Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs. BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

Overview - Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 vs BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

Technical Specifications Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021 compared to BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

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	105 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	125 Nm	Torque	115 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	5,750 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	12	Compression Ratio	12
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Transmission	Transmission	Belt	Transmission	Prop shaft
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
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	Strut
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Single swing arm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons
Shock mount	Shock mount	Floating caliper	Shock mount	Fixed caliper

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Double piston
Shock mount	Shock mount	Fixed caliper	Shock mount	Floating caliper

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	19 inch
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,265 mm	Length	2,240 mm
Width	Width	843 mm	Width	990 mm
Height	Height	1,089 mm	Height	1,525 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,520 mm	Wheelbase	1,510 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	755 mm	Seat Height	910 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	11.8 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	33 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

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 2009

In the last 30 years of its development, the GS has learned everything you need to know to remain the best-selling motorbike over 500 cubic metres for years - worldwide!

easy to ride

33-litre tank

ergonomics

brakes

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