Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom 2005 — Specifications

The Sportster 1200 Custom is Harley-Davidson’s answer to those who want the spirit of the XL line, but with a dose of chrome and a more assertive stance. Imagine an Evolution engine of 1202 cc, this 45° V-twin that delivers 75 horsepower and 103 Nm of torque. These figures, we know them, they are the DNA of the range. But here, they are served in a frame that plays the look card, with forward controls, a low seat at 668 mm and this silhouette recognizable among all, carried by a 16-inch rear wheel and a 19-inch front.

The price of a Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom is often discussed, around 11,000 euros at launch. For this price, you are not buying a pure performance machine. The engine, with its bore of 88.9 mm and stroke of 96.8, is designed for character. Torque arrives frankly at 3200 rpm, but some will find that it lacks a little punch for an engine capacity of this caliber. The traditional five-speed gearbox requires some familiarity, an engagement in the movement of the selector. It is a mechanical experience, not one to be rushed.

Compared to a more sporty Sportster S, the Custom takes a different path. Its higher and curved handlebars, its suspension with moderate travel (117 mm at the front, 104 mm at the rear) and its weight of 273 kg fully fueled orient the riding towards comfort and presence. The maximum speed is around 175 km/h, it’s not a matter of figures but of sensation. The vibrations of the V-twin are there, integral, they are part of the dialogue with the machine. The braking, with its two front discs of 292 mm and one rear disc of 260 mm, is sufficient without being aggressive.

This version is aimed at the rider who is looking for a personalized style without turning to the second-hand market, as you can see on a Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom CA 2013 or 2015. It is the factory culmination of a custom aesthetic, with its chrome, its low line and its 17-liter tank. We target the American roadster enthusiast who prioritizes attitude and sound, the one who accepts a less lively gearbox and vibrations as charming elements. It is a motorcycle that shows itself, that is lived daily with a certain assumed nonchalance.