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P98 RIDE REVIEW I 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER S the forward-mount controls, but I don't have that problem at 6'1." The mid-mounts made it far easier for me to alleviate weight on my lower back over rough roads, although the ride position was a little more cramped. If my money were going down on an S, those would be the controls I'd opt for. Electronics-wise you get everything you'd ex- pect for this price point and a little more. Cruise control (yay!), the four ride modes, turn-by-turn navigation with the Harley app and Bluetooth connectivity are all included in the $15k sticker. The circular four-inch dash is minimalist, but easy enough to navigate once you figure out where everything is and operates. Harley has developed a range of accessories for Sportster S designed mainly for touring purposes (with a few bling bits like cam and clutch covers), which is odd because this is the last bike I'd take touring due to that rear suspension comfort. Herein lies the problem with the Sportster S. It's a pretty one-dimensional motorcycle, which is fine if you're after this particular style of ride. Harley wants to inject the sport back in Sport- ster, and for that they've done a good job. Get the Sportster S out in the flowing canyons and the ride is a sweet one. It carves a line smoothly, brakes adequately and is then met with that sensational Revolution Max motor on corner exit. But don't go buying a Sportster thinking you'll get anything like the versatility when compared to something like a naked bike. This brings me to the final point. For me, the Sportster is exciting not for what it is now, but where it will take Harley-Davidson. My sincere hope is Harley-Davidson does go ahead and cre- ate the Bronx (it's not canned as many think, just put on ice for now) using this motor and chassis architecture, because they have a golden op- portunity to fill a spot in the market left vacant by Triumph's insistence on playing with the big boys and their new Speed Triple, which used to be a street bruiser but is now basically a superbike without the fairing. The Sportster is not my cup of motorcycling tea, but that's not to say it's not a good motor- SPECIFICATIONS 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER S ($14,999) ENGINE Revolution Max 1250T, VVT, four-stroke, 60° V-twin VALVETRAIN Chain-driven, DOHC, 8-valve DISPLACEMENT 1252cc BORE X STROKE 105 x 72mm FUEL INJECTION Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) COMPRESSION RATIO 13.0:1 POWER (CLAIMED) 121 hp @ 7500 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED) 94 lb-ft at 6000 rpm EXHAUST 2-into-2 TRANSMISSION 6-speed CLUTCH Wet, multi-plate, assist and slip CHASSIS Stressed member, alloy s teel trellis frame FRONT SUSPENSION 43mm Showa fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION Linkage-mounted monoshock, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE Single 320mm disc radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4-piston caliper, Cornering ABS REAR BRAKE 260mm disc, 2-piston caliper, Cornering ABS FRONT TIRE 160/70TR17 73V REAR TIRE 180/70R16 77V WHEELBASE 59.8 in. SEAT HEIGHT 29.6 in. FUEL CAPACITY 3.1 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 486 lbs. COLORS Stone Washed White Pearl, Midnight Crimson, Vivid Black cycle. Taking the style of the bike into account and who it is targeted at, those riders will find a good time in the Sportster. This is certainly a different take on the Sportster legend, which, after all, is exactly what the designers were hoping for. CN