New 07 Sportster Custom - Fast?
 

Hey guys and gals, I've laid off bikes for about 6 years because of military assignments where the riding wouldn't have been long enough to enjoy it but prior to that I rode for 15+ years. My oldest son is 24 and just got his first bike, an 04 Ninja ZX6R (636), and I got the fever again helping him pick out his bike and helping him work on it. I never had a Harley before but always tried to make all my metrics sound like one, so this time I did it right and bought a '07 1200 Sportster Custom. I got a good deal on it with only 3300 miles. The bike is like brand new and I love it. The only mod is a back rest/carrier. It engages smoothly, feels very torquey, and is tremendously easy to ride.

Here's my question, I went riding with my son and he revved a bit at the light so I decided to have some fun and run him a little. The sporty took off like a champ and had my son not mis-shifted into neutral instead of 2nd then he may have kept up. I didn't give the sporty everything she had, but do you think my stock setup could take his Ninja in a even run? What if anything would I need to do to run him and make it a close finish?

No. With some engine work it's possible.

Yep, simple answer...No. The ZX6 will wipe your butt all over the place.

04 ZX6: 125 HP, 49.4 ft lbs of torque, 354 lbs.
07 1200C: 64 HP, 79 ft lbs of torque, 562 lbs.

The Kawi has twice the HP and over 200 lbs less weight. You might catch him off the light for a little bit, but as soon as the Kawi's power hits it'll be like he hit warp speed.

Congrats on the bike.I got rid of my 2009 Kawasaki ZX6R a couple of months ago and also just picked up a 2007 1200 Custom with 4500 miles.The sport bikes are fast but also uncomfortable.

I had a bike with half my displacement beat the hell outta me once,,
I was on my Honda CB750F,,redline was 11k I think,,
The bike that whupped me was a suzuki 425 twin..
Yeah weight Is everything.

I used to have a 01 Yamaha R6, and it would wipe the floor with my 06 1200C. Having said that, Im older now, and loving the Sportster. Enjoy that bike, and riding with your son.

don't buy a harley to see how fast you can go hehe

Thanks everybody for the replies, I didn't buy my bike for the speed but it definitely felt like it could take him from the line, it's probably just the driver. Anyway, we had fun and that was cool.

Never. Don't care what kind of engine work that you get....

LOL! the 03-04 Kaw 636's are one of the fastest smaller CC sport bikes out there, My buddy has one and it's a beat stunt bike and with slight gearing he ran a 10.80 in the 1/4 all stock with a slip on and he never raced a bike till that run. The 1200s move for what they are, but it would take major work to even try to keep up with the 636 or any newer SS bike and i said keep up-not smoke. As you can see in my sig I have 2 newer 1200s and the XL50 is fast of what it is, the C is ok, but nothing like a sport bike. I know this becasue I have had some fast ass sport bikes in the past 3 years. I say do some nice mods to your bike and enjoy it for what it is and not trying to make it what it it not.