With One Tweak, Harley Just Solved Its Most Approachable Motorcycle’s Biggest Problem

The new-and-improved Sportster S boasts plenty of power — and a suspension upgrade that should majorly smooth out the ride.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published January 27, 2025

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Years ago, while in negotiations to purchase my first motorcycle, a 2014 Triumph Bonneville T-100, I test-rode a Harley-Davidson Sportster. It was a bit of a lark, and frankly I was hoping I hated it to confirm my Bonnie leanings.

That didn’t really happen though. Thanks to its badass look, low seat and rumbling engine, I kinda loved the thing.

harley davidson sportster s hero — Shown here with the Mystic Shift paint scheme, the new Sportster S boasts a bold blend of form and function.

My one hangup was that every time I hit a bump, the impact shot up through my spine — at a time I already had lower-back issues. So I closed the deal on the T-100 and never looked back.

A major upgrade Harley is touting is kind of hard to believe. The brand has managed to boost the amount of travel in the three-way adjustable rear shock by a whopping 60 percent.

Fast forward several years and the latest incarnation of the nameplate, the 2025 Sportster S, has my attention, courtesy of a big suspension update that addresses this exact issue. Of course, the rest of its features ain’t too shabby either.

Shocking development

While I have not ridden a Sportster since, I can’t wait to hop on this one. Not only has my back condition greatly improved, but this bike promises to be much kinder to it.

A major upgrade Harley is touting is kind of hard to believe. The brand has managed to boost the amount of travel in the three-way adjustable rear shock by a whopping 60 percent.

harley davidson sportster s rear suspension — A significant upgrade to the rear suspension should make for a much more comfortable ride.

In real numbers, the travel has increased from two inches to 3.2 inches, without a significant change in the seat height. That figure sits at 28.9 inches (laden), pretty unheard of for a sport bike.

This general category typically has the second highest seat, behind off-road bikes. The latter requires high seats to provide the clearance necessary to navigate uneven terrain, while the former seeks to maximize the amount you can lean into turns.

That quality is much more important if you are actually on the track. For the everyday rider, it is less critical.

harley sportster s power and pipes — Even with the boosted suspension, the Sportster S’s seat remains invitingly low.

Interestingly, this seat height is even lower than what you’ll find on some cruisers, including one shorter riders love, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor, which comes in at 29.1 inches.

In other words, with one significant tweak, Harley has made one of its most affordable and accessible bikes even more attractive — and not just to someone with lower-back issues.

Bonus highlights

As noteworthy as it is, the improved suspension is not the only exciting thing about the new Sportster S. Here are a few other features that have me pumped to give it a test ride.

Power trip

The new Sportster S packs a potent strength-to-weight ratio, thanks to the Revolution Max 1250T engine, the same 1,252cc beast driving bigger bikes like the offroad-ready Pan America family.

harley davidson sportster s action — The high horsepower and torque on a relatively small bike should bring miles of smiles.

To the Sportster S’s compact, muscular 502-pound frame, it delivers 121 ponies and 93 ft-lb of torque.

That means twist-and-go pickup that’ll zip through city traffic and rip through two-lane twisties with equal heart-pounding aplomb.

Head turner

I’ve always liked the Sportster’s profile, but this new edition ups the ante with the look of the aforementioned engine, which combines gloss and matte finishes for a textured blacked-out look.

harley davidson sportster s front — The Mystic Shift paint scheme nicely complements the Sportster S’s compelling contours and angles.

You can also opt for a premium paint scheme like the Factory Custom color Mystic Shift shown on this page, which transforms with exposure to light, from dark gunmetal to a near orange.

The fact that this is the only current Harley to run the exhaust pipes right up under the seat just adds to the distinct visual appeal.

Sneaky tech

I like my motorcycles pretty analog, as I never want to get so cushy I forget I am on two wheels. That said, as the brand did with the Low Rider ST I loved a few years back, Harley has exercised restraint regarding the tech on this bike.

harley davidson sportster s dash — The round TFT display recalls an old-school moto gauge while offering much more than MPH and RPM data.

Right between the bars, in a classic-looking round form factor, you’ll find a full-color, four-inch TFT display you can use for navigation, switching ride modes, checking tire pressure and more.

One of the original innovations also comes standard, and it’s pretty handy for long highway rides: good ol’ cruise control.

Availability and pricing

The 2025 Sportster S is available now at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships around the world. The bike’s base price is $15,999, with options like the Mystic Shift paint scheme shown on this page increasing that figure.