hey guys in a few months i will finally have my black licence and am thinking I will buy a new 1200 custom. I will use it mostly for commuting to work with is a 70 km ride each way at about 110km on the freeway and was wondering how the 1200 custom would go covering this distance at this speed. Also wondering how it would go with a passenger. I weigh about 80 kgs and my girlfriend about 48 kgs. Any advice would be great.

cheers

 

I think you ment bike licence didn't you. You would be better off buying a Dyna for those speeds and riding two up. Try sitting on a Fat Bob before you buy a Sportster.

 

Hey I have a sporty custom 1200 and i ride it always with a passenger
let me tell you something if you don't change the stock seat on the sportster and go for a sundowner or a mustang you should ride it alone
it is a pain in the *** for the passenger to sit on the stock seat

 

Samborambo,

I bought 5 months ago a 2012 XL 1200 C, mainly to commute to my work, 75 kms to go one way, I ride at 120/130 kph on the highway, the bike is up to the task without any problem, but:

- buy a windshield, a good one which will eliminate the pressure on your neck & chest, and which will avoid any head buffeting. I did buy a H-D quick detachable windshield and certainly don't complain, I had to adapt it to heighten the plastic though.

- if you ride often two up, get anothet seat and a sissy bar.

- if still no comfortable with two up, check the rear suspension.

If you plan to ride really often with two up, I would take a BT, but this is another budget ($$$$).

 

First things first ... I am unable to offer fact-based advice since...


That apart, here's my 2 cents (I have a 2011 1200C, mostly stock but now putting on V&H 2-2 exhaust, Airfilter and race tuner).

1) Speed, distance: 70x2kms daily at 110km is a hoot. Even without the mods. Very easily done, and 110kmph is very stable and is in the "zone". I mostly do 4th gear between 85-110, and depending on if its a long stretch, 110 upwards on 5th.

2) Mileage, stability: You will get good mileage (probably around 20-22+ km/l after the 1st service)and very good stability. Even 2-up.

3) Seat/Comfort: Stock seat for me is no problem, even 2-up. I'm about 71kilos and 5'8. Have ridden 2-up people between 55-80kilos and 5'7" - 5'11". With your 80+48 (please do post pics of the 48!) and assuming average height, you will have no problems at those speeds and distances.
I do recommend a sissy bar - the HD medium/small sissybar with pad (see my sig) works very well indeed.
Dont go about modding and swapping seats till you have "ridden-in" and tested the stock.

4) Safety (on bike) - I would recommend that the first "mod" should be a standard HD frame mounted crash guard. Its saved me and the bike recently, so a great investment.

5) Wind protection - I'm a bit torn on this one, and there's no easy answer. Its very windy where I am, and the wind blast gets tiring at sustained 110-120kmph speeds. Dont know how windy it gets there. I would like to have avoided a shield, but am going to try out a compromise. You can check out the National Cycle shields: Deflector DX, Flyscreen and the Tombstone. All are relatively discreet and offer reasonable protection from wind blast for a small price.

6) Bags/luggage - Again, a bit ambivalent (form vs function thing). If you ride 2 up, then if you need a backpack, your OL needs to wear it - so check with her about the whole packrat debate. 1-up for bits n pieces (the odd laptop, drink, sandwich whatever), a backpack can do. Else look for a fork mounted toolbag (strapped on, many options) for the odd geegaw or two, and throw over saddlebags that you can put on or take off asap. I would recommend that you put saddlebag support brackets if you plan on hauling bags though.

7) Personal safety - depends on weather etc, but (through personal experience) I recommend - sturdy riding gloves, sturdy leather or armoured jacket, armoured jeans (eg Hood from the UK), sturdy riding boots with think grippy soles and reinforced toes. Ideally your OL should have a similar outfit too. I have both a 3/4th HD helmet and a pretty expensive Shoei FF helmet. For longer/harder/windier rides, the FF is the better bet.

8) Tires, suspension - Stock fatties from Michelin Scorcher are good enough. Stock suspension for highway and your combined weight can be adjusted on preload settings, so experiment with that.

The 1200C is a great ride for the money. In Scandinavia, due to prohibitive prices, I can manage a Sporty in a budget that would get me into the Softtails. (I still would prefer a Sporty or a Dyna, but thats just me). Dunno about prices in Oz, but you wont go wrong with a 1200C - enough power, looks and rides like a motorcycle, relatively affordable and allows for a ton of both performance and aesthetic mods.

Test ride one if you can. Good luck with your decision.

Cheerio,
A

 

Solo, sporty is a good way to go.

ALOT of 2 up riding, A DYNA Superglide Custom may be better.

Either way, you will need a windsreen, and some forward controls, or a crash bar with highway pags and some saddlebags will make it easier to live with as a commuter bike.

If you have the coin, a Streetglide will give you everything.

Just my .02

~Joe

 

Here's is my 2007 1200C set up for a trip, I ride 300+ miles pretty often, at 51 MPG it's the way to go. I have Progressive suspension all the way around with 13.5" shocks in the back. It tours very well.

 

How did you heighten your windshield. I need to do this to mine, just curious?

 

What seat do you have?

 

Hey guys thanks for all your help defiantly alot to think about but all your help has made my decision alot easier now i just have to wait and save. Cheers