Page 18 - Riding On Autumn 2022
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        B       orn in 1957, the Harley-Davidson Sportster   :H FRXOG SUDWWOH RQ DOO GD\ DERXW WKH WHFK VWX໤ ZKLFK
                                                           you’ve probably read already. But take note of the claim that
                celebrates 65 years this year and has
                                                           H-D’s Variable Valve Timing (VVT) does not require periodic
                demonstrated lasting desirability with
                                                           adjustment, so common in other engines thanks to hydraulic
                Harley fans and riders.
                Conceived as a stylish, lightweight sports bike it   lash adjusters.
        has remained the longest-lived motorcycle line in the entire   So let’s throw a leg over and see what all the fuss is about.
        Harley-Davidson family. Derived from the side-valve 750cc
        0RGHO .  LQWURGXFHG LQ       WKH 6SRUWVWHU ZDV NQRZQ DV   At the Sydney launch in December, it was a bit of a
        the XL series until last year (2021) and had surprisingly little   FKRUHRJUDSKHG D໤DLU DQG QRW D JUHDW LQGLFDWLRQ SDUDGLQJ
        PRGL¿FDWLRQ RYHU PRUH WKDQ KDOI D FHQWXU\          DURXQG LQ WKH WUD໥F DQG UDLQ  6R , ZDV GHOLJKWHG WR JHW WKH
                                                           chance to unleash the beast on a proper weekend outing
        The 883 cc (53.9 cu in) and 1,200 cc (73 cu in) Evolution   as an owner may choose to do. To this end, I rounded up
        engines replaced the older ‘Ironhead’ in 1986 and the   cousin Jason on his big BMW sports tourer and headed north
        transmission uprated to 5-speed into 1991. Now, when 65   out of Adelaide into familiar territory.
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        most radical reworking ever.                       On the twisty, serpentine roads of the Adelaide Hills, the new
                                                           Sportster can really show its mettle. I’ve ridden all kinds of
        Earlier this year, the Revolution Max engine broke cover in   bikes on these roads and the new ‘Sporty’ is quite at home.
        the guise of the Pan America and had the critics in a tizz.   The fat, specially-designed Dunlop GT503 tyres reduce
        This engine is a complete departure from the archetypal air-  nimbleness slightly, but for regular riders like myself, there’s
        FRROHG     GHJUHH 9 7ZLQV WKDW KDV VR GH¿QHG WKH 0LOZDXNHH   more than enough control.
        brand for decades. As we found in the Pan America, it is
        lively, smooth and full of surprises.              First impressions. While some have made comparisons to
                                                           the V-Rod, my recollections come more from the short-lived
        Demonstrating the versatility of this new powerplant, the   FXDR, certainly in terms of riding position and wind-in-your-
        1250cc, DOHC 60-degree, water-cooled V-Twin is designated   face nakedness. Our test bike came with the small solo seat
        T for the Sportster S, whereas the Pan America was S. This   and the standard forward controls which, again, reinforced in
        SDUWLFXODU 5HY0D[ HQJLQH LV GL໤HUHQW LQ WKDW LW SURGXFHV PRUH   my mind its intended habitat of (sub)urban use. A few hours
        torque at lower revs and it actually produces less power up   on the road at highway speeds and this old guy’s dodgy back
        high than in Pan Am indicating, in my mind, its suitability   was starting to give grief.
        for urban environments rather than long-legged highway
        cruising.                                          The rear suspension is easily adjustable for preload like
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        The Sportster S is a good 30kg lighter than Pan Am and   riders who’ve racked up some highway miles, rear travel is
        despite some structural similarities, looks for all the world   OLPLWHG DQG FDQ EHFRPH XQFRPIRUWDEOH LQ WKH EXPS\ VWX໤
        OLNH D FRPSOHWHO\ GL໤HUHQW ELNH  7KH 5HY0D[ HQJLQH LV D   My fat butt left the seat once or twice on the back roads.
        structural element of the chassis, eliminating a traditional
        IUDPH  + ' WHOOV XV WKLV IHDWXUH VLJQL¿FDQWO\ UHGXFHV ZHLJKW   If your intention is to do extended touring, you’d be better
        DQG UHVXOWV LQ D YHU\ VWL໤ FKDVVLV                 R໤  LQ P\ RSLQLRQ  ZLWK WKH 3DQ $P ZKLFK , FRXOG ULGH DOO





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