31 Pitstops and an average speed of 130.9 kmph is what it took to achieve this monumental milestone, all in a single day
Following up from the Pan America 1250’s stint to the Kela Pass, Harley-Davidson has now successfully undertaken a 24-hour endurance challenge with its new sporty cruiser, the Sportster S.
The test took place on a 1.74km long oval track at Hero’s Global Centre for Innovation and Technology, Jaipur, where the Sportster S covered a record 3,141km in one day.
The Team
Since this is no cakewalk, a team of five experienced riders was chosen for the event, namely:
- Malo Le Masson – Head – Strategy and Global Product Planning, Hero MotoCorp
- Vijay Thomas – Lead – Brand Marketing and Customer Experience, Harley-Davidson Business Unit
- Shubhabrata Marmar – Editor, Powerdrift
- Anushriya Gulati – National Racer
- Vijay Singh – National Racer & Founder, Rajputana Customs
Meanwhile, experienced individuals with prior endurance racing experience made sure everything was smooth sailing
Meanwhile, an equally impressive team comprising David Lopez Cordoba and Alex Busquets, who possess years of experience between them in endurance racing, kept a close eye and ensured everything went to plan behind the scenes.
How It Happened
Each rider completed six runs, averaging at 100km per run
This feat goes to show how reliable Harley-Davidson’s new engines are
The record attempt took place on February 5, 2022, at 3:00 PM and comprised a total of 31 pit stops. These stops included everything from fuel fill-ups, rider swaps, and tyre changes, which took place every 1,000kms.
This feat was achieved by a five-member team consisting of national racers, Hero and Harley-Davidson officials, and automotive journalists
Each rider completed six runs, averaging at 100km per run and at a total average speed of 130.9kmph. This ultimately resulted in a record 3,141km distance covered in just 24 hours, making the Sportster S the first bike in India to do so successfully.
This feat goes to show how reliable Harley-Davidson’s new engines are and the trust customers can bestow in the company’s products.
About The Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Coming to the bike, the Sportster S is powered by a 1,252cc, V-twin engine making 123PS and 125Nm
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is the company’s sport cruiser offering. In a sea of ‘usual’ Harleys, the Sportster S gets a unique design that takes inspiration from flat-track motorcycles. And consequently, it gets a flat seat and sleek tail section with high-set exhausts.
However, to keep the Harley-Davidson element intact, you get a horizontal all-LED headlight up front, reminiscent of the Fat Bob 114.
The bike comes laden with modern electronic aids accessible by a round TFT instrument cluster
Coming to the features, the Sportster S is properly modern in its ways. It packs bits like a TFT instrument cluster, smartphone connectivity (with turn-by-turn navigation), a USB charging port, all-LED lights, and adjustable levers.
The TFT also helps toggle through the impressive electronics package which includes four riding modes, switchable traction control, cruise control, cornering ABS with rear-wheel lift-off mitigation, and engine brake control.
Harley-Davidson has successfully undergone an endurance test with the Sportster S by completing 3,141km in 24-hours
Why such aids on a Harley, you ask? Well, simply because the Sportster S’ 1,252cc, V-twin motor puts out 122PS and 125Nm, more than enough to launch you skywards if not dealt with carefully.
The bike is built around a trellis frame and uses 43mm inverted forks and a monoshock for damping duties. Both suspensions offer full adjustability too.
| Frame: | Stressed-member, high strength low alloy steel trellis frame; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; MIG welded; aluminum forged mid-structure |
| Swingarm: | High strength low alloy steel, tubular sections, stamped x-member, forged axle junctions; MIG welded |
| Front Suspension/ Travel: | 43 mm inverted fork with compression, rebound and spring preload adjustability. Aluminum fork triple clamps/ 3.6 in. (92 mm) |
| Rear Suspension/ Travel: | Linkage-mounted, piggyback monoshock with compression, rebound and hydraulic spring preload adjustability/ 2 in. (51 mm) |
| Rake (steering head): | 30° |
| Fork Angle: | 28° |
| Trail: | 5.8 in. (148 mm) |
| Lean Angle (J1168), Right / Left: | 34°/ 34° |
| Wheels: | Aluminum cast, satin black |
| Wheel, Front: | 4.5 in. (114 mm) x 17 in. (432 mm) |
| Wheel, Rear: | 5 in. (127 mm) x 16 in. (406 mm) |
| Brakes, Front: | 320 mm floating, tower- mounted disc, radially mounted, monoblock, 4-piston caliper |
| Brakes, Rear: | 260 mm solid uniform expansion rotor, floating, single piston caliper |
| Tires: | Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series, radial |
| Tire, Front: | GT503 160/70TR17 73V |
| Tire, Rear: | GT503 180/70R16 77V |
| ABS: | Standard |
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Price
It is priced at Rs 15.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Want to know more? Simply swipe up!
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S retails for Rs 15.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). At this price, the Sportster S is quite expensive but claims to offer an unmatched experience, especially for a cruiser fanatic.
Plus, with the bike acing the endurance test, customers would feel much safer investing a big sum like this into the product.
Image Credits: Harley-Davidson, Abhishek Yadav
Keyword: Harley-Davidson’s Sportster S Cracks Endurance Record, Covers 3,141km In 24-Hours