Got 8000 miles on mine. Couple points, suspension sucks if you don’t adjust, then it is fine. Also I adjusted shift linkage and shifts excellent. Shifting is drastically improved at 4K RPMs and gets better up from there. Difference between road and sport modes is mostly sensitivity of throttle by wire, how much do you want to twist the throttle. That sensitivity reflects in engine breaking as well. Therefore I pretty much live in sports mode, use road for light rain and rain for deluge or blinding rain. Seat upgrade is a must in my opinion. One other consideration is front tire has a life span of 5k or less if you like to hit curves. But it is an extremely fun 5k miles. Guess you pay to play.

I have a 2020 HD-FXDR and straight or twisties don't bother me and I am 75 yrs old. Some people expect the bike to drive itself, nope love my bike 😎🇵🇭🇺🇸

I got one and instantly fell in love with it.

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

It's a ton of fun

Awesome, thanks for this test ride. Looks like it’s all there, turn key and ready to perform at high levels. Though I prefer the erector set approach with the EVO sportster platform this will give the potential Ducati diavel and naked sport bike buyer something else to consider.

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Fun bike for sure. Not exactly for me but a good time to hop on every now and then.

@TheAsheybabe89

2 жыл бұрын

Some naked riders might cross shop it (unlikely due to price, weight, and max lean angle) but exactly zero people who are serious about buying a diavel will consider this bike lol. Completely different power levels, sizes and philosophy of design.

@KennyQuestShow

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheAsheybabe89 I’m considering a sport cruiser or naked bike. I test rode a Diavel, FTR-1200 and some UJM’s. if the Bronx was out I’d consider it rather than the S. To me all these bikes are in the same category (in town fun bikes) and I just need to figure out what ride experience appeals to me the most for the time I’ll have to ride it.

@TheAsheybabe89

2 жыл бұрын

@@KennyQuestShow I sorely wish they had of made the Bronx (with 160-180 HP) instead of the Sportster S. An American counterpart to the Ducati street fighter or KTM super duke. You're in luck either way. I truly believe there isn't a bad bike in the super and hyper naked segments at the moment. It all just depends on budget and which bike speaks to you the most.. and what bike you can actually lay hands on! It took me two months to get hands on a Kawasaki Z900 last May. Everytime I tried to buy one it would be sold from under me before I could close the deal. Finally the dealer called in a favor after the last one sold from under me (finance guy took deposit from me for the bike when someone else had already sold it, so they made it up to me by tracking another one down within the week) and went and got one from another dealer in Kentucky (I live in Tennessee).

There are two controls to adjust the suspension according to your weight. Adjust it properly and you don’t feel those bumps, you glide over them

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Might have to try that next time

My first mods ide do. Exhaust, suspension lift, and rear sets the second they would be available

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely needs an exhaust

Looks like a very impressive bike. I do prefer the look of the Nightster though.

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

It is fun but I also prefer the look of the nightster

I test road one. Thing is FAF boi!

Rode this at demo days a couple weeks ago… it’s WILD

All I had to see was those two big exhaust cans to know what bike it was 😂😂😂😂 I bought one yesterday definitely impressed!

@TheMotoJawn

9 ай бұрын

You'll have a blast 🤟

How fast does it go ??? What is the top speed?? Will it 150 MPH like the V-rod??

Thanks for the comparison to the FXDR, I literally have this bike and thinking about trading it in for the Sportster S. And that is my main gripe about the FXDR, twisty riding is not its friend.

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I like this much better than the fxdr

@ramondelosreyes3056

Жыл бұрын

Don't, keep your FXDR

@Matthewlewis24

Жыл бұрын

@@ramondelosreyes3056 trust me I did and haven’t been disappointed by the Sportster S hardest part was finding one

I rode one on Monday and yes it has great power but I really didn't care for the riding position. The new nightster is a better bike IMO. I had a lot of fun on the nightster. I still need to ride the rebel 1100 and the scout rogue before i make a decision on another bike to add

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah the position is a little rough. I would like mid controls better.

