Honest Review Harley 1200T Sportster SuperLow
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- To Surpluzz you asked for the walk-around and you shall receive! Here is the honest review of the Harley 1200T SuperLow. Overall a great bike, but with the new Scout coming do you think Harley is going to have to make a change to a 30 year old formula? Comment below! I am hoping to get to ride the Scout in October and yes I will be filming!
My wife has the 2016 version of this bike. She is short and this has been the perfect bike for her with a few upgrades. Bags and windshield from the factory makes it a very useful bike.
Bought this bike in Dec as first Harley. Love it so far and this review is on the money.
Thanks Hedgehog.
That you for the feedback. I love the bike and it has not given me any sort of issues and I managed to put over 4000 miles on it within 6 months of ownership and I am still riding it in the winter right now and it is a nice bike to have.
@@RabidHedgehog You think that handles nice try an older Iron Head 1000cc Sportster with the same basic frame they used in dirt track and him climbing! I have 3 1000cc iron head Sportsters and 1 XL1200C and the 1200 is much heavier and more difficult to handle than the 1000cc Iron Heads! a night & day difference!
I am so thankful for this review. I will get my license tomorrow and did't want a sportster but did want a Harley. The super low has changed my mind and you have but me at ease. I will be test riding later this week and maybe even purchasing!
Sweet! She has been a great bike and had her for a year with no issues.
Im actual Harley owner owned several dont get discouraged your bike is indestructible yes repairs are often but parts and service is always going to be there most other models change every 3 years and are discontinued after 5 not an issue with sportster plus they go 100k without repairing 50k with heavy mods and hard riding try that on any other then ask for service after warranty expires
Man these are beautiful, my dream bike. Hopefully I’ll be buying one in 2 weeks!
If you use your trip counter for your gas gauge, you'll have a rough idea when it's getting to refueling time. Ride safe!
Great review! I just purchased a 15' 2 tone green 1200t and this review helped me make the decision. I immediately installed forward controls along with Vance and Hines twin slash slip ons and I love it!! Being a new rider and my first bike, I can highly recommend it... Next up will be some Love Jugs to keep the heat down...
Harley Dave There’s a 1200t superlow at the Harley place. Would it be a good first bike?
I found myself leaning my head at one point...haha...great review
+BlaineThePilot Problems with side mounting lol.
I've had mine for about a month. I love it almost as much as my wife. One thing I would appreciate is an overdrive 6th gear. I've been riding it to work though and it makes the commute much easier. When I'm sitting at stop lights that purring really soothes the soul.
Reba is my best friend for sure. In just a couple of months of ownership she has already crossed 3000 miles and I am looking forward to putting many more on her. There is something about the ability to work on the Evolution engine and getting that power out of it with the peace of mind that there are no plastic bits in the engine like the twin cam.
I really would like to see them add a 6th gear. At least on the 1200t.
Go down 2 teeth on the front sprocket and you won't notice the missing 6th gear.
@@LA-ff6zk Stupid, you add teeth to the front to make the gearing taller, so that it drops the rpms like a 6th gear would.
I have the same H-D Compact quick-release windshield on my 2005 XL883 Standard with mid-controls and it is the best windshield I've ever owned. I'm 5'6" and it tops out at the bottom of my chin, directing the wind over top of my helmet with no wind buffeting at all. Love it! With my mid-controls, I sit upright and that may have something to do with it. By the way, I have a herniated disc in my lower back which prevents me from riding forward controls. I can ride the mid-controls for hundreds of miles, day after day, with no problem at all. Forward controls limit me to 30 minutes and agony kicks in and I'm down for weeks.
If I rode more interstate, this 1200T would be my next bike to keep my XL883 company in the garage. Sportster have had the Evo engine since 1984 (I think) and they are pretty much bulletproof. If something does break or wear out, in most cases it is easy enough for a DIY guy or gal. Simple and reliable. Can't beat that.
I dig it, thanks for the look see. Love the color scheme. Ill have some vids coming soon, i'm just now getting all of my vlog components together. Super excited. Im gonna run a few tests and hit the road. Very cool ride man!
That was kind of the hardest thing to do for me was getting all the stuff together and choosing between things like cameras and mounts and microphones and such. I choose the Sony action cam series the ASV100 I think is the model number. But it is a splash proof camera out of the box unlike the GoPro series. Also I liked the remote that Sony has because it shows what the camera is looking at and straps onto my wrist like a watch. But I tested for weeks and I still have a long way to go, but it is fun to do and I will look for your videos as they come!
Right on man. If everything goes as planned, I will have one up this weekend.
thanks for the honest review...i've been researching the shift from an 883l to 1200t...only thing i'm worried about is not finding any difference. i went on a test ride but an hour won't just give the best idea...
