Harley-Davidson XL SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM CB 2014 — Specifications

One might think that the Sportster, this venerable Milwaukee block, had already delivered all its statements. But in 2014, Harley-Davidson proves that its small XL family can still play with nuances with this Sportster 1200 Custom CB. It is not a technical revolution, but a style statement, a dark and assumed variation on the Custom theme. The heart remains faithful: this 45° V-twin, which releases 75 horsepower and a torque of 96 Nm from 3750 rpm, a mechanic that speaks more with its low hums than with stratospheric figures. With its 265 kg all fueled up and a seat at 710 mm, it retains this accessible allure, this bridge between the beginner who wants a real Harley and the traveler looking for a simple and charismatic machine.

The magic operates in the detail. Based on the classic 1200 Custom, the CB version adopts a matte black, the Black Denim, which devours rims, engine casings, and fairings. It is a dark, almost warrior-like aesthetic that breaks with the brand's chromed imagery. But Harley does not sink into total monochrome; a few bright elements, such as the mini Ape-Hanger handlebar that gives it a more outstretched posture, create a striking contrast. This handlebar, just so, is not a simple accessory. It radically transforms the ergonomics and feel while riding, offering a more upright, almost relaxed position, which changes the relationship with the machine. Switching from a CA version to this CB means choosing a different character, a different way of riding.

On paper, the performance does not shake the competition. 175 km/h top speed, a five-speed gearbox, braking with modest dual discs… facing a Triumph Bonneville or even a Moto Guzzi V7, it does not play in the league of liveliness or precision. But the Sportster is not chasing these trophies. Its game is in the emotion, in that raw sensation transmitted by the double cradle frame, the simple suspensions, and the belt drive that ensures remarkable mechanical silence. It is a motorcycle of atmosphere, of vibration, of presence. The 17-liter tank and low seat height make it an urban and touring companion that is easy to live with, even if its weight remains noticeable at low speed.

For 11790 euros, this Custom CB positions itself as a style proposition within the Sportster range. It does not target the track rider or the adventurer, but rather the stylish urbanite, the rider who wants an authentic Harley without the traditional bling-bling, or the novice looking for an iconic and relatively manageable machine. Its real flaw? This engine, certainly charismatic, begins to show its age compared to the more modern and economical engines of the competition. But that is also its asset: it offers a purity, a mechanical simplicity that appeals to those who flee complexity. In short, this Sportster 1200 Custom CB is a statement. It says that style can be an end in itself, that attitude sometimes counts more than performance, and that even within a historic lineage, there is room for a touch of matte black.