Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2023 vs. KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2023

KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2023

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Technical Specifications Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2023 compared to KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2023

KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2023

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2023

KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2023

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	V	Engine type	V
Bore	Bore	105 mm	Bore	108 mm
Stroke	Stroke	72.3 mm	Stroke	71 mm
Engine power	Engine power	122 HP	Engine power	180 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	9,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	125 Nm	Torque	140 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	8,000 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	12	Compression Ratio	13.5
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Antihopping
Transmission	Transmission	Belt	Transmission	Chain
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Valves	Valves	DOHC	Valves	DOHC
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Lubrication	Lubrication	Dry sump	Lubrication	Forced
Displacement	Displacement	1,252 ccm	Displacement	1,301 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Brand	Brand	Showa	Brand	WP
Diameter	Diameter	43 mm	Diameter	48 mm
Travel	Travel	92 mm	Travel	125 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Single swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Brand	Brand	Showa	Brand	WP
Travel	Travel	51 mm	Travel	140 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Chromium-molybdenum
Frame type	Frame type	Tubular, Load-bearing engine	Frame type	Tubular
Rake	Rake	60 degree	Rake	64.8 degree
Trail	Trail	148 mm	Trail	106 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	320 mm	Diameter	320 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons
Shock mount	Shock mount	Floating caliper	Shock mount	Fixed caliper
Technology	Technology	radial, Monoblock	Technology	radial, Monoblock

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	260 mm	Diameter	240 mm
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Double piston
Shock mount	Shock mount	Fixed caliper	Shock mount	Fixed caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Cruise control, Traction control	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Shift assistant with blipper, Traction control, Anti-wheelie

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	160 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	180 mm	Rear tyre width	200 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	70 %	Rear tyre height	55 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,520 mm	Wheelbase	1,497 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	765 mm	Seat Height	835 mm
Dry Weight (with ABS)	Dry Weight (with ABS)	221 kg	Dry Weight (with ABS)	189 kg
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	228 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	209 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	11.8 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	16 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A
Range	Range	245 km	Range	259 km
Combined fuel consumption	Combined fuel consumption	5.1 l/100km	Combined fuel consumption	6.17 l/100km

Equipment

Equipment	Equipment	Bluetooth, Connectivity, LED-Headlights, TFT display	Equipment	LED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display

Pros and Cons in comparison

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2023

The Sportster S returns to the tradition of this model series - yes, it really used to be about sport! That's why the latest American creation, with its 122 hp and 125 Nm of torque, doesn't want to be a cruiser, but instead is almost classless in its pursuit of customers. What is on offer is a wonderful poser bike that is surprisingly easy to ride after a little familiarisation. The single-disc brake at the front has a lot of work to do and the fat 160 front tyre does not steer in quite naturally. In addition, the rider has to cope with a hard suspension and a seating position that is energy-sapping on long stages - which of course doesn't matter at all in front of the ice cream parlour. Electronics and safety are top-notch, which mitigates the tidy price for true fans.

Powerful, refined engine

unique looks

full electronics package with cornering ABS and lean angle-dependent traction control

low-maintenance belt drive

unrivalled

Chassis really hard

turn-in behaviour somewhat unwilling because of the wide front tyre

small tank capacity.

KTM 1290 Super Duke R 2023

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R retains its brute character for 2022 if you take the beast by the horns. But the Hyper Naked from Mattighofen is also convincing in everyday use and presents itself as a mature all-round companion. Small details could use a little love, but nothing that spoils the positive overall impression of the 1290 Super Duke R.

brutal performance

accessible handling

fully adjustable and stable chassis

high quality standard tyres

comfortable seating position

acceptable fuel consumption.

Full equipment wants to be paid for

fiddly indicator operation