I bought it in 2019. still have it today. All good but only one big issue need to be mentioned, she is extremely low 95mm height. Harley should made it higher like 140mm it could be perfect. I'm 5f6.
The back suspension 11 inches need to be adjusted +3 complete turns minimum to stop it from jumping you around every time you hit a small bump . If you ride it 2 up, then forget Harley chart just spin the suspension knob all the way to the maximum. They should made it with 3 adjustment only, low, medium and high.
If you think increasing the height of the bike by increasing the rear suspension to 13 inch it will lift rear of the bike however the front will remain unchanged, this will cause shift in weight to the front of the bike and alter the bike geometry, it is feasible but you need to get use to it.
The front wind protection it create a lot of buffeting at highway speed around +100kmh, so bad that my visor start to vibrate.
The engine is plenty of power for all, at highway it runs 3600rpm for 120kmh, the engine sweet spot is around 3400rpm.
Thanks for the review! I was deciding to buy this one or the HD Superlow, now with the good review I'm good to go lol.
Had her a year now and I'm still in love. I'll give her a good bath as she's been mostly in the rain so she can finally enjoy good weather. I hope you enjoy it when you get it! I do recommend changing out the stock exhaust and cleaner for more free flow and either buy Vance and Hines fuel pak or have HD flash the ecu when you do it. Harley turns them way lean at the factory and even just the pipes will make it fuss.
I'm late viewing and responding but great content! Great = helpful, not full of fluff, objective and shot well via your camera. I'm trying to decide between an older Road King with 30K - 40K miles or a newer 2014 -2015 1200T w/ only 10K miles... repair bills are extremely high nowadays...Ride safe & thx.
Thanks for the support! Things have changed a bit on this channel in five years. This is a very early video.
after a couple good rides you can come ith average mpg so resetting trip meter each time you do a refuel is quite reliable , I fill up each time I figgure milage equates to about 1/2 to 3/4 tank used
Hello Rabid Hedgehog, greetings from Greece.After doing a research on bike reviews I came across ur channel and vids and I'm very glad I did cause they were very helpful and enjoyable.I'm thinking of buying my first cruiser and after a long research I'm between 3 bikes, Kawasaki Vulcan s 650 @8k euro, Triumph Speedmaster @14.7k euro and Harley Davidson XL1200T Superlow @13.7k euro.Although the Kawasaki is the best value for money bike imo, its the last on my list cause if ima go, I better go big and also because I'm more of a vintage bike type rider.As for the Triumph Speedmaster, its a very good, beautiful and comfortable bike.The only things I don't like about it is that round half moon shaped handle bar which somehow is very difficult on my wrists while taking close turns, the front suspension bars with that rubber cover look really cheap for a very expensive bike and last but not least I don't think it has soul.Don't get me wrong, its an amazing bike and a huge brand worldwide but imo if I'd buy a triumph I'd buy a boneville t120 which is an iconic model of that brand.But I'm looking for a cruiser and speaking of that lets go to the HD XL1200T Superlow.Unfortunately I can't afford a slim softail as their price starts @21k euro and I don't buy 2nd hand bikes but even if I did they re not handy when it comes to traffic in the city of Athens.The pros are that its in the range of money I can spend on a bike atm, its vintage/old type looking- my type that is-, its slim enough for moving between cars during rush hours, flickable, fast enough, strong, great torque (gives a kick in the n@ts), sounds great (after changing stock exhaust), beautiful imo( love the chrome and that windshield), I can customize it af, great after buy support, low gas consumption, its a cruiser/touring bike and with all these touring upgrades I can use it for small 2-3 hr trips away from the city on my weekends and last but not least its a bike with the biggest brand name on it and prolly the most wanted bike worldwide ;)
Cons: I'm 6'4 (1.93m) and I'm worried I'm too tall for this bike, well I'm too tall for almost 90% of the bikes out there but idc, after riding one with the pegs in normal position I found it very uncomfortable for both braking and shifting gears.Had to bend my knees a lot but I have high hopes that if I move the pegs front and with the proper adjustments it will become comfortable.Unfortunately the dealer doesnt't have any 1200T with far position pegs I can use atm.Then its the fact that its air cooled and I'm worried about overheating while stuck in traffic.Also I havent heard the best about the suspensions and the vibrations from the engine.Also its 5 gear, wondering if I ll be looking for that 6th gear on the highway.
I know I sound biased towards the 1200T and prolly made up my mind already but I value ur opinion as a fellow biker and owner of that specific bike so whenever u have time share with me ur thoughts please.Thanks in advance.
