question for Sortster 1200T or (1200c) owners
#31
06-02-2015, 01:23 PM
My custom is great on the freeway...especially after adding all of the stage 1 goodies plus Vieds. Is it as comfy as a touring bike? No. But, I love riding it a highway speeds.
FWIW...when I test rode the 1200T, I felt totally cramped and literally couldn't wait to pull back into the dealership so I could get off of it. I'm short, too...5'7". When I got on the custom, it was like night and day difference...I felt comfortable right away.
FWIW...when I test rode the 1200T, I felt totally cramped and literally couldn't wait to pull back into the dealership so I could get off of it. I'm short, too...5'7". When I got on the custom, it was like night and day difference...I felt comfortable right away.
#33
06-02-2015, 01:29 PM
As others have said, either the Touring or Custom Sporty are fairly smooth at highway speeds. Both have the same motor and use rubber mounts to help with vibes. My Custom seems to have a 'sweet spot' at about 70-75 mph.
The Sporty is about 20lbs. heavier with a bigger tank than the Phantom and the seat is about an inch higher. The Custom will have the same forward controls as the Phantom and the Touring to the rear a bit more. And you get disk brakes all around.
I would suggest taking a look at your local HD dealer and demoing both a Custom and a Touring Sporty for comparison.
The Sporty is about 20lbs. heavier with a bigger tank than the Phantom and the seat is about an inch higher. The Custom will have the same forward controls as the Phantom and the Touring to the rear a bit more. And you get disk brakes all around.
I would suggest taking a look at your local HD dealer and demoing both a Custom and a Touring Sporty for comparison.
I'm going to check them both out. The Phantom is sold so I'm dying to fill the empty spot in the garage.
#34
06-02-2015, 01:33 PM
I own a 2015 1200T and have put on 3,528 miles in 3 months of ownership. I use my bike for light touring and work just as you plan on doing.
When I'm cruising at 60-70 mph my bike is turning 3,000 to 3,300 rpm. In that speed/rpm range, I get a moderated vibration when accelerating, and little vibrating when cruising. At first I thought: "great vibrations at 65--the speed limit," but find myself mostly cruising at 70-75 where there is no vibrations. In fact at any speed above 70 mph I feel no vibrations and the images in my mirrors are clear. I also noticed that the vibrations are diminishing the more my bike get broken in. I read about others saying the same thing: more miles=less vibrations. One writer of a 1200T said all the vibrations went away. I want that to be true, but I find that hard to believe. I don't even know why vibrations would subside with more miles. Do rings seat themselves and/or do parts polish into themselves that much? Anyways with 3,528 miles, the vibrations are barely noticeable in either the hand grips or the foot pegs, so I would say the 1200T will meet your needs as it certainly has meet mine. I love my bike!
kwn36 mentioned the 1200T being cramped and the 1200C was not. That is because the 1200T comes stock with further forward mid controls VS the 1200C's forward controls. That makes for a big difference indeed. I also did not like being cramped and didn't like how I had to lift my entire foot to shift with the further forward mid controls. When I put on forward control, the cramps and the awkwardness of the shift lever went away--It was like day and night--forward controls rule on a Sportster!
One final note: Don't worry about the top end speed of the 1200T. My bike ran very smooth and vibration free right up the 106 mph I got it before my wife slapped me to slow down. The needle was climbing rapidly and I have no doubt that I could have pegged the 120 mph speedometer.
When I'm cruising at 60-70 mph my bike is turning 3,000 to 3,300 rpm. In that speed/rpm range, I get a moderated vibration when accelerating, and little vibrating when cruising. At first I thought: "great vibrations at 65--the speed limit," but find myself mostly cruising at 70-75 where there is no vibrations. In fact at any speed above 70 mph I feel no vibrations and the images in my mirrors are clear. I also noticed that the vibrations are diminishing the more my bike get broken in. I read about others saying the same thing: more miles=less vibrations. One writer of a 1200T said all the vibrations went away. I want that to be true, but I find that hard to believe. I don't even know why vibrations would subside with more miles. Do rings seat themselves and/or do parts polish into themselves that much? Anyways with 3,528 miles, the vibrations are barely noticeable in either the hand grips or the foot pegs, so I would say the 1200T will meet your needs as it certainly has meet mine. I love my bike!
kwn36 mentioned the 1200T being cramped and the 1200C was not. That is because the 1200T comes stock with further forward mid controls VS the 1200C's forward controls. That makes for a big difference indeed. I also did not like being cramped and didn't like how I had to lift my entire foot to shift with the further forward mid controls. When I put on forward control, the cramps and the awkwardness of the shift lever went away--It was like day and night--forward controls rule on a Sportster!
One final note: Don't worry about the top end speed of the 1200T. My bike ran very smooth and vibration free right up the 106 mph I got it before my wife slapped me to slow down. The needle was climbing rapidly and I have no doubt that I could have pegged the 120 mph speedometer.
#35
06-02-2015, 01:38 PM
#36
06-02-2015, 03:03 PM
Intermediate
#37
06-02-2015, 05:01 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
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Originally Posted by EddieG
If this is the case I would like the controls on the Custom as I thought the position on the Phantom was about right for my -2 inch inseam
You'll notice more vibes at idle and when stopped at lights, but roll on and it's as smooth as any bike. The vibe is part of the Harley character and charm. One thing is you'll get more looks than with other brands.
#38
06-02-2015, 05:52 PM
Stellar HDF Member
#39
06-03-2015, 03:07 PM
Have a 2015 1200C and it is my daily ride for a 20 mile each way commute. Journey is 2/3 residential city streets and 1/3 highway. I used to do the same commute on a Fat Bob and have to say the Sportser is better :-) On long tours the 96ci engine, 6th gear and load carrying capacity of the Fat Bob will be missed though :-(
Sportster is nimble through traffic (we can lane share here in the UK) and cruises effortlessly at 70mph in 5th on the highway, easily accelerating to 80 or 90mph for overtaking when needed. I have no problems with vibrations or no screen at those speeds.
Only thing I will say is that spirited riding on country roads with twists I get about 145 before the fuel light comes on, cruising at 70-80 on a highway I'll only get about 120 miles to the fuel light.
If you ride in all weathers then definitely get a sportster with ABS.
Sportster is nimble through traffic (we can lane share here in the UK) and cruises effortlessly at 70mph in 5th on the highway, easily accelerating to 80 or 90mph for overtaking when needed. I have no problems with vibrations or no screen at those speeds.
Only thing I will say is that spirited riding on country roads with twists I get about 145 before the fuel light comes on, cruising at 70-80 on a highway I'll only get about 120 miles to the fuel light.
If you ride in all weathers then definitely get a sportster with ABS.
#40
06-03-2015, 03:16 PM
Road Master
