Those looking for a Harley Sportster with essential touring features (detachable windshield, locking saddlebags, Michelin® Scorcher® 11T touring tires and rear suspension with dial-adjustable pre-load), may consider the HD Superlow 1200T, a bike
introduced as a mid-year 2014 model. Its ergonomics are calibrated to offer riders from 5’ 1” to 5’ 7” in height an easy reach to the ground, handlebar and foot controls in a geometry designed for great maneuverability. The SuperLow 1200T weighs 118 pounds less than the lightest Harley-Davidson Big Twin touring motorcycle.
The saddlebag mounting hardware incorporates quick-detachable docking points to make it possible to easily add an accessory rack or backrest. The rear shock absorbers offer easy pre-load adjustment to accommodate the weight of luggage and a passenger on the two-up Reduced Reach® touring seat. Mini footboards provide added comfort for the rider and passenger, and the rider foot position is three inches forward from the SuperLow® 883 model to make it easier to place feet flat on the ground and to reach the side stand. Front turn signals are located on the lower triple tree to increase handlebar adjustment range.
Premium performance brakes feature a 300mm front rotor, a rigid front brake caliper with dual 34mm pistons, and a high-efficiency aluminum front master cylinder. Rear brake rotor diameter is 260mm with dual 38mm pistons. Front and rear brakes are fitted with Original Equipment braided stainless steel brake lines that resist abrasion and enhance brake feel.
An electrical system ]incorporates an analog speedometer with digital tachometer, restyled ergonomic hand controls, an updated wire harness and voltage regulator. The new hand controls include a left-hand trip switch to toggle through screen displays on the speedometer, including an odometer, tripmeter, gear indicator and RPM display. Additionally, new oil tank and side cover designs make it easier to access and service the battery and diagnostic terminal.
Available as factory-installed options, the Anti-lock Braking System and H-D® Smart Security System with a proximity-based security fob and keyless ignition offer additional confidence-inspiring control. U.S. MSRP. Vivid Black $11,799. Solids 12,149. Two-Tone $12,349. Custom $12,499.
anyone that buys a sportster to actually ride instead of “bobbing”(what ever that is) eventually does everything to it that already has on this. The down side is when they see the sticker price of what they would have spent it may scare them off.
I’ll be shocked if this one isn’t a sales success . Add up the cost of the basic bike along with all the accessories needed to equal this package and the 1200T starts looking like a genuine bargain in comparison
Looks like the only thing it’s missing is a tachometer. Looks like it might be a good starting point for a high performance touring build, but if it’s targeted for 5’1″ to 5’7″ riders I think they are really saying the target is female riders — too small for me unfortunately, but I predict a big success.
WOW A SPORTSTER WITH SADDLE BAGS AND A WINDSHIELD , WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!
2 brakes up front please…… then I can trade in my 883R…..
Excellent product placement. The 1300 Honda VTX eventually had higher annual sales than the 1800 version, and continued after the 1800 was dropped. Proves to me there’s a market for a bike in this overall size & displacement. Not everyone needs a tourer set up for 500+ mile days and will be quite happy with this bike. Bags and a shield eventually get added to daily rider bikes anyway and as mentioned-this MSRP compares favorably with what it would cost to add them later. Good sales move IMO
A step in the right direction. However, what the company ought to really do is base a batwing fairing hard bag tourer off the 1200 sportster foundation. Why do the current big tourers need to be 800 lb oversized pigs?
HD Rider….”An electrical system ]incorporates an analog speedometer with digital tachometer”….I suspect it’s that black panel just below the speedo.
Prices look good. Should fit the niche those who want for a smaller, lighter weight, shorter distance bike.
Tour on a Sportster? Nope.
I’m with BobS on this one.
Can’t remember toured with anyone (over 30) who continued doing it on a sportster, not even with seat and peg modifications.
Pull into town and they are the first to get their buts of the seats and do the “sportster wiggle.”
-nicker-
Not everyone is big/ strong enough to handle a 900 plus pound touring bike, so this fits the bill. If someone wants to tour on a Sporty, fine with me.
Some people want a nimble quicker machine. We don’t all drive across the country in Peterbuilt trucks so why should we all need a barge of a bike to do the same? I own a 98 FLHT which is a nice bike, Sometimes the best for some of the riding I do. But I also own some European Sport Touring bikes and could never figure out why HD never tried to fill that market. I own Sportsters too and it just seems to me they’d be a good platform to start. Plenty of power, better handing, and faster than my FLHT.
Reminds me of Sportsters of the late ’60s early ’70s. As for touring on one…I had a 69 I bought new in Fort Worth, Texas and road it all over the country without bags or wind screen. In those days it was a dresser or a hot rod. 500 mile days were fairly common so maybe I just didn’t know any better. or maybe sitting on a ceramic plate in the doorway of a Huey gunship for 2 1/2 years made it seem like a lazyboy chair.. Either way it was a great bike and a lot of enjoyment. I think they will sell a number of them. Nice going HD!
Cantrell
I have toured on an Ironhead sporty. This new sporty would have been a dream to tour on 30 years. Smart plan on HD’s part. I hope they sell a bunch of them. I love the Sportsters.
Hey when I was in my 20’s I used to ride uncomfortable bikes for hours on end too. Today, not so much. This isn’t 30 years ago and bikes have come a long way. A lower cost, lighter weight, more nimble machine? Check out the Ninja 1000. The standard, not the R. A more upright seating position, bags and shield, ABS and traction control, 120hp and a 10k redline, and it’s more comfortable than a Sportster. If young guys are going to take a smaller lighter fun bike and tour on it, which do you think they would prefer?
You can now find used sportys with hardly any miles on them for under $4000 bucks. That leaves a lot of room to do tons of mods to them. Why would anyone give the motor co. 12 g’s for one of these?
I have a 1967 XLH that has been in the family since 1973. It has all the same accessories as this one but I would not tour on it, however my exwife used to use it for 200 to 500 mile weekend trips. So I guess for smaller folks it will work just fine.
grmp54
I’m with you on buying a used one versus a new Sportster. I paid $1965.00 for a XLH in 1969. Now they are six times that. Buy a used one at $4000.00 and smile all the way to the the beer joint!
Cantrell
I’m vertically challenged as well. 30″ inseam and about 165 pounds. Best thing I ever did was trade in my Ultra Classic for a 2012 Dyna Switchback. The Ultra was too much bike for me. The Dyna proved just right. For an even shorter person of either sex, this bike will have some appeal. H-D has taken a LOT of vibration out of the Sporty since my first ’66 XLCH. This scooter will sell.
Another classic oxymoron – Touring Sportster. But if you must insist, get a used Sporty and you could put this package together for half the price.
35 yrs ago, maybe, now, No way in hell !!!!!