Harley-Davidson shows off new Sportster S model

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S model is an all-new sport custom motorcycle designed to deliver a thrilling riding experience and ushers in a new era of Sportster performance.

A 121-horsepower Revolution Max 1250T V-Twin engine puts the Sportster S rider in command of unrelenting, on-demand torque. A taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension deliver responsive, intuitive handling.

From stop light to stop light, and corner to corner, the Sportster S model offers riders extraordinary power and performance and creates a new standard for the most enduring Harley-Davidson model.

An addition to the 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle line, the Sportster S was unveiled today at the global virtual launch experience “From Evolution to Revolution”.

“The Sportster S is the next all-new motorcycle built on the Revolution Max platform and sets a new performance standard for the Sportster line,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “This is a next-generation Sportster defined by power, performance, technology and style. And it’s part of our commitment to introduce motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley-Davidson.”

Styling Communicates Power

In profile, the Sportster S model appears crouched and powerful. The fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the predominate centerpiece of the motorcycle.

The massive front tire recalls the fenderless front end of a classic bobber, while the tail section, high-mount exhaust, and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker. The thick inverted forks and wide-profile tires suggest a high-performance sportbike.

“Every visual design element of the Sportster S model is an expression of the motorcycle’s raw power,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson vice president of styling and design. “This is a wolf in wolf’s clothing.”

The powertrain is highlighted with a Chocolate Satin finish on the lightweight magnesium engine covers.

Textures, colors, finishes, and details were selected to give the Sportster S model the look of a custom show bike that just happens to be parked in the owner’s garage.

Amplified Performance

The 1250cc Revolution Max 1250T engine is the mechanical heart of the Sportster S model.

This new version of the latest Harley-Davidson liquid-cooled V-Twin engine is tuned to make tremendous torque at low RPM, with a torque curve that stays flat through the powerband – engine performance designed to deliver strong acceleration from a start with robust power through the mid-range.

To minimize overall motorcycle weight the engine is integrated into the vehicle as the central member of the chassis. The use of lightweight materials helps achieve a desirable power-to-weight ratio.

Ready to ride with the 11.8 liters fuel tank topped off, the Sportster S model weighs just 228kg. A high-mount 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust is designed to produce a pleasing low-frequency tone.

Technology Enhances the Ride

The Sportster S model is equipped with a host of technologies designed to enhance the riding experience. Three pre-programmed, selectable Ride Modes (Sport, Road, and Rain) electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle, and the level of technology intervention.

Two Custom modes may be used by the rider to create a set of performance characteristics to meet personal preference or for special situations.

Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson, a collection of technologies intended to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or adverse road conditions, are designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking, in a straight line or while in a turn.

A round, 4.0-inch-diameter TFT screen displays all instrumentation and supports infotainment generated by the rider’s Bluetooth-equipped mobile device and helmet headset, including music, incoming and outgoing calls.

All-LED lighting includes a Daymaker Signature LED headlamp designed to produce a homogenous spread of light, eliminating distracting “hot spots.” The headlamp has a distinctive oval or capsule shape that adds style to the front end and will identify the Sportster S model to other riders and motorists.

Optimized Chassis

The powertrain is a stressed member of the chassis, eliminating the traditional frame, a design that significantly reduces motorcycle weight and results in a very stiff chassis that contributes to precise handling.

A welded tubular steel trellis swingarm features a braced design and stamped X-member to further stiffen the chassis, while its shape adds distinctive style to the motorcycle.

The Sportster S model is equipped with fully adjustable, premium front and rear suspension – Showa 43mm inverted cartridge forks and a Showa Piggyback reservoir rear shock.

Rear suspension features hydraulic pre-load adjustment using a convenient knob located on the left side of the motorcycle. Lightweight cast-aluminum wheels with a staggered, five-spoke design are shod with wide Dunlop/Harley-Davidson Series GT503 tires.

Premium Brembo braking components produce outstanding braking feel and performance. The single front brake features a new Brembo radial monoblock four-piston caliper and a 320mm diameter disc.

The rear brake is a two-piston Brembo caliper and a 260mm diameter disc.

Forward foot controls and a low handlebar put the Sportster S rider in an aggressive posture on the bike. Unladen seat height is 755mm, low enough for most riders to get feet down at a stop.

Brake and clutch hand levers are adjustable for reach, to best match rider hand size or preference. The Sportster S model is pre-wired for accessory heated hand grips for added comfort in cool weather and is equipped with two dedicated power points for heated riding gear (heated hand grips and heated riding gear/apparel each sold separately), plus a USB-C port for charging a phone or other device.

An external ambient temperature sensor and a low-temp warning on the display screen alert the rider to changing conditions. Cruise control and a proximity-based security system are standard equipment. The steel fuel tank holds 11.8 liters.

For paint colors, the Sportster S is available in Vivid Black, Stone Washed White Pearl, and Midnight Crimson.

