcavalli5837]

That color is sick! I rode the Sportster S and the Nightster. I agree with you in every point, the fat front tire is tough and the ma lean angle is not that high but it looks cool. The Nightster has 975cc engine with 120cv but it's definetly easier to ride. The Sportster S engine on the Nightster would make a very fast naked anyway, I'm still waiting for some customizer rise up the rear of one of them to increase lean angle. In the end this is a very nice and cool bike.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks Rafael

[@Roy-cm1bh]

Mine sounded like that for 3 miles until I got it home, stuck a Freedom 2 into 1, no baffle, omg, totally different beast unleashed. With the baffle it’s a little bit more social and still roars but love it without. Best bike I have had in years the torque is insane 👍

[@Roddy_Zeh]

Different from the older one, gonna miss the sound of the old aircooled V-twin. But it's a cool bike nonetheless. And one thing that I liked a lot, that seems silly at first, but to me is important...the...frame rate(?) or speedo updating rate or something, the numbers change fast. I hate when that is slow so you're flooring it and the numbers go like 0-35-70-90-105-121-143...like jumping a lot in-between them. I know it's a matter of safety, easier for the driver/rider to keep up with the numbers instead of them updating so quickly, but that always bothered me.

[@Schaaf]

I feel you! I also appreciate speedometers that don't skip any numbers

[@Roddy_Zeh]

@@Schaaf I used to think this was a software issue or limitation, something like that. But after seeing some cars (and bikes) having this characteristic, I realized it was simply a matter of choice for the brands.

[@iROMine]

Yeah that's not silly that's a legitimate thing. The framerate should be high on speedos so you're not at a disadvantage versus a needle. Rate of change and having a good number at a glance is important.

[@Roddy_Zeh]

@@iROMine Now that I think about it, speedos with low framerate kinda reminds me chronometric ones, in a way. I still remember seeing it for the first time in Le Mans, the 1971 movie with Steve McQueen, in the onboard shots on the Porsche 917. That tachometer needle was going up and down so slowly, really like a clock, and I always wondered why. That was nearly 20 years ago. Only recently I discovered such instruments were actually a thing.

[@Chris-yy5pj]

I personally think the new ceo doesnt understand the point of the sportster. It was supposed to be a cheao reliable bike that masses could buy and customize to their own desires. Look at the 883 vs the new rev max engine. It doesnt sound like a harley and it doesnt look like a harley and not to mention its almost 5k more than the 883. Im by no means a harley fan and i think they are usually overpriced but if there was one harley i wanted it was the iron 883 and they killed it... I dont understand what harley is tryong to do anymore honestly

[@tommym.1181]

keep up with emissions standards. this is a test for the future of harley davidson. they're trying experimental engine parts to put in the bigger bikes down the road. harley can't live in the past forever

[@ThatGuyRides]

The original point of the sportster was that it was smaller lighter more nimble and more powerful than any other bike Harley made then they pretty much just never updated it until now So it’s really going back to the roots of what the sportster was supposed to be in the first place the fastest most nimble cruiser out there. Because for the time when sportster first came out in the 60s or whenever it was a race bike

[@HardlyaDavidson]

15 is a lot better than 28-50

[@Ebbeebbeee]

They made them for damn near 40 years if you didn't get one that's your fault harley did exactly what people wanted and made it modern and yall all wanna bitch about it, like what do you want

[@GabStLaurent]

Harley’s fate was sealed when Honda came out with the CB750. It’s possibly the most iconic engine ever mounted on a steel frame. Crazy that they were only in the market for about 20 years. Honda simply doesn’t miss (when it comes to motorcycles…).

[@mornbar1]

About what one would expect of HD; powerful, but somewhat clunky & unrefined riding experience. Being a product of my culture, I still feel the lack of chrome is just wrong somehow. Those tires.. I would expect a sidecar kit to make her fully amphibious!? Good to see you still making ride content my friend!

