Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two 2013 — Specifications

Who said a Harley-Davidson had to be dark and serious? In 2013, the Sportster Seventy-Two does exactly the opposite: it bursts like a chrome firework in the middle of a lineup that sometimes takes itself too seriously with the black bobber and dark custom game. This model is a cheeky wink, a deliberate return to an era when custom bikes were a festival of flashy colors and blinding chrome. Its name doesn't come from a year, but from a road in Los Angeles, the 72, a mythical place for chopper culture enthusiasts. And it shows.

From the first glance, the message is clear. The mini ape-hanger handlebar sets the scene, at nearly 39 inches high, imposing a biker posture. The peanut tank, with a ridiculous capacity of 7.9 liters, is there for the silhouette, not for long rides. The flat, hard solo seat and the forward controls complete the style inspired by the first Californian choppers. It's a motorcycle to be seen, to sculpt your image in metal and Hard Candy paint, those pearlescent hues that are worth the €300 supplement. The white-rimmed spoked wheels and Dunlop whitewall tires are the icing on this dazzling cake.

But beneath this sparkling makeup beats a well-known heart, that of the good old 1202 cm3 Evolution V-Twin. With its 75 horsepower and almost 100 Nm of torque available low in the rev range, it moves the 250 kg of the machine without haste, with that characteristic pulsation that is the signature of Milwaukee. The belt drive is smooth, and the mechanics, although dated in concept, are proven reliable. You're not looking for pure performance here; you're savoring an atmosphere, a sound, a sensation. Faced with a more nervous Japanese competitor, the Seventy-Two responds with character and attitude.

So, who is this colorful breath of fresh air for? Certainly not the touring rider who counts the kilometers. With its miniature tank and spartan comfort, it was born for the city and stylish short trips. It's the motorcycle for the beginner customizer or the confirmed Harley rider who wants a second model dedicated to pure style. It forgives some clumsiness thanks to its low center of gravity and light steering, despite the high handlebar. But you have to accept its compromises: the tiny ground clearance of 119 mm scrapes on the slightest committed turn, and the brakes, although sufficient, are not up to the exuberant aesthetics.

The 2013 Sportster Seventy-Two remains a unique object. It is not the most accomplished, nor the most versatile, nor the most performant of cruisers. But it is probably one of the most joyful and authentic in its homage to the golden age of the chopper. It's a statement on two wheels, a flamboyant return to the roots that recalls that the custom, before being an attitude, is a huge chrome smile.