The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is easily one of the most attractive options in Harleys motorcycle portfolio and with the arrival of the 2022 iteration, Harley has taken the game one step further. Comes with the all new Revolution Max 1250T engine capable mated to a smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission, the 2022 Harley-Davidson The Sportster S is unlike any other Harley, especially when it comes to performance.
In addition to the powertrain capable of accelerating the bike like a bat from hell, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S is excellent in terms of braking and handling. There is also minimal vibration. Apart from that, a decent list of driver assistance features and technologies are also on board. With fierce competition from the Indian Scout Bobber and Ducati Diavel, here are 10 things every motorcycle enthusiast should know about the 2022 Sportster S.
ten The 1200cc V-Twin engine is extremely advanced and refined for a Harley
Offered with the same Revolution Max 1250T DOHC liquid-cooled 60° V-twin engine as the outgoing 2021 model, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S is very smooth, refined and advanced for a Harley engine. This engine gets variable valve timing and as a result the torque on offer is higher than most other motorcycles in Harley’s lineup.
With a claimed 120 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque, the 2022 Sportster S has addictive low-to-midrange performance. Vibration is minimal and the 6-speed gearbox is well laid out and offers a positive shift feel. While you can’t expect much in the way of top-end performance from this long-stroke engine, it’s quite adequate, especially compared to rivals.
9 Vibrations are well controlled
It’s a fairly modern engine and that helps it showcase the Sportster S’s true potential. This Revolution Max engine doesn’t vibrate as much as many others in the stable and that’s a big plus, especially for people who are interested in those long highway trips. Due to the lower vibration level, the fatigue felt by cyclists will also be less.
One of the main reasons for the lack of vibration is the motorcycle’s rubber-mounted components. As a result, footpegs, mirrors, handlebars, etc. lack vibration in the low and midrange. However, the rider might feel the vibrations as the engine approaches the rev limiter.
8 The typical Harley riding position is retained
Harley purists will appreciate the upright and relaxed riding position of the 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S. The handlebars are quite wide and easy to reach without leaning forward too much. As a result, most riders would have no wrist or shoulder pain, both of which are common for sportier riding positions.
Forward footrests also add comfort. Perfect positioning of the switchgear, a very readable instrument cluster and a nicely sculpted tank that the rider could lock his legs onto are some of the other benefits of this design. However, it is a single-seater and therefore it is not intended that the passenger can sit.
7 Sportster S is pretty decent in the corners
With a curb weight of 502 pounds, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S wouldn’t be the most inspiring motorcycle money can buy. However, with decent weight distribution and the steel trellis frame with stamped and forged junctions, it’s reasonably fun to ride.
Although the Sportster S is a lazy motorcycle for sudden directional changes, which can mostly be attributed to its high curb weight, it is quite capable of cornering without feeling overly jittery. The bike dives into corners quite well, sticks to the roads without a problem and comes out at high speed. However, the footpegs restrict the recline ranges a bit, as they tend to scratch very early on.
6 Gas mileage is better than some of the rivals
The 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S sees no changes to the powertrain and design, and as a result, the fuel economy numbers also remain unchanged. This motorcycle offers a combined gas mileage of 49 mpg, which is about 16 miles more than what the Indian Scout Bobber offers.
The 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S retains the fuel tank capacity of 3.1 gallons, which is not the best in the segment. This limits the touring ability of this bike. With such a tiny tank, the 2022 Sportster S could only achieve a combined range of about 151 miles.
5 One of the sportiest Harley-Davidsons ever
It’s easily one of the best looking motorcycles in the Harley stable, and it’s one of the reasons the Sportster S became a sales success. The front looks pretty good thanks to the massively wide tire (Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series Radials; 160/70R-17), LED headlights and raised handlebars.
As for the side profile, the 2022 Sportster S gets a long, sweeping tank with the Harley-Davidson logo neatly embossed. Side mirrors, massive exhaust system with gold accents and gold engine components add to the sporty credentials. The rear benefits from a neat setup which is complemented by the 180/70R-16 tire, LED taillight and LED turn signals.
4 Build quality is superior to most other Harley models
One of the main gripes of many Harley-Davidson models is poor quality control and terrible craftsmanship. Being a brand that offers many expensive motorcycles, there were also frequent reliability issues. However, the Sportster S is a cut above most of these Harleys and feels exceptionally well built.
All the panels present on the bike are very dense and strong and do not sag like some rivals. The paint quality is impeccable and feels very premium. Even the quality of the switchgear, which many Harleys have a pretty poor reputation for, is superb for the Sportster S. There are no exposed wirings on the bike either.
3 Rolling the streets is child’s play
The 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a decent proposition if you intend to ride in the congested city traffic conditions. Even though the heating is a bit higher, there are a few qualities that make this bike quite livable as a daily rider.
One of the main qualities is the weight distribution, which makes it comfortable enough for stops and starts. The high curb weight is well hidden because of that, and that’s quite a plus. Refueling is well calibrated and doesn’t feel very jerky like the Honda Rebel 1100. However, the ride quality isn’t the best of the bunch.
2 Highway driving is pleasingly comfortable
This cruiser comes with fully adjustable 43mm Showa inverted forks up front and this system has 3.6″ of suspension travel. The rear gets the fully adjustable Showa monoshock system with just 2″ of travel. . Even though the system is quite stiff at low speeds, it becomes comfortable enough at highway speeds.
The stiff suspension setup provides rock-solid stability at highway speeds and the bike is unaffected by crosswinds. All irregularities on the roads are also absorbed quite well. However, due to the very low travel of the suspensions, larger potholes are a problem.
1 Feels very lively for a Harley
Unlike other Harle-Davidsons, this 2022 Sportster S is very sporty and fun. The main reason for this is the excellent powertrain integrated between the frame and the tank. The strong throttle response offered by this engine is addictive, and the engine requires no downshifting for quick overtaking, making it extremely fun on back roads and highways.
The 6-speed gearbox is also quite competent. There were no false neutrals and the shifts were pretty crisp for a Harley. It’s also one of the few Harleys that didn’t feel like exploding higher in the rev band. The torque distribution is wide throughout the rev range and the bike never runs out of steam.
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