Harley-Davidson XL 1200 T Superlow 2019 — Specifications

Can a Sportster really transform into a touring machine without losing its soul? Harley-Davidson attempted the experiment with the XL 1200 T Superlow, a proposition that smells of compromise but could seduce those who want to taste touring without committing to the bulk and budget of a Road King. Imagine: you want to go far, but your heart still leans towards the simple lines and low riding position of the Sportster. This model, especially in its 2015 version, plays on this ambiguous terrain with a certain charm.

The principle is simple. Take a Superlow Sportster, with its saddle only 705 mm from the ground – a major asset for beginners or those who prefer the feeling of being grounded – graft on a windscreen and two saddlebags, and replace the 883 engine with the 1200 twin. The gain is tangible: 68 horsepower and 96 Nm of torque, available from 3500 rpm, give this machine a power reserve much better suited to long stages. Compared to the 883, it breathes better, it pulls with more authority without catapulting you. It’s a lively, accessible engine that doesn’t crush you under its weight – 274 kg full, which is reasonable for a Harley – but lacks the density and deep rumble of the big V-Twin engines in the Touring range. You accept this trade-off: less raw character, but more agility.

The transformation into a tourer remains modest. The windscreen is removable, the saddlebags are there, but the equipment remains minimalist. The dashboard, understated, hides a small LCD window useful for the tachometer or the gear engaged. The suspension, revised notably on post-2015 versions, offers adjustable damping, a plus for adapting the machine to varied roads. The braking, with a 300 mm disc at the front and ABS as standard, is correct without being sporty. We are far from the comfort and insulation of an Electra Glide, but that is the price of lightness and this feeling of a "pure" motorcycle that the Sportster retain.

For whom? For the traveler who wants to travel without getting lost in complexity, for those who prefer a maneuverable and low motorcycle, accessible from the first touch. The price, around 12790 euros at the time, places this Superlow 1200 T well below the true Harley touring models, but it remains an investment for a hybrid vocation machine. It is an intelligent option if your touring is limited to national roads and long weekends, not transcontinental journeys. In short, it does not replace a large tourer, but it offers an authentic and pleasant entry into the world of motorcycle travel, with the Sportster spirit in the background.