Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Sportster 1200 Models??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 20, 2012 | 01:09 PM
  #1  
Sinaloco925's Avatar
Sinaloco925
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Default Sportster 1200 Models??

Hello, im new the the forums and am somewhat new to riding(street) and i have been looking for a Sportster. I saw an 06 roadster that i really liked on craigslist for $5k. I have also seen that there are a few different sportster models. Xl, low, R, N, L, S, Roadster... how many 2006 1200 models exactly are there and what are the differences? Just trying to find out which is best for me. Thx in advance
 

Last edited by Sinaloco925; Oct 20, 2012 at 01:11 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2012 | 02:16 PM
  #2  
Mich's Avatar
Mich
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 17
From: victoria bc
Default

I really like the 2006 R models.
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2012 | 07:11 PM
  #3  
F4Phantomsphorever's Avatar
F4Phantomsphorever
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,143
Likes: 71
From: Wichita, Kansas
Default

There are others on this forum who know more about Sporties than me. But I own an -08 1200C (Custom) that I really like. The '06 Custom is similar.

Here's a site that should answer some of your questions: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...eyDavidson.htm
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2012 | 07:27 PM
  #4  
edgeofinsanity's Avatar
edgeofinsanity
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 8
From: Clinton IA
Default

Originally Posted by F4Phantomsphorever
There are others on this forum who know more about Sporties than me. But I own an -08 1200C (Custom) that I really like. The '06 Custom is similar.

Here's a site that should answer some of your questions: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...eyDavidson.htm
I was just about to paste the same link, I used that site when I was shopping Sportsters before I found mine.

I don't think there was a "N" in '06, and all the '06 models will be carbed, if you go a year newer, you get fuel injection if that matters to you.

Just looking at stock, some models do have advantages depending on your riding style. The Custom has a larger gas tank and forward controls, the R will get you dual disc front brakes and I believe a hotter cam, I think the L has shorter shocks to give a lower seat height. That's not to say you can't swap gas tanks or forward controls between models.
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2012 | 08:44 PM
  #5  
Sinaloco925's Avatar
Sinaloco925
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Default

Carbed doesnt bother me one bit. Not a big fan of alot of chrome so the 06 Roadster really caught my attention.
 
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2012 | 07:42 PM
  #6  
F4Phantomsphorever's Avatar
F4Phantomsphorever
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,143
Likes: 71
From: Wichita, Kansas
Default

Originally Posted by Sinaloco925
Carbed doesnt bother me one bit. Not a big fan of alot of chrome so the 06 Roadster really caught my attention.
I'm with you on the chrome. I like chrome wheels and just enough chrome on the rest of the bike to set off the black.
 
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2012 | 09:28 PM
  #7  
gator1016's Avatar
gator1016
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: USA
Default

For what its worth my first sporty is a 1200 Custom. I am tall and wanted wanted a nice little ride back and forth to work. I was going with the 48 at first - this was back into 2010. Then the dealer suggest I hold off and explained they were reintroducing the Custom with the factory options which was new for HD at the time. Now you can go through the HD 1 customization with many bikes. Anyway I liked what I could get for my money with the Custom and have been really a happy with it. I'm 6'1" and 174 or so lbs. It is a great fit if you are going to do short distances around town. As it is 580lbs (with fluids I think) the 1200ccs really makes her cook off when you need it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2012 | 02:01 AM
  #8  
Sinaloco925's Avatar
Sinaloco925
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Default

Didnt have time to go take a look at it this weekend. Hopefully its still for sale next weekend.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Big Blue Electra
Sportster Models
4
Mar 12, 2014 07:25 AM
Davemac122383
Sportster Models
1
Aug 13, 2012 07:05 PM
ksbilly
General Harley Davidson Chat
0
Dec 8, 2008 08:30 PM
CMC
Sportster Models
3
Jun 3, 2007 10:55 PM
2006streetglide
Sportster Models
2
Apr 23, 2006 05:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:16 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE