Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs. BMW R nineT 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R nineT 2023

Overview - Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs BMW R nineT 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R nineT 2023

Technical Specifications Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 compared to BMW R nineT 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R nineT 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R nineT 2023

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	V	Engine type	Boxer
Bore	Bore	105 mm	Bore	101 mm
Stroke	Stroke	72.3 mm	Stroke	73 mm
Engine power	Engine power	122 HP	Engine power	109 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,250 rpm
Torque	Torque	125 Nm	Torque	116 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	12	Compression Ratio	12
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Toughened, Dry
Transmission	Transmission	Belt	Transmission	Prop shaft
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Valves	Valves	DOHC	Valves	DOHC
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	Oil-air
Displacement	Displacement	1,252 ccm	Displacement	1,170 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	43 mm	Diameter	46 mm
Travel	Travel	92 mm	Travel	120 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Paralever
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Travel	Travel	51 mm	Travel	120 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Tubular, Load-bearing engine	Frame type	Tubular, Load-bearing engine
Rake	Rake	60 degree	Rake	63.2 degree
Trail	Trail	148 mm	Trail	107.9 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	320 mm	Diameter	320 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons
Shock mount	Shock mount	Floating caliper	Shock mount	Fixed caliper
Technology	Technology	radial, Monoblock	Technology	radial

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	260 mm	Diameter	265 mm
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Double piston
Shock mount	Shock mount	Fixed caliper	Shock mount	Floating caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Cruise control, Traction control	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS

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	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	180 mm	Rear tyre width	180 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	70 %	Rear tyre height	55 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,265 mm	Length	2,105 mm
Width	Width	843 mm	Width	865 mm
Height	Height	1,089 mm	Height	1,240 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,520 mm	Wheelbase	1,487 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	755 mm	Seat Height	805 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	228 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	221 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	11.8 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	18 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A
Range	Range	245 km	Range	352 km
Combined fuel consumption	Combined fuel consumption	5.1 l/100km	Combined fuel consumption	5.1 l/100km

Equipment

Equipment	Equipment	Bluetooth, Connectivity, LED-Headlights, TFT display	Equipment	Heated grips, LED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights

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

BMW R nineT 2023

Unfortunately, our editors did not test this model.

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S vs BMW R nineT

Price Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S

Model year

Average market price

Current average market prices

Price BMW R nineT

Model year

Average market price

Current average market prices

Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200CX Roadster 2020 vs
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Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs. BMW R nineT 2023

Overview - Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs BMW R nineT 2023