2024 Harley-Davidson Sportster S

When Harley-Davidson introduced the Sportster S in 2021, it practically took six decades of Sportster heritage and threw it out the window. In place of the familiar 1200 Evo mill, the Sportster S uses the Revolution Max 1250T engine, featuring a 60-degree V angle, liquid-cooling, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, crankpins with a 30-degree offset, and maintenance-free hydraulic lash valve adjusters. Producing a claimed 121 hp at 7,500 rpm and 93 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm, the Revolution Max 1250T is a modern performance-oriented engine by most any estimation. Fully adjustable suspension, IMU-managed rider aids, and Brembo brakes take the Sportster experience to whole new heights.

Ultimately, is the Sportster S still a Sportster? Well, it’s still a cruiser. A modern cruiser, yes, but with a paltry 2 inches of rear travel and trad-cruiser geometry and ergos, sporting performance in the twisties hits a ceiling dictated by styling. So while the engine wants to rip, and you’ve got a safety net of zeros and ones in your right hand, you’ve gotta respect the bike’s inherent shortcomings. Nevertheless, the Sportster S shows that Harley-Davidson is willing to break the mold even at the expense of one of its most iconic names. With modern tech and performance, the Sportster S spearheads H-D’s performance-oriented vision. We can’t wait to see where it leads.