Yamaha XV 950 R 2018 vs. Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Yamaha XV 950 R 2018

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Technical Specifications Yamaha XV 950 R 2018 compared to Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Yamaha XV 950 R 2018

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Yamaha XV 950 R 2018

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Bore	Bore	85 mm	Bore	105 mm
Stroke	Stroke	83 mm	Stroke	72.3 mm
Engine power	Engine power	52 HP	Engine power	122 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	5,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	79.5 Nm	Torque	125 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	3,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	9	Compression Ratio	12
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Transmission	Transmission	Belt	Transmission	Belt
Number of gears	Number of gears	5	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
Cooling	Cooling	Air	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	942 ccm	Displacement	1,252 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Double cradle	Frame type	Tubular, Load-bearing engine

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	100 mm	Front tyre width	160 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	90 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	19 inch	Front tyre diameter	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	150 mm	Rear tyre width	180 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	80 %	Rear tyre height	70 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch
Length	Length	2,290 mm	Length	2,265 mm
Width	Width	830 mm	Width	843 mm
Height	Height	1,120 mm	Height	1,089 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,570 mm	Wheelbase	1,520 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	690 mm	Seat Height	755 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	251 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	228 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	12 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	11.8 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Yamaha XV 950 R 2018

Unfortunately, our editors did not test this model.

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

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. The single-disc brake at the front works well and the fat 160 front tyre steers better than you would expect. Only the hard suspension makes the rider suffer on longer distances - 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

brakes very good for a single-disc system

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

Chassis really hard

turn-in behaviour somewhat unwilling due to wide front tyre