A 1200 Sportster is hardly an "entry level" bike. A 250 Rebel is entry level. Just because someone chooses not to ride a 150+ mph sport bike, doesn't make their bike entry level. I've ridden all kinds of bikes for the past 40 years, including two other larger Harleys. I now have a 1200 Sportster Low, and it's no slacker. It does what I need it to do.
Yeah I'm looking into getting one after riding so many various bikes, sports, adventure, street. And everyone seems to call them beginner bikes... Don't get it.
I have driven bigger bikes engine and weight 1200 is good the thing I like is light weight and easy to maintain I do like the fat boy too and a truly setup road king but 1200 is just great for city
I have an almost identical Sportster. I just got it out of a 2 year storage, blew off the dust, rebuilt the carb, replaced the battery and added some 12" apes. After a break-in period, she runs like a champ.
Definitely glad my dads a Harley guy. I started with my 2018 xl1200c but I definitely want to get another bike soon like a hyper naked just for a different riding feel
Ive had my 01 xlh1200c for almost ten years and have put 50k miles on it. I absolutely love it. Ive always had yamaha and honda and i currently still have a ace shadow, but i always ride my harley. I cant wait to get another one.
As for me a 1200 Sporster is perfect for tooling around here in Arizona, its comfortable enough to drive from Scottsdale to Sedona and back, I had a hog but my touring days are over, I sold it bought a 1200 Sportster and put some money in the bank, nice Video!
Pennsylvania is really a beautiful place, i used to live in beaver falls and chippewa , even joined up in Pittsburgh. Used to play pool all the time in Rochester , their claim to fame is the movie kingpin. Regardless i love the place.
In this summer i rode 2700 km long trip in Europe with my 2012 Nightster. No broblemo at all. It has the stage1 tuning crap in it. Packs enough power for fast travelling speeds in German autobahn. I had zero issues with it during that road trip. Only thing that i decided to change after the trip is the seat.
That's the first thing I did after riding the bike back home 240 miles from the dealer, my ass was killing me. Got the Sundowner seat. Ridin the bike over 800 miles in a day and no problem.
The wife of 40 years gifted me one as I had commented I liked the one my cousin who is the same age (65) had. I love it for a first bike! Man can't get enough of that Harley Davidson sound!
wow, just ordered a 1200 fresh in from Arizona delivery in two weeks after watching your vid cant wait. set my mind at rest. hope it don't get too cold here in the UK
I have seen this so much over the years. All of my friends started out on sport bikes, while I always loved Harleys. Now, all of them have ditched the sport bikes and they all ride and love their Harleys way more than they ever liked their sport bikes. It seems to be something people grow into! I love all bikes btw, sport, cruiser, dirt....but not trikes😂
Love my 1999 w slash cut discontinued screamin eagle and kn stage 1. Rigid mount for my girl too. All chrome options and black 3.3 tank. Couldnt ask for anything else
Hard to beat a carbureted 1200 Sportster with a nice sounding exhaust. Those mirrors are total crap. Definitely not going to see anything behind you with those. My '06 Sportster 1200 came with mirrors like that, with WillieG skulls on them. I couldn't get rid of them fast enough. Replaced with aftermarket copies of stock mirrors. Perfect bike for curvy roads. I want to replace the fat 4.5 gallon tank with a peanut type, but can't afford to lose the range.
Second time I've watched this video. Once before buying my Sporty and once after. Just noticed the switched up speedometer. I love it! Where can I get one for my 2016 Iron 883?
I love all your videos, started out with a drz400sm and moved up to an intruder 1400 because I didn't want to pay the Harley price, and the Suzukis have more power to start with 🤘🏼 now I have a 94 4sp and a 02 5sp both absolutely amazing out here in Jersey
Those pipes are upsetting the carburation. that's why it popping when you let off the gas.. It's next to impossible to get correct jetting with open drag pipes. If this bike has been run for a long time with these pipes it may need head work soon.
Untrue. I've have drags on mine for almost 28k miles. Heads are just fine. Spend time with it and invest in lollipops or the DK tti. If I can do it anyone can
You gotta warm her up at least for a min,maybe 2 minutes in the summer/spring. Minimum of 5 mins in the winter. I'm talking Jersey temps. That why you don't have fuck with choke. Weather you forget to open it or forget it completely.
