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All Bikes/Compare/Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200

Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200

Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers

Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200. Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom: 53 hp @ 6,000 rpm (approximate; later fuel-injected models post-2007) hp, 256 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: varies by year and rider conditions), Motoryk rating 7.2/10. Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200: 60 hp @ 5,500 rpm (note: Harley-Davidson did not always publish official HP figures; this is a widely cited estimate for the Evolution/Twin Cam era) hp, 256 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: real-world conditions may vary slightly), Motoryk rating 7.5/10.

Performance at a Glance

Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value

Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200
Horsepower (hp)
53 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
92 Nm
92 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
256 kg
256 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
53 hp @ 6,000 rpm (approximate; later fuel-injected models post-2007)
60 hp @ 5,500 rpm (note: Harley-Davidson did not always publish official HP figures; this is a widely cited estimate for the Evolution/Twin Cam era)
Torque
92 Nm @ 3,750 rpm
92 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated; note: varies by year and rider conditions)
175 km/h (estimated; note: real-world conditions may vary slightly)
Weight
256 kg (wet/curb weight)
256 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L real-world average)
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L real-world average)
Fairing
No
No

Individual Reviews

Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom
Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom
7.2/10

"A rewarding used buy if you inspect thoroughly and ride locally."

Pros
+Bulletproof engine when maintained
+Narrow, easy city riding
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
Cons
Harsh two-up ride quality
Vibration above 70mph tiring
Tiny fuel tank range
Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200
Harley-davidson Sportster Custom 1200
7.5/10

"A tough, characterful cruiser that earns its reputation through sheer reliability."

Pros
+Bulletproof drivetrain when maintained
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
+Strong low-rev torque delivery
Cons
Vibration tires you long-distance
Rocker box oil seeps common
Handling feels agricultural above 70mph

Top 10 Accessories

Picks that work on either bike.

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Mobil 1 · Engine Oil
Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 Full Synthetic Motorcycle Oil
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🛢️
Engine Oil
10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (JASO MA)
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HifloFiltro · Oil Filter
HF204 Oil Filter
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HifloFiltro · Oil Filter
HF204 Oil Filter
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K&N · Air Filter
K&N High-Flow Air Filter
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Air Filter
Air Filter
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NGK · Spark Plugs
NGK DPR7EA-9 Spark Plug
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Spark Plugs
Spark Plugs
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Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
Helmet
Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
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Riding Gloves
Gloves
Riding Gloves
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