[@Schaaf]

Hahaha thanks mate

[@thomasbouvier3203]

Hi, i wonder if it was stock exhaust because when i tried it few month back it didn't sound nearly as good as this. That said, i was looking for a HD sound and it wasn't one neither the one in vid. :) Position was too weird for me, i enjoyed the Fat bob 114 (would be curious to see you ride one... ) much more or the indians "bobbers" lineup :) nice video tho

[@lacinyavuz7660]

It was a very nice video. Thank you for your effort. The sound is truly legendary. By the way, it was very nice on the road. I used google translator because my English is not very good. I apologize in advance if there was a wrong translation. Thank you for your understanding.

[@Schaaf]

All good! Thank you!

[@dleebox2268]

Nice run, love it👊🏽😎🔥💥‼️

[@mattsch6646]

I’m on the other hand have owned an 883 i was pissed when they got rid of the vrod but they redeemed themselves by making this it’s a sportier true what a sportster should be something that can actually keep up with the 600cc race bikes a sportster only has 5 gears traditionally they made a high revving sportster that has 6 something that can rip on the highway comfortably and tear up the twisties as a younger guy that’s ride a lot of Harley’s i haven’t gotten the chance to ride this one but i want to soo bad

[@dedosauro]

my brain is melting looking at all these buttons 😂

[@Schaaf]

Hehehe

[@xperimental1974]

feels and sounds like riding my dad's Honda CB150R 😅

[@thomasschofield6633]

Every video I've seen says this bike goes like hell.

[@Schaaf]

Sure does

[@Rimediando]

Your videos are great, my friend. It'b be perfect if you started them showing the bike, turning it on and then start imo. Just a few secs to look at it before you ride it. I think it'd be the cherry on top of the cake!

[@Schaaf]

Personally I hate POV videos which don't start with the actual POV footage. That's why I put them at the end. But thanks a lot for the suggestion

[@Rimediando]

​@@Schaaf I get your point, starting them while you ride gives an extra touch of "adrenaline", and differenciates you from other creators, you're right!

[@itnoked]

Schaaf - maybe you could try a few where you do a quick walk around before you take off…and see what the reception is? You could use the same subtitles to call out some standout features and then rip it!

[@farizshj]

Do you think the bike's single brake disc hamper the riding performance? Is it worth it to change the foot peg position which Harley offers an option?

[@Arancinoo]

oh wow I've seen one of those literally today, either way great video :)

[@Schaaf]

Cool, thanks!

[@csipi89]

Hi Schaaf! Nothing special, just wish you a good day :) ! Nice sounding bike tho :D

[@Schaaf]

Thanks a lot mate!

[@ChrisVonDoom83]

Every Sportster S that sells this guy should get a check..

[@toofastnobrakes]

So I have to ask, between this and the FTR which do you prefer?

[@JelloThatsMellow]

When you get around to riding the new Diavel let us know your thoughts on that compared to the Harley!

[@Schaaf]

thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately it looks like I won't get that chance :)

[@pistonburner6448]

Why would anyone care about Volkswagens?

[@kugangles9860]

​​@@pistonburner6448More like Audi bought Ducati not Volkswagen. Owned by the same manufacturer but Audi is a much more premium brand.

[@pistonburner6448]

That bike sounds so scheisse, it's like listening to a morning commute in New Delhi. I just can't believe that earlier Harley Davidson had protected "the real Harley sound" so vehemently, filing lawsuits against companies trying to sound the same, hiring Porsche to help them design their new engines so they maintain the "authentic Harley sound", I guess they even patented it?? And after all that now Harley flushed all that down the toilet themselves!? Ok, so I guess Harley got frightened by their earlier market share scares and everything, with people saying it's just a question of time before Harley goes into the history books because they can't renew themselves or create anything new... So I get them just going for the technically 'best possible' solution, throwing out any 'tradition' hindrances, I understand that in a way. But I just don't understand why they couldn't compromise maybe a few hp, a few revs, anything to enable *_any_* other cylinder angle, crank angle, timing...ANYTHING to make it at least not sound THAT bad!? Couldn't they even make a debut with a new Harley 3-cylinder engine, which would enable even higher revs? People used to joke that Harleys sound like Briggs & Strattons (for you who don't know: that's the world's most popular lawn mower engine), but now for once they really are pretty much on the money with that characterisation. I love how the Sportster S looks, and it rides great, but it sounds like a lawn mower. Or just as bad: like a parallel twin (with certain crank angles)! Well, luckily Harley has improved their 'authentic' models too, so people have a choice. Just no choice in these slightly sportier type bikes.