Hey I was windering what I could do to my 2001 harley davidson aporster 1200 xl I have the straight pipe screaming eagle pipes but everything else is stock but I want to get more power and more tork oit of it would,like some opinions thank you
lol 😂😂😂😂 wake up the neighbors, my backyard neighbor would freaking hate me if I own a Harley Davidson, he’s always calling the cops on every neighbor any chance he gets. Nice bike.👌
I'm a 270lb man. My first bike was a 1200. It was a great bike with enough power and then some for me. Once my wife figured out that she liked riding with me, I knew I needed something bigger. If she didn't like it, I'd still have it lol. As for as Grieg's opinion, it all depends on what kind of riding you want to do. Just don't get one that's stock. You'll want to put pipes on it and it can be a lot of money to spend on a bike that you'll likely be upgrading. Stay safe!
closedeyz im 6ft 1 and it feels fine. Honestly, people exaggerate so much about size and fit. I researched a year before getting my first Harley and that whole time i ruled out getting a fatboy because apparently anything over 5ft10 is too tall. Well, i sat on one, fit like a glove and now i own it. Just sit on them and you will see for yourself. Bikes are much bigger in person. Go with what bike calls you, your height is more than reasonable for a 1200XL
I know it was 2 years ago but my best friend is 6’6 240. I have a stock 1200 custom and he’s comfortable on it. The way the custom is setup is good for taller riders. Did you buy one yet? If you did what did you get.
Thanks for sharing man!!! were are you guys located in Penn? I'm thinking about moving from my 05 CBR1000RR to either a Indian scout or a sporty 1200. been riding 30 years all super sports never had a cruiser.
i don't recommend a 1200 older than the 2004 model. Previous models dont have rubber mounted engines. Meaning they will vibrate like shit. And (netherlands atleast) HD dealers only sell parts and bags for 2004 and younger models. not saying you will buy a shit bike pre 2004. Just giving a slight heads up.
Robert Thomas well i must say i ride around 19.800 km each year on my bike just from work and back. Not taking for account long rides on my 4 day weekend trips. Not saying a non rubbermount is shit. But it helps on the longer runs.
Jetting is whacked. Will run lean with aftermarket pipes. First thing to go will be the rear cylinder. You'll cook the exhaust valve or burn a hole right thru the top of the piston.
Drone's, Bikes and Cars It's definitely warm by that point! As many have said it's not jetted right for the pipes, and popping a lot on decel so running lean.
Its funny 99% of motorcycle crashes on TH-cam are people on crotch rockets bragging their bike does 160mph and then a car changes lanes and you're upset they cut you off lol
I think I’m going to be “Rumblin’ & Stumblin’” on a Milwaukee motorcycle before it’s all said and done. Mind you, I won’t be giving up my Honda or Husqvarna…there will just be another 🇺🇸”H”🇺🇸 in the fold.
I agree with 450man I have a 1200c it is plenty fast off the line and can get you out in the 120-30 range on flat ground with a few mods, but it ain't a ninja or super bike by any means, I would think any good patrol car could keep up with one barring any traffic you might be able to slip thru that would not get out of their way fast enough. There are certainly a lot of race bikes that can take you to much higher top ends than most any Harley can tho. They are cruisers not racers if they are any type of racer they are more like a dragster I would say very quick up to speed over short distances but not for the long run.
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A 1200 Sportster is hardly an "entry level" bike. A 250 Rebel is entry level. Just because someone chooses not to ride a 150+ mph sport bike, doesn't make their bike entry level. I've ridden all kinds of bikes for the past 40 years, including two other larger Harleys. I now have a 1200 Sportster Low, and it's no slacker. It does what I need it to do.
Yeah, I don't understand it either. A 1200 from any other brand is considered a big bike.
Yeah I'm looking into getting one after riding so many various bikes, sports, adventure, street. And everyone seems to call them beginner bikes... Don't get it.
I have driven bigger bikes engine and weight 1200 is good the thing I like is light weight and easy to maintain I do like the fat boy too and a truly setup road king but 1200 is just great for city
I have an almost identical Sportster. I just got it out of a 2 year storage, blew off the dust, rebuilt the carb, replaced the battery and added some 12" apes. After a break-in period, she runs like a champ.
Hi guys, l just bought mine looks like same color waited 40 years to get it but finally got it and now l eve sleep next to it. Love it
Armando Ramirez congratulations I hope you are still enjoying it brother!!
Had a 2017 and loved it and still do to this day. Time to move on to the fatboy s
Love the Sportster.... still has the old Harley feel and sound. They are a must-have in my opinion.
Definitely glad my dads a Harley guy. I started with my 2018 xl1200c but I definitely want to get another bike soon like a hyper naked just for a different riding feel
Ive had my 01 xlh1200c for almost ten years and have put 50k miles on it. I absolutely love it. Ive always had yamaha and honda and i currently still have a ace shadow, but i always ride my harley. I cant wait to get another one.
