Easy rider
If you’re looking for an entry into this famous brand, Sportster 1200 Custom may be your ride, writes CAPT Val Kim.

Volume 48, No. 9, June 01, 2006

Fast Facts Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom Engine: 1200cc XL Evolution Transmission: Five-speed Power: Plenty Torque: 91 Nm @3300 rpm Fuel consumption: Does it matter? RRP: $16,995

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 in 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. If a co-rider accompanies you on 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 as 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.

Any comments for the motoring column? Write to motoring@defencenews.gov.au.

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GREEN MACHINE

Your motoring questions answered by MAJ Hugh Green.

WHAT TO BUY

Q. I am looking to buy a car for about $15,000. What do you recommend?

A. A car is a commodity just like a pair of shoes. If there was the best of anything we would all buy it, but clearly the availability of choice with many commodities, and in particular cars, show there is no such thing as one size fits all – it is really a personal preference.

Even the old Leyland P76 has its admirers and good ones go for $15,000 – but I wouldn’t recommend that for you.

What makes your choice of car better then anyone else’s is that you buy something that you like. That’s always a good start.

The rational issues like shape, size, space, running costs, insurance, and maintenance issues and so on are all valid, but in the end, it is one of choice. My experience is that the deal makes or breaks you, not the car itself.

Cars are a financial drag no matter what the initial purchase price.

Buy the best that you can afford, bargain hard and most of all make sure that you can afford it.

If you have a motoring question, email to motoring@defencenews.gov.au.