Ridden: Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster custom

The newest addition to Harley-Davidson India’s Sportster line-up, the 1200 Sportster Custom will slot below the Forty-Eight, a place vacated by the 1200 Superlow  after it was discontinued a couple of years back. This bike comes with the Forty-Eight’s 1200cc air-cooled V-twin wrapped in a more liveable and agile package.

All new?

It is. Though the 1200 Sportster custom has been sold abroad for a while now, the sportster marks its entry here only now. The Sportster brings with it a fresh look and a kind of minimalism that have sort of become a trademark for the Sportster family.

What else?

The Sportster get a lot of chrome and carries it well too. The aluminium wheels look gorgeous and remind you of the Fuchs wheels that graced earlier Porsches. The headlamp gets a chrome crest while the instrument pod is a single chrome affair. A largish tank dominates the design along with the massive engine and overall the bike exhibits a low sleet silhouette replete with fat front forks and a wider front tyre.

Fun to ride?

It is. Despite the size, it is surprisingly agile and holds the road fairly well. The steering rake is sharp and the Sportster responds well to slow speed maneuvers. The riding position further accentuates this feeling with its arm and feet forward stance. It isn’t as radical as the Forty Eight though and should sustain quite a bit of long distance touring. The brakes work well despite no ABS assist and offer good bite though inclusion of ABS, even as an option is always welcome.

Powerful?

Complementing the chassis is the engine which pulls cleanly and strongly from low revs, culminating into a powerful mid-range that exemplifies the characteristics of a mid-size Harley V-twin. Vibrations are well damped and allows the bike to reach close to the double ton without fuss – something the Forty Eight misses out on.

Value?

The Sportster 1200 Custom retails at Rs 8.9 lakh (ex-Delhi) which under cuts the Forty Eight by half a lakh. For this, you get a comfortable cruiser that is up for long distance jaunts as well as hold its own on the mountains. We didn’t have a lot of twisties and the ride in Rajasthan which consisted mainly of smooth, straight tarmac though it can be safely said that this is one of the best handling Harleys out there, edged out only by the Street 750 owing to its lighter weight. The 1200 Sportster Custom is one of the faster, more agile and liveable Harleys out there.

Evo India rating

9/10