Menus
- Double disc brake and inverted fork: a more dynamic version of the Sportster 1200
- 4 “Dark Custom” colors, from € 12,590
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- In the city
- On highways and main roads
- On departmental
- Part-cycle
- Brakes
- Comfort / duo
- Conclusion
- Harley-Davidson Roadster Video Test
Double disc brake and inverted fork: a more dynamic version of the Sportster 1200
4 “Dark Custom” colors, from € 12,590
Globally, Harley-Davison remains a manufacturer of long-haul trucks. Out of an annual production of around 265,000 motorcycles, the American market absorbs 150,000 and three quarters of this volume consists of models from the "touring" range.. However, the lighter machines, Sportster and Dyna have other virtues, including bringing newcomers to the famous Milwaukee brand, young people and women, even young women. In short, new blood !
Among these new arrivals, a large part is more sensitive to the main lines of contemporary urban culture than to the pure Harley-Davidsons symbolism, carefully, if not religiously and in any case methodically constructed since 1903. Realize yourselves. : this new clientele does not exclude showing itself on the handlebars of a Harley wearing a hoodie and a pair of sneakers. The inventor of the cowboy boots turns in his grave and Lorenzo Lamas is quite relaxed. Poor Lolo !
But who does not move forward is backing down and Harley-Davidson has captured the expectations of this new clientele with the line "Dark Custom" : sober machines, abandoning the traditional chrome for a “rebellious” posture materialized by darker tones. Motorcycles almost stripped down, going to the essential: the pleasure of riding and feeling all the Harley-Davidson sensations, the V2 being more than ever the centerpiece in this minimalist mechanical universe. Of course, the Sportster, a line of machines that has never been upbeat, is well placed to embody this new stance. Whether in 883 (Iron) or 1200 (Forty-Eight), these machines are among the brand’s best sellers in France. With the Roadster, Harley-Davidson extends its offer with a slightly more dynamic version of the Sportster 1200.
Discovery
1957. The Sportster makes its appearance. And he’s never left the lineup since. With this motorcycle, Harley-Davidson has become widely democratized. For a long time, it was the model of access, even managing to place itself below the symbolic bar of 50,000 F in the 90s. Today, it is 10,000 € that must be released, but access to the myth remains relatively democratic.
The Sportster is a light, powerful motorcycle (at the time) and has been declined over time in stripped down (Iron) or luxurious (Custom), psychedelic (the 72), dynamic (the 883 R) or even in a almost sporty derivative (the XR 1200 X).
Our novelty of the day does not hesitate to take almost a generic name. Roadster. The Roadster is a state of mind. A rejection of conventions, even if one considers that the name comes from the little British sports convertibles whose drivers listened to the premises of rock n roll, the antithesis of the placid papa sedan who preferred to watch BBC programs. On a motorcycle, the roadster is a mixture of wind and speed. It’s the fury to live.
The family resemblance with the original Sportster is still there: this compact size, this compact appearance, this proud V2 enthroned in the center. A unique posture, imitated many times, never equaled.
Compared to other models in the Sportster family, the Roadster doesn’t just evolve in detail. In addition to its "dark custom" colors (matte or shiny black, gray, dark red), it is immediately recognizable thanks to the inverted fork equipped with 43 mm diameter tubes and its double disc at the front with ABS, as well as its new rims with the original design, since the sticks cross each other starting from the central hub. The exhaust is also new, both mufflers are covered with a matte black cover. The air box and the housings are covered with a satin gray treatment. Handlebars, dashboard, saddle and rear shocks are also new.
While an unaccustomed eye will find it difficult to take into account all the details, it is important to know that the designers at H-D attach great importance to the posture of the motorcycle, in motion, with a rider on board. And there, when you cross this new Roadster, you immediately see the difference with another Sportster: the low handlebars curved like a cyclo-rower imposes a posture rather leaning forward. The little headlight gives the rider an even more dynamic attitude and crossing a Roasdter harkens back to those images of racing motorcycles from the 1920s, which were called boardtracker….
In the saddle
Transponder in the pocket (no need to use a key), the Roadster, with a capital "r", is started with a simple press on the right stalk. In front of the pilot, the dashboard is new, placed on a plate which proudly recalls that the machine came from "Milwaukee, USA". This contributes to the pride of owning such a machine.
In its small round meter, the dashboard offers the essential: a large analog tachometer above and below, in a small window, the speed and the gear engaged as well as, with the choice, the total mileage, two trips , the clock and the display of the engine speed, just to duplicate.
