Easy rider
Volume 11, No. 44, June 01, 2006

The Wars of the Roses

Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Likes: Great value for money, easy handling, sweet engine, all-rounder cruiser
Dislikes: Bikini saddle for pillion passenger, no back rest

When talking Harleys, I often get asked “what is a good entry model?” In recent years, the Sportster range was the popular choice for first time Harley owners.

The 1200 Custom is squarely in the middle of the bunch, offering much beefier presentation and grunt than the Sportster 883 – the traditional base-level entry.

The throaty 1200cc XL Evolution engine isn’t exactly aimed to peel the rubber off the rear wheel, however, it catches up with your throttle demands with little effort. On the open road, it performs like a cruiser motor should behave. It’s also rubber mounted and you can really feel the difference in comfort from frame mounts.

The five-speed gearbox is chunky, but the clutch is one of the lightest I’ve felt. The carbon-belt drive is smooth and extremely quiet.

On the saddle, there are very few things that matter on this bike. Traffic, speed and even the gear selection doesn’t matter. What does matter is holding the throttle at the rev range that feels and sounds right. Get it right and it’s sweet vibration and music to your ears.

With the comfy saddle and the forward control bars, your body naturally falls into a cruising position ready for several hundred kilometres of open road. But the pillion saddle has a limited width and, if a co-rider accompanies you on a regular basis, you may consider investing in a back rest.

The likely big question in your mind is, “is it a real Harley?” Based on presentation, performance, ride and handling, the answer is a big yes. There certainly is no doubt about the origin of this Sportster.

At a starting RRP of $16,995, the Sportster 1200 Custom represents exceptional value for money for a Harley. As a package, this bike is a real treat both as a commuter and an open-road cruiser. Is this the cutting edge in motorcycle technology? No. Am I buying the most performance for my dollar? No. Would I buy one? In a 1200cc heart beat.

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