I bought my Iron 1200 in September, and I’ve put nearly 1500 miles on it. It’s a “daily driver” for me, and has been a great bike. I never run out of power and torque on the highway, and I’m typically in 80 mph traffic.
I’ve had my 2020 Iron 1200 for a year and a half. 12k miles I’ve put on it. Ride it to work whenever the weather is nice here in Kansas City. Love it. No issues at 70 in 5th gear, plenty of juice to accelerate to 90 even in 5th. Love the thing.
Just bought this exact bike, I graduated my msf class and got my license less than a week ago. Test rode this and it seems perfect to learn on and you can build it however you want
I never owned a Sportster, any HD for that matter. Up until about a month ago when I picked up 2019 Iron 1200 with 600 miles on a clock. And I can tell you with utmost certainty. It has more power than 90% of boi-ricers out there will be able to handle. It has torque everywhere. I can ride in 3rd from 0 to 70 no problem. It's fairly comfortable and sounds pretty good. Suspension sucks to be fair. But you will be very hard pressed to get something compatible for under $10K. I like it so far. It's a lot of fun.
@@NigelMaximus8652 I did, but "only" $200. Not a huge improvement IMO. That's not to say that Rebel owners don't do the same. Stock suspension will suck no matter what you buy with exception of few very expensive Europeans and top of the line Jap crotch rockets.
Great video man, I’ve had sport bikes, cruisers, super motos, and I’m 99% sure I’m about to buy a iron 1200. I test ride one, and id say it’s an excellent combination of sport and cruise. Where my super Moto was lacking in comfort, the sportster is much more comfortable riding position. Where my super glide could cruise all day long, it was a bit of chore in diverse terrain around town due to the weight. In my eyes it’s a baby dyna. Nimble handling, much lighter, but with modifications a formidable cruising machine.
Correction the Evo engine did not begin production in the sportster until 1986 when it replaced the ironhead but otherwise your correct.. over 30 years of refinement and virtually bullet proof. It’s a phenomenal engine and is capable of producing well over 120+ HP which kits and head work from 3rd party companies like Hammer Performance
I have a 2020 Iron. I don't have any problems getting up to highway speed here in Texas. Like you mentioned the highway speeds are quite high here in Texas. I absolutely love my 1200 Iron. I'm almost 61 years old and I can handle it very well.
I think that the sportster is the best looking model. I have been looking at H.D. and i would like a bigger bike, but i just love the looks of the sportster!
My second bike was a 1977 Sportster 1100 in 1977. I now own a 2018 Iron 1200. I also have a 2017 Street Glide. I ride my Sportster a lot more then my Street Glide. It is a cruiser, not a sport bike but it is like your favorite pair of jeans. Fits me the way I want.
He'll yea man!I chose the HD iron 1200 sporster (2020) for my first bike and I absolutely love it. I really didn't ride it that much the past year but now, I'm really starting to write it more often than my car. I did feel a little embarrassed that it was considered a girl's bike and I also ride with full gear (full face helmet, gloves, pants and armored shirts/jackets) so when others pass by or Ride Along me on faster bikes and wearing only shorts and tank tops I did let it get Tumi made me feel discouraged from getting on it. Nowadays I do not care about my image so when either a male or female sees me on the road that doesn't wear helmets jackets and pants and all that, it doesn't bother me anymore LOL. We all have our preferences and mine is I like my skin and bones just in case that Dreadful day comes which I will vigilantly try my best to avoid it. Good video btw.
Don’t let that shit get to you at all! I ride with jeans, Cuts and a very good helmet, but whenever I see someone with full gear I tell myself that I need to get more gear. Couple of my buddies ride Road Glides and they are in a MC and they told me to start off on a sportster 1200. I don’t know who said it’s a girl bike. The bike is amazing
A 1200 sporty is not a girl bike bro a 1200 sporty with a tune pipes and performance air cleaner will smoke the dog shit out of those bigger bikes that's something older men came up with because they have to have a recliner seat to ride 50 miles without feeling like their back is breaking
My brother has a 2015 Road Glide Special with a 103 HO V-Twin. It weighs 815 lbs dry. It puts out 73hp according to the specs. I have a 2014 Sportster Custom with a full Stage 1 kit. I’m told that I’m around 75 hp. My bike weighs 545 lbs dry. The power to weight ratio is much better on my bike. But his bike cruises with less rpm’s at speed than mine does. I have a 5 speed, he has a 6 speed. Gear ratios are different. If the Sportster could cruise at 70mph with the same rpm’s, then it might not be so bad on the Highway. They are 2 different bikes, meant for different riding styles. My bike was made in Kansas City, his bike was made in York, PA. Both bikes are real Harley Davidsons. All of the big cruiser bikes owe a lot to the most popular bike ever made. The Sportster kept the cash flowing for HD. I couldn’t be happier with my bike. It does what it was meant to do. Hard to argue with that. Ride on bud!
