2021 Harley Davidson Sportster S: All you need to know

The new Sportster S is Harley Davidson’s idea of a road-going sport motorcycle. It borrows its engine from the Pan America 1250 and has key traits that can rival the updated Ducati Diavel 1260.

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has been launched internationally. The motorcycle gets the company’s new Revolution Max engine, which comes with liquid-cooling DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts) and VVT (Variable Valve Timing). Despite the new mechanical updates, the Sportster S continues with Harley Davison’s traditional styling. Following are the highlights of the newly launched Harley Davidson Sportster S.

Styling

There is no doubt that it is an unconventional sports bike. In fact, it's more like hyper-cruisers or Sportsters, such as the Ducati Diavel 1260. The headlamp assembly exhibits similar styling as that of the Harley Davidson Pan America 1250. The tail is relatively shorter, which appears to be inspired by the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker. This, in turn, largely exposes the rear wheel, adding to the naked look of the motorcycle.

Engine

The engine is the same 1,252cc Revolution Max 60-degree V-twin motor that powers the Harley Davidson Pan America 1250; however, its state of tune is different in both motorcycles. The power figures of the Sportster S are rated at 119.3bhp and 127.4Nm, which are substantially lower than that of the Pan America 1250. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission, and the power is forwarded to the wheel via a belt-drive system.

Cycle parts

The Sportster S shares its engine with its ADV sibling, but its cycle parts are more in line with street-going motorcycles. The Sportster S gets Showa 43mm fully-adjustable USD forks and a Showa rear pre-load adjust mono-shock. For braking, the Sportster S uses a 320mm rotor with a Brembo radial monoblock four-piston calliper at the front and a 260mm rotor with a two-piston Brembo calliper at the back. The five-spoke alloy wheels are shod with the Dunlop/Harley-Davidson Series GT503 rubber.

Electronics 

There is an IMU-based safety net on the new Sportster, which includes cornering ABS and traction control. The motorcycle also gets five riding modes – three preset modes (Sport, Road and Rain) and two customisable modes. An all-new instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity takes the centre stage on the dash.

India launch

Harley Davidson launched the Pan America 1250 in India in April. The new Sportster S is expected to arrive in the country in the coming months. Internationally, the Sportster S is priced at $14,999 ( around Rs 11.20 lakh). Harley Davidson India has not confirmed the launch of the 2021 Sportster S anytime soon, but we reckon that the American motorcycle company will not miss a chance to rival the BS6 Ducati Diavel 1260.

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