[@Schaaf]

I feel you. Other manufacturers show that even with modern emission laws it is still possible to have decent sound. Harley indeed failed in that department.

[@pistonburner6448]

@@Schaaf Yup, as a management strategist in a way I applaud them for having the courage to leave the shackles of sticking to their early 1910's/20's recipe. But this just isn't the answer. Hopefully since this bike is so good otherwise they won't be burned by that decision financially and won't be afraid to to continue on this path, only with a better engine design. I just fear that they've now committed to that engine for like 20 years... I think I'll be old enough to not care about these 'sportier' models by the time they come up with a better engine of this type. Also: I bet this bike would've never been born without healthy competition from Indian!

[@Karozy4869]

11:25 This explains why you look properly wrestling with this bike into the corners but it still feels very slow. Feels like the whole purpose of the engine is to wait until the straight to launch itself and make up for the lost time in the twisties.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@word2228]

So I guess you could say this bike is foot slappingly good

[@meeks2375]

this looks like so much fun if i wasnt disabled with tourettes id get one of these and just drive around for hours...

[@Schaaf]

Too bad! I hope you'll enjoy watching these rides at least!

[@ytr8989]

The Sportster 1:00 sounds good 👍 But it’s not a Royal Enfield. I expected it to be more of V-twin thumper, but it sounded like any other bike.

[@Schaaf]

True

[@oceano271]

Can you ride a street twin 900 next? Like fast af

[@Schaaf]

Unfortunately kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5DPh4hrg6x8i7s

[@speedzwo]

Ah Herr Schaaf auf meiner Hausstrecke 👌👌

[@mementomori4972]

Wo ist denn die Hausstrecke?

[@speedzwo]

@@mementomori4972 Bezirk Wiener Neustadt

[@Schaaf]

:)

[@mementomori4972]

@@Schaaf Al right, then. Keep your secrets (insert smirking Frodo face)

[@makuru3395]

The Harley engine is too sluggish to double-clutch when downshifting, simply without downshifting, or letting it rev much higher. You will find that it works like clockwork. have fun😎👌👍🏍

[@sergiososa5855]

Muscle americano!!!🦾🦾🦾🦾🦾🦾🚀🚀🚀🚀💣💣💣

[@Schaaf]

thank you, Sergio!!!

[@freq18hz]

What tool do you use to blur the speedometer?

[@Stanley88845]

Many video editing software have it built in with auto-trackers to help blur moving objects. I use Davinci Resolve. It’s free and a great bit of software

[@Schaaf]

Premiere

[@radiocrash]

Doesn’t sound like a Harley. Sounds like a Honda .

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@radiocrash]

@@Schaaf you’re most welcome

[@bennybulls]

Definitely does not sound like a Honda. Sounds like money well spent.

[@sabamacx]

I think the big KTMs have spoilt me, I expected more oomph from a 1250cc. Maybe it's just really needlessly heavy like a true HD?

[@Schaaf]

It isn't that heavy surprisingly.

[@emeraldjaguar6839]

You'll know it's fast...when trees start to fade

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@cunningpunt]

It's almost £16,000 in the uk. My lord, I think you REALLY must want a HD to pay that much for what you are getting. I really, really hate that low seat position, just not a bike for me. I mean for less cost you could have a Moto 2 street triple or a Tiger 1200 GT or even an R1250GS for less. The cost is insane.

[@Schaaf]

Yup

[@mrvwbug4423]

A Sportster with some actual sporting capability :)

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@fatcole1152]

Not sure why they detuned the engine for the Sportster from the Pan America Seems like the Sportster is the only competition Harley has to the Indian FTR and they detuned the engine on a bike that was already going to be down on power in comparison

[@RaceWithTime]

its "detuned" to give it more low end power vs top end which is more in line with the cruiser expectations and use case.

