The 1200C comes with forward controls which makes for more leg room.
2008 1200L Why?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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2008 1200L Why?
I had someone ask me why I bought my 1200L seems that I am a big guy. In other words, why I didn't buy another sportster with a higher seat. Never thought of myself as a big guy. 6' 2" 220 pounds.
However, I did tell them (and maybe this will make sense to you or not) that I bought it because I figured with my height, I would sit into the bike a bit better than if the seat was higher. Was I thinking in the right direction, does this make sense to anyone else?
I just felt that if the seat was lower, I would kind of fit into the bike instead of looking like I am riding on a fence.
However, I did tell them (and maybe this will make sense to you or not) that I bought it because I figured with my height, I would sit into the bike a bit better than if the seat was higher. Was I thinking in the right direction, does this make sense to anyone else?
I just felt that if the seat was lower, I would kind of fit into the bike instead of looking like I am riding on a fence.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
RE: 2008 1200L Why?
I need the "low" because I am one of those vertically challenged riders .. however I also happen to personally like the look, or the "line" of the lows over the regular. Personal preference.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: 2008 1200L Why?
From what I understand, the seat height of the Low models is only a few tenths lower than that of the Custom models. Not enough to make a big difference.
Here are some of the published Harley figures for seat height of various models, and as you will notice, even the Sportster Low model has a higher seat height than many other models;
((In Order Of Lowest To Highest Seat Heights))
24.5" Softail Deluxe FLSTN/I
24.9" Springer Softail FLXSTS/I
25.2" Dyna Low Rider FXDLI
25.2" Softail Standard FXST/I
25.4" Fat Boy FLSTF/I
25.5" Heritage Softail Classic FLSTC/I
25.5" Heritage Softail FLST/I
25.8" Dyna Street Bob FXDBI
25.9" Softail Springer Classic FLSTSC/I
26.0" Night Train FXSTB/I
26.0" Softail Deuce FXSTD/I
26.0" Sportster XL883L
26.0" V-Rod VRSCA
26.0" VRSCD Night Rod
26.1" Road King Custom FLHRS/I
26.3" Sportster XL883C/XL1200C
26.3" Street Glide FLHX/I
26.6" Dyna Super Glide FXDI
26.8" Dyan 35th Anniversity Super Glide FXDI35
26.8" Dyna Super Glide Custom FXDCI
26.9" Road Glide FLTRI
26.9" Road King Classic FLHRCI
27.3" Electra Glide Classic FLHTC/I
27.3" Electra Glide Standard FLHT/I
27.3" Road King FLHR/I
27.3" Sportster XL883
27.3" Ultra Classic Electra Glide FLHTCUI
27.5" Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGI
28.1" Sportster XL883R/XL1200R
30.0" VRSCR Street Rod
Here are some of the published Harley figures for seat height of various models, and as you will notice, even the Sportster Low model has a higher seat height than many other models;
((In Order Of Lowest To Highest Seat Heights))
24.5" Softail Deluxe FLSTN/I
24.9" Springer Softail FLXSTS/I
25.2" Dyna Low Rider FXDLI
25.2" Softail Standard FXST/I
25.4" Fat Boy FLSTF/I
25.5" Heritage Softail Classic FLSTC/I
25.5" Heritage Softail FLST/I
25.8" Dyna Street Bob FXDBI
25.9" Softail Springer Classic FLSTSC/I
26.0" Night Train FXSTB/I
26.0" Softail Deuce FXSTD/I
26.0" Sportster XL883L
26.0" V-Rod VRSCA
26.0" VRSCD Night Rod
26.1" Road King Custom FLHRS/I
26.3" Sportster XL883C/XL1200C
26.3" Street Glide FLHX/I
26.6" Dyna Super Glide FXDI
26.8" Dyan 35th Anniversity Super Glide FXDI35
26.8" Dyna Super Glide Custom FXDCI
26.9" Road Glide FLTRI
26.9" Road King Classic FLHRCI
27.3" Electra Glide Classic FLHTC/I
27.3" Electra Glide Standard FLHT/I
27.3" Road King FLHR/I
27.3" Sportster XL883
27.3" Ultra Classic Electra Glide FLHTCUI
27.5" Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGI
28.1" Sportster XL883R/XL1200R
30.0" VRSCR Street Rod
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: 2008 1200L Why?
I purchased the 883L because I liked the look of it better than the 883 standard. I'm 6'0" or a bit over, but my inseam is only 30" so the bike fits me pretty well. I would like to get some highway pegs for those long rides to stretch out a bit, but the mid-mounts are ok for now. Seems some other accessory always gets in front of the highway pegs on my priority list.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 34
From: Newport news, Virginia
RE: 2008 1200L Why?
Not to question you on those published figures but I have to call bulls%$t on some of Harley listed figures. As I am one of those vertically challanged riders (27" inseam) and I tried on all the Dyna's (especialy the Super Glide Custom and Low ride) and a few of the Softtails. I could not flat foot any of the bikes other than the Sportster Low's and Customs. The issue with those is that although the seat is such n such inches high the bike is significantly wider 'tween the thighs and this forces your legs out farther to the side than straight down and takes away from your leg length.
I got the Low (over the custom) because of the more comfortable handlebars, cast wheels and classic speedo mount.
I got the Low (over the custom) because of the more comfortable handlebars, cast wheels and classic speedo mount.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Jackson NJ
RE: 2008 1200L Why?
My wife got the 1200L after spending a lot of time checking out seat heights. She's only 5ft tall so getting the right bike was a chore. She narrowed the choice down to the 1200L and the Soft tail deluxe, and eventually picked the 1200L. It still needed to be modified with a different seat and risers and mini-apes before it was just right. I'm 5-10 and every time I get on the1200L I feel like I am riding one of those mini bikes that the clowns use in the circus.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 1
From: Heart of Missouri
RE: 2008 1200L Why?
ORIGINAL: flpops
I've got a Low, and put forward controls on it. Fits real good.
I've got a Low, and put forward controls on it. Fits real good.
That is what I did for my wife's 07 1200L and by the way it is the exact same color as yours. She is spoiled to the forwards controls now.
Tiger_Rider
We just put on the solo brawler seat and passenger pallion as that is what she wanted. We tried the Sundowner and she hated it. The brawler gives the bike a cleaner low look she likes and then the pallion sits just high enoughfor some back supportand it sure beats the stock seat. She has the mini buck horn pull backs, but She has ordered some 1 inch risers as she thinks it will let her sit back some more. It is her bike and I am letting her do what she thinks will make it hers, to a degree, I have to really watch what she is doing and buying. She has it in her blood now and you know how a woman can be once they go shopping. No Offense Ladies, I just know my wife.
And I know what you mean, I am over 6 and going from the King to Pearl is interesting to say the least, but I have to admit I enjoy riding the sportster has she has some get up and go!