It’s widely recognized that Harley-Davidson produces high-end motorcycles, with prices starting at over $10,000, while some models can reach tenfold that amount. Notably, the law of diminishing returns implies that buyers may not derive proportional value from this brand. Fortunately, the iconic Bar And Shield has been making significant changes (hello, Pan America!), and such transformations are indeed welcomed.
As a result, there are now certain Harleys that genuinely offer great value for their price. We believe one particular cruiser stands distinctly apart in this regard, blending contemporary elements with the traditional essence of Harley. Its allure is not restricted to brand enthusiasts; we can envision anyone taking it for a ride and having a blast, irrespective of their cruiser preference. Best of all, it’s positioned near the lower end of Harley’s pricing spectrum. Therefore, let’s introduce you to the Harley that delivers the best bang for your buck currently available.
To ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this article, data was gathered from credible sources, including the official websites of the relevant manufacturers.
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The Harley-Davidson Sportster S Is The Best Bang For Your Buck Harley-Davidson You Can Buy Today
Base Price: $15,999
The Sportster lineup has been in existence since 1957, but the latest iteration has been in production since 2021, representing a significant evolution from the previous Evolution series. The Sportster has always maintained a sporty reputation within Harley’s lineup, designed to handle corners more adeptly than standard cruisers. At the heart of the current flagship Sportster is the Revolution Max engine, which is regarded as Harley’s most sophisticated engine to date, featuring technologies that are often reserved for considerably more expensive motorcycles.
This engine boasts a short-stroke design, utilizes liquid cooling and fuel injection, and strives for an optimal balance between peak power and torque. It incorporates smaller valves and ports, as well as a unique combustion chamber shape that yields a lower compression ratio compared to the Pan America engine. It’s equipped with variable valve timing and a six-speed gearbox including a slipper clutch, and it stands out as one of the rare designs with two spark plugs per cylinder.
The Pan America also includes a quickshifter, which is absent in the Sportster S even as an option — a detail we feel Harley should address in future updates. Nevertheless, the Sportster S features a by-wire throttle and multiple ride modes enabling personalized throttle responses suited to different riding conditions. Additionally, cruise control comes as a standard feature, showcasing a modern package that previous Sportsters have seldom offered.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Engine Specs
Engine Configuration | Revolution Max 1250T 60 degree V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing on all valves, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 1,252 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 105 x 72.3 mm |
Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 |
Power | 121 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
Torque | 93 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
Fuel System | Electronic sequential port fuel injection |
Transmission | 6 speed manual transmission |
Final Drive | Belt drive |
How Fast Is The Harley-Davidson Sportster S?
0-60 MPH: 3.4 seconds
The Sportster S takes its sporting designation seriously, with an official acceleration time from 0 to 60 MPH recorded at just 3.4 seconds, a rate comparable to that of the Audi R8. It has a top speed of 143 mph, though rider comfort at such velocities—considering the lack of wind protection—might be questionable. The bike’s advanced electronics undoubtedly contribute to its impressive acceleration, and if the gearbox performance is as anticipated, it may well provide even quicker times down the line. Including a quickshifter in future designs could enhance its daily usability and agility.
Performance Numbers
0-60 MPH | 3.4 Seconds |
Top Speed | 143 MPH |
Here’s What Makes This Harley-Davidson Great Bang For The Buck
Great Engine, Good Weight Savings
Having already examined the engine and its features, it’s noteworthy that the Sportster S conceals an array of modern amenities beneath its signature Harley design. The circular display is a TFT, akin to contemporary motorcycles, outfitted with multiple menus. It supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing riders to control their music via the handlebar switches, and also includes navigation information. Furthermore, the motorcycle can perform diagnostics and display results, assisting riders interpreting warning lights.
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The Sportster S comes equipped with Harley-Davidson’s full electronics suite, making every feature standard, including (take a deep breath) Cornering enhanced ABS (C-ABS), cornering enhanced traction control (C-TCS), drag-torque slip control, tire pressure monitoring, wheel lift mitigation, and enhanced lift mitigation, all taking inputs from the IMU. The only apparent shortcoming of the Sportster S is its front brake.
