Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S 2022 — Specifications

So, it’s still called a Sportster, but frankly, we get the impression that Harley-Davidson simply borrowed the name and stuck it on a machine from elsewhere. Forget the compact lines and retro aesthetics. The 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S is an elongated, muscular animal that seems to have made a deal with the devil to erase its family tree. With its Fat Bob headlight, its 11.8-liter tank just big enough for a coffee and croissant, and its symbolic pillion, it displays a rebel posture: low handlebars, feet forward, a 765 mm seat. It’s clearly a statement of intent.

And that intent is raw power. Forget the anemic 883 and 1200 models. Here, the heart beats with the Revolution Max 1252 cm3, a 60° liquid-cooled V-twin that spits out 121 horsepower. That’s more than a big 1800 M8; let that information sink in. Torque isn’t lacking either, with 124.5 Nm, even if you have to rev to 6000 rpm to grab it, a revolution for a Harley. This engine, which also serves as a stressed member, allows for a minimalist frame and contained weight. Count 228 kg fully fueled, an unprecedented lightness that changes everything in terms of agility. For those looking for precise Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S specifications, the numbers speak for themselves: it’s a modern mechanical package, period.

The chassis follows the same disruptive logic. A fully adjustable 43 mm Showa inverted fork at the front, a single shock absorber at the rear – goodbye traditional dual shock – and braking with a single radial Brembo 320 mm disc at the front. A single caliper to tame 121 horsepower, the choice may be surprising, but the bite is there. The real revolution is the electronics. Cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheeling, five riding modes, it’s all there. The 4-inch TFT screen and smartphone connectivity complete the entry into the 21st century. Enough to justify part of the price of a Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S, which starts at 16,350 euros, a much saltier entry ticket than that of the old 883.

So, who rides this beast? Certainly not the beginner looking for their first Harley, nor the purist attached to the pushrod and chrome. The Sportster 1250 S clearly targets the sporty touring rider who wants an American motorcycle with a well-tempered character, but who refuses to compromise on performance and technology. It’s a demanding machine, with a tank too small for long raids, but incredibly lively and modern. It creates its own category. And for those who want to personalize it, the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S accessories market is beginning to expand, offering an exit to soften its radical side or, conversely, accentuate it. Whether you turn to a new model like the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S 2024 or a used Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S to soften the bill, one thing is certain: the custom landscape is not unscathed.