Harley-Davidson XL 1200 T Superlow 2017 — Specifications

At what point can a Sportster claim the title of touring motorcycle? Harley-Davidson has long maintained a clear separation between its small sport V-twins and its road-going mastodons. But with the 2015 XL 1200 T Superlow, the boundary becomes porous. Milwaukee launches here a hybrid proposition, a Sportster dressed for the road, clearly targeting those who dream of long journeys without submitting to the weight and budget of a Road King.

The idea is simple: take the accessible base of the Superlow, with its seat at only 705 mm from the ground, and graft a touring vocation onto it. The removable windscreen and lockable saddlebags are the outward signs of this transformation. But the real change is under the hood. The 883 is abandoned for the 1202 cm3, gaining 68 horsepower and a torque of 96 Nm at low revs. That's where the Harley-Davidson XL 1200 T Superlow 2015 makes sense: it offers the characteristic liveliness of the Evolution engine, much more capable of pulling a load and maintaining speed on the highway than its little brother. Belt drive and the steel double cradle frame remain safe values of the range.

Compared to an Electra Glide, it is an antithesis. At 274 kg fully fueled, it is lighter, more agile, and infinitely more accessible for a rider of average height or a beginner looking to travel. But this lightness comes at a price in terms of comfort. The suspensions, even improved on the 2016 versions, do not rival the sophistication of the big touring bikes. The forward-mounted footpegs can also be fatiguing on very long stages. It will never be the silent and isolated machine of a Harley flagship, but it offers a more raw, more connected-to-the-road experience.

Its audience? It's the globetrotter who prioritizes the Sportster spirit, the feeling of freedom and mechanical simplicity, over luxury and isolation. At €12,790, the Harley-Davidson XL 1200 T Superlow 2015 represents a reasonable entry ticket into the world of Harley touring, without sacrificing the pleasure of a lively engine and a maneuverable motorcycle. It is the option for those who want to travel with the soul of a Sportster, accepting a few compromises on comfort to keep the pleasure of a light and responsive motorcycle. It is a niche proposition, but honest, which fulfills its contract: to take you far away, without distancing you from the essence of Milwaukee.