Custom Puts More ‘Sport’ in the Harley Davidson Sportser S
Thunderbike keeps the engine, changes everything else to make a better sport bike.
Since its introduction, the Harley Davidson Sportster S has taken heaps of abuse from long-time HD loyalists and particularly from long-time Sportster fans.
Yes, they agree it’s a high-performance motorcycle, but it doesn’t look like a Sportster, they say, and it certainly doesn’t look like a cruiser. It doesn’t even look like a Harley Davidson, they say yet again. Well look, here comes Thunderbike to clear things up.
First, let’s not get too carried away: Thunderbike’s Custom SPS 4 still doesn’t much look much like the old Evolution engine powered Sportsters, but it does go whole hog when it comes to putting the sport in sport riding.
True Sport Bike
Harley Davidson did away with its conventional, time-honored Sporters completely in its 2021 lineup. To replace them, the Motor Company stuck the new Sportster S and Nightster into a category labelled “Sport.”
Okay, but they also refer to the Sportster S as a “power cruiser.” In the real world, not too many people who have ridden a Sportster S would call it a “cruiser.”
What Thunderbike has done with this new custom is eliminate the confusion. Their SPS 4, they claim, is a true sport bike.
‘Significantly Improves Handling’
The German custom builders kept the highly regarded Revolution Max 1250T engine that produces 122 horsepower, but they changed pretty much everything else around it to help the bike live up to its name.
You only need look at the dual disc brakes up front to see where Thunderbike was headed. The bike was fitted with the firm’s made-in-house GT wheels, milled from high quality aluminum, and they re-designed the front wheel to accept two brake calipers.
“This new front end with 21″ front wheel and 340 mm brake discs not only looks sporty,” the shop explains on its web site. “The conversion also makes the bike more dynamic, as the narrower front tire significantly improves handling.”
‘Greater Ground Clearance’
They also changed the foot pegs to make the riding position more accommodating for serious sport riding. The company developed rear-mounted footrests exclusively for the Sportster S.
“Modeled after supersport motorcycles, the new footpegs are mounted at the same height as the swingarm axis on higher mounting points than the originals,” according to Thunderbike. “The result is greater ground clearance, which is particularly beneficial for sporty riding, as it allows you to lean more and touch down later or not at all when cornering.”
‘More Stable Cornering’
The triple clamps with flat handlebar mounts were also designed for the Sportser S. The footrest system puts more weight on the rider’s arms, which Thunderbike says gives you more stable cornering.
They also added harder nubs for better grip than the original “comfort” footrests.
The whole system can be used by owners of the factory Sportster S, though the passenger bars can no longer be mounted. “This may be a deal breaker for some riders, but for those who prefer to ride alone, this should not be a big problem,” says the company.
There is also the re-designed seat developed to give the rider a better position to go with the rear-mounted pegs.
Other custom features include a radiator cowling, engine cover, pulley cover, shock absorber cover, headlight cowling, grips and indicators, all from Thunderbike’s SPS series.
Sportster S owners might want to take a look if they want to add to their thrills.
Photos: Thunderbike
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