2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S | First Look

Up-close details and engine noise on Harley-Davidson's all-new 2021 Sportster S.

Predictable.

The motorcycle world is reeling after the announcement of Harley-Davidson’s new 2021 Sportster S. This bike is a big change from Sportsters of the past. With a liquid-cooled engine that’s also a stressed member of the trellis frame, the Sportster is moving toward higher levels of technology and performance. While some are excited by the new and vastly improved power-to-weight ratio, others are skeptical of the new Sportster’s factory equipment.

We’ve come to expect this type of reaction any time The Motor Company’s bikes go through a major change. We’ve also learned that H-D generally pulls it off, as the company did with the highly critiqued Fat Bob in 2018, and again recently with the Pan America: It seemed the motorcycle world was ready to hate an adventure bike Harley, but couldn’t; it just works too darn well.

We weren’t able to ride the new Sportster just yet, but we were eager to learn more details. So we rushed over to Harley-Davidson to get a closer look and capture this quick video.

The Sportster S has an MSRP of $14,999 in Vivid Black or $15,349 for either Midnight Crimson or the Stone Washed White Pearl seen here. It’s expected in H-D dealerships in the fall of 2021.

For more detailed specs and pictures of the other color options, check out our first look here. And stay tuned for our upcoming first ride, where we’ll verify or negate all of this speculation.

[motomanic]

He almost sounded like someone was holding a gun to his head when he said "Alright...sounds pretty good."

[johnnyfortpants]

The Vance & Hines guys will be working a lot of overtime to improve that exhaust note...

[yukbumer]

love the bike and its new features but when he said "alright, it sounds pretty good" no it doesn't lol... ill hold off until i see some aftermarket exhausts for them

[CalebHoss]

I’m excited with Harley’s direction and this new engine. I think as a sport bike, this thing is cool. I also like the PanAm.

Keep it up Harley, can’t wait to see your true cruisers with the Revo engine.

[andrewsmactips]

Reminds me of those old Japanese cruisers that kinda looked like Harleys but sounded generic Japanese.

[veins]

Ya engine as a stress member... That's sounds all good until you have to take it apart to service it.

Was so underwhelmed by the sound then "Alright... Sound pretty good." That lack of enthusiasm just confirms I was not alone.

[ScottsGEN-XAdventures]

I’ve been riding a long time and I love all motorcycles. I can’t knock a new design because it’s an all new motorcycle. I am glad that I picked up a ‘21 883 Iron as a second bike recently because it seems that design will be going away. It is what it is, but it’s still a fun bike and puts a smile on my face. I’m happy with the investment.

[tcparker]

As a sport bike enthusiast, I’m pretty stoked where Harley is going.

[jackalster]

Suspension travel killed it for me. I value my lower back.

[MCTeck]

Nice except 2" of rear travel? Also not a big deal, but the front tire is too fat. The pipes could look better. Harley should have called this Sportster 'C' for cruiser, and built a true 'Sport' model smaller front tire, 2into1 exhaust.bigger tank better suspension [rear] and mid controls. 2 discs front...etc. I hope Harley later adds some different models, to the Sportster line up. Good first New model!

[patw]

Everyone is talking shit but I like it. If you told me to imagine what a modernized Harley Davidson engine would sound like, that's exactly what I'd picture. Not bad at all.

[robedmunds]

I like the engine, but 2 inches of suspension is rubbish, the riding position is awful, the tyre sizes are form over function, and a couple of hours on that seat would be torture. Exhausts look like sewer pipes, think I will stick with the Sporty I have thanks. Hopefully they will bring out a more usable version.

[wallypalmer]

I think the bike looks really cool, but my tailbone hurts just looking at the seat. Also, my hiney gets warm just looking at how close the exhaust is to the seat. All that said, I'd take one of these for a ride given the choice!

[CaptHollister]

Great engine, good looks. Shame about the sliver of foam they used in lieu of a seat. Hopefully in true HD fashion, they'll use the drivetrain in several models, some of which will have a seat usable by adult riders.

[pauld.b]

"Alright sounds pretty good" 😂 sounds like a ford focus doing revs. I couldn't imagine a worse sound coming out of it frankly... And for 15, 000$? We all know this is gonna be another one sitting in dealers marked up to hell..

[Aspireonthego]

That sounds more like my Ducati than the Harley.

[SinnerSince]

Congratulations, Harley! A little more work and you'll have a 2003 VRod.

[steele]

My first bike is going to be a street bob, but I’ll wait to check this out. Ride position doesn’t look very comfortable

[Stevebarker]

Jealous Indian Scout owner here!

What a bike Harley have come.up with - it sits in its own niche above the Scout on price and distinct to the FTR on appeal - this is a Bobber, not a flat-tracker.

Having seen how the Scout has been customised I think there'll be plenty of scope here as well; Harley dealers and tuners will soon be offering a a wide range of performance, styling and handling options.

My only concern is that of handling for a 'sport' model: with those fat tyres and the foot-forward stance flipping from side to side may not be so easy and plenty of people will be drawn in by that power, torque and aggressive styling.

I remember riding the FXDR and Fat Bob and being disappointed in that department - although the Sportser S is far lighter and this may balance things out.

Yes, I'm jealous. If I were buying a bike today I'd buy the Sportster S over a Scout or an FTR - sorry, Indian!

But having discounted the Scout Bobber because it's short-travel, hard suspension compared to my standard Scout, a good test-ride would be essential.

Congratulations on the new baby, H-D; I just hope the rest of the family are as accepting of the latest addition to the family 😎

[swistakowy]

This looks massive, and for a smallest bike in the lineup (which sportster is) I absolutely love it. The design is modern, bulky and muscular and it fits the company perfectly. Theres a lot of people that say its not harley anymore, and to those people I say... welcome to the 2021, and get comfortable, because its only getting started. The exhaust is absolutely trash tho. 1250 cc motor sounds like a scooter. I think they made it very cheap because they knew people would replace them with aftermarket before it leaves the dealership. Same story with v-rod muscle (which i own). Stock exhaust is a joke, but when you put on screaming eagle tips... man, a fucking legend of a sound.