Ridefast January 2022

…
It’s time to meet the reborn Sportster. The longest-running
model in Harley-Davidson’s lineup has taken a sharp turn
towards sports performance, fueled by a 121-hp version
of the liquid-cooled Revolution Max V-Twin that we rode
in the new Adventure a few months ago, and a host of
modern electronics.
The Sportster family has been around since 1957, long
enough to spawn dozens of variants and, crucially,
offer a gateway to Harley-Davidson’s world as the most
affordable series of the lot.
Harley-Davidson decided to effectively reinvent the
Sportster by transforming it into a far sportier and more
powerful motorcycle, starting with fresh aggressive looks.
In this process, the new Sportster S became the second
model to employ the services of the Revolution Max 1250T
motor after the Pan America adventurer.
Turning to a liquid-cooled power unit is unavoidable
for any manufacturer who seeks sporty performance,
especially in the constrictive Euro-5 environment that
spelled the end of the previous generation’s Evolution 883
and 1200 motors in Europe. If Harley-Davidson wants to
bring back the Sport to the Sportster, a high-revving motor
such as the Revolution Max with its 9,500-rpm ceiling is
essential.
The engine comes with several changes designed for
more midrange torque. These include smaller valves and
ports,
a different combustion chamber shape and matching new
pistons, new velocity stacks, different camshaft profiles
and appropriate tuning of the Variable Valve Timing
system. According to Harley-Davidson, this adaptation
produces 121 hp at 7,500 rpm. This is considerably lower
than the Pan America’s 150 hp, yet is powerful enough to
label the new model as the “most potent Sportster ever” –
and is certainly more than sufficient for any naked bike.
As for the torque output, its peak value stands at 127
Nm (94 lb-ft) at just 6,000 rpm, gaining up to 10 percent
between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm over Pan America’s tuning.
The Sportster S is literally built around its V-Twin, as the
motor acts as the central pillar for three frame elements
that are bolted on its cases – a design selected mainly for
weight reduction.
Tipping the scales at 228 kg in running order, the new
Sportster displays a considerable advantage over previous
1200 cc models that would usually weigh around 250 kg’s.
In fact, the 2022 model comes up lighter despite carrying
a lot more electronic equipment, the liquid cooling system,
bigger brakes and a heftier front suspension.
It’s all about the sporty disposition that Harley-Davidson
claims for the new Sportster S ... or, as Harley-Davidson
vice president of styling and design Brad Richards puts it,
“This is a wolf in wolf’s clothing.”
We hope that Harley
SA gets in touch…