Hit the Highway

New Sportster is capable beyond city limits

by Richard Ried

Bill Andrews When I first threw a leg over Harley-Davidson’s redesigned-for-2004 XL1200C Sportster Custom in late 2003, I was impressed with the bike’s good looks, top-notch fit and finish and torquey motor. But after five days of touring upstate New York on a 2005 model, I’m also impressed with its competence as a touring mount.

That’s right, a touring mount.

Sportsters traditionally have been thought of as short-haul, around-town bikes, but thanks to its rubber-mounted engine, ample 4.5-gallon tank and relaxed riding position, the Sportster Custom can be enjoyably ridden all day.

As you’ve probably heard by now, the Motor Company transformed the Sportster line for 2004. The biggest change came from rubber-mounting the bike’s venerable air-cooled, 45-degree V-twin, a move that makes the Sporty much more enjoyable at highway speeds.

The new mounting system comes on both 883cc and 1,200cc Sportsters, but it’s especially appreciated on the big Sporty, which had a reputation as a bit of a paint-shaker. While the rubber mounts don’t eliminate all vibrations—the very top of the rev range still gets buzzy, and there’s a little bit of roughness between idle and mid-range—it allows the rider to unleash the twin’s potential without taking too much punishment.

From the trademark “potato-potato” beat at idle, to the surprising off-the-line grunt, to the way it lopes along in fifth gear, the 1200 Custom is a willing companion that begs to be taken a little further down the road.

But there’s much more to this bike than the motor. As its moniker suggests, the Custom, which is also offered in an 883cc version, incorporates a number of functional and styling differences that set it apart from the sportier XL1200R Roadster, the low-slung XL883L and the plain-Jane XL883.

First is the fuel tank, which is a significant departure from the small peanut tank that graced most Sportsters built over the last two decades. The new tank holds a respectable 4.5 gallons. Couple that capacity with a motor that can deliver more than 50 miles per gallon on the highway, and you’ve got a bike with serious range.

Forward controls are standard on the XL1200C, combining with low-rise bars on pulled-back chrome risers and a low 26.5-inch seat height to make for a relaxed riding position that works well at highway speeds, even without a windshield.

Other touches that set the Custom apart include chrome engine covers, a chrome headlight bucket and a 21-inch laced front wheel.

While the narrow MH90-21 front tire provides a slightly smaller contact patch than the 100/90-19 fitted to the 1200R, the Custom is happy to lean into the corners, right up to the point where the front muffler drags in right-hand curves.

As part of its 2004 redesign, the Sportster line also received updated twin-piston front brake calipers. The 11.5-inch single front disc on the Custom provided excellent stopping power, even with the bike fully loaded with gear.

So what’s not to like? For me, there’s just one thing: the rear suspension. To keep seat height low, travel was shortened from the 4.1 inches on the 1200R to just 2.4 inches, making bumpy roads and freeway expansion joints more tiring than necessary.

The 2005 XL1200C is currently available at Harley-Davidson dealers with an MSRP of $9,495 to $9,915, depending on paint scheme and color. All new Sportsters come with a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

And now that the larger tank and rubber-mounted engine have made the Sportster more highway-worthy than ever before, you may find yourself racking up a lot of those unlimited miles.—Richard Ried

SPEC SHEET

2005 Harley-Davidson
XL1200C Sportster Custom

Engine
Air-cooled
overhead-valve
1,200cc V-twin

Bore x stroke
88.8mm x
96.8mm

Transmission
Five-speed
belt final drive

Brakes
Single 11.5-inch disc
front and rear

Seat height
26.5 inches (laden)

Tires
MH90-21
150/80-16

Dry weight
554 pounds (claimed)

Price
$9,495 - $9,915

2005 Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster Custom