As for me a 1200 Sporster is perfect for tooling around here in Arizona, its comfortable enough to drive from Scottsdale to Sedona and back, I had a hog but my touring days are over, I sold it bought a 1200 Sportster and put some money in the bank, nice Video!
Pennsylvania is really a beautiful place, i used to live in beaver falls and chippewa , even joined up in Pittsburgh. Used to play pool all the time in Rochester , their claim to fame is the movie kingpin. Regardless i love the place.
In this summer i rode 2700 km long trip in Europe with my 2012 Nightster. No broblemo at all. It has the stage1 tuning crap in it. Packs enough power for fast travelling speeds in German autobahn. I had zero issues with it during that road trip. Only thing that i decided to change after the trip is the seat.
That's the first thing I did after riding the bike back home 240 miles from the dealer, my ass was killing me. Got the Sundowner seat. Ridin the bike over 800 miles in a day and no problem.
Love my Sportster and moved my mirrors under the bars like the Brit's do and found out that it is a LOT better. Give a thumbs up for the Brit's!
Any Harley after '07 has EFI. Mine start up easily. The EVO engines are awesome.
The wife of 40 years gifted me one as I had commented I liked the one my cousin who is the same age (65) had. I love it for a first bike! Man can't get enough of that Harley Davidson sound!
Just bought my first bike 2008 hd 1200C 105th anniversary edition.
i got an 03 1200 100th anniversary lol
wow, just ordered a 1200 fresh in from Arizona delivery in two weeks after watching your vid cant wait. set my mind at rest. hope it don't get too cold here in the UK
What a beautiful Sporster !
So true
Just bought that same bike. Can't wait for it, getting delivered. Thanks for the vid.
Ps, I'm in Punxsutawney, a fellow Pennsylvanian.
John Jesse hopefully I'll see ya around. I'm from clarion and work in brookville.
Sporty's are the shit. You can take a 883 blow it out to 1200 or 1250 ,cam it, pewww. An awesome bike.
Nice bike man. I used to be all into sport bikes before but I'm really starting to like Harleys now. I hope I can get one next year! #lifegoals lol
Nice! Its been a year. Have you got a HD now? 😊
we need closure
I have seen this so much over the years. All of my friends started out on sport bikes, while I always loved Harleys. Now, all of them have ditched the sport bikes and they all ride and love their Harleys way more than they ever liked their sport bikes. It seems to be something people grow into! I love all bikes btw, sport, cruiser, dirt....but not trikes😂
it's not a choke, it's actually an enricher. instead of choking the motor of airflow, it's supplies it with a rich fuel mixture.
but its still called a Choke, as a Generic Term to not confuse people.
I have a 2000 1200. Adjust that idle screw and clean the carb.
I just bought a 2006 Harley Davidson sportster xl1200 custom today. It is my first bike and it is such a nice bike.
Is that a lean pop in those pipes?
B. Chuchlucious yes because mine seam a little deeper and don't spit as much even though it's straight piped
B. Chuchlucious more gas in the pipe when the throttle is let off it lets off used gas
Well that needs to be fucking tuned.
OnPointFirearms Does not need tuned. The Intake gaskets needs replaced. Do it yourself in 2 hours. Its 17 years old.
I noticed the cool barns.
Sean! When are you guys gonna sell bikes again? I'm only an hour away from your shop, big fan of the channel.
Nice just got one for 1200 bones....love mine ...ty for showing it nice sporty...🤙
That backfire is called schitty timing!
or the low jetting is off
Dang you are right about that color super nice! I want winter to be over!
Do you recommend a 1200 for a first time rider?
Love my 1999 w slash cut discontinued screamin eagle and kn stage 1. Rigid mount for my girl too. All chrome options and black 3.3 tank. Couldnt ask for anything else
LOVE that exhaust sound . Beaut' machine , and a pleasure to see/hear . Is the bike fuel injected , or carbed' ? Many thanks , and ride safe .
40MM CV Keihn carb.
Nothing like a Sportster. Got mine.
Hard to beat a carbureted 1200 Sportster with a nice sounding exhaust. Those mirrors are total crap. Definitely not going to see anything behind you with those. My '06 Sportster 1200 came with mirrors like that, with WillieG skulls on them. I couldn't get rid of them fast enough. Replaced with aftermarket copies of stock mirrors. Perfect bike for curvy roads. I want to replace the fat 4.5 gallon tank with a peanut type, but can't afford to lose the range.
