The Lowdown on the New Sportster 1200L

Can you guess what the L stands for?

The idea for the 1200L was a direct response to customer feedback on the Sportster 883L introduced in 2005. Riders liked the 883L because of its low-ness, but they said they wanted a bigger engine.

In designing the 1200L Harley-Davidson looked to the 883L improving on aspects of that model to create a more ergonomically friendly motorcycle. One of those improvements is the position of the rider. The seat on the 883L pushes the rider forward to reach the handlebars. Apparently, it was a little too forward. I remember riding the 883L and thinking my knees were very close to my body. The seat on the 1200L has been pushed back and the grips are 1 inch closer to the rider. The seating position for me, at 5 feet 7 inches, fits just right.

I would have liked to feel a little more comfortable in the saddle. The flat seat created a slight numbness after a period of time. I think a passenger would expect a wider, cushier seat, too.

An issue a lot of female riders deal with is clutch effort. Harley-Davidson addressed this by reducing the clutch effort by 12 percent over last year on all the 2006 Sportsters. That combined with the reduced grip size - a couple of years ago Harley reduced grip size on the Sportsters from 1 1/4 inch to 1 1/8 inch - translates to hands and wrists that don't ache after a long ride.

I tested the 1200L on a wonderful strip of roadway, long sweeping turns that allowed the bike to do what it does best -- carve and corner going right where I pointed it. Lots of power and torque propel you upon take-off. Throttle response is right on. This 1200 has tons of zip. You'll have no problem keeping up with the larger powered motorcycles. Coming to a stop you'lll find the dual-piston caliper brakes up front and the single-piston in the back do the job just fine.

Part of the Sportsters redesign in 2004 included a new stiffer frame and an engine that is rubber mounted to the frame. This reduced vibration considerably while stabilizing the ride a lot more. Because I owned a 1993 Sportster 1200 in my early days of riding, I am very tuned in to the difference this makes in the ride. I think the redesign was the best thing to happen to the Sportsters in years.

You'll also have no problem going the distance alongside with the bigger bikes thanks to the 4.5-gallon fuel tank. This is the newly designed tank Harley introduced on the Sportster 883 Custom and the Sportster 1200 Custom a couple a years ago.

Harley-Davidson didn't skimp on styling either. Lots of chrome where you'd expect it accented by black paint on the wheels, the oil tank and the fender struts.

For more information, visit harley-davidson.com

Specs at a Glance
Displacement: 1200cc
Seat Height: 26.25 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
Dry Weight: 554 lbs.
Colors: too many to list
Price: starts at $9,395

WRN Recommendation
I could see this motorcycle being an end-all bike for a lot of people. In the past, the Sportsters smaller tank may restricted where you rode, the rougher ride may have restricted the distance you rode, the stiffer clutch may have caused limitations for riders with smaller hands, the higher seat may have frustrated shorter women trying to gain confidence, but none of that is an issue anymore. Outfit this bike with a windshield, a cushier aftermarket seat, a set of saddlebags, a backrest to hold another bag, and you're set to go the long haul with this Sportster 1200L.

Reader Comments

Really enjoyed this article. I bought my first HD XL1200L on March 19, 2010. I had never ridden a motorcycle in my life. I turned 51 the week after taking my safety course. Took the new Rider's Edge Course in Madison, Alabama, in April and I now have my man taking me in evenings and weekends to empty parking lots to get more comfortable with my bike until I am ready for the highways. I am 5 feet 2 inches, 160 pounds, the reach of the handlebars is what sold me on this bike. We are going to do some modifications such as solo seat; lower shocks as I still want to be able to touch flat footed and can't; need windshield and I want some hard saddlebags not leather ones; also will be getting engine guard. Diana Hudson Jasper, AL Sunday, May 09, 2010 I have as 1983 Sportster XL 1000 and a 1989 Sportster XL 1200 (it started life as an 883cc and has the original gearing, etc). My complaints are with the rough ride and limited riding distance between fill-ups prompted me to look at other bikes. I went to North Country Harley-Davidson in Augusta and saw the newer (and new) 1200 Sportsters and love the looks. I also saw a couple of the Kawasaki Vulcans and Honda VTX motorcycles but thought they looked too big and wide. At 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds, I'm not exactly petite but, as I noted, immediately liked the looks of the new Sportsters far more than the other bikes. Thanks you for posting your comments as they have helped me make the decision to buy another Sportster. Carrie Bacon Belfast, ME Saturday, June 06, 2009 I have just purchased a 2008 1200L and I'm 5 feet tall. I am having a hard time with the kickstand. I purchased an extension and still find it hard to put up and down. Any suggestions? I also don't like that the footpeg gets in the way when I try to access the kickstand. Little Wing Sunnyvale, CA Thursday, May 28, 2009 A few weeks ago my husband surprised me with a brand new 2009 Sportster XL1200L my first bike ever! I absolutely love it with the chrome laced wheels and custom two-toned candy rootbeer paint. I added a quick release windshield and classic Sportster leather saddle bags before picking it up at the dealership. It rides so well on all the twisty turny roads here, and shows significant power on the mountainous inclines. This bike was a dream come true for me as I graduated the Riders Edge. I'm 5-feet-6 and 104 pounds and ride all I can (weather permitting so far, when will the snow stop?) It is low enough to reach the ground on the sloped streets and I am able to manually turn it around to get out of my garage for a ride, which is challenging with a dip getting in and out. Great bike; comfort; style and pride. Michele Silverthorne, CO Friday, April 24, 2009 Page 1 of 3 (12 items) [1] 2 3 Loading…

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