Review: Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Starting with the price of a motorcycle is already unusual, but we’re doing it anyway. You can ride this Harley-Davidson Sportster S starting at 20,995 euros (2025). You may find that quite a lot of money, but for a motorcycle of this brand, it is quite affordable, especially when compared to equipment and performance.

Sportster S with a touch of scrambler

The Sportster S impresses with its thick “balloon” tires. Looks stocky at the top, yet it is long. This is due to the long swingarm and the rear wheel placed quite far back as a result. Unique and peculiar is the shape of the LED headlight. The highly placed dual exhausts are reminiscent of the design of a scrambler.

You sit ‘high’ yet low

You feel “high” on the bike. This is partly because the tank has been kept rather flat. While the seat height is modest at 765 mm, making the Harley-Davidson Sportster S definitely suitable for smaller riders. Furthermore, you sit upright with your upper body, while the footrests are placed far forward like on a cruiser. Really different from a typical sporty naked bike, where the footpegs are placed more towards the back. So this is something for the doubters who are looking for a sporty naked bike, but do not want to say goodbye to a relaxed sitting position with the feet forward.

Sportier character

The 1,252cc V-twin with variable valve timing has a different, sportier character than you would expect from Harley-Davidson. The Sportster S has the more performance-oriented engine we know from the Pan America 1250 adventure models. There it produces 150 horsepower; in the Sportster, that’s down to 121 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. So is less, but the Sportster S also weighs several dozen pounds less. Its weight is 228 kg. With the throttle open, it makes serious strides forward and the V-twin rumbles lustily with its 125 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.

Sporting talent among ‘bullish’ looks

Steer with ease. You don’t need much effort to drag the Harley-Davidson Sportster S from side to side through the corners. The front single disc with a Brembo caliper slows down smoothly beyond expectation. The rear brake with also a Brembo caliper helps a snappy bit if desired. There are sporting talents bent beneath the bullish exterior. Then again, the maximum 35-degree lean angle is an impediment to really putting knees and ground into a fast corner. It remains more of a cruiser than sports bike, after all.

Safety not skimped on

Harley-Davidson supplies the Sportster S with a lot of electronic assistance as standard. In that regard, it also more than lives up to its price of just over 20 grand. We note cornering ABS and traction control. Front and rear wheel elevator during hard acceleration and hard braking, respectively, is also suppressed. Rear wheel slippage during abrupt downshifts is also curbed. Cruise control is standard.

Full connectivity

Classic goes hand in hand with modern technology. Connectivity is just fine on the Sportster S. Via Bluetooth, you can pair your phone with the on-board network and show all functions on the small all-digital circular display. On the handlebar halves are the controls to scroll through menus and functions.

Conclusion Harley-Davidson Sportster S

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a motorcycle of our time, with a style all its own. The Sportster S rides easily and it is quite maneuverable. While you sit relaxed with your feet slightly forward. In drive mode S, it responds eagerly to the throttle. Road is more comfort oriented and Rain, of course, offers the softest throttle response. From the rear shock (travel 82 mm) you can easily adjust the spring preload with a dial. The upside down front fork is also adjustable. In short, it is a very complete bike, but just a little different from the rest. Too bad the tank is so small at only 11.5 liters. So be careful to make a fuel stop in time on a long trip.