‘A mellow groove, yet it’s not afraid of corners’
The analogue/digital debate rages in Bike’s email bag, and it’s not hard to tell which corner H-D’S Sportster 1200 is fighting out of. But this is a pre-loved buy that can make you money…
Harley-davidson are looking forward in a way they haven’t done in 118 years. Gone are the days when Milwaukee’s finest relied almost exclusively on heritage to shift machines, not with the all-electric Livewire in their range. And what about the disappearance of the traditional Sportster models, so long a mainstay of H-D’S success?
The Sportster’s replacement, the Sportster S, carries the old bike’s name, but little else about this chunky, liquid-cooled roadster links it to previous models. For some Harley purists the firm’s shift towards the future is a step too far, regardless of reasons (cleaner engines, electricity). If Harley are to continue to play an active part in motorcycle production, business as usual simply won’t wash.
Having said all that the air-cooled Sportster’s story is far from over. In pre-loved form they remain strong sellers, despite an influx of credible alternatives from Japan, Europe and America. This 2017 Sportster X 1200 Custom LTD at £8391, is a prime example of what’s out there on the used market.
The beauty of a Sportster, or any Harley for that matter, is the range of specs any given model comes in. Customising to your taste is all part of the H-D experience. Custom LTD spec affords this example a set of five-spoke alloys and a tasty paint scheme in Harley’s traditional racing colours. Combined with acres of gleaming chrome this 1200 is no shrinking violet, but you don’t buy a custom cruiser to melt into the
background. I love the colours but given the choice I’d opt for spoked wheels rather than alloys.
Any doubts about the aesthetic appeal of the wheels quickly fade when I climb on board. Once acquainted with the forward mounted ’pegs I relax into the Sportster’s sumptuous seat and mellow groove. The gearing is long, so in 30-40 limits there’s barely a need to shift beyond second. In fact, if you hang on to first until the ohv mill is at full bark it’ll best 50mph. But even with tall gearing the Sportster is still sharp off the mark, forced forward by a meaty underpinning of torque. This Sportster’s name is well deserved. Despite the laid-back riding position and raked-out front end this Harley isn’t afraid of corners, as I discovered on the snaking run back down from the Cat & Fiddle into Macclesfield. Having tagged onto the back of a two-up GSX-R, the rider eventually waved me by after realizing he wasn’t going to shake this Milwaukee twin. Take a flowing approach to cornering, plus an acceptance that the pegs are going to touch tarmac, and the Sportster will boogie. Even the light steering is more positive than the chassis geometry may suggest, and Harley’s four-pot front brake set up is adequate in terms of performance if lacking a tad in feel.
When you’re not chamfering the footrests on twisty roads the
‘Sharp off the mark, forced forward by meaty torque’
Sportster is at its best bobbing along in top between 50-70mph. Sure it vibrates, your right knee is in constant contact with the air-filter housing, the side stand looks like it was knocked up in a dark shed during a powercut, and armoured gloves catch the underside of the mirrors every time you go for the clutch or front brake. But the sheer joy of riding a Sportster overrides any of these shortcomings. The simplicity and innocence of the ride are what make it shine.
Not that modernity had completely passed Milwaukee by before H-D’S current crop of newbies appeared. This Custom LTD comes with a keyless ignition, inbuilt alarm/ immobiliser, ABS and fuel injection, none of which intrudes on its traditional feel, which in itself cuts to the nub of why you’d buy a custom cruiser in the first place.
Owning a bike like this is as much about the heritage, feel, sound and ride as it is about posing potential. And then there’s the Harley’s ace card. Price. Ok, so the Sportster may not be as striking as blow-ins such as BMW’S R18 or as refined and easy to ride as Honda’s CMX, but it’s half the cost of the Beemer and undercuts the Honda by a couple of grand while owning a back story neither newbie can match. And used H-DS hold and sometimes grow their values. If your light is on for the cruiser life it doesn’t get more authentic or compelling than this.