Harley-Davidson Sportster S1/17Tap to zoom

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Harley-Davidson · Motorcycle

Sportster S

₹ 18,05,000ex-showroom · last updated 2026

Check on-road pricevs Indian ScoutOfficial site ↗
Engine
1,252cc
Power
120.69bhp
Mileage
20kmpl
Weight
228kg
EMI starting from ₹5,000/month · subject to bank approval
IAF

Research by

IAF Editorial

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Harley-Davidson Sportster S — Overview

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a cruiser bike available at a price range of Rs. 18,05,000 - Rs. 18,21,500 in India. It comes in 2 variants and 4 colours. It is powered by a 1252 cc BS6 Phase 2 engine and has a user reported mileage of 19 kmpl. With both front and rear disc brakes, the Harley-Davidson Sportster S comes with anti-locking braking system. The Sportster S bike weighs 228 kg and has a fuel tank capacity of 11.8 liters. It develops a power output of 120.69 bhp and a torque of 125 Nm.

At Rs 18.05 lakh, the Sportster S is Harley-Davidson's most radical rethink in decades - a 121 PS flat-tracker-inspired cruiser built around the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1252cc motor rather than the brand's traditional air-cooled identity. This is the fastest, most tech-laden Harley ever sold in India: 125 Nm of torque, Brembo 4-piston front brakes, cornering ABS, traction control, and a TFT display with Bluetooth - all on a machine that looks like it rolled off an American flat track. The trade-off is real though: the suspension is tuned for smooth racetracks, not the broken state highways and pothole-riddled city roads that most Indian riders live with every day.

Harley-Davidson Sportster S Latest Updates

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  • The 2026 Harley-Davidson Sportster S is now available in India with an updated colour palette: Blood Orange, Aurora Blue Denim, White Onyx Pearl, and Dark Billiard Gray replace some earlier options, with Vivid Black continuing as a premium variant. The new colours feature two-tone graphics with bronze accents.

  • The 2026 Sportster S adds Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control (C-DSCS) to its already comprehensive electronics suite, joining existing Cornering ABS (C-ABS) and Cornering Traction Control (C-TCS). The system uses the 6-axis IMU to control rear wheel slip under engine braking in corners.

  • Harley-Davidson India recorded sales of 41 units of the Sportster S between April and December 2025, representing an 8% year-on-year growth. The Sportster S continues as the brand's top-performing model in the premium cruiser segment in India.

What We Like

  • 1252cc Revolution Max V-twin punches out 121 PS and 125 Nm - effortless overtakes on open highways with strong, linear mid-range pull
  • Flat-tracker styling with upswept scrambler exhaust, fat front tire, and premium automotive-grade paint makes it the most distinctive Harley in India
  • Comprehensive electronics: cornering ABS, traction control, 5 riding modes (Sport, Road, Rain + 2 custom), and a crisp 4-inch TFT with Bluetooth connectivity
  • Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers with a 320mm disc deliver serious, fade-free stopping power that inspires total confidence

What Could Be Better

  • Suspension is tuned stiff for smooth tarmac - the rear kicks up badly over broken Indian road patches and speed bumps, making city riding genuinely uncomfortable
  • No quickshifter at this price; the gear throws are long and clunky, which feels out of place on a 121 PS machine with such capable brakes and electronics
  • Single-seat configuration as standard - adding a pillion seat is an extra accessory purchase on a bike that already crosses Rs 18 lakh

Editor's Verdict

Should You Buy the Harley-Davidson Sportster S?

The Sportster S is the Harley for riders who want genuine performance under a premium badge rather than just heritage. On smooth highways - NH48, coastal roads, or Ladakh passes - it is absolutely brilliant: fast, involving, and loaded with the kind of electronics that keep you safe and in control. The problem is squarely with the suspension: for the majority of Indian riders navigating city traffic and rough roads daily, the stiff setup becomes a constant reminder of what it wasn't designed for. Buy it if you ride mostly on smooth tarmac and have access to Harley's service network; otherwise, the Nightster or a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 may serve you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is the ex-showroom price of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S in India?▾
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S starts at Rs 18,05,000 ex-showroom for Billiard Gray, Brilliant Red, and Mystic Shift variants. The Vivid Black variant costs Rs 18,21,500. On-road in Delhi it comes to approximately Rs 19.93 lakh, while in Mumbai the on-road is around Rs 20.68 lakh.
QWhat is the real-world mileage of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S?▾
The ARAI certified mileage of the Sportster S is 20 kmpl. In real-world conditions - Mumbai or Bangalore city traffic - owners report 16-17 kmpl, while on open highways the figure rises to 19-21 kmpl. The 11.8-litre tank gives roughly 190-200 km of practical range per fill.
QWhat is the service cost and interval for the Harley-Davidson Sportster S in India?▾
The Sportster S requires servicing every 8,000 km at an authorised Harley-Davidson dealership, costing approximately Rs 12,000-15,000 per service. The first service is due at 500-750 km; subsequent services cover engine oil, filter, belt inspection, and brake fluid. Annual maintenance typically runs Rs 15,000-20,000.
QWhat is the EMI for the Harley-Davidson Sportster S base variant?▾
For the base Sportster S (Rs 18.05 lakh ex-showroom), a 5-year loan at 8.5% interest with 20% down payment works out to approximately Rs 35,000-38,000 per month. For a 3-year tenure at 10% interest, the EMI is approximately Rs 57,000-62,000 per month. Finance is available through H-D Financial Services, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank at authorised dealerships.
QIs the Harley-Davidson Sportster S good for Indian roads?▾
The Sportster S performs brilliantly on smooth highways like NH48 or coastal routes where its 121 PS and cornering electronics shine. However, the stiff suspension struggles on typical Indian roads - the rear kicks up badly on broken surfaces and the 90mm ground clearance can be tight in pothole-heavy cities. The 2025 model improved rear wheel travel by 60%, which partially addresses this issue.
QHow does the Harley-Davidson Sportster S compare to the Indian Scout?▾
The Sportster S (Rs 18.05 lakh) costs more than the Indian Scout (from Rs 12.99 lakh) but delivers more power - 121 PS vs the Scout's 100 PS - and a more advanced electronics package with cornering ABS and 5 riding modes. The Scout has a significantly lower seat height (around 655mm vs 765mm), making it more accessible for shorter riders and better suited to mixed city and highway riding in India.
QWhat is the seat height of the Sportster S and can shorter riders manage it?▾
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S has a seat height of 765 mm. Riders approximately 5'5" and above can typically manage a comfortable toe-touch at stops. Combined with the 228 kg kerb weight, riders under 5'4" may find low-speed manoeuvring and stops at traffic lights challenging. Harley-Davidson India does not currently offer a factory lowered seat option for this model.

Rivals to Consider

Indian Scout
Triumph Speed Twin 1200
Triumph Bonneville T120
Harley-Davidson Nightster