By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
BMW R 12 (MY2024) vs Harley-Davidson Sportster S (MY2021)
BMW R 12 vs Harley-Davidson Sportster S: buy with your heart, but read this first.
Roll the throttle open on the BMW R 12 and the engine pulls along but doesn't wear you down. On the Harley-Davidson Sportster S, that same twist snaps the Revolution Max awake. The bike lunges forward like it's been unchained.
So which one do you buy?
The Sportster S has the edge if…
Character, looks and sound
Inches ahead: Sportster S
Looks and sound lean slightly toward the Sportster S. It's down to more chopper style and a purer look.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: Sportster S
In the twisties, the Sportster S asks a bit less of you to go quickly. The difference is better suspension. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
R 12
A week of rain, cold and broken mountain roads doesn't turn the R 12 into a chore, and the wide bar stays comfortable hour after hour. Through the bends of Iron Mountain Road, the R 12 turns in and settles on its line so calmly that you'll go looking for the next one. Its footpegs scrape early. Out of each bend, the boxer builds speed without drama.
Nils rode the R 12 in Montenegro in 2024 (NastyNils Testride).
Sportster S
There's grunt right off the bottom on the Sportster S, and the liquid-cooled V-twin keeps shoving hard as the revs climb. A sharp bump doesn't knock it off balance, because the piggyback shock keeps the ride in check. The trellis frame stays steady mid-corner. It flicks from bend to bend on fat tires.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Sportster S makes more peak power: 121 hp (90 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- The Sportster S makes more peak torque: 94 lb-ft (127 Nm) vs 81 lb-ft (110 Nm).
- The Sportster S has the larger engine: 1252 cc vs 1170 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
On commuting and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
R 12
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Flat-Footed At Every Stop
- Boxer Torque, Zero Drama
- Clean Throttle In Any Weather
- Surprising Composure In The Hills
- Brakes Hold On Wet, Broken Roads
Trade-offs
- Footpegs Drag When You Push
- Firm Suspension Beats You Up
- Quickshifter Gets Harsh Up High
Sportster S
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive Revolution Max engine
- Striking, modern muscle‑bike design
- Agile, confidence‑inspiring handling
- Premium braking and suspension package
What they share
- Peak torque at
- 6,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| R 12 | Sportster S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 29.7 in (754 mm) | 29.7 in (755 mm) |
| Wet weight | 500 lb (227 kg) | 503 lb (228 kg) |
| R 12 | Sportster S | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1170 cc | 1252 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) | 60° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 121 hp (90 kW) |
| Peak power at | 6,500 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 81 lb-ft (110 Nm) | 94 lb-ft (127 Nm) |
| R 12 | Sportster S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 3.1 US gal (11.8 L) |
| R 12 | Sportster S | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Shaft | Belt |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 | 160/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-16 | 180/70-16 |
| Wheelbase | 59.8 in (1519 mm) | 60.0 in (1525 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| R 12 | Sportster S | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
