While riding the motorcycle, engine suddenly began making a loud clacking noise. Brought motorcycle in to Harley Davidson dealer and it was diagnosed that they cam chain tensior had become loose and was destroyed inside the engine causing small bits of metal to clog oil ports and damage the engine. The remedy was an engine replacement. Through deliberate research this appears to be an issue with the 2021-2023 model year Sportster S Harley-Davidson motorcycles and should be recalled to remedy the issue before engine failure due to manufacturing negligence.
The worst 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine2
- Body1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine2
- Body1
Recalls 3
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley) is recalling certain 2021-2026 RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
- Risk
- An upper triple clamp that fractures can lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the upper triple clamp, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 19, 2026. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1‑800‑258‑2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0191. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 25V590. Motorcycles that were repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.
Recall number 26V075000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
- Risk
- An upper triple clamp that fractures while the motorcycle is being operated could lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the upper triple clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 1, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1‑800‑258‑2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0190.
Recall number 25V590000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Harley Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2021 Pan America 1250S (RA1250S), Pan America 1250 (RA1250), and Sportster S (RH1250S) motorcycles. The instrument cluster module may not display the speedometer and neutral indicator at start-up when the module is below freezing temperatures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 123, "Motorcycle Controls and Displays."
- Risk
- Operating a motorcycle without a visible speedometer or neutral indicator may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 8, 2022. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1‑800‑258‑2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0631.
Recall number 22V030000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S 53
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- TIRE TREAD DEPTH GUIDE-UPDATE. PURPOSE: [Revision C. Updated: Tire Tread Depth Guide
- Battery warranty guidelines
- TIRE TREAD DEPTH GUIDE-UPDATE. PURPOSE: [Revision B. Updated: Tire Tread Depth Guide
- BATTERY WARRANTY GUIDELINES. PURPOSE: [Revision F. Added: Added video link for the DCA-8000 Battery Tester
- Battery warranty guidelines
- 2024 revolution max charging system changes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
What 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There is a known issue with he engines in these motorcycles where the bolt for the timing chain tensioner comes loose and causes excessive wear in the timing chain guid with causes the timing chain tensioner to come apart inside of the engine which will cause the engine to have to be replaced due to loose metal fragments in the engine. I went to my local dealer yesterday 12/27/2025 to talk to them about my issues and one of the mechanics pulled me back too look at a bike with the same issue and the engines was completely disassembled so they can fix it.
The contact owns a 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. The contact stated that the motorcycle was ridden 17-miles to work. The contact stated that after completing the workday and riding back to the residence, there was an abnormal whizzing sound coming from the motorcycle while riding on the Interstate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the bolts on the frame tube were damaged. The contact stated that another motorist motioned for him to stop. The contact pulled over and noticed that the hold assembly had detached from the motorcycle and was being dragged by the signal and brake lights. The bolts had sheared off. The local dealer was not contacted. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 11,941.
Compare the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S
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Questions about the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S
Is the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S, fewer than a typical RH1250S model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S have?
3 recalls, covering steering and electrical system.
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