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Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster 72

MCN rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Owners' rating 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
5

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Annual servicing cost: £160
Power: 66 bhp
Seat height: Low (28.0 in / 710 mm)
Weight: High (545 lbs / 247 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £5,500 - £9,500
View bikes for sale

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The new Harley ‘72’ is a blinged/tarted up custom – the idea being a full-on. Early ‘70s-style custom (hence the name) but on the 1200 Sportster platform rather than the more usual big twins. It works, too.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The ergonomics are roomier than you expect thanks to the roomy riding position provided by its high bars and forward, highway pegs. At the same time it drives and handles well enough, too. The combo of skinny 21-inch front hoop and low rear somehow isn’t too skitish – more light and manageable. The forks are basic, but don’t seem it and the shortened shocks give a crud-ish ride, but it’s nothing to complain about.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Small block 1200 is unchanged from other Harley-Davidson Sportsters and familiarly free-revving and friendly – easy to get on with, just about punchy enough and willing, too – just don’t expect ‘conventional 1200’ levels of performance…

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Quality is up to Harley’s usual high standards with deep paint and chrome and rugged build oh, and by the way, that stunning ‘big flake’ metallic red paint is gorgeous in the flesh and set to be rolled out through Harley’s range. We can’t wait.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

OK, the ‘72’s no long haul bike and it’s also, still, a tad ‘girly’. But overall the ’72 is fresh, sparklingly pretty, well-equipped and detailed as standard, has plenty of sweet touches and a decent ride at a tempting price that’ll appeal to a broader range of riders than expected.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The specific inspiriation is choppers of the ‘60s and ‘70s. A key element is the ‘peanut’ 2.2 gallon tank (filched from the Sportster 48). After that is mostly predictable ingredients: a 21-inch, ‘skinny’ front tyre, lowered rear end, high bars and lots of chrome.

But where Harley’s pulled it off for me is by going the extra yard with the details: the sexy white walls, the circular air filter cover (which reminds of Harley’s big twins of the ‘80s), the fab graphics and logos and, the masterstroke, the ‘big flake’ chunky metalflake paint.

Specs
Engine size 1202cc
Engine type Air-cooled, 45º V-twin, 5 gears
Frame type Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity 7.9 litres
Seat height 710mm
Bike weight 247kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload only
Front brake Single disc, two-piston caliper
Rear brake Single disc, two-piston caliper
Front tyre size MH90 x 21
Rear tyre size 150/80 x 16

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption 41 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £160
New price -
Used price £5,500 - £9,500
Insurance group 12 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power 66 bhp
Max torque 70.8 ft-lb
Top speed 95 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 72 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2012: Model introduced

2017: Model Discontinued

Other versions

None

Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 (2012 - 2017)

4 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 (2012 - 2017) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 (2012 - 2017)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Reliability & build quality: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Value vs rivals: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Annual servicing cost: £160
5 out of 5 Great looking it finish there
22 April 2024 by Stephen Vancliff

Year: 2012

Great looking bike harley 48 it’s a bike that you need to ride you feel every bit of the road if you want to go back 30 years this is the bike

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Stand still being looked at

Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Engine is great no problems but the paint finish is very poor

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Hi through battery if you don’t use the bike regularly

Equipment 5 out of 5

Great engine you know where you are with it You need to be brave in the wet and you get use to corners

Buying experience: Dealer

5 out of 5 Say hello to patrol stations
11 October 2023 by Stephen Vancliff

Version: Harley 48

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £230

Looks great no plastic just a real bike

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Max 1 hour

Engine 5 out of 5

Low down power can ride in most gears

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Paint work bad from the start Add to reply the engine management card three times

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Just put the best oil in engine keeps on giving

Equipment 5 out of 5

Basically a bike to make your own

Buying experience: Dealer

4 out of 5 2016 Harley Davidson Sportster XL1200CX Roadster
01 June 2023 by Duncan

Version: 2017 XL1200CX Roadster

Year: 2017

Annual servicing cost: £100

I have never liked the big twin Harleys, but have always liked the Sportsters. The bike felt rather cramped as standard, with the bars touching my knees when at full steering lock. The standard seat comfort and slightly forward footrest position were also both fine for me. The ground clearance, handling and comfort is nowhere near as bad as everyone kept telling me, but obviously it is not a track bike by any means. Surprising, I even find the 12.5 litre tank great for touring as you have to stop to refuel every 100-120 miles, so no monkey butt problems. The bike has subsequently been pretty heavily modified and this is still a work in progress, where I ride in summer and modify more in winter. The modifications and tinkering are not what everyone likes to do, but it was my original reason for buying it and it is now quite a capable little bike, even if its a somewhat heavy little beggar.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Pretty decent handling and braking for a so called cruiser. I was going to fit 4 piston Brembos to the front, but the standard braking is more than decent for street use. I never carry a pillion, but the standard pillion seat is probably good for about 5 minutes, before the shuffling and complaining starts on the back.

Engine 4 out of 5

I found the engine torque of the factory engine to be very linear, but obviously considering the crank and conrod arrangement, the engine doesn't rev very high, but if you wanted a high revving four this bike wouldn't be on you shopping list. The standard clutch has a pretty light pull, and it engages smoothly

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

The only problems that I has ever had with the bike in 23000 miles are as you would expect, always the parts that I "upgraded" but as an endless tinkering project that is not really an issue at all The bike has never left me stranded and the unmodified bike was rock solid. Overall build quality is good, with a few minor niggles that let it down.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

I service the bike myself, so its pretty much 4 litres of engine oil, oil filter every 5K miles and fork oil every second year. Brake pads about every 20K miles and tyres every 7-8K. Cheap as chips and about as simple with hydraulic valve lifters.

Equipment 4 out of 5

This sportster is extremely basic as far as electronic is concerned, and to be quite honest as I do my own servicing and as a bit of a Luddite, I like that. With the 19" & 18" wheels there is a decent choice of tyres and I prefer a popular French dual compound brand over the standard tyres, which although not bad by any means, are far more difficult remove and refit at home.

Buying experience: Bike was bought from Birmingham Harley, for £1900 less than the new price, at 10 months old and with 158 miles on the clock. It was a good sales experience, but the bike has never been to this dealer or anyone else since then.

4 out of 5 72
25 June 2012 by Nihonjin

Got one of these after having a Kawasaki Ninja 1000cc and a BMW GS before that. Wanted something less nutty than a rice rocket so went for one of these after trying loads of different bikes. Brilliant fun to drive. Just did my first long-ish trip on it, putting about 400 miles on over a weekend. I'll say it needs a more comfy seat, but otherwise was great. Loud enough that even the white van man brigade make room for you. Still new, so can't really vouch for reliability, but using it for my daily commute as well, so will see how it copes with that. So far though, a solid thumbs up.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 3 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
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