Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs. Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Overview - Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Technical Specifications Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 compared to Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle VRSCF 2017

Engine and Drive Train

Bore	Bore	105 mm	Bore	105 mm
Stroke	Stroke	72.3 mm	Stroke	72 mm
Engine power	Engine power	122 HP	Engine power	121 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,000 rpm
Torque	Torque	125 Nm	Torque	115 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,500 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	12	Compression Ratio	11.5
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Transmission	Transmission	Belt	Transmission	Belt
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	5
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Valves	Valves	DOHC	Valves	DOHC
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	1,252 ccm	Displacement	1,247 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Telescopic fork

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Tubular, Load-bearing engine	Frame type	Double cradle
Rake	Rake	60 degree	Rake	34 degree
Trail	Trail	148 mm	Trail	142 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Four pistons
Shock mount	Shock mount	Fixed caliper	Shock mount	Fixed caliper

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	160 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	19 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	180 mm	Rear tyre width	240 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	70 %	Rear tyre height	40 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch	Rear tyre diameter	18 inch
Length	Length	2,265 mm	Length	2,410 mm
Width	Width	843 mm	Width	950 mm
Height	Height	1,089 mm	Height	1,065 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,520 mm	Wheelbase	1,700 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	755 mm	Seat Height	705 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	228 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	307 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	11.8 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	18.9 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

The Sportster S returns to the tradition of this model series - yes, it really used to be about sport! That's why the latest American creation, with its 122 hp and 125 Nm of torque, doesn't want to be a cruiser, but instead is almost classless in its pursuit of customers. What is on offer is a wonderful poser bike that is surprisingly easy to ride. The single-disc brake at the front works well and the fat 160 front tyre steers better than you would expect. Only the hard suspension makes the rider suffer on longer distances - which of course doesn't matter at all in front of the ice cream parlour. Electronics and safety are top-notch, which mitigates the tidy price for true fans.

Powerful, refined engine

brakes very good for a single-disc system

full electronics package with cornering ABS and lean angle-dependent traction control

Chassis really hard

turn-in behaviour somewhat unwilling due to wide front tyre