Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow 1200T 2019 — Specifications

Imagine a scenario: you dream of a ride on Route 66, but the idea of maneuvering a behemoth weighing over 330 pounds makes you hesitate. What if the solution lay in a bold compromise, a Harley-Davidson that wants to reconcile the soul of a Sportster and the call of the road? That’s exactly the bet of this Sportster SuperLow 1200T. With a seat height of 27.8 inches from the pavement, it reaches out to those who are intimidated by the giants of the Touring range, while slipping a 1202 cm³ engine under the tank. A test ride of the Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow 1200T reveals a motorcycle with a divisive personality, which challenges the codes without completely denying them.

Under your seat, the famous 45° V-Twin delivers 68 horsepower and, above all, 96 Nm of torque available from 3500 rpm. These figures, to be consulted on any Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow 1200T 2018 technical sheet, do not make this machine a rocket. Compared to a Japanese or European competitor, it even seems sluggish. But that’s where you’re wrong. Its character lies in this low and fleshy thrust, this ability to pull without stress from the first revolutions, ideal for overtaking or long climbs. It devours the kilometers with a typical nonchalance, far from the nervousness of a sporty roadster. The top speed, announced at 160 km/h, is more of an indicator than an objective. Here, you ride by sound, by sensation, not by speedometer.

The frame, for its part, plays fair. The double cradle frame and the suspension, revised notably on the Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow 1200T 2020 versions, ensure reassuring stability. The braking, with its 300 mm front disc and standard ABS, is effective without being sharp, perfectly balanced for the spirit of the machine. But the real feat is its unexpected agility for a motorcycle weighing 274 kilos fully fueled. The low center of gravity, due to the seat height and the 17-liter tank located under the seat, gives it disconcerting maneuverability in the city and in tight corners. You almost forget that you are riding a custom. Original saddlebags and a removable windscreen complete the picture, offering a minimum of functionality for travel, even if the ergonomics with the forward-mounted footpegs will not suit everyone on very long distances.

So, who is the rider of this Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow 1200T 2020? It’s the novice touring rider in the Harley world, seduced by the style but frightened by the bulk of the baggers. It’s also the city dweller who wants a distinctive motorcycle, capable of weekend getaways without being a daily ordeal. At €12,790, it positions itself as an intelligent and more versatile entry point into the touring world than it appears. It will never replace the comfort of a Road King, but it offers something more valuable to some: freedom without complexity. It proves that you can feel the essence of the Harley journey without needing to ride a rolling lounge.