BMW F 900 R versus Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW F 900 R

Naked
Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2019 bis 2024~
Built von 2021 bis 2024~
RRP 9.400 €
RRP 17.495 €
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Pros:
  • Engine
  • Basic price
  • Comfort
Pros:
  • independent optics
  • powerful engine with power AND torque
  • high-quality impression
  • fat V2 sound, but below 95dB
  • electronically fully equipped incl. lean angle sensors
Cons:
  • Windbreak
  • Pillion comfort
Cons:
  • Rear suspension stick-hard
  • futzeliger side stand

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.518 mm
Length :
2.140 mm Height : 1.130 mm
Seat :
815 mm
Weight :
211 (max: 430 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Length :
2.270 mm
Seat :
775 mm
Weight :
228 (max: 418 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: In-line motor 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 895 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 86 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V2 Revolution® Max 1250T 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.252 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 216 km/h
Performance: 105 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption:
4 l
Reach:
310 km
Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 122 HP at 7.500 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
231 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Bridge frame in shell construction (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 135 mm)
Rear suspension:
Directly hinged central strut, spring base hydraulically adjustable, rebound damping adjustable (travel 142 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Motor carrying (steel)
Front suspension:
USD fork, 43 mm, with adjustable spring preload and adjustable rebound and compression of damping (travel 92 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single strut hinged via deflection lever with external reservoir, adjustable spring preload and adjustable tension and compression (spring travel 51 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 160/70TR17 73V
Rear tyres: 180/70R16 77V

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brake, floating brake discs, 4-piston radial caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 1-piston floating caliper ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, radially mounted four-piston monobloc fixed caliper brake ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper brake ( 260 mm)

Ideal for a sporty short trip

If things go the way they did with their predecessor, BMW has a potential bestseller in its range with the F 900 R. Why not: The machine is quite cheap for BMW ratios and at the same time quite good.

You just have to know what you want. This bike is ideal for a sporty excursion without great travel ambitions. Whose wish this was always: Test drive please!

The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann and Söhne in Pinneberg near Hamburg.

Price / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 8.800€
  • Years of construction: since 2020
  • Colours: red-silver, blue, black

Conclusion - what sticks

The new Sportster S is unmistakably a Harley Davidson. However, it is a NEW Harley that is not only visually polarized, but also technically so stuffed that one or the other purist will probably turn up his nose. Especially younger riders will be happy to be able to move a real Harley with so many bells and whistles.
 
We think it's good that the Sportster S comes along so independently and has corners and edges. It has character and is absolutely unmistakable. Nevertheless, we have selected competitors that are at least similar to the Sportster S: Indian FTR 1200 S and Honda CMX 1100 Rebel are still the most suitable.
 
The test bike was provided to us by Harley Davidson in Kiel. If you want to test drive them there: We recommend a round around the Westensee!

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of construction

  • Price: 15.495 €
  • Used (3 years old): 12.000€
  • Years of construction: 2014-present
  • Availability: from 11/2021
  • Colors: reddish brown, black, white