The exhilaration of dynamic acceleration, whereby exceptional power is unleashed, lies at the heart of the 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Cruisers intended riding experience, moderated by stealthy technology. Torque on demand provides an uncompromising, exciting burst of push and exhilaration at any given moment, whether at a stoplight or around a corner.
The release of Sportster S marks the beginning of a brand new volume in the Sportster tale. A brand first established in 1957 that blew away the competition has been reborn to destroy today’s benchmarks.
2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Cruisers – Features and Specs
Powertrain
There has been a long history of iconic V-Twin motorcycles, and now the next chapter is here. The Revolution Max’s powertrain is a liquid-cooled, double-overhead-camshaft V4 with variable valve timing that provides a wide range of torque and an instantaneous power band tailored to the rider’s needs.
High Mount Exhaust
The new pipes are corrosion-resistant 304-series stainless steel and are designed primarily to deflect exhaust heat away from the rider’s legs and tail section, evoking the glory days of H-D flat-track racing.
Instrumentation
Classic Meets Modern: 4” Round Display
Digital gauges, ride modes, indicators, and turn-by-turn navigation including the Harley-Davidson app, are all housed in a 4″ round thin-film transistor LCD that connects via Bluetooth. There are buttons on both sides of the controls that allow you to access all of the features.
Choose Your Ride Mode
You can tune your motorcycle with a unique combination of power distribution, engine braking, Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System, and Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS) settings by toggling between three pre-programmed Ride Modes (Sport, Road, and Rain).
Dual Purpose Powertrain
To reduce overall weight and keep handling precise, the Revolution Max 1250T is integrated into the motorcycle’s chassis. Thanks to a low center of gravity and a very rigid chassis, the performance is palpable.
Performance and Capability
With the new Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System that interferes based on the calculated available traction, the Sportster S has some of the most advanced and safest engine-control electronics of any Sportster. In addition, it has three different power delivery profiles that can be set up beforehand and a fourth that the rider can customize.
For propulsion, there is a Revolution Max 1250T engine, which, while still V-twin, does so at a wider angle than the standard 45 degrees, making it immediately apparent that this is not your grandfather’s Sportster. The liquid-cooled mill is already a technological and aesthetic head-turner, so there’s no need to draw attention to it. In a non-standard departure, the engine has a bore of 105 mm and a stroke of 72.3 mm, a ratio that allows for high RPM and impressive performance.
The variable valve timing and dual overhead cams are novel features that produce a broader and more manageable power band. That’s right, this H-D has a stated horsepower rating, and we can’t say we blame them. This engine has a lot to be proud of, what with its 121 horsepower and 94 pounds of torque, which peak at 6,000 rpm but are usable for the majority of the rev range.
The final drive is a carbon-reinforced belt and pulley, and in yet another departure from the norm, the motorcycle is mounted on the rider’s left side. The Sportster S, with its six-speed transmission and a maximum speed of 120.7 mph, is fast enough to be dangerous on public roads.
Design
The design of the new Sportster S was influenced by the factory’s previous V-Rod models, which have since been discontinued. That was a broad allusion to the fact that the engineers’ demeanor is consistent despite their arrival via two very different methods.
It’s worth noting that the Bronx, who was supposed to use the same engine and be promoted as a nude Euro/Asian street fighter, met an untimely end. This new proper sport cruiser is competing for a different segment of the market. However, it may still attract some of the same types of buyers or at least offer an alternative to the details above.
The letter “S” provides a refreshing fusion of modern and traditional elements. While the inverted forks and rounded-off rectangle of the LED headlight nod to modernity, the fat tires, cut-down fenders, and general blackout treatment are all hallmarks of the old-school custom style that has long distinguished the breed. Every bulb is an LED, so you’ll have excellent vision in every direction.
The whole front end is painted black, right down to the short-rise handlebar and bar-end mirrors, and the same treatment continues behind the bike. The circular, four-inch instrument panel may look retro. Still, its contemporary, full-color TFT display combines standard gauges with settings for the vehicle’s technology and the ride’s comfort.
Even if your vehicle isn’t fitted with an Infotainment system, you can still use your phone to play music, take calls, and obtain turn-by-turn directions. You’ll need the Harley-Davidson app, a Bluetooth-enabled helmet, and a headset to use this feature.
