Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom 2014 — Specifications

So, what's the price of a Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom? The answer, in 2014, was a little under 11,600 euros. Quite a sum for a motorcycle that, at its core, hasn't changed that much since the dawn of the 2000s. This 2013-2014 version is the culmination of a slow evolution, an attempt to muscle up the attitude of a base that remains faithful to its DNA. We are far from technical revolutions, but in the Sportster universe, it is often in the details that character is played out.

Take a look at it from the front. The designers' work mainly focused on the front end. Farewell to the 21-inch wheel, make way for a 16-inch rim fitted with a 130-section front tire. Combined with a fork inclined at 30 degrees, this configuration gives the Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom a more compact, more stocky, almost harsh posture. It is a strong aesthetic choice, which fully assumes its factory custom side. The pull-back handlebar mounted on a riser completes the positioning of the rider in a cruiser-style seat, the advanced controls inviting relaxation. For the long-distance rider looking for pain-free miles, it may not be ideal, but for the urban dweller who wants presence, the message is clear.

Under the hood, the Evolution 1202 cm3 still breathes air. The figures will not impress a track rider: 67 horsepower and 96 Nm of torque, which is modest considering the 265 kg all full. But the magic works where it should, in the low and mid ranges. This V-twin delivers its power from 3750 rpm, propelling the beast with a burly serenity that is its charm. It is less brutal than the larger Twin Cam 96 engine, but it has its own character, a hoarse voice and an inimitable roll. Belt drive ensures smoothness, and the five-speed gearbox, although a little archaic, does the job.

The real update for this generation is safety. Finally, ABS becomes serious on this Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom around 2013, accompanied by a 300 mm front disc and a new master cylinder. A not insignificant progress when you know that braking has long been a weak point of the Sportster. At the rear, the taillight adopts LEDs, more discreet and reliable. The 17-liter tank offers correct autonomy, and the 71 cm high seat remains accessible. It is a machine that wants to be more refined, less rustic, without denying its roots.

So, who is it for? For those looking for Harley authenticity without the size and price of a Softail or Dyna. This Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom 2006 laid the foundations, and the 2014 version refines them. It is a style object, noisy, vibrant and charismatic, perfect for Sunday rides and city excursions. But you have to accept its compromises: simple mechanics, rather basic suspension and a significant weight. Faced with more performant and versatile Japanese competitors, it does not win on the technical sheet. It wins in the heart. And for many, that's the deciding argument.