1,000 mile ride review - 2012 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom
#12
08-05-2012, 07:28 PM
Road Captain
When you're just commuting or taking it easy, these bikes will happily run up and down country roads all day between 50 and 55 mph in 5th.
#13
08-05-2012, 07:56 PM
See this post by cHarley. 55mph in 5th is about 2,700 RPM for a 1200 unless they've really changed the ratios recently.
Bull. I'm into 5th by 50 mph most of the time and there's no protest at all from the engine. The 45 mph shift point recommended in the manual only works for level ground, but by 50 mph she's absolutely fine in 5th. Waiting until 60 mph to shift into 5th is just ridiculous (unless you're out hooning around and then of course you're pushing harder and shifting later).
When you're just commuting or taking it easy, these bikes will happily run up and down country roads all day between 50 and 55 mph in 5th.
Bull. I'm into 5th by 50 mph most of the time and there's no protest at all from the engine. The 45 mph shift point recommended in the manual only works for level ground, but by 50 mph she's absolutely fine in 5th. Waiting until 60 mph to shift into 5th is just ridiculous (unless you're out hooning around and then of course you're pushing harder and shifting later).
When you're just commuting or taking it easy, these bikes will happily run up and down country roads all day between 50 and 55 mph in 5th.
#14
08-06-2012, 08:04 AM
A 1200 has the torque to upshift early, and it won't hurt it unless you really are lugging it, but it is much happier when you run each gear a bit longer.
I don't go into 5th until 62-65 or so. You've got more powerband than you think.
And if you do that, you'll find it gets pretty smooth. On my '08 XL1200C, the mirrors are perfectly clear when I am at ~58 in 4th. Smooth as glass-plated dung.
I don't go into 5th until 62-65 or so. You've got more powerband than you think.
And if you do that, you'll find it gets pretty smooth. On my '08 XL1200C, the mirrors are perfectly clear when I am at ~58 in 4th. Smooth as glass-plated dung.
#15
08-06-2012, 08:09 AM
Good review. I have the 2011 model ... Pretty much the same as 2012.
Which specific slipons did you get? Planning to swap the stocks with VnH..seems the ones they have are the twin slash 3"...you got those? Black or chrome n how much?
Did you have problems with the passenger pegs?
Last thing...get some more posts and u can post some pics!
Which specific slipons did you get? Planning to swap the stocks with VnH..seems the ones they have are the twin slash 3"...you got those? Black or chrome n how much?
Did you have problems with the passenger pegs?
Last thing...get some more posts and u can post some pics!
#17
08-06-2012, 11:16 AM
Road Captain
A 1200 has the torque to upshift early, and it won't hurt it unless you really are lugging it, but it is much happier when you run each gear a bit longer.
I don't go into 5th until 62-65 or so. You've got more powerband than you think.
And if you do that, you'll find it gets pretty smooth. On my '08 XL1200C, the mirrors are perfectly clear when I am at ~58 in 4th. Smooth as glass-plated dung.
I don't go into 5th until 62-65 or so. You've got more powerband than you think.
And if you do that, you'll find it gets pretty smooth. On my '08 XL1200C, the mirrors are perfectly clear when I am at ~58 in 4th. Smooth as glass-plated dung.
If you're enjoying a twisty road or otherwise wringing it out, then go for it, the engine loves the 3,500 to 4,500 range too.
I just don't understand all the "You're lugging the engine and you'll kill it if you shift into 5th at anything less than 100 mph!" mentality that I occasionally see.
#19
08-06-2012, 03:00 PM
Oh, I'm not disputing that a 1200 will pull hard all the way up to redline. I'm just saying that for simple cruising when you're just running on the freeway at normal speeds there's no real reason not to shift into 5th at 50 mph.
If you're enjoying a twisty road or otherwise wringing it out, then go for it, the engine loves the 3,500 to 4,500 range too.
I just don't understand all the "You're lugging the engine and you'll kill it if you shift into 5th at anything less than 100 mph!" mentality that I occasionally see.
If you're enjoying a twisty road or otherwise wringing it out, then go for it, the engine loves the 3,500 to 4,500 range too.
I just don't understand all the "You're lugging the engine and you'll kill it if you shift into 5th at anything less than 100 mph!" mentality that I occasionally see.
I don't have a formula for shifting, and I don't understand those who do. Depending what you're doing, shift when you need to. The 1200 has a healthy powerband for an air-cooled motor and you can run the gears taller than most think, and it can be fun when you do.
#20
08-06-2012, 03:44 PM
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good review. I have the 2011 model ... Pretty much the same as 2012.
Which specific slipons did you get? Planning to swap the stocks with VnH..seems the ones they have are the twin slash 3"...you got those? Black or chrome n how much?
Did you have problems with the passenger pegs?
Last thing...get some more posts and u can post some pics!
Which specific slipons did you get? Planning to swap the stocks with VnH..seems the ones they have are the twin slash 3"...you got those? Black or chrome n how much?
Did you have problems with the passenger pegs?
Last thing...get some more posts and u can post some pics!
The dealer put them on for me when I bought the bike
http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/s.../slipons/16819