Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S 2021 — Specifications

We often hear about the Sportster as an entry point, but with this 1250 S, Harley-Davidson has completely changed the lock. Forget the small air-cooled twin, the retro lines, and the modest price. Here, you’re boarding a machine that has devoured its sports manual and makes sure you know it. For a little over €15,600, you’re no longer buying a ticket to the Harley world; you’re acquiring a passport directly to the territory of raw performance, Milwaukee style.

The heart of the beast speaks volumes about this transformation. The 1252 cm3 Revolution Max, already known on the Pan America, is reworked here to deliver 121 horsepower. This is a figure that turns heads when compared to the older Sportsters, and even the large M8 twins. Torque reaches 124.5 Nm, but it needs to be sought higher in the rev range, around 6000 rpm. It’s no longer the surge of power from the first revs; it’s a more modern, more responsive propulsion. The Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S technical specifications also reveal a super-square engine, liquid-cooled, with variable valve timing. A world separates this mechanics from that which animated the previous models.

This new philosophy is also reflected in the chassis. With 228 kilograms fully fueled, the weight of the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S is a small revolution for the brand. The engine block serves as a stressed member, allowing for a minimalist frame. The fork is a 43 mm Showa inverted fork, fully adjustable, and the front braking system relies on a single 320 mm disc, but biting, with a radial 4-piston Brembo caliper. It’s effective, even if some will be surprised not to see two discs at the front. The electronic equipment, for its part, is of unprecedented generosity: cornering ABS and traction control, anti-wheelie, five riding modes, and a 4-inch connected TFT screen. It’s clear, the motorcycle targets an audience that wants muscle and tech, not just style.

So, who rides this Sportster? Certainly not the beginner looking for their first large displacement, nor the purist attached to the clatter of the pushrods. Its price, around €15,700, and its temperament are destined for a demanding touring rider or a Sunday track rider who refuses compromises. The riding position, feet forward and low handlebars, is committed, and the 11.8-liter tank requires regular stops. This is the price to pay for this aggressive look and sculpted silhouette. Fortunately, the accessories catalog for the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S allows you to add saddlebags or a windscreen to soften long journeys.

When searching for a used Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S, or contemplating the 2022 and 2024 versions, it’s important to understand what it is: a break. It has little in common with its elders, except for the name. Lighter, more powerful, more sophisticated, it confronts seasoned European and Japanese competitors head-on. It may no longer be the first Harley, but it could well be the one that finally convinces skeptics that Milwaukee also knows how to manufacture motorcycles that attack the corner, not just the straight.