Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200 Roadster reviews

This is the best all-around standard bike available! At under 600 lbs., it is easy to maneuver around town but heavy enough to be comfortable on the highway. It's plenty quick and easy to handle. The paint job and chrome work are first class. You can customize it to your personal taste with tons of aftermarket/Harley parts. Make no mistake, this is no "starter bike". I had a metric bike prior to this and while I enjoyed it, I like my Harley better. It has character, class, and a mechanical feel to it that to me is what a motorcycle should be. Show less

I love this bike. It's very light, powerful and well-balanced. It's good on long rides or short with a lot of add-ons available. Show less

Update on my Sporty. Added Samson Hellraiser Exhaust with Screaming Eagle Cone Siper filter and fuel pak and the difference is soooo much better. My bike finally looks, sounds and performs like a true Harley. Look up my review under exhaust. Now my bike is truly bad ass. Alsmost as if an additional gear was added. The sound is ever so sweet and the look makes my sporty look more chopperish. I love it! Show less

I bought my bike the last week of June in 08. I have ridden this bike many miles in the little time I have actually had it out. It is great for an hour or 2 ride but after that, it's not the best. I put many miles on it last year riding from Kentucky to Ohio all the time. It has always started right up every time. I did have to have the rocker box gaskets replaced but Harley warrantied the parts and labor of course because of the awesome 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. Show less

Fast acceleration with Harley attitude. Very stable and a pleasure to ride. Excellent fit and finish along with attention to detail. 1200cc's make this bike a torque monster. Great in the city but screams for the highway. Show less

After riding this bike for awhile I have to say everything in my first review still stands. No, this Harley is not a pure sportbike nor is it designed for long range comfort, but man is it cool. Very simple and easily read instruments, phenomenal brakes, great sound, taut suspension, stable handling, and the kind of looks that stand out in a crowd. Put on a Harley accessory windscreen and saddle up for some big time fun. Show less

Traded my 04 XL1200R for an 08 FXD just cause I wanted a big twin. The XL had 50K miles on the clock at trade in time but was able to get good monry on my trade-in. The XL had taken me to work every day, rain or shine, on weekend excursions, and short trips and long trips alike, even off-road on occasion. Only problem I ever encountered was the starter motor failed at 32,000 miles. New unit installation was time consuming but not difficult at all. Averaged 52 MPG (stage1), powerful enough to wheelie, fun to ride and surprisingly comfortable with a sundowner seat. I miss her. Show less

I've been looking to buy for a few years now, haven't ridden since my teen years. There's a lot of choices out there, but in my eyes, nothing beats a Harley. I focused in on a sporty, since it's been so long that I've ridden, and the sporty is the exact machine that worked for me. Fast, nimble and a load of fun. Now that I'm back in the saddle, looking to fill the garage with Harley #2, hmmmm I see a fatboy in the future! Show less

I bought this one as my first bike, and I could not have made a better choice....being a new rider. The bike is a bit heavy (560 pounds) but once you are used to it, you don't want to ride lighter stuff. It has been very reliable with the exception of the Running brake light module going out, which is not that big of a deal, it being an accessory. It turns great. It looks great. It stops great. It's got more than enough power. It is economical, as I am averaging around 50mpg. The sound it makes with stock pipes is enough to make you drool... The only reason I'd get Screaming eagles, is for highway riding purposes. I got mine without test riding it first & I was not disappointed. It's truly a Great bike. I love the individual handle turning signals with auto shut off. No other bike has that!! Show less

I have put 6400 miles on my Roadster and I still love it. Most people trade their Sportsters in on a big bike but not me. I ride every day to work and am proud to be on it. I don't consider it a girl bike but a sleek, fast, good looking Harley Sport Bike. I have riden the HD XR1200 and its a nice HD Sport Bike too, but I like my higher torque Sportster, which is quicker out of the hole, in my opinion, and more comfortable to ride. I'll be back with another updated picture when I add my Christmas presents to my Sporty. Show less