@HDR20

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMotoJawn and taller bars or risers

Pick mine up today got a tail tidy and a TBR exhaust from Harley

@TheMotoJawn

6 ай бұрын

Nice you will have a blast

Moto Jawn likes that engine eh :) Not my cup of tea but it's the wave of future for many different reasons especially getting engines thru the bureaucracy we are facing :( I'll take a Twin Cam all day long!

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah definitely fun but not exactly what I want as a main bike.

i have ridden few bikes faster ( and i am a motorcycle mechanic ) well quite a few... but honestly, i have ridden bikes that are just too much too, where i would consider the Sportster S about the top of comfortably quick. let it wind up to 8 grand in 1st, and go through the gears, otherwise you don't know what you have there. lifelong air cooled H-D loyalists would freak on the power to weight less flywheel mass ... but try it on a strait shot, wound out to 8 and cracking through the gears in sport mode. i dislike forward controls too ... i just feel too planted, and it honestly feels less safe to me in the twisties, for that reason....each to his or her own, my two cents.

Those gloves 🥵🔥

Specs wise, the S is equal to the original Yamaha V-Max from 1985. In 2005, the 1200 was equipped with Buell XB heads and cams. I can't say if yours is. Most Japanese bikes have a certain RPM where they "get on the cam". You can feel the power increase. On my 1200 the cam gets up above 4000 rpm. Now... Many riders are saying that the new 975 Nightster is a better all-around motorcycle. If the insurance companies still give the sub-liter rate break like they used to it just might be the better deal. Great review, looking forward to your review of the new 975.

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

I think the 975 nightster is a little more practical as a daily rider

@jeepstertj556

2 жыл бұрын

85 vmax weights over 605 lbs sportster is 502

@614XJ

2 жыл бұрын

My Sportster S insurance is $60 lol and I have GAP

I just got to ride a nightster at the demo days event, pretty sure that’ll be my next bike. I’m used to a 97 softail custom which I love but it’s not meant for speed or power and that’s kind of what the nightster was good at, I also rode a heritage classic and as much as I’d love one of those it’s so expensive. It made me decide that I’d rather have a Harley for another bike and not a honda cb650r

@TheAsheybabe89

2 жыл бұрын

Own a Harley, still doesn't stop the CB650R, MT09, Z1000, MT07, Gsxs 750, Gsxs1000, etc all from being an actual all around better bike, not counting way more bang for the buck. Nightster seems to be a cool bike. But it and the Sportster S are overpriced for what they deliver in comparisons to the competition.

@docsspeakeasy4796

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheAsheybabe89 it's only more bang for your buck if you like the kind of bike. The Grom is a lot more bang for your buck so why doesn't everyone have one? Because they aren't as fun as a bigger bike

@TheAsheybabe89

2 жыл бұрын

True (though I'd argue the grom sucks compared to a Z400 or MT 03 in bang for the buck as far as buying new). But I'm not comparing a grom, I'm comparing bikes of a similar layout, size, power, price etc. I'm not a Harley hater, I own one. I just think the sportster S was done in a half measure. It's not cruiser enough to win over a lot of cruiser buyers, and at the same time it's not sporty enough at it's price point (bikes in it's price bracket have substantially more power) and lacks the suspension, ground clearance, or brakes to be a true sports bike. In that measure, it's the worst of both worlds. I think they should have offered this motor in a more traditional nightster styled bike and then went ahead and did a serious naked sportbike like the Bronx concept that they froze. Hopefully it is still coming, then I could accept the Sportster S as a cafe racer or muscle crusier. But I just can't get behind Harley calling it a sports bike.

The rear suspension is terrible. The gas tank needs another gallon of fuel, and the phone interface is largely unusable. The engine, handling, and transmission are amazing. With a new shock it would be a much better motorcycle. The good news is, there is more to come with the RevMax. Good review, you hit every point, spot on. One other thing, in sport mode, you will burn through that tank in 70 miles.

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

Yeah agreed fun bike for short period of time. Just not too practical for me

@grayghost1423

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMotoJawn had less than a month.