Nothing wrong with a sportster they are bikes you can get for cheap, they are reliable, and have so much aftermarket support. People that call it a girl bike probably have never ridden a motorcycle.
Fantastic video! Thank you. Memphis Shades Gauntlet fairing plus a Laminar Lip was a game changer. I'm learning more about moto suspensions and I know that upgrade will be worth it when it happens.
I love my Iron 1200, its my first bike and it's been a blast riding her around even to work. It's always the big guys with baggers that like to clown on sportsters, but as a 5'8" 150lbs kid, this bike is phenomenal, comfy with the forward controls, nimble as hell and you probably wouldn't want to ask more out of a bike unless you're looking into higher numbers. I don't see myself moving away from her for a good ass while.
I went from my 48 to my 114 street bob. For sure a good starter, hence girls bike, but I know women that ride 114 sooo. But I did struggle to take long rides on my 48, which was a huge upgrade. Good video
I think alot of the people that try to turn others away from the sportster is from their own experience of growth. Yes the majority of new riders will in a given amount of time outgrow the sportster due to many reasons. A small percentage are only trying to represent the culture in a false way driven by their own ego too. As a person who grew up around old bikers which some were part of certain MC’s as well; most older tough looking bikers that modern riders try to resemble actually owned sportsters as well as bigger bikes proudly. They lived by the mentality of it’s not what bike you rode, but the reason and pride in why you ride.
The sportster is the original harley davidison, anyone saying a sportster isn't a real harley is riding less of a harley then a sportster rider, literally the sportsers made harley and were their main bike for a long time, the first baggers used the same motors as the sportys, the sportsters got some fairings and served in wars, like I love all bikes especially Harleys and my dream bike is a dyna low rider S however I'm not a dentist or a lawyer so I will most likely be getting another sportster (my first one got totaled after being hit by a truck) I had a seventy two but the iron 883 was the look I wanted. The iron 1200 is exactly what several harley fans have wanted for decades, glad they did it and sad that the og sportys got killed off right after this bike came to be
Ik this is sn old video but i have a 2021 1200 and i want to know when sm i supposed to shift? I always shift it like a car i dont like going above 3k rpm but i read thats not right, but when i ride at 3100-3400 in 4th and 5th and 3100 in 1-3rd the bike feels like its not supposed to he revved that high.
The “Buy a real Harley” quote started out as a way to convince customers to “upgrade” their bikes. People started to believe it and then everyone started thinking all that B$&@T. Sportsters are really fun to ride (short and longer rides). People just wanna ride “comfortably” these days. In that case, just drive a car. If you own a bigger Harley, kudos, but everyone should respect other bikers regardless of what they ride. The feeling of the wind on your face/body is amazing. I think a bike is a bike regardless of its size or brand. I love Harleys in general, but almost any bike will really get you from point A to B.
I've only just started researching on the iron1200... as initially i wanted to buy a new streetbob or low rider s.... but am thinking of buying my mate's iron1200 instead (only been riding for 6 months). Just looking at numbers on paper... it does seem underpowered.
Good luck on this channel. New Sub 🤙🏼. Smart way to salvage footage. I loved my Sportster but it was an 883. I definitely needed to upgrade. While it held its own, I live in Lancaster CA and the winds can push you around at highway speeds. Not the case now with my FXBB.
Great video and review. I’m looking to pick up a 2nd bike and the Iron 1200 is on my short list. I would like to get a low mileage used one. Too bad it looks like Harley-Davidson is changing the Sportster models to do away with this motor and going to the Evolution Max motor. Probably EPA and emissions related.
