SPORTSTER Revolution
I usually have a formulaic method when it comes to writing a bike test, presenting information in an orderly manner to make sure I don’t miss anything, starting off with the tech details and equipment, then moving on to the ride impression, covering performance, handling, ride comfort, ergonomics and practicalities, etc. With the Sportster S, I’m going to write this piece differently, partly because Pete Vorst attended the initial Aussie press launch and looked after all the tech details in this story, which we’ll start with, while I rode the Sportster S over my regular bike-test loop and will review what I like about the Harley-Davidson Sportster S and what I don’t like about the Harley-Davidson Sportster S.
WHAT IS IT, TECHNICALLY?
It might have a familiar name, but Harley’s new Sportster S is a totally new and different beast to the air-cooled 883 and 1200cc Sportsters we grew up with. The Sportster S is lighter than an 883 Sporty, packs way more punch than a 1200 Sporty could ever muster, stops better and handles better – the S puts the sport back into the Sportster name.
The fact that it performs better than any Sportster before is a credit to Harley’s engineering team, because the Sportster’s development was heavily driven by the design team. The crayon wielders wanted a slammed custom look for the new Sporty while also giving a nod to previous models in the Motor Company’s longest-running nameplate. What they ended up with is the Sportster S you see before you and then it was left to the engineers to make it work.
The designers presented the engineers