Will this be the upgrade from what you got now? or are you going to follow the others and go Glide? ;) always amuses me when harley riders bring up the turn signal usage as every or most other brands have that way of using turn signals :)

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

The signals just make more sense on the last and right 😂😂

@gregbaldwin9460

Жыл бұрын

Those turn signals messed me up for months lol

Sounds like a high powered lawn mower 😂I’ve seen people put two brothers exhaust on it for $900 doesn’t sound much better so I’ll probably leave mine stock😂

As a shorter rider how does the bike feel are you flatfooted?

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

I'm about 5'6 and I was mostly flat footed. Felt comfortable on it

Do you like your Iron 1200 better?

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

I do but that's just me and what I want. Sportster s is an awesome bike but for me would have to be a secondary bike.

Hey bro a buddy of mine is trying to START riding I personally ride a road king special, He’s interstates in joining the community but very new rider do you think this would be a good first bike fire someone

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

I would say know it's very twitchy with hp and torque and expensive. I'd say learn on something cheap and small then get this

@Poseidonsreef

Жыл бұрын

Can it be done ? As much as Im trying to deter him from getting this model, I think about all the new riders who start on a 600 crotch rocket I agree he should def go with something less twitchy

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

@@Poseidonsreef actually I forgot it has rider modes, so it can be toned down a little bit in rain mode. But yeah as with anything bike just take his time learning etc

Where does Sportster S differ from a VRSC as far as a buyers view?

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Shorter wheel base, more technology, more agile, a little different riding position maybe more just a few I think of.

@thomasouellette8870

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMotoJawn thanks, I had a 96 Sportster and this new one looks like a nice ride too.

Are they doing away with the original sportster ?

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

I think so

@jamespolucha8790

Жыл бұрын

If so I think that’s going to be a big mistake, but they have done some big mistakes in the past

You should change the tittle to “ the Fastest Harley ever made , Period “

@resolutetv5538

2 жыл бұрын

Livewire

Euro rider.( 2016/883)..damn,i feel bad for US Bikers, roads looks horrible

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

You got that right

I’ve seen comments by new owners of this bike complaining about the heat coming from the motor, did you notice any heat issues? Looks like an awesome bike but not for me either

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

I did notice a lot of heat coming off mostly at stops. My leg was very close tight against the heat shield

@brisacast1

2 жыл бұрын

I can second that

I think it looks kool but I don't like the pipes or the dash. When you start up it's like dial up internet.

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@spaceflight1019

2 жыл бұрын

The computers have to wake up, shake hands, and agree on acceptable rider inputs. Bottom line, you're not making a quick getaway on this bike until it lights off.

@johnengland8619

2 жыл бұрын

The older you get the smaller the dash

I like this engine, but I don't like the bike they have it in.

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Engine is amazing

@Jonathan-L

2 жыл бұрын

I can't believe HD didn't proceed with bring the Bronx to the market.

If I wanted a street bike I’d just go buy one, they are ugly as hell , I’d rather just have my 1200 last of the evo engines 🤘🏼

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah im sticking with the 1200 evo

Sounds like a sewing machine!

@TheMotoJawn

6 ай бұрын

It does. Still fun though

It's just so ugly though...

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

Definitely not for everyone

But the exhaust is still butt-ugly!

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

Agreed

its a shame they are the worst soundin bike ever made, my honda monkey sounds better. I'll keep my xr1200, its fast, handles and still sounds like a harley.

@TheMotoJawn

Жыл бұрын

I haven't heard any aftermarket options yet. They might spund better

@billwilliamson9842

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMotoJawn I have heard every aftermarket option out there and a few home done setups, all sound like crap. I REALLY want to LOVE these new sportys but the sound just kills any interest for me personally. I'm not scared of new tech or change, but a Harley is expected to have a deep, throaty sound and these new REVO engines are about as far from that as you can get.

Not a real Sporster.

"I see you" is such a lame ass woke sentence.

Lol oh please. Stop acting like that bike is fast. Get on a Hayabusa and see what fast is.

@TheMotoJawn

2 жыл бұрын

Fast for a Harley I mean 😂