With a stroke of the starter, the V2 comes to life and maintains a jerky idle, around 1,000 rpm. The levers are not adjustable and the commodos are specific to the brand’s standards and very complete: separate turn signal control (right to right and left, guess where), but the automatic return simplifies the management of the whole. The warnings are on the right stalk and the various dashboard menus scroll by pressing a button on the left stalk. If you have gloved gloves, the space between the handles and the mirror may seem a bit tight. Note: it is incongruous to drive a Harley with racing gloves.
Compared to a Sportster 48, the larger diameter wheels (19 at the front, 18 at the rear instead of 16 everywhere) as well as the longer travel suspensions mean that the saddle goes from 710 to 785 mm. Nothing dramatic, however, since the bike remains thin and compact. And dense, too. Who would think that it weighs 250 kilograms dry is more than, at random, a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure which must be at least twice as large? But at Harley, we don’t mess with the build quality and the use of solid materials and good old metal. Except at the level of the front mudguard, made of plastic (and whose truncated look, as we will discover later, returns water splashes in the rain)
The ergonomics of this machine are, if I am not mistaken, quite unique in the market. Thin motorcycle, fairly high footrests perched in the middle position, low and curved handlebars: the driving position is, let’s say it, special. It obviously contributes to the folklore and the posture that the pilot embodies, but it may not be suitable for all sizes. Try before you buy, then, but obviously a Sportster 48 will be more natural to drive. But you won’t look like a runner.
In the city
Such a thin and compact motorcycle can only be comfortable in an urban environment. And go be admired on the cafe terrace. Yes, but with some nuances.
First of all, we appreciate the character of V2. The sensations it delivers are unique: contact, starter, the first engages in a loud "klonk". Release the clutch on a trickle of gas and with a few noticeable strokes of the pistons, you’ve been half the road. The 1202cc V2 has real strength from low revs and a nice feeling of stretch which is very pleasant. Not super flexible, a little rough, he likes to ride at 2,000 rpm in 3rd, or exactly 50 km / h, with already energetic times if necessary. Lazy and lazy of all kinds, do not expect to cross the villages while staying in 5th gear: at 2,000 rpm, which is its threshold of flexibility, the Roadster is then at 70 km / h.
The particular ergonomics of the machine find its limits in town. Oh, for cruising on the main boulevards, it will be fine. But to make the interfile or even to slalom on a congested Place de l’Etoile, it may become a little complicated: in question, the low and curved handlebars which can come into contact with the knees during intense robberies, while the footrests are right on the spot where you put your feet on the ground. So for walkthroughs in town in the middle of a puzzle of cars, we saw better (but this scenario is quite far from the ideal of a backtracker driver).
In the same way it is hard to imagine Nicole Kidman with braces, to dress the Roadster in a top case is total stoning heresy. Its practical aspects being quite reduced, we will do what we can for the transport of a lock, a rain suit or a raccoon. Here, the look takes precedence over all other considerations.
For the rest: adjustable and progressive throttle and brake controls, a little firm gearbox, but perfectly liveable, an easy to find neutral point: here is a motorcycle of easy going character..
On highways and main roads
5th gear, 130 km / h: the V2 purrs at 3,700 rpm. We are far from the red zone at 6,000 rpm and the Roadster is probably worth a good 180 lap. However, if the engine is not at risk of running out of steam and the vibrations remain contained, it will quickly be understood that the motorway is not its cup of tea. The lack of protection and the riding position, although tilted forward, are not made for speed. Because, even if the pilot can wedge himself on the small bead of the saddle, the legs remain quite apart and the wind resistance is considerable..
If necessary, the 12.5 liters of the tank will impose breaks every 200 kilometers. No doubt they will be welcome. On the other hand, even at high speed, the new suspensions give a nice rigor to the chassis and no parasitic movement is to be observed..
On departmental
At 90 km / h in 5th gear, the V2 runs at an extremely peaceful speed of 2,500 rpm. The Roadster then traverses the countryside with the sound so characteristic of its V2. Thin and compact, yet dense, it has been said, the Roadster benefits from the natural agility of its 150mm wide rear tire. It only takes a little effort on the handlebars to make it turn and, better yet, go from pif to paf.
The Roadster has the more dynamic that its chassis allows it to take angles of 30.8 ° to the right and 31.1 ° to the left: it is clearly more than on a Sportster 48, which rubs at the end of, respectively , 27.8 and 26.1 °. In fact, you can be a little more directive and incisive on the Roadster’s handlebars, without fear of rubbing all the way in the corners, even if it does eventually happen. Insisting, it is even the metal covers of the exhausts that end up being marked.
