Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster 72

Original ride is good but a bit on the stiff side. Feels good, planted and very stable in spirited riding. I feel fresh even after 550 km in a day.Upgraded at 50000 km for Ohlins 756 shocks and Andreani cartridge, amazing change. Feels like a different bike. Comfort vastly improved, as well as traction and cornering confidence.OEM brakes are good, progressive and powerful. No fading, even on track. Lever feel can be a bit wooden at low speed but it's good when riding faster. Like most bikes, the Roadster loves trail braking to suppress understeer.

Bought the bike for its looks and its engine. I hesitated between several models from different brands, HD dealer made me try a 48 and I signed for a Roadster immediately after. Very characterful, the air cooled Evo engine defines the bike, bringing a sense of occasion to every ride. Torquey and eager in the midrange, with excellent fueling, it is an efficient and exciting companion for spirited riding on cornering roads. Very reliable too.

Excellent paint, good materials, good fit and finish, quality stock parts. The bike still looks new after 6 years and 57000 km.Where I live, in a very continental climate, winters are very cold and summers very hot. Rode 250 km by 47°C once, with no overheating issue, despite air cooled engine.Reliability is good, minor issues (mainly electric) which don’t leave you stranded on the side of the road. Battery doesn't like winter storage (alarm + tracker), needs to be replaced every year. Replaced it with Lithium ion this year, could feel the weight loss, hopefully it will last longer. Headlamp wire had to be replaced by a non stock, better quality one. Most people replace OEM by LED headlamp, I didn’t as I like the old look of OEM, but lighting is not enough for fast driving at night.Clutch replaced twice, last time by a Barnett springless one, supposed to be more resistant. Works fine so far. Belt starts to show its age, before the recommended 80000 km, but I guess I can’t complain as I always ride on twisty roads. Belt guard snapped twice, seems to be a common Sportster issue. Not a big deal as I can ride without it.

I bought the bike new with 5 year maintenance for free. Running costs are rather low. Oil and filter every 8000 kms. Change tyres every year, some year twice. Tyres last about 9000 km at the rear, around 50% more at the front. I don't use OEM tires, changed to cheaper and very capable Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2. Fuel consumption is very constant, whether riding duo or solo, fast or legal speeds: 5 liters/100 km +- 0.2. Some complain there is no fuel gage, but with tripmeter I never missed it. Range is about 240 kms, I refill about every 150 kms.

Limited equipment, but to me it is enough for the kind of bike the Roadster is. ABS, alarm and keyless ignition standard in the country I live in. Love the simple clean looking cockpit, with the single counter combining analog tach with digital speedo. Not many practical aspects. Would have appreciated a space to carry a puncture kit and an extra layer of clothe.

You need to brake 5 minutes before you need too

It’s keep on going

Battery not that good rest all good

Need to make sure you change the oil

Blank canvas for you to make your own

Stand still being looked at

Engine is great no problems but the paint finish is very poor

Hi through battery if you don’t use the bike regularly

Great engine you know where you are with it You need to be brave in the wet and you get use to corners

Max 1 hour

Low down power can ride in most gears

Paint work bad from the start Add to reply the engine management card three times

Just put the best oil in engine keeps on giving

Basically a bike to make your own

Pretty decent handling and braking for a so called cruiser. I was going to fit 4 piston Brembos to the front, but the standard braking is more than decent for street use. I never carry a pillion, but the standard pillion seat is probably good for about 5 minutes, before the shuffling and complaining starts on the back.

I found the engine torque of the factory engine to be very linear, but obviously considering the crank and conrod arrangement, the engine doesn't rev very high, but if you wanted a high revving four this bike wouldn't be on you shopping list. The standard clutch has a pretty light pull, and it engages smoothly

The only problems that I has ever had with the bike in 23000 miles are as you would expect, always the parts that I "upgraded" but as an endless tinkering project that is not really an issue at all The bike has never left me stranded and the unmodified bike was rock solid. Overall build quality is good, with a few minor niggles that let it down.

I service the bike myself, so its pretty much 4 litres of engine oil, oil filter every 5K miles and fork oil every second year. Brake pads about every 20K miles and tyres every 7-8K. Cheap as chips and about as simple with hydraulic valve lifters.

This sportster is extremely basic as far as electronic is concerned, and to be quite honest as I do my own servicing and as a bit of a Luddite, I like that. With the 19" & 18" wheels there is a decent choice of tyres and I prefer a popular French dual compound brand over the standard tyres, which although not bad by any means, are far more difficult remove and refit at home.