Great video bro i own a 2019 iron 1200 love this bike i kind of wish it had a 6th gear but like you said it has the power with five. I will be upgrading to a batwing fairing for more wind protection but i love my 1200
The only complaint about this bike is the rear suspension. Not everybody likes apple or samsung, it's all personal opinion. As long you ride in two wheel that's all it matter.
I'd say sportsters are more manly and more of a "real" Harley than the big boys. Bare bones bikes are more manly than bikes with all the accessories. Also, Sporstersters look more like the original bikes.
I can't stand the "it's a girl's bike" and the "get a really harley" like if girl's like it than that makes it cool. And as if harley doesn't actually make the sportster. And those dudes aren't really harkey dudes. If they were they would know its the longest running motorcycle model harley makes so it actually has more heritage than any other Harleys being made today hahah
1. If Harley makes it, and their name is on it, that would make it a Harley in my book. 2. What is a girls bike? A Harley Softail Delux - Heritage - touring bike that weighs 850 pounds is a girls bike. Girls are Prime Ministers of Nations. Some have been let out of prison and drive 18 wheelers and deliver weapons systems for the US Military. I never did get the whole "girls bike" thing.
Has 2 wheels, 1200cc engine, looks cool as fuck, mine can go at 90 comfortably (in UK) keep up? you yanks with your 50mph speed limits make me laugh. If you need tourer, buy a tourer. Even mentioning "girls bike" is stupid.........I know girls that ride race prepared bikes. Sorry but ignore that crap, it's childish. I guess big is still better in USA if a bike is judged on it's weight.
I bought my Iron 1200 in September, and I’ve put nearly 1500 miles on it. It’s a “daily driver” for me, and has been a great bike. I never run out of power and torque on the highway, and I’m typically in 80 mph traffic.
I’ve had my 2020 Iron 1200 for a year and a half. 12k miles I’ve put on it. Ride it to work whenever the weather is nice here in Kansas City. Love it. No issues at 70 in 5th gear, plenty of juice to accelerate to 90 even in 5th. Love the thing.
Just bought this exact bike, I graduated my msf class and got my license less than a week ago. Test rode this and it seems perfect to learn on and you can build it however you want
I never owned a Sportster, any HD for that matter. Up until about a month ago when I picked up 2019 Iron 1200 with 600 miles on a clock. And I can tell you with utmost certainty. It has more power than 90% of boi-ricers out there will be able to handle. It has torque everywhere. I can ride in 3rd from 0 to 70 no problem. It's fairly comfortable and sounds pretty good. Suspension sucks to be fair. But you will be very hard pressed to get something compatible for under $10K. I like it so far. It's a lot of fun.
Just invest in a rear suspension eg Progressive 412, for $300? The bike will turn into a unicorn
@@NigelMaximus8652 I did, but "only" $200. Not a huge improvement IMO. That's not to say that Rebel owners don't do the same. Stock suspension will suck no matter what you buy with exception of few very expensive Europeans and top of the line Jap crotch rockets.
Great video man, I’ve had sport bikes, cruisers, super motos, and I’m 99% sure I’m about to buy a iron 1200.
I test ride one, and id say it’s an excellent combination of sport and cruise. Where my super Moto was lacking in comfort, the sportster is much more comfortable riding position. Where my super glide could cruise all day long, it was a bit of chore in diverse terrain around town due to the weight. In my eyes it’s a baby dyna. Nimble handling, much lighter, but with modifications a formidable cruising machine.
Nice video. I’m 6’0. 200lbs and i test drove an iron 1200 and I almost feel back from how much power it has.
Correction the Evo engine did not begin production in the sportster until 1986 when it replaced the ironhead but otherwise your correct.. over 30 years of refinement and virtually bullet proof. It’s a phenomenal engine and is capable of producing well over 120+ HP which kits and head work from 3rd party companies like Hammer Performance
I have a 2020 Iron. I don't have any problems getting up to highway speed here in Texas. Like you mentioned the highway speeds are quite high here in Texas. I absolutely love my 1200 Iron. I'm almost 61 years old and I can handle it very well.
I think that the sportster is the best looking model. I have been looking at H.D. and i would like a bigger bike, but i just love the looks of the sportster!
My second bike was a 1977 Sportster 1100 in 1977. I now own a 2018 Iron 1200. I also have a 2017 Street Glide. I ride my Sportster a lot more then my Street Glide. It is a cruiser, not a sport bike but it is like your favorite pair of jeans. Fits me the way I want.
