Test of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S

The new Sportster S from Harley-Davidson is not an old-school Harley: no powerful sound, no scary appearance, but cutting-edge features that could almost remind you of a bike in a science fiction. That's the kind of thing that appeals to young riders. They're used to fiddling with cell phones and trudging through menus, which stinks to an old motorcycle bear. The design is also convincing from A-Z. Harley-Davidson has succeeded in creating a real showpiece. The ultra-thick front tire is particularly impressive from the rider's perspective, which is really unusual. But the sleek, short mudguards also have a small disadvantage: when the road is wet, the dirt from the road is sprayed onto the back. But something like that doesn't deter real bikers one bit.

Sat up for the first time

Before you sit on the new Sportster S, you take a spin around the bike and look at the good piece from all sides. In the process, the design puts a real smile on your face. The striking lettering on the tank speaks volumes, this is truly ultra-modern. The raised dual exhaust is so not Harley design and is more reminiscent of racing or enduros and that makes the overall package visually all the more exciting. The "floating" tail light is also a design treat in a class of its own. Harley-Davidson has left nothing out here to give the Sportster S the mark of excellent with numerous design bravura pieces. The low line, fat tires and beefy appearance make the Sportster S really rock. And if you switch on the ignition, you'll be amazed: the round speedometer or display doesn't show a conventional speedometer, but instead an animation with the Harley logo runs and an electronic speedometer and a warning message "Warning SEIT.ST UNT" soon appear, which means something like "Attention, the side stand at the bottom is still folded out", which means that a successful start ignition is not possible. Electronic display is all well and good, but the joke is that you can use controls to push your way through various menus, even to the point of diagnosing the bike's faults.

Ridden for the first time

If you start the engine, you won't hear what you would normally expect from a Harley. No dull, loud chugging or humming, rather a clattering roars up from below, which gets better again with each throttle pull and sounds more powerful. The clutch lever is in the right place and has the right size, nothing bothers, but that fits, engage gear and go. With 76.5 cm seat height, the Sportster S is noticeably higher than the new Nightster, but certainly not high. Due to the relatively low weight of 228 kg for Harleys, it is always well maneuverable. And what I always like about Harley is that as a rider, you can blindly trust that it will feel good the moment you get on and ride off. The guys have a really good feel for the biker, his seating position and riding experience. Nothing has ever felt off or weird to me when I sat on a Harley and rode off. You can really count on that with Harley-Davidson. With 122 hp and 125 Nm, the new Revolution Max 1250 T engine delivers much more than it needs to. The full power is never tickled out of the part in normal road traffic anyway, but the brute power is felt more than clearly when you turn on the throttle fully. Despite the thick tires, the handling of the machine is easy, cornering is no problem, but here too practice makes perfect, because every geometry is different again. A small gear indicator tells the rider which gear he's currently in while riding, which is sometimes helpful. The speed is shown on the round display with large digital numbers: Very clear, it has to be said. The exhaust system of the Sportster S is also extremely remarkable. Not only is it visually striking because it is pulled upwards, but the casing also ensures that you never get burned because you accidentally get to the exhaust pipe (unlike on the Nightster). So the whole thing not only looks ingenious, it is also ingenious.

The Sportster S is sporty and ultra-electronic

The new Sportster S feels sporty and streamlined, with it you step on the gas and lie diagonally into the curves as if it were a Japanese. The suspension is just as sporty and a bit hard. On rough surfaces and poorly maintained roads, this shows negatively with direct jolts in the back. While the firm suspension is sporty and gives the rider good control, on the other hand, it is not for people who demand a high level of comfort or who cannot tolerate bumps in the back. Once again, it is clear that this sporty devil is intended for young riders who want to enter the world of Harleys but without sacrificing cutting-edge features and sportiness. The comprehensive electronics will also appeal to young riders, as will the extensive features that can be adjusted and perused. The new riding modes - for rain, dry pavement or sport - will also excite, not simply because they are there, but because they can be felt. These driving modes, which were once used on SUVs and have now even made it to motorcycles, are really an asset. Especially on the rainy days at the end of September, the "rain" riding mode proved to be particularly helpful, as the bike developed significantly less thrust with the throttle open all the same than with the street or sport mode. Especially in the rain, traction and torque can be critical in determining whether the rear wheel loses its grip or not. These driving modes, which can be changed with a light tap on the right-hand controls, are a real support and safety feature for the driver. There can never be enough of them. On the other hand, it must also be admitted that the new electronics can still have some teething problems, even at Harley. For example, the Sportster S engine unexpectedly quit in the evening after a completely rainy day, when it had been exposed to the rain all day. I had barely started it and ridden a few meters, and it could not be started in the rain. That was an exception, but that's where breakdown insurance at Harley-Davidson helps. A few hours later the spit was over and everything was running again as if nothing had happened. Maybe she had gotten a little too much water somewhere.

Created for young drivers and beginners

Old Harley hares will hardly be interested in the new Sportster S. Too far apart are the demands and ideas of experienced Harley riders and those of riders of heavy cruisers of a Harley and the reality of the Sportster S. The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a devilish projectile with a hammer design, state-of-the-art features, 1a electronics and a high degree of sportiness. The race mode, which it has leased, pairs with the cult of Harley-Davidson and introduces young riders to the heavy world of Harleys, without their desires falling by the wayside. For those who are young or young at heart, the new Sportster S is sure to please.