Where you from in pa!?!? I’m near Hershey park😳🤯🤙🏼
Second time I've watched this video. Once before buying my Sporty and once after. Just noticed the switched up speedometer. I love it! Where can I get one for my 2016 Iron 883?
I love all your videos, started out with a drz400sm and moved up to an intruder 1400 because I didn't want to pay the Harley price, and the Suzukis have more power to start with 🤘🏼 now I have a 94 4sp and a 02 5sp both absolutely amazing out here in Jersey
"You wake up the neighbours" bloody luv doing that every single day I get mine started LMFAO
I like that seat, think it would fit an XL?
I really love harley 1200 Sportster i have 2 and a buell 1200 fun bikes
Those pipes are upsetting the carburation. that's why it popping when you let off the gas..
It's next to impossible to get correct jetting with open drag pipes.
If this bike has been run for a long time with these pipes it may need head work soon.
Untrue. I've have drags on mine for almost 28k miles. Heads are just fine. Spend time with it and invest in lollipops or the DK tti. If I can do it anyone can
You gotta warm her up at least for a min,maybe 2 minutes in the summer/spring. Minimum of 5 mins in the winter. I'm talking Jersey temps. That why you don't have fuck with choke. Weather you forget to open it or forget it completely.
You didn’t top out any gears at all lol you got it to like 3 grand and early shifted
Hey I was windering what I could do to my 2001 harley davidson aporster 1200 xl I have the straight pipe screaming eagle pipes but everything else is stock but I want to get more power and more tork oit of it would,like some opinions thank you
If you did aftermarket exhaust id upgrade air cleaner for more air...you'll have to rejet carb when you do this. Next upgrade would be cams
Stage 1 upgrade i rejetted my carb to a 190 main jet and pilot jet up by 5.
Upgrade the cams, convert to chain, get a 1275cc kit, lower the gears ratio, adjust the carb, and just get a cbr1000.
That bike is running way too lean! You have the pop in the decel.
Got a tall/bigger guy 6’2” and 220lb what’s it like riding the sportster 1200? Was looking at getting one
I actually have an orange 2000 883. Love it. Also, their as tons of cool barns on Indiana.
2002 H-D XL1200C, I have...
Awesome bike!!
Would love a Sportster with a Hammer!! Having around 100hp at the back tire on a sportie would be fantastic!!
lol 😂😂😂😂 wake up the neighbors, my backyard neighbor would freaking hate me if I own a Harley Davidson, he’s always calling the cops on every neighbor any chance he gets. Nice bike.👌
Should I buy one tomorrow
the pipes are vance and hines?
Beautiful bike and what a sound.
Would that be a good First bike?
I'm a 270lb man. My first bike was a 1200. It was a great bike with enough power and then some for me. Once my wife figured out that she liked riding with me, I knew I needed something bigger. If she didn't like it, I'd still have it lol. As for as Grieg's opinion, it all depends on what kind of riding you want to do. Just don't get one that's stock. You'll want to put pipes on it and it can be a lot of money to spend on a bike that you'll likely be upgrading. Stay safe!
New gloves for Shawn!
Sounds like it needs intake seals.
I only watched this video because I’m buying the same bike but I’m just so impatient and want to go for a ride already
Did you say cheap to maintain?
How s it working with your height????
Cool bike but after switching from my first carb bike to efi, I'm not going back to carbs cuz I serviced them more than rode.
Guessing it was a Harley?
Dude that 😮bike scares😢
It sounds like ignition is shorting by thorddle
LOVE that EVO
I hear a clicking, popping sound when he turned off the choke, doesn't seem like its running correct
Carbs need adjusting.
Inlet manifolds are leaking
shit, not just for riding around town. I plan to do the iron butt on my sporty
I literally have this same bike only with screaming eagle same color and all only mine has 5666 miles when i got it last year
low idle jet may need cleaning,..no big deal
An entry bike is a Yamaha 80, not a 1200 Sportster.
I'm looking at one of these as my very first bike. 2010 for only $2800. Not too big for a beginner? I'm like 6'1" too, that's not too tall right?
closedeyz im 6ft 1 and it feels fine. Honestly, people exaggerate so much about size and fit. I researched a year before getting my first Harley and that whole time i ruled out getting a fatboy because apparently anything over 5ft10 is too tall. Well, i sat on one, fit like a glove and now i own it. Just sit on them and you will see for yourself. Bikes are much bigger in person. Go with what bike calls you, your height is more than reasonable for a 1200XL
I'm 6'4" and have a 2011 nightster 1200. I have a seat that moved me back about 2 inches and i love my bike
I know it was 2 years ago but my best friend is 6’6 240. I have a stock 1200 custom and he’s comfortable on it. The way the custom is setup is good for taller riders. Did you buy one yet? If you did what did you get.
