Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S 2024 — Specifications

So, the entry-level Harley? Forget about it. With this Sportster 1250 S, the Milwaukee firm has simply blown up its own concept. We are far from the small air-cooled twin that served as a friendly and accessible entry point. Here, we embark on a much more radical journey, almost an assumed betrayal for some purists, but a necessary revolution for others. The entry ticket, just so, now rises to 17,790 euros, a price that immediately places the machine in another category, facing premium European or Japanese roadsters.

What immediately strikes you is this aggressive and stripped-down silhouette, closer to a Fat Bob than classic Sportsters. The riding position is engaged, feet forward, low handlebars, with a 765 mm seat that allows for good ground contact. But this musculature hides a frugal 11.8-liter tank, an autonomy that will quickly become the weak point of long journeys. The heart of the transformation takes the form of the Revolution Max 1250 T engine, a 60° V liquid-cooled engine that serves as a stressed member. Its 121 horsepower at 7500 rpm pulverizes the Sportster heritage and offers it unprecedented agility with Harley. The torque, for its part, is solid with 124.5 Nm at 6000 rpm, even if it requires a little more searching than on traditional big twins. This engine, shared with the Pan America but reworked, is a marvel of modernity, with its variable distribution and 4 valves.

The chassis follows this logic of rupture. The announced weight of 228 kg fully fueled is a performance for an American, contributing to surprising agility. The 43 mm Showa inverted fork is fully adjustable, a luxury unthinkable until recently. On the other hand, the Showa rear monoshock offers a fair stroke and only preload adjustment. Another surprise, the braking system uses a single 320 mm front disc, gripped by a 4-piston radial Brembo caliper. It is effective, but we question the choice of the single disc against the competition, especially with this power. The technical specifications of the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S reveal a machine that is much more technical than its predecessors.

Electronic equipment completes its propulsion into the 21st century. Cornering ABS, traction control sensitive to lean angle, anti-wheelie, five riding modes, and a 4-inch connected TFT screen leave far behind the rustic image of the Sportsters. It is a motorcycle for a demanding globetrotter who seeks American character without compromising on technology and performance. It is no longer the first Harley for beginners, but the only Harley for a modern rider. For those who would like to customize it, the accessory catalog for the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S is already well stocked, allowing you to adapt the ergonomics or style.

So, success or heresy? A bit of both. It loses in simplicity and sonic soul what it gains in efficiency and versatility. It will never replace the myth of the 883, but it may be drawing the future of the brand. Whether you are looking for a new 2024 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S or a used Harley-Davidson Sportster 1250 S, you will have to come with an open mind. It is no longer a motorcycle apart, it is a motorcycle that now wants to compete with the best, on their own turf. The bet is bold, and that's already something.