Harley-davidson Sportster S Review

Used Buyer Review

The Sportster S is genuinely one of the more interesting things Harley has done in years. That Revolution Max 1250 engine is the real deal — 121 horsepower sounds like marketing fluff until you actually twist the throttle and feel it pull hard past 6,000rpm. It doesn't ride like any Harley you've touched before. Used examples are appearing around the $11-14k mark now, and honestly that's when it starts making sense financially. Here's the honest part though: check the suspension setup carefully on any used example. The ergonomics are notoriously aggressive for a Harley — forward pegs, low bars — and tall riders genuinely struggle on longer rides. Previous owners often fitted aftermarket seats or risers, which is actually a green flag on used bikes. Also confirm the electronics haven't been tampered with; the ride-by-wire and cornering ABS are genuinely useful here. Battery issues cropped up on early 2021-2022 bikes, so ask for service history and check for the software updates. It's a polarising machine but an exciting one.