Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom 2006 — Specifications

Who said a Harley-Davidson Sportster couldn't display radical character? Take this 2006 XL Sportster 1200 Custom, for example. It takes the raw base of the range and injects a good dose of custom attitude, in the style of a boulevard liner. This is far from the nervous sportiness of a Japanese roadster. Here, everything is about posture: the extended forks, the high and curved handlebar that brings the controls closer to the rider, and above all, this silhouette flattened by a low seat at 668 mm and a huge 16-inch rear wheel. It's a machine that asserts itself more than it is ridden, a rolling statement for those who want to be seen.

Under this chrome trim and deep paintwork beats the famous 1202 cm3 Evolution V-Twin. The figures? 75 horsepower at 6000 rpm, modest, almost timid for the displacement. But the argument is this torque of 103 Nm that arrives early, from 3200 rpm. It's not about bursts of acceleration, but a constant, greasy push that moves the 273 kg fully fueled with typical nonchalance. The deep sound and vibrations are part of the deal, a mechanical symphony that soothes or irritates depending on your sensitivity. The five-speed gearbox, a little slow and precise, requires a certain amount of getting used to, but it fits perfectly with the beast's relaxed pace.

Compared to a Japanese custom of the time, smoother and often more performant, the Sportster 1200 Custom plays a totally different score. It is neither agile, nor ultra-braked with its simple discs, nor comfortable over long distances with its short suspension travel. Its 17-liter tank and leaned-forward style also limit range and serenity in fast corners. But that's not its role. It is made for urban journeys or cool rides where emotion takes precedence over efficiency. It's a motorcycle with a mood, a style, for a rider who accepts its flaws as part of its undeniable charm.

So, what is the price of a Harley-Davidson XL Sportster 1200 Custom today? The new price in 2006 hovered around 11,000 euros. On the used market, for a model like this 2006 or more recent versions like a XL Sportster 1200 Custom CA 2013 or 2015, it all depends on its condition and mileage. You should see this as acquiring a piece of motorcycle iconography, with its simple mechanics and timeless lines. It is not suitable for a beginner looking for ease, nor for a demanding touring rider. It is aimed at the epicurean, the one for whom a trip to the local coffee shop can be a sensory adventure, punctuated by the boom-boom of its twin cylinder and the gaze of passersby. It's a unique experience, one that you either love or reject, but never remain indifferent to.