Although the fuel tank has its signature teardrop form known to Sportster family riders, the bike’s profile soon tapers down below the single seat in an aerodynamically sensible manner. The remainder of the rear equipment is attached to the hugger in a sport bike-like fashion, which keeps the tail tidy and sleek despite the addition of additional cutting-edge LED technology.
Chassis
The Sportster S is a prime example of H-transition D’s to stressed-engine designs. Its front and rear tubular steel frame portions attach to the transmission, removing the need for most of the tube and significantly cutting down on weight. What comes out of this is a highly rigid chassis, which helps with handling precision. It’s a brand new addition to The MoCo, although the frame is ubiquitous elsewhere.
With a rake of 30 degrees and a trail of 5.8 inches, the “S” will be relatively stable at high speeds, even while encountering crosswinds and navigating pressure waves from oncoming traffic. H-D stays true to its roots by not altering the steering geometry to increase maneuverability. It would appear that good talent is sufficient.
If you weigh at least 180 pounds, you’ll be able to squat down to the appropriate height using a seat 28.9 inches off the deck. Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series radials measuring 160/70-17 up front and 180/70-16 in the rear are mounted on cast wheels.
Using tubular parts for the frame and concealing the fully-adjustable piggyback monoshock beneath the hood gives the swing arm a very sport bike-like appearance, which is something unique for a Sportster. The front end is suspended by 43 mm inverted forks on a trinity of suspension adjustments.
The brakes are a four-bore caliper biting a 320 mm front disc and a 260 mm disc and single-piston anchor in the back. Still, the real star is the Cornering-Enhanced Anti-lock Braking System that is standard equipment and puts the notoriously staid Motor Company on electronic par with the market’s most sporty vehicles.
2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Cruisers – Price
Harley-Davidson continued its habit of including the cost of paint in the final price tag. An entry-level Vivid Black bundle may be purchased for $15,499 in this first look. You can add $400 to your initial investment if you decide that White Sand Pearl or Mineral Green Metallic are more your speed.
Harley Davidson Sportster S vs Indian FTR
Right on the heels of a historic season in Flat Track Racing, the FTR is a street-legal version of the now-iconic race bike, sharing much of its design and layout with its racing counterpart. The rider’s triangle is also different, with the sport bike-style jockey foot pegs being the antithesis of the foot-forward Sportster S.
In terms of performance, there is little to opt between the two; the Indian V-Twin produces 120 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque, while the Harley-Davidson produces 120.1 horsepower and 94.0 foot-pounds of torque. All of them have fully adjustable suspension, but it appears that Indian ABS is the essential kind, and there are no advanced electronics.
Indian’s decision to sell its entry-level FTR for $12,999 (MSRP) leaves a couple of grand on the table, but if you’re into the gimmicks, H-D is your only option.
2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Cruisers – Technical Specifications
Dimensions
Length | 89.4 in. (2,270 mm) |
Overall Width | 33.1 in. (840 mm) |
Overall Height | 42.7 in. (1,085 mm) |
Seat Height, Laden | 28.9 in. (734 mm) |
Seat Height, Unladen | 30.1 in. (765 mm) |
Static Ground Clearance | 3.5 in. (90 mm) |
Rake (steering head) (deg) | 30 |
Fork Angle (deg) | 28 |
Trail | 5.8 in. (148 mm) |
Wheelbase | 59.8 in. (1,520 mm) |
Tires, Type | Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, radial |
Tires, Front Model | GT503 |
Tires, Front Specification | 160/70R17 73V |
Tires, Rear Model | GT503 |
Tires, Rear Specification | 180/70R16 77V |
Fuel Capacity | 3.1 gal. (11.8 l) |
Reserve Fuel Capacity, Fuel Injection (warning light) | 0.8 gal. (3 l) |
Oil Capacity (w/filter) | 4.75 qt. (4.5 l) |
Transmission Capacity | N/A |
Primary Chain Case Capacity | N/A |
Coolant Capacity | 2.32 qt. (2.2 l) |
Weight, As Shipped | 487 lb. (221 kg) |
Weight, In Running Order | 502 lb. (228 kg) |
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | 922 lb. (418 kg) |
Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front | 359 lb. (163 kg) |
