As Iconic As Its Predecessor? The Harley-Davidson Sportster S 1250 Is Not What I Thought

At long last we got our hands on the Harley Sportster S, I have been really eager to try out this motorcycle. It's not my usual style but it has something about it that intrigues me.

In this Review I cover everything you need to know before buying one of these motorbikes, I talk about the revolution max all new V-Twin powertrain, the handling, stopping power, acceleration, and more.

This bike really is a monster and it is worlds apart from its predecessors. The iron 883 and Forty Eight are old school, low powered machines that are all about the feel, character and wow factor. The sportster s takes the original meaning of sportster and puts it back into the 21st century with modern tech and unmatched power! It certainly lacks in character compared to its older brothers but it makes up for it in other ways.

LINKS TO PRODUCTS WE USE TO FILM AND GEAR WE WEAR:
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[Beastius]

I test road this and own it since early August. I never thought I would be a Harley guy. Have always loved the looks, but I love spirited cornering. This bike does it all! ❤

[letsgobrandon]

Ive had mine for about 3 months and still love it. I have the fender eliminator and tbr exhaust just waiting till after my next service to get it installed.

[MrAndrew]

I would definitely change the forward controls to mids as I feel my feet would be too exposed. I’d opt for the comfy seat and the small handlebar fairing.
Congratulations on getting your A2 licence.

[MrEiniweini]

fair rewiew. I own the 2021 and I had issue with no back to the seat, the clamshell ride position and the wind protection. I fixed all three and I love it. The great thing with HD, if you need to change the ride, there is something there to change it.

[felipedourado]

Hello Darcy, first of all, congrats for achieving your full motorcycle licence.

Now, moving towards the bike on the video, I noticed that you, as many other reviwers, said that the left side of the engine is not as pretty as the right side. I totally get your point since the right side is more, lets say, "polished" but, please, alow me to look to the motor from another prespective.
For me, an old school Harley rider (I ride an old, but faithful, Softail Deuce that I love to bits), when consider the the left side of the motors of the new Sporster line up with all those pipes and all the the "relief" they have, they give me the impression that the guts of those beasts were carved out of a block of iron and such feature provides (at least for me) that satisfying heavy industrial appearence that we are all used to associate to Harleys.
So, in that regard, I guess if that bike was mine, I would preffer to look to it from its left side.
Anyway, it is just my taste and to be sure about what I'm talking about I have to see one of those bikes in the flesh and I still did not have such pleasure.

Best regards from Brazil, hope Ol' Man is doing well. ✌

[MyMotorcycleObsession]

Another thing to mention about this bike is that this new water cooled engine really likes to be revved up high. The power doesn't really kick in until you hit about 6, 000 RPM and I think the max is about 9, 000 or 10, 000 RPM. I've seen people come back from a test ride saying that the bike is slow. It's actually super fast but you need to hit 6, 000 RPM before you feel it and ride that RPM up to 8K or 9K. Don't ride it like a Harley, ride it like a sport bike. At 2, 500 RPM this bike is a slow dog, most Harleys have lots of power at 2.5K.

[barryowen]

Hi it’s been bad weather so took the softie option and checked out the reviews on the Sportster S started on yours. My interest was spiked when you said it was a Sycamore demo loan . I recently purchased an ex demo from them and blow me down it’s this actual bike !!!! Fantastic. Fitted the Cobra pipes . Love it Love the Grunt. Great review . Barry Northampton 👍

[Ukuleleal]

Have to agree!. It does look much better in the flesh. Not a Harley type of guy, but saw one at my local bike shop the other day and I really did quite like the look of it.

[GetOutterMeHouse]

Wow I’m pretty impressed with what HD has done here, I hope in the long run they end up being good reliable bikes. Something tells me this thing will be end up being one of those vehicles that are very sought after in the relatively far future! Great solid video! Love every minute, very lovely (format?) if that’s the word you could use for it!

Edit: to me it quite literally looks like a cafe cruiser

[cloud]

First Harley I've ever seen that made me say 'wow'. I love everything about it except the exhaust and the back of the seat. I really would like to change those.

[ianpotter]

I think that’s your best ever review Darcy. Brilliant presentation and photography, many thanks. I really like the look of the bike it’s got some attitude!

[lukegilsenan]

I have bought the Sportster S about a year ago. I love it, I changed the exhaust to the Jekyll & Hyde to make it sound more grunt. The only problem I have with it and its a BIG one is I have had nothing but problems with it. Every time I ride it, I get error codes (the problem with a new engine I guess). I know a lot of people had to have a whole new engine replacement at around 5, 000 revs. It is a shame as I absolutely love this bike and ride with a smile on my face every time.

[RB-jrhe]

Not a cruiser… not a sport bike…
It’s the bike version of a muscle car.
The first models had some software problems and the starter clutch had to be replaced… after those issues were corrected in the posterior models, it’s a perfect bike!

[ShortsMrDarcyandTheOlMan]

You definitely enjoyed this one. A great Harley review 👍🏼

[trooper]

Beautiful looking bike definitely a sportster for 2023.

[abkd]

Nice review. Having owned a number of Harley's over the years, I really like this bike. For me the forward controls are great but the one thing I would just have to do is swap the pipes for a decent exhaust note! Cheers

[silverrambo]

I like engine how sounds, revs, pulls, engine design. I like overall look of the bike - beautiful futuristic look, especially look when you seat on the bike and looking on the handlebar - beast. I like seat which is comfy. I do not like seating position, I do not know who designed to make foot controls forward, This feeling when you seating on the bike stretching forward your arms and legs - difficult to describe but yes you can ride like that, Harley proves that this is possible. In my opinion foot pegs should be backward ( not even in the middle) to have feeling that you properly seating on the bike and you can squeeze motorbike using knees. I like very much Revolution max engine.
Moreover Sporster S 1250 with REvolution MAx engine and this fantastic look can be modified and look much more Sporty with Belly Pan, This motorbike begging for backward foot pegs.

[chriscook]

Congrats on the full A, Darcy🎉🎉🎉 Another first class review. As always 👍

[TerraMagnus]

I’d like to see Harley riff on this a bit more. Like try a faired variant with rear sets and clip ons. Or in the style of a Versys / VStrom give us a Sportster with adventure ergonomics but clearly meant for road use only.

[henrysmith]

I’ve owned 2 Harley 1200 sportsters in the past I took the new sportster 1250 S I was mega impressed boy does it go compared to my 2005 and 2017 bikes 😊