Harley Davidson 1200 Custom review, test ride

Sometimes it's hard to make out if Harley Davidson motorcycles are better to arrive on, or to ride on. We test the newest motorcycle in the Sportster line-up, the 1200 Custom, to see where this apple falls.

The first thing you notice when you approach the 1200 Custom for the first time is its non-intimidating size. It sits between the Iron 883 and the Forty-Eight, its siblings in the Sportster series, so it isn’t a small motorcycle either and has the presence to draw glances even in this understated paint scheme. The 1200 Custom is derived from the Forty-Eight and so shares the V-Twin engine in the same state of tune. It also uses the same tyre sizes and is only a few ten-thousand rupees cheaper than the Forty-Eight. So, what sets it apart?

When it comes to the dimensions, it is slightly larger; the Custom being a bit longer. The seat is also a bit higher (but at 725mm it's still very low), it has a slightly longer wheelbase and it weighs a little more. The good part is that the 1200 Custom comes with a more touring-friendly 17-litre tank, instead of the miniscule 7.9 litre peanut tank that’s found on the Forty-Eight. Then there’s the addition of Harley’s traditional high-quality chrome that is well distributed all over the motorcycle. The chrome 5-spoke cast-aluminium wheels are most certainly a testament to that. It also comes with a more pulled-back handlebar that aids comfort on longer rides. There’s a chromed-out lip that’s been added over the headlight for reasons unknown; maybe Harley’s intention was to make the 1200 Custom a tad more aerodynamic. Or it could just be to deflect the bugs and keep them from flying into your mouth.

Swing a leg over the saddle and you’re greeted with that familiar retro-cockpit layout. There’s a single-dial analogue speedometer with a small digital display for the odometer, trip-meter and tachometer. There’s a small bar above the speedometer which houses the neutral light, indicator lights and a fuel warning light. Sadly, the 1200 custom does not come with a fuel gauge. The switches are the same as on other Harleys; with the indicator buttons on either side of the handlebar, which sits below the other buttons. Now it could just be that I have really small hands, but reaching for the inner buttons seemed like a massive stretch and not natural at all. There’s also the fact that it’s going to be impossible to reach for the right-side indicator button if you’re still on the throttle; you will need to roll-off the throttle to reach this one. The seating position is also rather relaxed, with a nice long seat, forward-set foot-pegs and the handlebar has a swept-back design as compared to the forward set unit on the Forty-Eight.