Of course, it will be understood that the definition of American sport is significantly different from that of European sport. Question of philosophy. With its 66 horses, this big Roadster remains less powerful than the small roadsters on which we pass the license, like MT-07. There is certainly the torque value of 97 Nm, rather respectable, but it is located at 4,250 rpm, a speed which is both low in absolute terms and ultimately quite high with regard to the range of usable speeds of the motor. Which means that you have to whip this 1200 if you want to investigate a little on small roads, but fortunately, the mission is not unpleasant with a firm box, but which locks well, even when passing through. stolen and, in this almost unnatural use, the Roadster proves to be quite fun to take along. In the event of a big attack, the driving position is always quite special: the copious air filter on the right prevents the motorcycle from being properly tightened with its legs and the curious handlebars do not allow it to naturally put the front axle under strain, which may cause slight understeer. But the Roadster is not intended to set scratch times in hill climbs and it remains more efficient and much more rigorous than other Sportsters, with more powerful braking and much less caricatured suspensions, offering a progressive operation on the good coatings, which contributes to the good overall feeling in case of slightly sporty driving.
Part-cycle
Harley-Davidson is not zealous about the technical sheets and we should just be content to know that the new cartridge fork has 43 mm diameter tubes and that the new rear shocks are adjustable in preload, for example screw at their top. It’s weak, as an info, but fans of ultra-dynamic Sportsters have probably already set their sights on an XR 1200 X with Ohlins suspensions. More efficient in driving a little removed, the Roadster ends up showing its limits on the small irregularities of the departmental roads, with rather dry reactions on the small breaks.
Brakes
The Roadster has three disc brakes and an ABS sensor which, according to Harley tradition, is well hidden in the hub. So you can’t see it and it’s elegant. This ABS has the good taste of not triggering inadvertently and the braking power is sufficient given the relatively limited power of the machine. As for the dosage, it calls for no criticism, with a relatively mild bite that will suit all types of users, even the less seasoned, followed by a gradual and dosable potency. Even when used a little muscular on the roads of the Marseille hinterland, the braking seemed to us to be quite correct..
Comfort / duo
For tourism, Harley-Davidson makes more suitable motorcycles, which are precisely in the “touring” range! We can imagine that the Roadster is not aiming to score big points in this chapter. However, the seat is quite comfortable at first glance and the small bead at the back of the saddle allows you to secure it well. Over the miles, the seat may be a little firm, but that’s not a big deal. The passenger does not have grab handles to secure themselves in and a regular practice of the duet may be considered, provided that a small sissy-bar is fitted.
Conclusion
With its new Roadster, Harley-Davidson is revitalizing the Sportster range, that’s for sure. This machine is well equipped (dashboard, chassis) and the price difference remains contained compared to a more stripped-down version, such as the 48. So count 12,590 € for a Roadster in black, 12,790 € in dark red and € 13,090 in two-tone gray and black livery. At this price, it competes with a Triumph Bonneville T120 or Thruxton and a Victory Octane, both more powerful, but we can hesitate with a Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer or Bobber, in vintage style and lookee…
Undeniably, its optimized chassis takes the road and play skills of the Sportster family up a notch. On his handlebars, we take pleasure in quietly inquiring (a concept in itself!), Benefiting from stronger braking, improved ground clearance and working suspensions.
Certainly, the power will remain a little limited in absolute terms in the eyes of those who had overestimated the sporting performance of the machine, but the pleasure felt is real on the small roads. And in a good Harley-Davidson, the Roadster is appreciated above all at a leisurely pace, punctuated with good acceleration and a nice trajectory from time to time, while its driving position (and the pace you refer to those who see you go by) is a beautiful tribute to the boardtracker pilots of the turn of the last century. At Harley, tradition is unmistakably part of the DNA, even on machines intended to appeal to new customers..
Strong points
- A more "sporty" and more rigorous Sportster !
- Fun and healthy on good roads
- Rebel posture of boardtracker pilot
- Endearing motor character
- Complete dashboard
- Low discount to be expected
Weak points
- Ergonomics in the city
- An understeer on the attack (but is this really its vocation?)
- Suspension comfort on bad roads (although in progress compared to other Sportsters)
- Visible welds on the rear shock absorber anchorages
- Plastic front fender
- Front fender in the rain
The Harley-Davidson Roadster technical sheet
Test conditions
- Route: 180 km between Marseille and Saint-Tropez by the backcountry roads
- Motorcycle mileage: 400 km
- Problem encountered: none
Competition: Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer, Triumph Thruxton, Victory Octane
Harley-Davidson Roadster Video Test
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