There’s a certain kind of feeling that comes with riding solo. There’s no chatter in your helmet, no need to match pace with others, no compromises on how long or how far you can go. All you have is the feel of the engine below you, the wind in your face, and the only sound you hear is your own thoughts. For some, this can be intimidating, but for a lot of us, it is the feeling of freedom.
Not every motorcycle is cut out for this, though. ADVs beg you to take company, sport bikes are built for you to focus only on the road ahead, and with dirt bikes, you need to focus on managing your body position. Cruisers, on the other hand, can take a solo ride and make it their own. They don’t ask you to push harder, and they don’t ask you to slow down. They balance the way you want them to balance, allowing you to focus on yourself and the journey you are on.
The Best Cruiser For Relaxed Weekend Rides Is The H-D Low Rider S
Harley-Davidson has a perfect partner in crime for your weekend getaways
The Appeal of Solo Cruising
Why Cruisers Feel Right Alone
Solo rides thrive on spontaneity. You don’t coordinate stops or adjust routes; you can take unexpected turns, stop to admire the best views, and linger around for lunch a little longer. You can even just keep riding until your fuel runs low. Cruisers are the best kind of weapon for this attack. Long, low-slung stances offer relaxed ergonomics, and torque-rich engines make cruising at lower gears effortless. Unlike sport bikes that demand constant input or ADVs that invite exploration off the grid, cruisers are just fine taking the long highway at their own leisurely pace.
Where Modern Cruisers Change the Game
Now, traditional cruisers have leaned on legacy and heritage, making them simple machines with little more than a great engine and amazing feel. But modern interpretations are slowly changing this idea. The addition of new-age tech, fancy design, and more involved riding dynamics is making them more capable, versatile machines.
Because of this evolution, a new kind of cruiser was found, one that isn’t afraid of pushing limits when asked, but still retains the soul of laid-back riding. One such machine is Harley-Davidson’s flagship Sportster. It doesn’t outright abandon the idea of a lazy, soulful ride, but it has the ability to turn one into a blast around the corners.
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S comes with New-Age Philosophy
The Engine Is Particularly Versatile
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S represents a significant shift for the brand. While the Sportster name itself carries decades of legacy, this new iteration moves away from the air-cooled engines to a more performance-oriented one. At the heart of the bike sits the Revolution Max 1250T. A 1,252 cc liquid-cooled V-twin that produces 121 hp and 91 lb-ft of twisting force.
Mated to a 6-speed belt drive, power delivery is strong across the rev range, allowing for a duality of sorts between slow, lazy rides and spirited highway runs. Ride modes enhance this versatility. Four modes (Rain, Road, Sport, and Custom) tailor the bike’s throttle response, engine braking, ABS, and traction control to better suit the conditions you’re in.
|
Engine |
Displacement |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
Revolution Max 1250T, liquid-cooled, V-twin |
1,252 cc |
121 HP |
98 LB-FT |
6-speed manual, belt-drive |
The Sportster S’s Chassis And Ride Quality
The Sportster S is built around a lightweight frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, which contributes to the bike’s sporty capability. It also weighs just 501 pounds, making it one of Harley’s lightest bikes. Suspension duties are handled by a 43 mm inverted fork up front and a linkage-mounted monoshock at the rear, both adjustable. Braking comes from a single radially mounted monoblock 4-piston caliper and a floating single-piston caliper at the rear.
Now, this is a cruiser, but it has a relatively short wheelbase at 59.8 inches. Add to that equation fat tires and a low center of gravity, and what you get is a perfectly balanced cruiser capable of low-speed stability as well as high-speed flickability.
The Harley-Davidson Built For Riders Who Still Believe In The Open Road
For riders who still believe the road itself is the destination, the motorcycle has to deliver far more than simple transportation.
The Tech Is Meant To Enhance The Ride
Modern technology is one of the Sportster’s biggest talking points. It comes equipped with a full-color 4-inch TFT dash. It gives you all the essential information, including engine temperature, ambient air temperature, and tire pressure. It pairs with your phone via Bluetooth, and it even pairs with headphones for intercom connectivity between the rider and pillion. We’re on a solo ride, so we’re not interested in that, but it is a good-to-have feature. On a solo ride, you can use the switchgear to control even media playback without having to disrupt your rhythm.
Safety Systems Balance The Conditions
As far as safety systems go, the Sportster S gets a hefty sprinkling of motorcycle rider aids. Lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, wheel lift mitigation, and even drag-torque slip control. Wheel lift mitigation is particularly interesting. Under hard acceleration, the computer manages torque to keep the front from lifting. On the other hand, under hard braking, it manages brake pressure to keep the rear wheel planted on the tarmac. Drag-torque control keeps the rear wheel from locking or slipping when downshifting rapidly, especially in wet conditions. All of these systems work silently in the background, but on a solo ride when none of your companions are around, it’s a safety net keeping you on the right side of the rubber.
The Muscle Cruiser That Balances Torque, Stability, And Comfort
While American cruisers get you around 120 horsepower, this muscle cruiser spoils you with over 170 horsepower and 160 pound-feet
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S Gives You A Brilliant Solo Ride At An Affordable Price
Price: $15,999 MSRP
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a compelling answer to what a solo ride can be. It takes the familiarity and laid-back dynamic of cruisers and adds the punch of performance, handling, and technology to create a motorcycle that feels truly versatile. The Sportster S is not about just going from one place to another. It’s about how you take that winding road when no one else is around. Whether you want to ride with one arm resting on your lap or whether you want to carve up the mountainside in a manic frenzy, the Sportster S is ready for anything. If you’re one of those people who enjoy solitary escapes rather than group rides, the Sportster S may just be for you.