[@Schaaf]

Yea, I think the engine's power delivery is appropriate for this kind of bike

[@fatcole1152]

@@Schaaf So would you say that the same is true for the Sportster as it is for the Pan America? "It's a gem of an engine in search of a better chassis"

[@zoltankiss6857]

wieder mal gut gefahren, Vale-ntin... so ein Eier-Lüfter ist mühsam zu genussvoll zum fahren, aber Geschmacksache..

[@Schaaf]

Dank dir!

[@GeschichtsBlitz]

the floating numberplate on the rear wheel is the ugliest trend ever happened in motorbike history 😆

[@boytan2885]

🤙

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@valleytopfarm3108]

Is that mph ???

[@kugangles9860]

It's too bad HD axed the Bronx. It was the only HD I'd ever think about owning.

[@Schaaf]

Shame indeed

[@meeks2375]

them u turns looked awfully illegal >.> lol

[@Schaaf]

They're not

[@FxRiderST]

160 front tire?? LOL. A pig in turns? No suspensions? Well, Harley will be Harley. A bike for the REAL American man (who doesn't know any better :) shhhh).

[@Schaaf]

;)

[@ramaglierame5984]

mafiamafia🍕 style

[@golekdalanesyukur2790]

Pemandangan yang bagus, motor yang keren terima kasih Schaaf atas videomu sangat menginspirasi!

[@Schaaf]

Terima kasih banyak!

[@hards7yl3]

Do you use clutch when upshifting ?😮

[@makam2089]

Clearly he does not.

[@Schaaf]

thanks Makam

[@freebehindbars8654]

It has a bidirectional quickshifter, no need to use the clutch at pace.

[@alakewood7853]

😀👍

[@Schaaf]

thanks!

[@vasiliyt8600]

I think it uses the same engine as the Pan America.

[@Schaaf]

it does

[@04yzfr6]

"Looks good, rides horrible" should be HD's slogan. look at that seat on the sportster s, looks ridiculously uncomfortable. give me the Yamaha bolt c-spec all day

[@Schaaf]

Hahaha

[@Mike.4639]

Macho bike, big engine, no brakes and no suspension, ONLY for the Brave...😂 Looks very cool to be honest. Price in Europe is ridiculous.

[@schnecks2180]

Can you keep your warranty riding a Harley like this? :-)

[@Schaaf]

true Harley owner warranty probably wouldn't allow for more than 500km of riding each year lol

[@pistonburner6448]

@@Schaaf Hehe, a family member of mine has done over 200,000 km on his Fat Boy! But I also know of a guy who left the dealership and less than 1 km away got into an accident and ended his riding then and there. So I guess it averages out...

[@FryChicken]

Mach eine BMW K1200S/K1300S

[@Jack908r]

Not a big fan of Harley stying, especially this bike. Its very busy. Indian has cleaner lines on their bikes. And I wish they had made it more sporty naked, and less cruiser. That said, I'd like to ride one, but wouldn't want to own one.

[@pieroanglesio7615]

it sounds like a regular honda, i think this new HD dont come with the spirit

[@Schaaf]

We can't live in the 2000s forever

[@lovethytuber4770]

Looks cool from afar, sound good but it's not for me. I don't quite see why I would ride this, given all the other options. And those tires are humongous...

[@Schaaf]

Fair enough!

[@DJAceBlack]

Nice video, but I don’t like those too expensive slow bikes. For the price of a fuckin Sportster S one could buy a Super Duke easily… That’s all.

[@Schaaf]

that's correct

[@GeschichtsBlitz]

and also its a harley.... 30 year old rusty, hard and dangerous to ride trash still goes for 8 - 10k just for the name.... and its only the name thats 6 to 8k on bikes technically only 2 k worth .... and if you want a really cool harley like a shovelhead from the 70s that runs and can break your leg from kickstart, yeah 20 k .....

[@MrDavidfuchser]

So paying $22,000 OTD in the US would get me bottom shelf suspension. FFS.