He'll yea man!I chose the HD iron 1200 sporster (2020) for my first bike and I absolutely love it. I really didn't ride it that much the past year but now, I'm really starting to write it more often than my car. I did feel a little embarrassed that it was considered a girl's bike and I also ride with full gear (full face helmet, gloves, pants and armored shirts/jackets) so when others pass by or Ride Along me on faster bikes and wearing only shorts and tank tops I did let it get Tumi made me feel discouraged from getting on it. Nowadays I do not care about my image so when either a male or female sees me on the road that doesn't wear helmets jackets and pants and all that, it doesn't bother me anymore LOL. We all have our preferences and mine is I like my skin and bones just in case that Dreadful day comes which I will vigilantly try my best to avoid it. Good video btw.
Don’t let that shit get to you at all! I ride with jeans, Cuts and a very good helmet, but whenever I see someone with full gear I tell myself that I need to get more gear. Couple of my buddies ride Road Glides and they are in a MC and they told me to start off on a sportster 1200. I don’t know who said it’s a girl bike. The bike is amazing
A 1200 sporty is not a girl bike bro a 1200 sporty with a tune pipes and performance air cleaner will smoke the dog shit out of those bigger bikes that's something older men came up with because they have to have a recliner seat to ride 50 miles without feeling like their back is breaking
My brother has a 2015 Road Glide Special with a 103 HO V-Twin. It weighs 815 lbs dry. It puts out 73hp according to the specs. I have a 2014 Sportster Custom with a full Stage 1 kit. I’m told that I’m around 75 hp. My bike weighs 545 lbs dry. The power to weight ratio is much better on my bike. But his bike cruises with less rpm’s at speed than mine does. I have a 5 speed, he has a 6 speed. Gear ratios are different. If the Sportster could cruise at 70mph with the same rpm’s, then it might not be so bad on the Highway. They are 2 different bikes, meant for different riding styles. My bike was made in Kansas City, his bike was made in York, PA. Both bikes are real Harley Davidsons. All of the big cruiser bikes owe a lot to the most popular bike ever made. The Sportster kept the cash flowing for HD. I couldn’t be happier with my bike. It does what it was meant to do. Hard to argue with that. Ride on bud!
Nothing wrong with a sportster they are bikes you can get for cheap, they are reliable, and have so much aftermarket support. People that call it a girl bike probably have never ridden a motorcycle.
Fantastic video! Thank you. Memphis Shades Gauntlet fairing plus a Laminar Lip was a game changer. I'm learning more about moto suspensions and I know that upgrade will be worth it when it happens.
The Evo has been around since 1985,not 1957,although the Sportster came into production in 1957 with the iron head.
I love my Iron 1200, its my first bike and it's been a blast riding her around even to work. It's always the big guys with baggers that like to clown on sportsters, but as a 5'8" 150lbs kid, this bike is phenomenal, comfy with the forward controls, nimble as hell and you probably wouldn't want to ask more out of a bike unless you're looking into higher numbers. I don't see myself moving away from her for a good ass while.
I went from my 48 to my 114 street bob. For sure a good starter, hence girls bike, but I know women that ride 114 sooo. But I did struggle to take long rides on my 48, which was a huge upgrade. Good video
I rode mine from Michigan to California. Did the state of Utah at 100mph.
I think alot of the people that try to turn others away from the sportster is from their own experience of growth. Yes the majority of new riders will in a given amount of time outgrow the sportster due to many reasons. A small percentage are only trying to represent the culture in a false way driven by their own ego too. As a person who grew up around old bikers which some were part of certain MC’s as well; most older tough looking bikers that modern riders try to resemble actually owned sportsters as well as bigger bikes proudly. They lived by the mentality of it’s not what bike you rode, but the reason and pride in why you ride.