The air cooled engine on the 1200T is only an issue if you have long standing periods in traffic at higher temps, but if are able to move around in any way it should stay okay for the duration of your ride. This engine never over heated on me like my 883 did so that could be another advantage on the head design of the 1200. You do hunt for 6th gear for sure though as it does need that cruising gear, but even then when going 70-75MPH you still get 52 or so to the Gallon US. Vibrations are something that really happens more at low speeds on this bike and start to drop off at the highway speeds and long rides. Sometimes you get a bit of the pins and needles feeling when you ride it straight for a full fuel tank, but it is not as bad as some bikes I have been on. I do agree that Triumph makes a great bike and the Speedmaster might just be a handlebar change away from a great cruiser for you as I agree the style of handlebars are not really that comfortable when you are taller ad they kind of feel shoved back too far to you and your wrists are at an strange angle. No the surprising thing about the Vulcan S with its 650 engine it is much faster than its displacement lets on. It also has the ergo fit so they can make some combos that might work great for you. And trust me that Vulcan will out run the 1200T, and really almost any bike on this list as it does punch much higher than its class. I would say ride them first if you can and you will be surprised. The Vulcan is comfy as well and to me just as comfortable as the 1200T. Hope this helps.
I seem to recall in another vid you said you were 6' or so. I'm surprised you found that comfortable. I'm only 5'7" and I felt scrunched on it. Seat seemed to push me into the tank and pegs/bars too far back. I like the layout of the 1200 Custom much better. Wish it came with a nice two person saddle, sporty wheels, bags, and windscreen like this one. My immediate reaction sitting on this was that it was made for a woman about 5' tall.
I'm weird like that. I sometimes like the smaller more tucked in sportier feel than the stretched out feel like the Fat Bob.
Thanks for this review, really 👍
Nice review. Thanks.
Thank you for the support!
Great review and great quality video RH. Greeting from the Harz Mountains Germany
simon fuller Greetings from Oklahoma! Are you considering a Harley out there in Germany? I would love to carve up the mountain roads on any bike really.
***** Morning from the Harz RH. I've recently sold my 2012 Electra Glide Standard only because like a lot of German houses, my garage is under the house (connected to the cellar), the drive is steep and I live on a bloody big hill. 438 kgs is no fun backwards down a slope and having to manouvre the bike in the garage (it was designed in the 60's to take a VW Beetle and nothing bigger) when I went in forwards was a bloody nightmare ! Currently bombing about on a 2015 VFR Honda 800 which is a great piece of kit but seriously considering the 1200T to put in my garage as well. The Harz is a bikers playground RH, get over here !
This is the only "big" Harley I would own. I don't like the Big Twins. I love my XL883 but it is short winded on the interstate with its lower gearing. This XL1200T is the perfect "Mini-Bagger" for me. It's a shame they dropped it in 2020.
Excellent review HedgeHog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
looked at one yesterday for my son, they are very nice for the money...
They are a great bike to go with as everything is already added to it. Best of luck!
i had a1200 06...added wide fat touring seat and aftermarket heavy duty rear shocks...still tore my back up at 5 11 230lbs..these any better with riding comfort>
just buy an 883 and get a head kit to make it a 1200. you'll save tons on insurance cause it will be classified as an 883.
That is a way to do it. This also saves on the price of new bikes as you can get the 883 and go up to 1200 for a few hundred less than buying the 1200 out right.
***** now we're talking. Hah
+Rabid Hedgehog great review on the sporty though. I'm actually thinking of getting one soon.
Nice advice.
oh you outlaw
Great review!....great bike. Does the windshield also block the wind for the passenger? Thank you.
+Kyle Scott I asked my wife and she advised that since there was no back rest on this model she was blocked from wind by me mostly. So I cannot give an accurate conclusion if it worked or not.
How's the u-turn on the sportster superlow? :) Can it also u-turn within 2 car parking spaces or not?
I'm thinking about getting one of these and your review is great - question: is the windshield high enough, do you get buffeting?
It was pretty decent and just about the right height. I did not personally experience buffet, but I know folks at 6 feet 2 were running into it here and there.
Thanks for the reply - I feel it would be best for me to take a test ride and see - maybe get a new windshield if needed. thx.@@RabidHedgehog
Nice 👍
Nice review man! As a new rider (taking BRC next month) what is the difference between the Street 500 VS superlow VS 883 for someone who knows nothing about the harley brand in your opinion?