It features a Brembo system, without a doubt, but given its performance and weight, a twin-disc configuration would have been a much-improved option. All of this is available for below $16,000 retail, making it a solid value for any brand, and particularly striking for a Harley-Davidson, a name often associated with the opposite of ‘value’ in traditional terms. Thus, it offers excellent value for money.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Hardware Specs And Weight
Front Suspension | 43 mm inverted forks, fully adjustable, 3.6 inches travel |
Rear Suspension | Linkage mounted monoshock, fully adjustable, 2 inches travel |
Front Tire And Wheel | 160/70 R17 73V |
Rear Tire And Wheel | 180/70 R16 77V |
Front Brakes | Single 320 mm disc, four-piston radially mounted fixed caliper |
Rear Brakes | 260 mm solid uniform expansion disc with single-piston floating caliper |
Curb Weight | 502 LBs (wet) |
Tank Capacity | 3.1 Gallons |
An Unmistakable Look Makes The Sportster Stand Out
Cruiser? Yes. Sporty? Also Yes.
The aesthetic of the Sportster S draws from Harley’s classic flat track racers, emphasized by the almost linear design from the top of the tank to the tail, interrupted only by the seat. Its high-routing exhaust closely hugs the frame, running parallel to the ground and finishing with an underseat muffler, reminiscent of scrambler designs. The chunky front tire and small headlamps at the front give it a bulkier yet appealing look.
At the back, the shorter subframe showcases the broad rear tire, while a unit mounted on the rear axle houses the tail lamp, indicators, and license plate. The engine is a structural component of the frame, leading to a design without a conventional frame ahead of or below the engine, a feat made easier with radiator shrouds and cladding.
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Another distinctive feature of the Sportster S is the low placement of the shock, echoing sports bike designs. Its swingarm is a unique tubular variant, resembling a trellis frame that contributes to its lightweight and sleek appearance. The Sportster S is available in gray as a standard offering, while opting for black will incur an additional cost of $500. The red option costs an extra $750, and our favorite, the metallic mystic shift, comes with a price tag of $900.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Notable Design Features
- Distinctly Harley look, yet sporty
- Design inspired by Harley flat track racers
- 4 inch TFT color display with navigation
- Tubular frame
- Brembo brakes
- Unique tubular swingarm design
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Dimensions
Length | 89.4 inches |
Wheelbase | 59.8 inches |
Rake | 30 degrees |
Trail | 5.8 inches |
Seat Height | 28.9 inches |
Ground Clearance | 3.5 inches |
Top Bang For The Buck Cruisers
Not Many Have The Harley’s Combination At The Price
Finding a blend of price, performance, and features as compelling as that offered by Harley can be a tough task. Nonetheless, a few alternatives in the market present viable competition to the Sportster S. The Indian 101 Scout is slightly pricier but closely rivals the Harley in performance, styling, and features. Another modern contender priced similarly is the BMW R 12 nineT, which certainly boasts sporting credentials, although its classification as a true cruiser may be open to interpretation.
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There is no dispute that the Suzuki Boulevard M109R offers significant performance and will remain reliable despite its age. However, the absence of a six-speed gearbox and overall weight combined with its dimensions position it as a less rational option at its price point. On the more economical end, the Honda Rebel 1100 SE includes an automatic gearbox, providing an attractive option for urban riders. Finally, Harley’s own Nightster Special is fitted with the smaller Revolution Max 975T engine, offering lesser performance.
Among the models discussed, only the Nightster, Rebel, and Sportster S rely on a single front brake disc, distinguishing the Sportster due to its superior performance.
Model | Harley-Davidson Sportster S | Indian 101 Scout | BMW R 12 nineT | Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. | Honda Rebel 1100 SE DCT | Harley-Davidson Nightster Special |
Price | $15,999 | $16,999 | $16,595 | $15,599 | $11,099 | $12,499 |
Engine | 1252 cc V-twin twin | 1,250 cc V-twin | 1,170 cc boxer twin | 1,783 cc V-twin | 1,084 cc parallel twin | 975 cc V-twin |
Power | 121 HP @ 7,500 RPM | 111 HP @ 7,250 RPM | 109 HP @ 7,000 RPM | 123 HP @ 6,200 RPM | 87.1 HP @ 7,250 RPM | 91 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
Torque | 93 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM | 82 LB-FT @ 6,300 RPM | 85 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM | 118 LB-FT @ 3,200 RPM | 72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM | 72 LB-FT @ 5,750 RPM |
Curb Weight (Wet) | 502 LBs | 549 LBs | 485 LBs | 764 LBs | 498 LBs | 483 LBs |