Accessories

Sportster S model accessories available at launch through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories include these key items:

  • Mid-Control Conversion Kit
    Relocates the left and right rider footpegs and foot controls from the Original Equipment forward position to a mid-position on the bike. This may place the rider in a more athletic position and may also provide an improved fit for riders who cannot comfortably reach the forward controls.
  • Passenger accommodations
    Pillion Kit, Passenger Footpeg Kit, and Passenger Backrest Kit (each sold separately) may be installed. The pillion and
    backrest feature upholstery styled to match the rider seat.
  • Sundowner Solo Seat
    This seat offers an enhanced bucket design and spherical-void foam construction for improved long-haul comfort and shaping for more aggressive riding. Seam-sealed stitch lines prevent water from soaking into the foam and leaving the rider with a damp bum. Details in the top seat cover enhance overall style.
  • Compact Detachable Windshield
    Black mounting hardware and support brackets, and the dark tint of the windshield, are a style match for the motorcycle. The windshield mounts to the forks with quick-release clamps and can be installed or removed quickly and easily.
  • Sportster S Tailbag
    This tailbag is designed specifically to fit and look great on the Sportster S model, and gives the rider a convenient luggage option for ride essentials. It is recommended that the Tailbag be installed over the accessory pillion (purchased separately).

    Luggage capacity is 2.26kg. The main compartment volume is expandable from 8.2 liters to 11.5 liters.

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realme Buds Q review: Designer TWS made real affordable

10/01/2020

If you are one of the many people who have shifted to online platform for meetings and classes, and is a person who’s into earphones, then this product review is just the right thing for you. realme has just released the Buds Q wireless earphones, and it promises to be a great help for those who are in online classes and meetings, just like many of us these days.

Design

The sleek and elegant look of the device is designed by none other than the world-renowned José Lévy who, by the way, also designs for fashion brand Hermès. The smooth and classy design of the charging cradle is inspired by a pebble which explains its smooth design in a matte finish.

For build quality, its charging cradle and earbuds are both made of hard plastic. The earbuds are also created with rubber ear tips for added comfort.

What we liked about the design is its straightforward approach with a 3.6g ultra-light Body, the earbuds feel as light as a paper, which works well for a slew of activities. The device is coated in black which is stealthy and is something that you can put on and will blend with your clothes easily.

This particular device has three available colors: Quite Black, Quite Yellow, and Quite White.

Comfort Factor

As an in-ear buds, it took me quite some time to get acclimated to using the device because my ears get easily strained with prolonged usage of earphones, but the lightweight property of the Buds Q makes it very comfortable to wear.

We would confidently say that the Buds Q can be used comfortably when you’re gaming on your computer, watching videos on your phone, or listening to music while doing your errands. We used it a couple of times while doing online meetings at home, walking around, fulfilling errands, and doing regular exercises and were glad to share that it doesn’t easily fall off your ears, and is something that a person with sensitive ears like me, can wear for a long period of time. 

Audio Quality and Performance

The realme Buds Q is the company’s first in-ear True Wireless Stereo earbuds, with 10mm Bass Boost driver and a 119ms Super Low Latency feature. This gives users a great audio quality and offers a great experience for gaming and watching movies. However, the bass and treble are not quite balanced since the Bass Boost Driver tends to intensify the bass, this basically has a tendency to suppress the vocal’s clarity. But if you are into RNB or if you like thumping or resounding audio, then this will work well for you. 

The Buds Q also has a built-in microphone for calls and online conferences. As we’ve tested it out, there were no issues with the built-in microphones and online participants can clearly hear us talk. The Buds Q is also IPX4 water-resistant which could work really well during workouts. 

Both earbuds have touch functions as well, which can control play/pause media, answer/drop calls, and enter/exit game mode. Other functions may also be customized through the realme Link app.

It also proves useful during video chats which is part of today’s ‘new normal’. We actually had it on in most of our online meetings. This is a lot more convenient than having wired headphones because we can be away from our devices for about 10 meters more, and still be clear and connected to the virtual meetings we attended. With this, we were able to multitask and be more productive. 

Battery

The realme Bud Q also promises to have 20-hour battery life. Yes, you’ve read that right. These earbuds have longer battery life than the average wireless earbuds that are usually rated at about five to eight hours of battery life. 

We have tried using it during a full online class schedule as well as in long meetings and it did not fail. We were able to use the earbuds for four straight days without charging it and you just need about two hours to fully charge it.

Creature Feature

In our reviews, The Modern Creatures aims to find that one special feature of a device that makes it worth having — something that gives the product a slight edge from among its peers. For the Buds Q, it’s the instant connection that provides a smooth transition between devices, from PC to mobile phones, swiftly. This is something significant for us and our work, especially that we tend to switch from one device to another most of the time.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the realme Buds Q is designed to provide users the best wireless earbuds experience for only PhP 1,490. From its long battery life, an ultra-lightweight form factor, classy design, and all its useful features, the realme Buds Q has a great potential to be everyone’s go-to accessory during this time when it help to have wireless connectivity. 

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