Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster in the test

Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster put to the test

On the roadster

There is not a new Harley every day. In this respect, the recently introduced Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster is a little sensation. We were allowed to try out the new Harley.

There is not often a new Harley. However, it is not completely new and completely freshly constructed. Rather, it is "XL 1200 CX", the abbreviation reveals it, another variant of the popular 1200 Sportster family. The Forty-Eight donates the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster the 12.5 liter peanut tank and the tiny headlight.

Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster in the test

On the roadster

A touch of sportiness

In fact, with the press department behind her neck, you can almost attest to something like sportiness – for a Harley. But first things first, because the defining characteristic of the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster is not its chassis or suspension, but the peculiar, but careless seating position. An attempt at a description: moderate seat height, 785 millimeters. You sit in a narrow, hard, but beautifully shaped hollow at the back and below, the footrests rather in the middle and very wide apart. The narrow handlebar is cranked in such a way that the elbows extend almost automatically, but is very close to the pilot. Its gaze goes, past an almost imperceptible (but very chic) ​​nothing of an instrument cluster during the day, practically directly onto the road.

That looks cool and feels cool, kind of reminds of wild times. Until sooner or later the tailbone has enough of the wild times and is quite numb to ask for a coffee break. In the meantime, however, this forced, but beautiful and reasonably active riding position (for a Harley!) Makes you want to go canyon surfing. And the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster can’t do that badly. Compared to the Forty-Eight, the tire dimensions installed here steer in much more neutral and energy-saving, and the grinding pins hit asphalt much later than with all other sports stars.

Roadster is recommended as the most active Sportster variant

The new upside-down fork works just as tightly as the struts, but with it the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster lies honestly and properly. Gentle comfort wouldn’t be so authentic either. The 1200 Evolution engine is also authentic, but perhaps a little weak on the chest for editors who are used to compressors. Although it benefits from a shorter overall gear ratio, it only provides its maximum torque of at least 97 Nm at over three-quarters of the nominal speed – so if it is more than shifting dune mode, it wants to get the spurs off. But he turns willingly, his expressions of life and the pulse are right.

If you let the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster run nicely, the double disc at the front is a great asset. The delay – not just for a Harley – with tooth, controllability and secured by a decent ABS. The bottom line is that the Roadster is definitely the most active Sportster variant. An authentic, no-frills, true American CafeRacer. Somehow a pretty new Harley-Davidson.jm, if you will

Price comparison of the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Roadster generations

Used Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Roadster in Germany

You have to decide for yourself whether you like the old or the new Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Roadster better. But which one offers a better price-performance ratio can only be found on the used motorcycle exchange. It pays to take a look: Used Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Roadster in Germany.

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