Hey everyone,
I've grown up around motorcycles, I work for a bikeshop, and I'm a volunteer staff member for one of the biggest bike rally's in Tx, however, i dont know the first thing about motorcycle performance.

I'm looking into getting my first bike. I'm looking at a Sportster 1200c or nightster.

My question is...does it have enough power? I keep reading about how the sportster is a slow bike and barely does 100mph...i'm not a crazy rider or anything but that doesnt mean I dont want some power...

I have a friend with a BMW 1200, a couple of friends with Choppers, a buddy with a Vulcan 1500...i'd like to be able to keep up with these guys if they decide to Haul some "buns" down the freeway or whatever...

Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

I cant imagine they would be slower than the 1200 FL/FLH was in the 70's early 80's before the Evo?
The things should go at least 95-100?

 

1200s are no crotch rockets but they are fun and fast enough. You won't have any issues keeping up.

 

For an air-cooled Harley? The Sportster 1200 is the fastest. No question. (you can do a search for all the pissing contests between Sportster owners and other Harley owners on this issue)

Is it as fast/quick as a Vulcan 1500 or a BMW 1200 (R or K)? Hell no.

But if you have a few thousand to throw at it, you can make the Sportster (or any Harley) into one hell of a machine, surprisingly fast.

But if out-and-out speed is your goal, a Harley ain't your bike.

Well...there is the V-Rod.

 

The 1200 is fast enought... IF you do alot of freeways, you might find that you would like a heavier bike... but for speed.. your fine ... (just my 2cents)

 

I've frequently topped the triple digits on mine. No worries for power and lots of torque. A full stage 1 would definitely be recommended though to allow the beast to breathe as it was meant to...

 

I got pulled over on my sporty at 94MPH, luckily I was able to slow down before the radar got me fully...


I've had my 01 up to about ~120 and it is stock. Plus I weigh about 250.

With my wife and I on it I have not had any issue with topping 80-90 MPH and I keep up with the big twins I ride with fine.

however, like others have said it is not a sports bike. It won't do 150 MPH.

 

I had a Sporster 1200 Custom and it has plenty of power. The BMW is quite a different type of bike. If you want to do the twisties at break your neck speed, then perhaps you may want to look into getting a rice burner.

Yes it will reach 100 miles per hour. Tell me where you plan on driving so I can make sure that I avoid this area. It sounds to me, that you want to see the world in a blurr.

 

In my opinion"TROLL ALERT". Grew up around bikes,works for a bike shop,no idea of what a sporty 1200 can do?

 

Glad I wasn't the only one who saw the contradictions in those comments...
the warm weather must be bringin' out the trolls...what I can't figure out is why people keep suckin' up to them, or act like you should be polite and not stick pins in their little balloons...

I figure that if these guys come on an H-D site inviting abuse, it would be rude of them not to accept it gracefully... :- )