Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom 110th Anniversary 2013 — Specifications

We often talk about the big Harleys as chrome ocean liners, but let's admit it, sometimes you just want to navigate on a zodiac. That's where the Sportster 1200 Custom, especially in its 110th Anniversary livery, comes into play. At 251 kilograms dry weight, it almost looks like a lightweight in the Milwaukee galaxy, and you feel it immediately. Forget the aircraft carrier maneuvers of the Road Glide; here you have a motorcycle that lives, that reacts, and that reminds you that riding a Harley can be a real pleasure, not a test of strength.

Its engine, a 1202 cm3 V-twin, doesn't claim stratospheric figures with 75 horsepower. But it's its torque, a burly 98 Nm available from 3200 rpm, that makes all the difference. It pulls like a draft horse, with that deep sound and characteristic hiccup that propels you around town or on winding roads without ever having to twist the wrist. The five-speed gearbox clicks through with reassuring mechanical solidity, and the belt drive ensures a welcome silence and suppleness.

The real surprise comes from the chassis. The steel double cradle and the 39 mm fork offer a more playful handling than you might expect from a custom. It leans without complaint, turns with a disconcerting agility for a Harley, and makes everyday riding far less ceremonial. The braking, with its single disc at the front, requires a little anticipation, but remains up to the task. It's a motorcycle that forgives, that encourages, and could almost serve as an ideal gateway into the world of American V-twins.

Of course, this anniversary edition adds a layer of desirability. The bronze and black two-tone paint is not subtle, but it is superb. The specific badges, the two-tone seat, and especially the solid bronze medallion forged on the fork, remind you that you are riding one of the 1500 units produced. At nearly 12,000 euros, the price is significant, but it also buys a share of exclusivity.

Ultimately, this Sportster 1200 Custom 110th Anniversary is the Harley for those who find the others too... Harleynian. It retains the essence, the character, and the style, but adds an unexpected dose of lightness and fun. It’s proof that Milwaukee also knows how to make motorcycles for simply riding, and not just for making an appearance. A charming oddity in the lineup.