The sportster is the original harley davidison, anyone saying a sportster isn't a real harley is riding less of a harley then a sportster rider, literally the sportsers made harley and were their main bike for a long time, the first baggers used the same motors as the sportys, the sportsters got some fairings and served in wars, like I love all bikes especially Harleys and my dream bike is a dyna low rider S however I'm not a dentist or a lawyer so I will most likely be getting another sportster (my first one got totaled after being hit by a truck) I had a seventy two but the iron 883 was the look I wanted. The iron 1200 is exactly what several harley fans have wanted for decades, glad they did it and sad that the og sportys got killed off right after this bike came to be
Ik this is sn old video but i have a 2021 1200 and i want to know when sm i supposed to shift? I always shift it like a car i dont like going above 3k rpm but i read thats not right, but when i ride at 3100-3400 in 4th and 5th and 3100 in 1-3rd the bike feels like its not supposed to he revved that high.
The “Buy a real Harley” quote started out as a way to convince customers to “upgrade” their bikes. People started to believe it and then everyone started thinking all that B$&@T. Sportsters are really fun to ride (short and longer rides). People just wanna ride “comfortably” these days. In that case, just drive a car. If you own a bigger Harley, kudos, but everyone should respect other bikers regardless of what they ride.
The feeling of the wind on your face/body is amazing. I think a bike is a bike regardless of its size or brand. I love Harleys in general, but almost any bike will really get you from point A to B.
I've only just started researching on the iron1200... as initially i wanted to buy a new streetbob or low rider s.... but am thinking of buying my mate's iron1200 instead (only been riding for 6 months).
Just looking at numbers on paper... it does seem underpowered.
Great video. Keep making more videos. I really enjoyed your video.
Good luck on this channel. New Sub 🤙🏼. Smart way to salvage footage. I loved my Sportster but it was an 883. I definitely needed to upgrade. While it held its own, I live in Lancaster CA and the winds can push you around at highway speeds. Not the case now with my FXBB.
Great video and review. I’m looking to pick up a 2nd bike and the Iron 1200 is on my short list. I would like to get a low mileage used one. Too bad it looks like Harley-Davidson is changing the Sportster models to do away with this motor and going to the Evolution Max motor. Probably EPA and emissions related.
Great video bro i own a 2019 iron 1200 love this bike i kind of wish it had a 6th gear but like you said it has the power with five. I will be upgrading to a batwing fairing for more wind protection but i love my 1200
The only complaint about this bike is the rear suspension. Not everybody likes apple or samsung, it's all personal opinion. As long you ride in two wheel that's all it matter.
Got the 1200c get the bigger gas tank for riding all day and the torque is adddicting
Hey man I'm heading to Texas for the summer and run the same bike. Any tips on running a sportster in hotter weather
The 883 struggles but the 1200 can do the highway easily.
Great opinion I agree with everything u said to each there own!
What do you guys think about the seat getting hot on long rides about an 45 min to an hour is there a way to fix that problem?
The Sportster is probably the most dependable bike Harley ever built
Your beautiful Harley-Davidson is the best.😀
Great video. Great logic.
Hell na I rode one for years before low rider and I fuckin loved that bike. Sketchy on the highway but so fun otherwise
The sportster was first made in 1957 and hasn't changed much. so how isn't it a real harley?
1000 miles? Thats one weekend.
I'd say sportsters are more manly and more of a "real" Harley than the big boys. Bare bones bikes are more manly than bikes with all the accessories. Also, Sporstersters look more like the original bikes.
I can't stand the "it's a girl's bike" and the "get a really harley" like if girl's like it than that makes it cool. And as if harley doesn't actually make the sportster. And those dudes aren't really harkey dudes. If they were they would know its the longest running motorcycle model harley makes so it actually has more heritage than any other Harleys being made today hahah
1. If Harley makes it, and their name is on it, that would make it a Harley in my book. 2. What is a girls bike? A Harley Softail Delux - Heritage - touring bike that weighs 850 pounds is a girls bike. Girls are Prime Ministers of Nations. Some have been let out of prison and drive 18 wheelers and deliver weapons systems for the US Military. I never did get the whole "girls bike" thing.
My man posts a video on UA-cam and thinks audio quality is more important.
If they call sportsters girl bikes that mean so are road kings and fatboys since you see girls on them to
Has 2 wheels, 1200cc engine, looks cool as fuck, mine can go at 90 comfortably (in UK) keep up? you yanks with your 50mph speed limits make me laugh. If you need tourer, buy a tourer. Even mentioning "girls bike" is stupid.........I know girls that ride race prepared bikes. Sorry but ignore that crap, it's childish. I guess big is still better in USA if a bike is judged on it's weight.