Citizen Motorcyclist reviews the 2013 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

I went to my local Harley dealership with permission to demo a few bikes. One of the bikes I was able to ride was the Sportster 1200 Custom. I gave the bike a good visual inspection so that I could see how the bike was laid out and to see if I could identify any potential challenges to commuting. All in all, it is laid out very well. Handlebars are close enough to the rider to provide a naturally comfortable rider triangle. Some of the amenities on the new Sportster include fuel injection and self-cancelling turn signals. The turn signals were a nice touch, as I have seen more than a few bikers going down the road with one blinker on. The foot pegs were set forward to allow legs to have a comfortable stretch. Different riders of different sizes will have their own opinions of the peg locations, but I think they are placed at a good average point. The bike is also light. Having gotten very used to lifting my heavy Goldwing off its side stand, getting the Sportster upright almost ended up with it going over the other direction. The light feel of the bike made it feel very well suited to the task of commuting to and from work on a daily basis. I hadn't even started the engine and I was already happy with the bike.

From this point I filled out some of the basic hold-harmless paperwork, and the dealership made sure my jeans, boots, and helmet were all ready to ride. The bike was wheeled outside and I was walked through the steps of starting the engine. Starting a bike engine is old hat to me, or so I thought before getting to know the nuances of a fuel-injected Harley. Turn on the ignition, toggle the kill switch to "Run" and wait for the fuel injectors to get primed. A yellow engine symbol is lit while the injectors prime and when it shuts off, it is time to bring the engine to life. The engine started easily, as expected. At this point, the positive feelings about the bike started to get challenged. The bike's v-twin engine, with the signature Harley rumble, also had the common Harley vibration. I hoped that it would get a bit smoother when the engine got warmer, so I started the demo ride to warm the engine up.

This dealership has a rider training course on the grounds, so I was able to use it to get myself acquainted with the machine. Turns on the bike were smooth, although wider than what I was able to do on my Wing. The forks were a bit more raked out, causing the wider turning circle. Still, throttle response was nice and the bike went from turn to turn with barely a flick. Circles, figure-8s, laps around the track, and slow-speed maneuvering were done without issue. The engine, however, still vibrated at idle. It was time to test on-street performance, so I filed the vibration issue in the back of my mind. 

The high torque in the low RPM range was very evident. Pull was strong in all gears, and keeping up with traffic and stoplights was a breeze. Speaking of breeze, the demo unit lacked a windshield, which put me into full wind-blast. On streets, with speeds below 45 mph, the wind was nice and welcome. I got to the freeway, though, and the wind blast was very strong. At 75 I felt like a human parachute between the pull of the engine and the drag of the wind. The engine vibration was muted, but still there on the freeway. My mirrors shook, making them useless. The seat was nice and provided good support for my rear. The seat did have one problem, and that problem is sliding. When I roll on the throttle, the torque feels like the bike wants to come out from under me. Fighting wind while I also fight to stay on the bike made for a rather unpleasant experience. A different seat, plus a good windshield, would do much to make it more comfortable. 

I rode back to the dealership and told the reps of the highs and lows of the bike, and they were understanding and made a point to mention many of the customization options, such as windshields, seats, saddle bags, and the like. To be fair to the bike, I rode a basic floor model, so the accessories were few. Any serious commuter would look to make the bike into what they needed, so the need for a windshield is variable and dependent on the needs of the rider. Still, here are my opinions, presented as objectively as I can.

What I did not like: One of the things I did not like was the vibration. At idle it is the worst, but even at high RPMs the shaking can be felt. Another negative is the power. Yes, it may seem odd that the lowly Sportster 1200 would have too much power, but that power is delivered through a transmission and final belt drive that are geared for quick acceleration. The bike can go from zero to 60 very quickly, as I found out. A transmission that allows for better gearing would be good for the bike, I think. Another bad thing is the lean angle. The bike was leaning into a turn when I heard the the pegs scrape. No real damage, so I'm good. 

What I did like: With many things, engine power can be good or bad. In this case, it is good. While yes, it can be tough to control, It is still nice to know you will pass slow drivers with ease. Another good thing about the bike is that it is very light. It will easily negotiate traffic, so even new riders will be comfortable. The transmission is geared for fast acceleration so it will do better on streets than on freeways. 

Is this bike a good commuter? It is light enough for street confidence, yet still heavy enough for some comfort on the highway. The fuel injection makes starting and running the bike very easy, and the low seat height makes for sure footing when stopped, even with shorter riders. If the rider picks the combination of accessories that he or she feels is best, then the bike would make for excellent and fun commuting. All in all, I was happy with this choice of motorcycles. The 2013 is a good candidate for a daily commuter, and can be a nice choice for a short day trip on weekends. Citizen Motorcyclist puts his Stamp of Approval on the 2013 Harley Davidson Sportster

Until next time,

Keep your rubber side down and your knees in the wind.