Street 500 is smaller and less powerful weighing in at 489 Lbs. It has a smaller frame and is more narrow as well. seat is generally more comfortable as well and more nimble all together. The 883 is heavier, more powerful, longer, and wider. It does not have the turn angles of the Street and it is also air cooled vs. liquid cooled. It is going to vibrate a ton more than the street as well. Both bikes are a decent buy. I have had both types of Sporty, the 883 and the 1200, and they were great and never let me down. I also had the Street 750 and it was a great little bike as well. I would say this, if you live in an area that sees frequent 100+ degree days and you're stuck in the heat and traffic frequently, the Street is the way to go. The 750 version is for a fact more powerful than the 883. But the 500 provides good enough power for commuting as well and can hold highway speeds if needed. I recommend test riding both of them.
Wow !! Must have hit 45mph down that one straight !! Light that sucker !! Make it run dude !!
+grabir01 If I had her still. I tend to not put that up though. Some Police will be hunting Hedgehog if I did.
***** Wow !! You must live in a Police state !! At least where I live, we have 65-75mph speed limits in some places..
is the 'new rear suspension' as good or better than after market shocks...especially air schocks
I honestly don't mind Showa's emulsion tech used on this bike. And I believe they do better than any other Sporty with the exception of the Roadster, then again they use the same tech longer travel too.
Good video 🤟
What is the fuel range on a tank? Also how do you feel the bike would be for two up with me at 5"9" and the wife at 5'4", total weight around 430 lbs for both? We currently ride two up all the time on my 2012 Shadow Aero (20K miles so far and my primary transportation). Only real issue with the Shadow is the cramped leg space for the passenger. The Mustang seat takes care of the bottom, but knees get achy even for 20 somethings on the back.
Was thinking road sofa, but like the tighter handling (and less cost even tricked out) of something like the 1200T. Passenger comfort and fuel range will be the deciding factor though.
This bike would be a really good fit for you and will handle the weight nicely. The power is more than adequate and the comfort is good as well on long hauls. The tank range was roughly 120 in the city and 160 mixed. With a max (only by way of MPG math and what was remaining in tank) of 200 on highway only. I would not test the full max cause I am not sure where the usability ends in the tank, but when I did the 183 mile fill up I put in like 3.8 gallons of 4.5. so I would not have tried to push more.
+Rabid Hedgehog Thanks for the quick response. Tossing around the idea of the Super Low or the Custom and haven't been sure about fit. The nearest dealer is about 3 hours away, but since we're heading that way this weekend we hope to check out how both fit. Looking like the SuperLow 1200T with a passenger rest added might fit the bill. Thanks again.
You forgot to note the changes HD made with the transmission in 2004. :P
There was another transmission change in 2006. The gears went from straight-cut to helical for noise reduction and smoother shifting. My personal experience is the shifting feels exactly the same but the mechanical noise is greatly reduced. I've never missed a shift on either.
Cool! Thanks.
You're welcome!
Hi. Please can You help me to choose. I’m 5’ 9 . Which would be best: 1200 t superlow or softail slim?
Thanks
So a Softail slim it depends on generation. The older are heavier and come with the larger primary off the left side. May make shorter legs have an issue reaching the ground on both aides, something the Sportster will not have or newer Slim. I would recommend sitting on each one rocking it back and forth for about fifteen minutes to feel it out and the weights. This will also help you feel the seat and comfort as well. If you can ride it ride it too. Both would work and it would fall to preference and ride type. Lazy slow cruising around city hopping and such a Slim is perfect for it. This Sporty actually has some good long range chops and has bags and good suspension pre-installed.
Rabid Hedgehog thanks a lot for reply.
Rabid Hedgehog I just want more relaxing riding position to ride in city and highway than on my naked Ducati monster. I think maybe even 1200t superlow will be best .
On it for two hours? How the hell did you do that? Inflight re fueling? :)
crewgadjy it's got a 4.5 gallon fuel tank it'll get up to 170 on a tank, it's possible.
Jesus, doin well to get 140 outta mine.
crewgadjy stock or stage 1? Stock runs so lean it's possible.
Rabid- what do you think of the vibration level on sportsters? Thanks, Jim.
Sorry for the late reply but I own a 08 sportster 1200c and the vibration isnt all that bad as everyone says. Maybe its just me but try one yourself. When you do get going tho its just completely smooth.
Yeah this got buried up and I apologize as well. The Sporty can be bad to some but an experience of soul to others. This one has thicker bar bushings and thickened rubber pads on the foot pegs that help alleviate it more.
I'm approved just need to pick up my 1200T but my wife is really against it.
Cortez Barnes noooooo! She needs to ride one and get the experience first and then it might change her mind!
WHat about a shot gun holder on your bike ? Something like Arnold has on his Harely in the movie Terminator in whch holds his shotgun ?
