Riding impressions: 2007 Harley Sportster 1200L

[CirclesCenter]

Harley Davidson

As sport bikers we generally look at them with contempt. As a ruler it seems the riders of these machines fall into one of two categories: Poseur, or grisled veteran. The one I met falls into the veteran category.

He offered to let me ride his dealer plated baby. I politely refused at first, but I couldn't turn it down.

First thing: That little kickstand is a BIOTCH to get at. I fiddled with it and it hated me. I said forget it and reached down for it. (This is the bike for short fries so this was VERY easy.)

Pull clutch, thumb starter. Brum bum bum bum bum bum bum...... Beautiful. I waited then pulled out, waiting for the clutch engagement. (That's always a clumsy moment; the first clutch engagement.) Rule #1 keep RPMS barely off idle, bike has TORQUE.

Then I realized that my bum felt outsize for this bike. Actually I doubt anyone over 5 foot 4 iches would really fit this bike well. It wasn't a huge issue, not uncomfortable, just cozy. I'm 6'0" so for me it felt toyish, but VERY comfortable.

So I decided to lay into a bit in first gear, and I was expecting the front to try and come up and power wheelie on me due to torque and relatively low gearing. No such drama. Just a build of momentum with a suprisingly satisfying noise. This bike however will suprise you. It gains momentum with such composure that you didn't even know you're doing 65 on a 25. Oh yeah, shift action is effortless.

Haul it down easy, because the front is not sportbike suspension. I was careful with it because despite the owner's diminutive stature I'm sure he'd beat me down if I dragged his shiny brand new exhaust around a corner.

Faster than the GS? Yes. By much? No. The torque makes it seem MUCH faster (and it certainly requires no effort to get going stupid quick, I thought I had reached 35 when I was actually at 65 oppppsies...) but in reality it has approximately 70hp or so, and 550lbs to lug around. Oh yeah, you never feel that 550. It hides it all low to the ground.

Now here's the biggest (or smallest) thing. When you get on the bike it feels smallish. Not pocket bike small, but small. Then when you ride it.... it feels BIGGER. Never unmanageable though. Weird.

Cornering: This bike is not telepathic by any means. Deliberate action must be taken to counter-steer your way into the corner, you also have to account for the mass of the bike, and the fact that the mass feels like it is quite a bit behind the front wheel. (The seperation feeling was WEIRD.) If pushed I'd say that if you had the clearance the front would wash out first. Hell I think the back tire wouldn't budge an inch without major stupidity on the part of the rider. (Standing on the rear brake at full lean would be about what it would take to get sideways movement out of it, and you might have to sit on the tank to take weight off it at that point too.)

Controls: Turn signals. you don't think much until they go and make it different from what you are used to. There are two buttons, one on the left, one on the right. Press once to turn on, again to turn off. Makes sense, but stepping off the GS onto it is weird. The levers are thick and meaty. But you CANNOT keep a finger on the throttle to cover it and brake any harder than a VERY casual stop. This is the only thing about this bike I did not like. Brake feel is poor, it's actually in line with the feel on my Buick. (Read: shitty) Everything else is VERY well placed and performs its job with great aplomb.

All and all, great bike.

[yamahonkawazuki]

  falls into corners eh?

[CirclesCenter]

More like you trip it first.... 

[mjn12]

My first day out I got to ride my friends dads brand new '06 Kaw Vulcan.  Sitting on that thing felt like sitting in a recliner and it felt extreemely stable and smooth. I didn't ride it long and took it easy since I barely knew what I was doing.  It made me realize how much more flickable the GS is, but also made me realize how nice a comfy seat would feel.  I've been talking to the guys who got me started riding and we're looking at a cross country trip if we can make the time next summer (Ohio to Cali) or maybe something shorter (Ohio to Outerbanks in NC ).  I'm Seriously considering finding a cruiser if we do that.  Can't have too many bikes can you?

[Chilly Willy]

Yep, I too hope to buy a cruiser someday.  Unlike some of you racetrack junkies (Pantablo ), I don't really crave speed.  I bought the GS500 because a) it was cheap and b) I heard it was a good bike to learn on.  The idea of a "rolling recliner" appeals to me because I hope to someday take long, wandering trips along back roads to scenic locations.

BTW, I pulled into a gas station on my trip this past Saturday.  A couple of Harley riders were already there and were just finishing fueling up.  Then they fired up their bikes--what a sound!  I waited until they left before starting up my "sewing machine" engine.

Chilly Willy

[natedawg120]

BTW, I pulled into a gas station on my trip this past Saturday.  A couple of Harley riders were already there and were just finishing fueling up.  Then they fired up their bikes--what a sound!  I waited until they left before starting up my "sewing machine" engine.

Chilly Willy

On the poker run i went on i was almost always the first one to start my bike cause i wanted to hear it for 2.8 seconds before it was drowned out by all the big bikes lol

[Mandres]

I'm glad you posted this.  I've been thinking real hard lately about a 1200 Roadster lately.  My wife let me know that she doesn't like sportbikes and would feel better about me on a cruiser.  And truthfully, that kind of riding appeals to me more than triple-digit speeds.  I think this is a beautiful bike:

[yamahonkawazuki]

get an 883 of any type, get the 1200conversion, can be done at the dealer, or by yourself in about 4 hours, at less cost either way than a 1200

[Egaeus]

Or just get a BMW if you want to do some real touring.  More comfortable and less vibration. 

[makenzie71]

I love riding with the harley guys...they pull up all noisy and badass feeling and when we're ready to go and I fire up the TL you can almost hear their penises shrivel...

If I were to put money on a harley, though, it'd either be a base line sportster or a v-rod.  Everything else they make to me seems too posuerish or is just too much for me.

Or just get a BMW if you want to do some real touring.  More comfortable and less vibration.

Bullshit.  After spending time on nearly two dozen different Beamers I can attest to the fact that BMW specifically makes them with the intent to keep their owners in the family...by making the seating posture different enough to screw your back up if you're not used to them or to screw your back up if you mess around with another brand after you've had one a long time.

[scratch]

Or just get a BMW if you want to do some real touring.  More comfortable and less vibration. 

...and heated grips come as an option.

I'd get a big twin, though.  With the 5 gal Fat Bob tank(s), and forward controls.

And, a tach. 

[Mandres]

get an 883 of any type, get the 1200conversion, can be done at the dealer, or by yourself in about 4 hours, at less cost either way than a 1200

Is it just as easy as swapping heads / pistons?  Do they use the same crank?  Same exhaust?

[yamahonkawazuki]

Or just get a BMW if you want to do some real touring.  More comfortable and less vibration. 

actually the new sporties, and most others are not known for vibes OR oil leaks either