Described as " combining unbridled power with contemporary technology ," July saw Harley finally confirm the long awaited and much trailed custom V-twin planned on the 60- degree , 1,250 cc Revolution Max platform as an alternative ( for now at least ) to the ' Bronx ' streetfighter - badged as the Sportster S . Because it would have been unrealistic ( on engineering and cost grounds ) to try to achieve Euro 5 emissions compliance with the existing aircooled XL 883 and 1,200 cc engines , the Sportsters had already been ' canned ' in Europe for 2021 . The naming of the new ' S ' as a Sportster confirms the now likely shorty-term demise of the existing line of XLs domestically ( and elsewhere ) too . Highlighting the " on-demand torque " delivered by the lower 121 hp version of the power plant seen in the Pan America , Harley says that " a taut , lightweight chassis and premium suspension deliver responsive , intuitive handling " offering riders " extraordinary power and performance " and creating " a new standard for the most enduring Harley- Davidson model ." The Sportster S is slated to start reaching dealers in the fall , and although the MRSP is considerably higher than the price-point at which Sportsters have traditionally been positioned , at $ 14,999 Harley is clearly signalling its intention to leave the days of the $ 9,999.00 base model 1,200 cc Sportster Iron in its rear view mirror as it redefines its entry level as being the used market . It is a continuation of the pricing

structure reboot seen in the opposite direction by the newly adopted ' real world ' pricing realism that started with the Pan America and continued with the also recently announced LiveWire ONE . That said , the $ 15k mark clearly leaves wiggle room for a base model . " The Sportster S is the next all-new motorcycle built on the Revolution Max platform and sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line ," said Jochen Zeitz , Chairman , President and CEO , Harley- Davidson . " This is a next generation Sportster defined by power , performance , technology and style . And it ' s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley- Davidson ." Harley says that " in profile , the Sportster S model appears crouched and powerful . The fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the predominate centerpiece of the motorcycle . The massive front tire recalls the fenderless front end of a classic bobber , while the tail section , high-mount exhaust and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley- Davidson XR750 flat tracker . The thick inverted forks and wide-profile tires suggest high-performance sport bike ." Actually , the styling looks like a classic Low Rider had a CAD / CAM fight with a Roadster and the judge ' s split decision is still pending . That isn ' t a ' Bad Thing ' at all , quite the reverse . As owners of the World Championship of Custom Bike Building , in our humble opinion this is a potentially timeless and defining style of performance cruiser that should and could have been sat on showroom floors more than a decade ago . " Every visual design element of the

Sportster S model is an expression of the motorcycle ' s raw power ," said Brad Richards , Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling and Design . " This is a wolf in wolf ' s clothing ." Nice , but at 121 hp not necessarily true . Just wait for the aftermarket to get at it though ! This new version of the latest Harley- Davidson liquid-cooled V-twin engine is tuned to make " tremendous torque at low rpm , with a torque curve that stays flat through the powerband - engine performance designed to deliver strong acceleration from the start with robust power through the mid-range ." As with the Pan America , the engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis - minimizing overall weight . The use of lightweight materials helps achieve a desirable power-to-weight ratio . It has a US 3.1-gallon fuel tank , weighs in at 502 lbs . and this ' S ' iteration has a high-mount 2-into-1- into-2 exhaust and a bunch of tech , including three pre-programmed , selectable Ride Modes ( Sport ,

Road and Rain ) and two Custom Modes , Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements and a round , 4.0-inch diameter TFT screen for the ' Infotainment ' displays . The powertrain as stressed chassis member , eliminating the traditional frame , significantly reduces weight and results in a very stiff chassis that contributes to precise handling . A welded tubular steel trellis swingarm features a braced design and stamped X-member to further stiffen the chassis . The Sportster S model is equipped with fully adjustable premium front and rear suspension - SHOWA 43 mm inverted cartridge forks and a SHOWA piggyback reservoir rear shock . The rear suspension features hydraulic pre-load adjustment using a convenient knob located on the left side of the motorcycle . There are lightweight cast aluminum wheels with a staggered , five-spoke design ; premium Brembo braking components - single front brake with a new Brembo radial monoblock fourpiston caliper and a 320 mm diameter