H-D 2021 Sportster S

[Richard230]

Here is Revzilla's take on the new Sportster S: https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...r-s-first-look

Here are a few photos that I took of the bike this weekend at the Northern California Progressive motorcycle show at the Sears Point Raceway. BTW, at the display they had boxes painted on the pavement that told you to stand there to take photos of the bike. As it turned out, I didn't pay much attention to those directions. One styling feature that H-D can keep is that big license plate/stop light/turn signal lump at the back of the rear tire. I bet a lot of owners will be installing Screaming Eagle tail tidies to replace that sucker. That assembly is just aching to become a car bumper's new decoration. And no wonder it needs such fat tires, what with 3.6 inches of suspension travel at the front and only 2" of travel at the rear. I think that is less travel than a Honda Super Cub has. What were they thinking? That the roads in the U.S. are all as smooth as their test track? Those balloon tires will be doing as much to smooth out the bumps in the road as the suspension.

[Lag]

After you Richard,,.
Actually some interesting styling, but man its tuff to make an exhaust system that looks good these days,,!!




The new Sportster S weighs in at 503 pounds with all fluids topped up, not bad!!

[Richard230]

After you Richard,,.
Actually some interesting styling, but man its tuff to make an exhaust system that looks good these days,,!!




The new Sportster S weighs in at 503 pounds with all fluids topped up, not bad!!

I agree, those two examples of mufflers are real styling stinkers. In my experience, I wouldn't put any faith in the weight of the Sportster if that weight number came from the factory. My BMW R1200RS is supposed to have an on-the-road weight of 510 pounds. But when I weighed mine with a full tank of gas and the usual factory accessories that BMW tosses in with their first year's "launch" production, it weighed 552 pounds. I think all of the motorcycle manufacturers weigh their bikes without any factory options, which can add up quickly.

[scf]

Boy, I dunno.....
The side view in photo #2 looks like a cartoon drawing by R. Crumb

[Lag]

The Italians usually get it right, but even getting harder for them?

[Richard230]

The Italians usually get it right, but even getting harder for them?

True, but the Italians are doing their best to conform with Euro 5 and U.S. noise regulations and still manage to make their mufflers look distinctive and stylish.

[Richard230]

Motorcycle.com has just published a review of the H-D Sportster S. The author is not happy with its 2" or 1.5" (the provided specifications varied) rear suspension travel: https://www.motorcycle.com/manufactu...irst-ride.html