2021 sportster 1200
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Stage III
Joined: May 2022
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From: PA
2021 sportster 1200
I'm new to the world of bikes. Always been a car and truck guy. I recently purchased a 2021 iron 1200. And was just curious about highway speeds. I noticed while doing 70 my rpm was at about 3300/3500. Is that safe for continuous operation? How can I get it a little lower? And would a new exhaust and air cleaner require tuning the bike?
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Welcome from NC.
All Sportsters rev that high at highway speeds, and these bikes are comfortable in those ranges. I have an '11 1200C and have gone on many long trips with some riding buddies who also have Sporties. We normally cruise at 70 - 75 MPH. My bike sounds good and feels good in those RPMs.
If it's a brand new bike, then I recommend the "break-in".
If you do exhaust and A/C upgrades, then a tune is highly recommended. In the Harley world, that upgrade is called a Stage I upgrade. If you want to keep the H-D warranty, best to have the dealer do it.
All Sportsters rev that high at highway speeds, and these bikes are comfortable in those ranges. I have an '11 1200C and have gone on many long trips with some riding buddies who also have Sporties. We normally cruise at 70 - 75 MPH. My bike sounds good and feels good in those RPMs.
If it's a brand new bike, then I recommend the "break-in".
If you do exhaust and A/C upgrades, then a tune is highly recommended. In the Harley world, that upgrade is called a Stage I upgrade. If you want to keep the H-D warranty, best to have the dealer do it.
Last edited by RKZen; May 11, 2022 at 11:10 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Think of the 1K service as a major service. Your owners manual will indicate what's being done, and it's a good time to do a stage I. I did it when I got my Sporty. I noticed slight increase in power/torque.
Banned
Joined: May 2022
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From: Michigan
They're not all geared the same. On an 883 you'd be spinning around 4k at 70 and you'd notice the difference. You made a wise choice going with the 1200 and you be buying a tuner.
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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
Sportsters will rev. My concern would be can you jump from 70 to 90 MPH quickly especially on the slab. it could save you some aggravation especially if you look in the mirrors and see truck griill ...
Sportsters rev high . Forget " Potato potato potato " this is not a Big Twin . Although it kind of lost its way around 1969 and sort of drifted into being a Retro bike , the Sportster is supposed to be a Sports Bike .
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