Thanks for sharing man!!! were are you guys located in Penn? I'm thinking about moving from my 05 CBR1000RR to either a Indian scout or a sporty 1200. been riding 30 years all super sports never had a cruiser.
5:41 i like what he said here lol
Can anyone tell me what kind of pipes those are?
Looks like vance and hines short shots
I love my 06 modified 1200 to 1340cc
You weren't even close to topping out, four gears on my 1200 put me at 90 +
I hit 110
i don't recommend a 1200 older than the 2004 model. Previous models dont have rubber mounted engines. Meaning they will vibrate like shit. And (netherlands atleast) HD dealers only sell parts and bags for 2004 and younger models. not saying you will buy a shit bike pre 2004. Just giving a slight heads up.
my 01 is solid mount and it dont bother me one bit.
Robert Thomas well i must say i ride around 19.800 km each year on my bike just from work and back. Not taking for account long rides on my 4 day weekend trips. Not saying a non rubbermount is shit. But it helps on the longer runs.
a great video, thanks!!
I have a 99 883c just like it same pipes and all
Do the solid mounts shake at highway speeds as much as some folks say they do?
forzared101 I wouldn't say there that bad but my sister thinks it's decent so if say it's a mixed bag
forzared101 with the skinny front it can shake a bit sometimes on the hwy, with a big front wheel it will take care of that.
Have you ever been to bicycle heaven?
Pa has three lane hwys, for the love of John!
Wow thing sounds like chit. Definitely not the normal good sounding harley.
SPNFENDER Sounds like they didn't adjust the mixture when they changed the exhaust.
Jetting is whacked. Will run lean with aftermarket pipes. First thing to go will be the rear cylinder. You'll cook the exhaust valve or burn a hole right thru the top of the piston.
“A seat a tank”
I dont ride but always wanted a sportster
Cold hearted.
Nice bars.
Its not warm enough to idle, but you pin it.... Guess you dont care about the longevity of the bikes. It’s nice though.
Drone's, Bikes and Cars It's definitely warm by that point! As many have said it's not jetted right for the pipes, and popping a lot on decel so running lean.
new splash screen))
Its funny 99% of motorcycle crashes on TH-cam are people on crotch rockets bragging their bike does 160mph and then a car changes lanes and you're upset they cut you off lol
Or you end up panic braking and crash and worst case die. Well rev our harleys at your funeral lol
Imagine saying a 1200 Vtwin as an entry level bike. Ridiculous. SMH Sporty is the only pure classic Harley left.
what's the weight of that Harley 1200 is it lighter or heavier than a honda saber 1100
my 04 weighed around 560. They're not light bikes.
Michael C defiantly lighter then a saber more nimbel as well not great for long highway keep the saber 1100
I think I’m going to be “Rumblin’ & Stumblin’” on a Milwaukee motorcycle before it’s all said and done.
Mind you, I won’t be giving up my Honda or Husqvarna…there will just be another 🇺🇸”H”🇺🇸 in the fold.
If you want a fast bike , rule number 1 don’t buy a Harley …. Fact number two my 1450 cc soft tail got beat by a 883 iron
Sounds lean...
Bronze Pearl was the color.
I want to Bebop
Knalpot mber mberrr
Engine braking that thing to death
You can't talk without slopping your mouth in the mic it's annoying
Coughing... Too lean 😏
can a sportster get away from the cops anybody?
only if youre a very good rider.my 95 1200 s scary at 90-100mph.my 87 cbr600 was fine at 145mph
rev counter on cbr didnt start til 3000rpm think it redlined at 12-13000rpm.cops didnt have a chance
The fuel injected sportster 1200s will fly for a Harley. Not many stock for stock Harley's that'll outrun one. But they only do 115-125 stock.
I agree with 450man I have a 1200c it is plenty fast off the line and can get you out in the 120-30 range on flat ground with a few mods, but it ain't a ninja or super bike by any means, I would think any good patrol car could keep up with one barring any traffic you might be able to slip thru that would not get out of their way fast enough. There are certainly a lot of race bikes that can take you to much higher top ends than most any Harley can tho. They are cruisers not racers if they are any type of racer they are more like a dragster I would say very quick up to speed over short distances but not for the long run.
If you took it offroad or somewhere they couldn't chase you. Better off just stopping than trying to run.
You forgot the words of wisdom
He was saving our ears
That's an unhealthy sounding bike :/