[@Schaaf]

Kind of, yea

[@chirag4]

Nightster is overall a much better bike than Sportster-S except the Rush/Pull/Torque . . . I have the 2023 XDiavel with similar Torque but @ 1500 RPM higher compared to Sportster-S ... so the Harley will feel quicker, & also, XDiavel is 7-8 Kgs heavier, however I installed Termignoni Slip-on that is 6 Kg lighter than Stock exhaust, but still I think if anyone wants torque over power, go with Harley, and, aesthetics & brand wise, I liked Ducati more, so I went with it. Stock Sound of Sportster-S isn't that great either, nor is the rider's posture. Front Fat Tyre (bobber-like) of Sportster-S is wobbly, doesn't stick to the road, due to its tall profile. Fat Boy has similar front tyre as Sportster-S with cross-section 160" that makes it hard to twist/turn/corner. I would rather get a Heritage Classic instead of Fat-Boy. I say this from experience, I had tested/tried the Fat-Bob & Sportster-S in 2021. Fat-Bob is not worth, its build quality is questionable, eg. flimpsy foot-pegs etc. & ride quality is not satisfactory, much like Sportster-S, ....spend more and get the Fat Boy, and further, even better would be Heritage Classic / Road-King / Street-Bob / Low-Rider-ST etc.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@WoWwYnAtoR]

Would have bought a harley if they put that engine in the Bronx street nak3d like they said they were going too... 💯

[@Schaaf]

Yea, shame

[@freebehindbars8654]

Excellent motor, horrible ergos and that fat front tire ruins the turn in on that bike. The motor is really nice.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@ytr8989]

To me it sounds very much like a Honda. 🤔

[@Schaaf]

Like a boring Honda lol

[@manout-kidin8735]

No v-rod for rent . Hmm

[@ClouexMeboux]

I wish you little deer 😉

[@dmaxcustom]

Sounds like a Ducati.

[@Schaaf]

thanks

[@LaLaObeRoT]

Cartoon bike

[@Snakebloke]

Just doesn't sound special any more. I'd rather have a Ducati Monster or an Indian FTR. Better-looking and the same or lower price...

[@R4ZORLIGHT]

Doesn't sound good, needs a different exhaust.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@R4ZORLIGHT]

@@Schaaf You're welcome lol, a shame Harley needs to put such exhausts on their bikes.

[@sergiososa5855]

No ruidooooooooo!!!!!!!plasf plasf plasf!!!!!!👂👂👂👂👂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Schaaf]

It's a modern Harley ;)

[@jamespeters5913]

Not a Sportster, but still the spirit of an American sports bike....sounds terrible by the way...lol...and way overpriced too....and yes, everybody has different taste. Just not for me...I am a SPORTSTER guy!! Period!!😂❤

[@michaelcrouch5708]

Looks nice, goes well, sounds awful.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks

[@ddmytrenko]

It' so funny to read your texts LOL. You are talking that putting cheaper one-disc brake is "sticking to the heritage". C'mon, dude! This bike has nothing common with heritage at all. LOL I imagine how hd team sits and: "lets put cheap heritage-sticky brakes and maybe they won't realise that we have ruined the whole legendary Sortster lineup" :D I think that there are no bike-reviewers left. It's a pity! Whean I'm treading/listening to you guys, I can't find any bad opinions. Like every new bike is "great". But it cannot be like that. From time to time some company ruins the bike. And this is obvious. Why don't you have balls to say that? I don't get it...

[@JpOcDenver]

11:24 and for that reason, I'm out. I feel like they were so close to something really good, but fucked it up trying to be true to harley-davidson. Dumb. I was seriously considering this bike after experiencing the same motor in the pan-america. It really is a good, fun engine. But it's a no from me, dawwwg.

[@Schaaf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Lil0EJ]

Maybe its sport. But not Harley anymore

[@Schaaf]

Ok

[@hellishere323]

Awesome 👍👍👍😎

[@bazitube390]

Man they REALY should have made the naked version of this bike (bronx). it would be such a sick bike. wasted opportunity

[@colinrobinson9674]

Does it have a quick shifter?

[@Schaaf]

Does it look like it has one?

[@colinrobinson9674]

@@Schaaf idk otherwise i didn't ask. shift without clutching?