Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom 2017 — Specifications

Can a Harley-Davidson Sportster still surprise in 2017? Consider this XL Sportster 1200 Custom, a machine that skillfully navigates between tradition and small concessions to modernity. With its large 1202 cm3 V-Twin Evolution engine, it displays figures that will make a track rider smile, but which take on a completely different meaning in the custom world. Its 68 horsepower seems modest, but it is its torque of 96 Nm, available from 3500 rpm, that defines its character: a frank and powerful surge at low and medium speeds, perfect for overtaking or standing starts. This engine is the soul of the beast, an air-cooled V-Twin that runs on raw emotions more than speed records, the latter being limited to around 175 km/h.

The chassis, for its part, tells a story of assumed style. The fork inclined at 30 degrees and the 16-inch front wheel, shod with a wide tire, give it a stocky visual stance and a rather heavy steering at low speed, typical of customs. The pull-back handlebar positions the rider in a relaxed attitude, the forward controls offering a stretched posture. With a seat height of 725 mm, it is accessible, even if its wet weight of 268 kg is felt during maneuvers. The improvements made over the years, particularly on the adjustable suspensions and the braking system now equipped with ABS and a 300 mm front disc, are welcome evolutions without revolutionizing the sensation, which remains primarily focused on cruising.

Who is this machine for? Clearly, the traveler who prioritizes aesthetics and feel over pure performance. It is a motorcycle for touring beautiful national roads or making a statement in the city, not for devouring highways or attacking hairpin bends. Its 17-liter tank offers correct range for this type of use. At over 12,000 euros, the question of the price of a Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom arises in comparison to more versatile and technological competitors. But here, you are paying for a symbol, for that deep sound and iconic presence.

Looking at previous versions, such as the Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom CA 2013 or even the 2006, one measures the progress made in terms of reliability and small refinements. The 2017 version, while retaining the DNA of previous models like the Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom CA 2015, gains serenity with its LEDs and assisted braking. It does not seek to fight with sportbikes, it cultivates its own furrow, roaring and chromed. It is a choice of the heart, a rolling piece of America, with its flaws that are part of the charm and its qualities that are not expressed on a technical specification sheet.