White Rabbitt look better on a Slim S
In terminator he rode a fat boy
None of my bikes have fuel gauges (BMW and Bonneville). Fortunately they got trip computers so I can just watch that :-D
I would prefer the gauges over the lights any day or trip computers because I do want to know consumption amount, mostly because I do not control my right wrist sometimes and a usually tame 45 MPG becomes 32 that throws some of those calculations off :)
*****
Haha, there is THAT :-D
I have bike bike up for sale. Thinking a 1200 is just what I need to try.
+Chris Shockley 1200 EVO is a solid engine and if you do try one and think the power is off, trust me, there are many ways to make that thing a screaming menace to society in no time and on the cheap.
How tall are you?
Around 6 foot tall
Hi Rabid, what is the top speed of this bike?
115 MPH
@@RabidHedgehog still pulling, but on the 6000RPM redline in high gear.
Indian Scout for me....Allday
leibstandarte1stSS I admit that they are great bikes. I am hoping with the Street Harley will kind of do the same thing Polaris did and make a decent mid-sized cruiser that is liquid cooled. The only thing is the Street was either really rushed or they did not care and it was kind of cheaply made and put together. Unlike Polaris, who managed to put together a fine machine for its first year run. I have thoughts of getting one.
IMHO, this bike is still the same ol 'old technology' bike. Nothing new or exacting. No 6th gear or Overdrive in the Transmission.
Made a video about discussing what Harley could do to make the Sportster a more exciting bike and I would love to see your input!
Good leave them alone if you want something different go buy something else
Sportsters with bags n windsheilds are odd
OK, as I mentioned I just bought a 2015 HD Super Low 1200T. Can't remember if I left a link to photos of it so I will again, haha.
lather2002.livejournal.com/tag/2015%20hd%20super%20low%201200t
Questions ... I noticed even when my FOB is in my house I notice that the red light on the speedo blinks every now and then still (draining the battery ?). Also if I let the bike sit several days without rding it the battery goes almost dead, just barely being able to start (the girl I bought it from put in a new nattery about a month ago. SHe showed me the invoice for such). Once I rode it around for about an hour or more the battery was once again strong. I since have connected a battery tender when left parked (have not tried to sart it since I did that yet). But I am concerned if I go on a long road trip without being able to plug in a battery tender that I may end up with a dead battery. Is there any way to get the bike to shut off completely ?
The security system is always searching for the Fob and if it does sit around two weeks it could deplete the bikes battery. They recommend a tender for these bikes for sure.
Thanks for the info. Yesterday while riding the HD I noticed a yellow idiot light in the middle of the Speedo while riding back home. *Could not figure out what it was about. About a couple of miles from my home when I throttled the motor it would start to hesitate and then all of a sudden surge. "WTF" I thought, sigh. But when I got home and parked the bike I got the owner's manual and found out it is the "Low Fuel" idiot light", haha. Now I am wondering if I will have enough fuel to make it to a gas station before it runs out of fuel completely, haha. mmm ... SHould I chance it or go and get a can of gas ...
*Why one should read the owner''s manual before enjpying a motorcycle, haha
At least I hope that is the reason the motor was acting the way it was ...
Yep, after I filled the gas tank up it ran once again fine, haha Glad I caught it in time. Iw would have been a bitch to run out of gas on the road.
this or m109r 🤔🤔🤔
M109R!
@@RabidHedgehog im worried about all the transmission issues theyve had.
+Nick Rodgers. My 2014 Sportster 48 has just under 30,000 miles. No transmission trouble.
im soooo jealous of you man xddd
883 not good for kidney stones then.?!!!
Well they named it the Iron 883 because it irons out those pesky disks in your back and pulverizes the kidney stones so.... I would say it would be great if you want to get rid of them at the cost of being a few inches shorter.
YOUR SQUIDING
Ish. Helmet, boots, long pants, gloves... just no jacket. I understand the risk when I do it.
***** As long as people know what the risk is before they do something im cool with it
the bike is nice looking but in person this bike looks to be made for chicks and short dudes.
Cannot argue there as it is a compact bike for sure. I do enjoy the fact that I can grip the tank easily with my knees to drop that thing into corners that give the lean angle stops a good scrape, but yeah it is compact for real. I recently rode a Triumph America LT that pointed that out to me in a hurray.
***** Agree.. I test rode one, I can sure say I was happy when I rode out of the HD dealership on my America that i had purchased the right bike, like I said... The America is value for ya buck... Thousands cheaper in OZ! :)
pretty sure last of the evo was 03
Sportster Evos were in production until this year. Remains to be seen if they will have one more year or not after this.