Gross Axle Weight Rating, Rear | 595 lb. (270 kg) |
Luggage Capacity -Volume | N/A |
Engine
Engine | Revolution Max 1250T |
Valves | Chain-driven, DOHC, hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, intake and exhaust VVT; four valves per cylinder |
Bore | 4.134 in. (105 mm) |
Stroke | 2.846 in. (72.3 mm) |
Displacement | 76.4 cu in (1,252 cc) |
Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 |
Fuel System | All-new Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
Air Cleaner | Downdraft intake, tuned velocity stacks, and washable filter media |
Exhaust | 2-into-1-into-2, catalyst in the muffler |
Lubrication System | Semi-Dry Sump |
Drivetrain
Primary Drive | Gear, 49/89 ratio |
Final Drive | Belt, 34/80 ratio |
Clutch | Mechanical, eight plates wet, assist & slip, 1090N |
Transmission | 6-speed |
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st | 12.21 |
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd | 9.022 |
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd | 6.994 |
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th | 5.641 |
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th | 4.731 |
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th | 4.131 |
Chassis
Frame | All-new Stressed-member, high strength low alloy steel trellis frame; MIG welded; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; aluminum forged mid-structure |
Swingarm | High strength low alloy steel, tubular sections, forged axle junctions; stamped x-member, MIG welded |
Front Fork | 43mm of inverted fork including compression, rebound, and spring preload adjustability. Aluminum fork triple clamps. |
Rear Shocks | Linkage-mounted, piggyback mono-shock with compression, rebound, and hydraulic spring preload adjustability |
Wheels, Optional Style Type | N/A |
Wheels, Front Type | Aluminum cast, satin black |
Wheels, Front Width | 4.5 in. (114 mm) |
Wheels, Front Height | 17 in. (432 mm) |
Wheels, Rear Type | Aluminum cast, satin black |
Wheels, Rear Width | Five in. (127 mm) |
Wheels, Rear Height | 16 in. (406 mm) |
Brakes, Caliper Type | Front: radially mounted, monoblock, 4-piston caliper Rear: floating, single-piston caliper |
Brakes, Rotor Type | Front: single rotor, floating, tower-mounted Rear: solid uniform expansion rotor |
Brakes, Front Diameter | 12.6 in. (320 mm) |
Brakes, Front Thickness | 0.2 in. (6 mm) |
Brakes, Front is dual | No |
Brakes, Rear Diameter | 10.2 in. (260 mm) |
Brakes, Rear Thickness | 0.2 in. (5 mm) |
Front brake lever free travel | N/A |
Rear brake pedal free travel | N/A |
Brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
Suspension Travel, Front | 3.6 in. (92 mm) |
Suspension Travel, Rear | Two in. (51 mm) |
Performance
Engine Torque Testing Method | J1349 |
Engine Torque | 94 ft-lb (127 Nm) |
Engine Torque (rpm) | 6,000 |
Power (Hp/kW) | 121 HP / 90 kW @ 7500 rpm |
Lean Angle Testing Method | J1168 |
Lean Angle, Right (deg.) | 34 |
Lean Angle, Left (deg.) | 34 |
Maximum hill-starting ability | N/A |
Fuel Economy Testing Method | Estimated City/Hwy |
Fuel Economy | 49 mpg (4.8 l/100 km) |
CO₂ Emissions Testing Method | N/A |
CO₂ Emissions | N/A |
Electric
Battery | Sealed, maintenance-free, absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery, 12V, 12Ah, 225 CCA at 0°F |
Charging | Three-phase, 45 Amp system (300 Watts @13 Volts, 1200 rpm, 585 Watts max power @ 13 Volts, 2250 rpm) |
Starting | 0.9 kW electric with direct drive starter motor engagement |
Lights (as per country regulation), Headlamp | All LED headlamps, low and high beams with signature position lighting |
Lights (as per country regulation), Tail/Stop | All LED Tail/Stop lamps with signature tail lighting |
Lights (as per country regulation), Front Signal Lights | LED Bullet Turn Signals |
Lights, Rear Turn Signals | LED Bullet Turn Signals |
Gauges | 4-inch viewable area TFT display with speedometer, gear, odometer, fuel level, clock, trip, ambient temp, low temp alert, side stand down alert, TIP over attention, cruise, range, and tachometer indication BT capable – phone pairing to access phone calls, music, navigation (H-D App ONLY) |
Auxiliary Lamps | N/A |
Electric Power Outlet | USB C-Type, Output 5V at 2.4 Amp |
GPS System | N/A |
Reverse Gear | N/A |
Warranty And Service
Warranty | 24 months (unlimited mileage) |
Service Interval | First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) after that |