Harley-Davidson XL 1200 CX Sportster Roadster 2016 — Specifications

On were waiting for it around the corner, and here it is. In 2016, Harley-Davidson pulled out all the stops with this XL 1200 CX Sportster Roadster, a muscular response to those who thought Milwaukee only made cruisers. Here, no excessive chrome or relaxed posture. The intention is clear: to regain control of urban asphalt with a machine that embraces its café-racer side. With its low handlebars, its 43 mm inverted fork on full display, and its shaved rear fender, this Sportster issues a challenge. It weighs 259 kg with a full tank, a weight that is felt when stopped, but that the geometry works to make you forget once underway.

Under the 12.5-liter tank, the 1202 cm³ Evolution twin delivers its arguments. 67 horsepower at 6000 rpm, modest compared to an average Japanese bike, but the 97 Nm of torque at 4250 rpm speak a direct language. This engine is the soul of the beast, a dry and sonorous V-Twin that pulls more than it runs, with a top speed announced around 170 km/h. The five-speed gearbox and belt drive ensure the connection, in the purest Harley tradition. For those looking for a Harley-Davidson XL 1200 CX Sportster Roadster 2016 or a subsequent used model, it is this authentic and raw character they are looking for.

The road is its territory. The riding position is engaged, the back slightly tilted towards the tank, the feet relatively set back. The 785 mm seat offers a good compromise for the city without sacrificing the sporty feel. The suspension, with 112 mm of travel at the front and 80 mm at the rear, is adjustable. It is much more responsive than a base Sportster, even if it remains light-years away from the sophistication of a European bike. The braking, with its two floating 300 mm front discs, does the job without being transcendent. It is a motorcycle that is ridden with anticipation and rewards with pure mechanical sensations rather than track aggression.

So, who rides this Roadster? Clearly for the urban rider who wants style without sacrificing a bit of excitement, for those who find other Harleys too tame and Japanese roadsters too sterile. At its launch at €12,590, it positioned itself as a characterful alternative. Today, a used Harley-Davidson XL 1200 CX Sportster Roadster represents a great opportunity to access the Sportster most tailored for the road of its time. Whether it's a 2017, 2018 or even 2019 model, the spirit remains the same. It is not the most performant motorcycle in its category, but it is one of the most charismatic. It proves that Harley can, when it wants to, manufacture a machine that makes the tarmac and the rider vibrate.