Harley Davidson 1200 Custom review, test ride

Harley Davidson has introduced the 1200 Custom to its Sportster line-up in India. Does it deserve your attention?

Published on May 02, 2016 03:23:00 PM

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Harley Davidson 1200 Custom review, test ride

Make : Harley Davidson

Model : 1200 Custom

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.