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Harley-Davidson Sportster S — The First Look

Oct. 22 2021 New Harley Davidson By Jeremy Deichen/Carle Brenneman

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Harley-Davidson Sportster S — The First Look


In the world of motorcycles, Harley-Davidson has been a synonym for quality for over a century now. So it’s not a surprise that every new model that comes outdraws the attention of motorcycle lovers all around the globe. 


And the release of the new Harley-Davidson Sportster S was no different. To get a proper look at this bike in all its glory, Trev Deeley Motorcycles staff visited the Fuel Good Tour. Right off the bat, the bike was hard to miss — its reveal drew quite a crowd. That’s hardly a surprise, though. 


If you’ve followed Harley-Davidson closely, with the release of the new Pan America and LiveWire motorcycles, it seemed that Harley-Davidson had enough going on even without Sportster S.


The company announced the brand-new Sportster S. Essentially, this model starts a new line with the all-new Revolution Max 1250T engine.


For starters, Sportster S is lighter than its past namesakes, allowing you to maneuver with greater ease. We can thank the engine for this reduced weight — in this model, it’s a stressed member of the frame. That gives your bike additional stability, as its mass is more centralized, and the engine bears some of the stress.


What’s more, the Sportster S can lean more before the pegs start scraping the pavement. This feature, along with its engine and weight, makes the bike a perfect choice for those who enjoy high speeds. As its name alone indicates, it’s an excellent sports bike!


“This is the first time I’ve seen this motorcycle, but I do know a little bit about it” says Stuart Wells(Trev Deeley Motorcycles, Sales Consultant), as he explains some of the features of the new Sportster S.



Greater Focus on Technology

Although Sportster S is primarily a sports bike, you can easily use it for long-distance journeys. Just grab your helmet, sit in the cozy seat, and no road will prove a challenge. And do you know why that is? Well, because Sportster S comes with some innovative technology that ensures every ride is safe and entertaining.


What immediately caught our eye as we examined this new model was its Bluetooth-equipped TFT display. Using a Harley-Davidson app on your phone, you can easily connect and use it for navigation or listening to music. No need to stop and check your GPS anymore — it will be right in front of you the whole time.


Aside from the display, Sportster S has LED lighting, cruise control, and an anti-lock braking system. All this ensures that you stay safe on the road, whether you’re riding during the day or at night. On top of that, clutch and brake levers are adjustable, meaning that your comfort always comes first!


What’s particularly interesting about the new Sportster model are the riding modes. There are three preset ones and two that you can customize on your own. The ones you can choose from are:


  • Sport mode: full power, fewer riding aids, perfect for developing high speeds and enjoying the rush.
  • Road mode: more control, riding aids are active, excellent for long rides and road trips.
  • Rain mode: lower power, riding aids turned up to their maximum, fantastic for beginners and in a downpour. 


And the best part is that swapping between the modes is incredibly easy and convenient. So choose the one that suits you best and enjoy the ride!

Riding Impressions

When it comes to a bike like this, we couldn’t pass on the opportunity to try it out on the road. As we expected, its weight allowed us to develop high speeds pretty quickly, and making sharp turns is quite easy. The Sportster S is stable and drives smoothly, with an engine that delivers power consistently and hardly ever leads to excess vibration. You surely won’t feel the need to shift gears frequently — that’s how smooth your ride will be!


We’ve also decided to give the different modes a try, and we must say that the Sport mode is our favorite! The speed develops quickly and without a hitch, and soon you find yourself flying down the road. It’s a lot of fun, but you have to be careful — this mode doesn’t perform so well on bumps. You might find yourself bouncing in your seat on sharp transitions, so find plenty of smooth roads if you want to be sporty.

Harley-Davidson Sportster S Specs

Interested in what exactly makes this bike stand out? You might want to take a look at its specs.


  • Engine type: Revolution Max 1250T water-cooled 60-degree V-twin with DOHC and VVT
  • Frame type: stressed-member, high strength low alloy steel trellis frame, MIG-welded
  • Horsepower: 121 @ 7,500 rpm
  • Torque: 94 foot-pounds @ 6,000 rpm
  • Fuel capacity: 3.1 gallons
  • Bike weight: 502 lb.
  • Seat height: 28.9 inches
  • Tire type: Dunlop GT503
  • Tire size: 160/70R17 front, 180/70R16 rear
  • Front brake: Four-piston caliper, 320 mm disc, ABS
  • Rear brake: Single-piston caliper, 260 mm disc, ABS
  • Rake: 30 degrees
  • Trail: 5.8 inches
  • Warranty: 24 months

Harley-Davidson Sportster S — Final Thoughts

The new Harley-Davidson Sportster S is certainly a departure from tradition, but in this case, we think it’s a good one. It’s undoubtedly a well-designed and innovative bike with excellent power output and fantastic speed. If you’re a Harley fan, this new model will certainly be a treat to you. And if you’re not, well, Sportster S might just manage to change your mind. Either way, the bike is definitely worth a shot!


Come down to Trev Deeley Motorcycles and book a test ride.


Contact our Sales team at Trev Deeley Motorcycles to book a ride:

604- 291-2453 or sales@trevdeeley.com