The 2000s were a wonderful time for Harley Davidson as they released the Sportster 1200 during the first year of the new millennium, and what a wonderful bike it has proved to be decades later. Also, where has the time gone since then?
The Sportster is instantly recognizable to anyone who has been riding or taken an interest in motorcycles since 1957. The Sportster 1200 is true to the DNA of Harley-Davidson models that were around during the 1950s, thanks to its narrowness, engine form, gas tank shape, and the muffler configuration.
And the good news is that they are somewhat affordable, too. Motor Cycle News has one priced at £5,995, which equals $8,289.89.
There are many features on the Sportster 1200 that make it a lovable bike to this day, so what are they? Let's find out.
What We Love About The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200's Engine And Performance
If anyone wants a good reason as to why they should fork out their savings to pay for a Sportster 1200, then the motorcycle's engine is the most important one for sure. It comes with a 1,199 CC, 4-stroke, air cooled, V-twin engine and its bore and stroke are 88.8 MM x 96.8 MM respectively. There are also two valves and its claimed horsepower is 61 HP (45.5 kW) at 5,500 RPM. Furthermore, the motorbike's maximum torque is 88 Nm (64.9 lb fts) at 4,000 RPM. These figures help make it a bike that accelerates quickly, which in all honesty is what most people want from a motorcycle.
For the Twin Cam engine, Harley developed the same type of straight, press-fit crankpin that is used almost universally in other automakers' motorbike engines fitted with roller-bearing big ends. The outcome was a crankshaft that is tougher, stiffer and less expensive to the automaker. Nonetheless, when the single-cylinder engine for the latest Buell Blast was being manufactured - with its ancestry deep in the Sportster motor - it was given a Twin-Cam-like three-piece crank. The Sportster receives the same type of crank.
The engine responds and picks up revs fast, though it is just a Milwaukee powerplant, but what is wrong with that? That just means that it does not shoot upward. The lighter flywheels also improve shifting, as there is less crank mass to work against synchronizing speeds during shifts.
Harley's focus was to improve performance whilst slashing costs, and who can blame them? They did a great job at the time. As a result, all 2000 Sportsters received new crankcases with Twin-Cam-like steel-bodied lifters and machined-in lifter housings. Later on, it was incorporated into every single Sportster engine.
Finally, there is a decent five-speed manual transmission and the clutch is a wet, multi-disc manual. The fuel system is a carburetor.
What Else Do We Love About The Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200?
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There is a steel frame and a 39mm telescopic fork front suspension, while the rear suspension is made up of dual shocks. The front brake consists of a single 292mm disc and a two piston caliper, and the rear brake is almost the same but with a one piston caliper instead. This enables them to bring more power to bear than ever before when stopping. Be warned, a single front disc can result in the motorcycle's front end halting almost abruptly, and that is because of the soft fork springs. Pull it harder and there is a very fast stop. Truly breathtaking stuff!
In order to reduce the rear brake's strength, it is best to rotate the brake lever forward with the necessary adjustment, so that peak braking is not achieved quite so soon. This will help make the rear brake more operational and much less likely to randomly lock itself.
Other things that are vital to know include the types of tires that it uses, which are a 100/90-19 and a 130/90-16 on the front and rear respectively, and its seat height is a perfectly decent 740 MM (29.1 inches) whilst the wheelbase is 1,515mm (59.6 inches). Without fluids, the Sportster 1200's weight is 530 lbs, and that helps make it easier to maneuver round those tight corners and lighter in general. It is fair to say that Harley engineers and designers had improved handling at the forefront of their minds at the time!
Anyone fortunate enough to own the Sportster 1200 is guaranteed to have a blast, almost literally, on this bike. Considering it is 20 years old, the Harley model has definitely stood the test of time and looks like it could have been released in this decade. Get one whilst you still can at such a decent price.