2021 Sportster Iron 1200 Review and Test Ride! (The Last Evo Iron? 😣)

[@KSMotoCafe]

Finally finished riding and reviewing all of the Evo Sportsters from 2020-2021! I was hoping to ride the Iron 1200 earlier but they kept selling out before it even hit the ground at the dealership 😄. Let me know in the comments below which Sportster is your favourite because I am about to make an episode comparing all sportsters!! Thanks for watching 🤟

[@IronBornRider]

Congrats on hitting the 1k, happened so fast! That green color is the best one in the sportster line up, I didn't think it would work but it really does.

[@KSMotoCafe]

Thanks Jason! Time to quit my job with all those youtube cents!! 🥲 The green does look sharp and eye catching but not in the same way that iron 883s do. Your old iron had the best emblem out of all Harley models! That eagle... sooo cool

[@MsSpider75]

I bought the mini apes for my 883, I'm still waiting on the cables to come in for the install. My dealer said the mini apes aren't the same as whats on the 1200, they were on the Sportster 72. Either way I can't wait to ride with the new bars!

[@KSMotoCafe]

awesome! I ended up putting 4inch risers on my 883 to give a similar feeling but I kinda wish I went with nice Z bars!

[@cobbdouglas690]

I also own an 883... and agree with everything you said. The stock styling of the 883 is definitely where it beats the 1200.

[@KSMotoCafe]

If they just released the 1200 version with iron 883 styling (exactly the same) - I would have probably made that as my top choice. My #1 reason for the 883 was because it looked better than the 1200 line-ups.

[@M82RKY]

The 48 resembles the 883 more

[@HUMANDR7B8A]

The stock handlebar on 1200 is similar with Mini ape hanger or tallboy handle bar... I own an iron 883 .. but kinda love the 1200 handlebars!

[@saxongonzales9735]

Yup last year for the iron dealership said they are keeping the 48 around

[@jayjoseph3479]

Great review man, thanks.

[@robbyclark6915]

I actually chose the 883 over the 12oo just because of the looks. Maybe I should have gotten the 12oo instead due to the lack of power with the 883 but man, the iron 883 is such a great, looking bike! After my stage 1 from DK customs it also really helped the performance. Still not going to compete with a stock 12oo but I just don’t like the looks of any of the 1200s except the roadster but it’s long gone.

[@KSMotoCafe]

I recently covered all about the looks of the 883 on my battle of the sportster series. best part of 883 is you can always install the 1250 kit and make it faster than the iron 1200!

[@freddempster4085]

Here’s my take: the 883 have plenty of power…just that the 1200’s are more exciting. Prior to a rubber mounted engine, the handlebar risers sat in polymer bushings to quell vibes. Without the rubber mounting my hands catch vibrations from my sporty. Even my 2016 superlow 883 did that. I wish they would go back to the bushing system for the bars, especially for us young seniors. I love my iron 1200.

[@kyle22279]

Hey quick question hopefully you have a answer where is the ignition? I noticed its not in the normal spot and keys are on handle bars

[@KSMotoCafe]

ah these run on key fob - so proximity with the keys will turn on the bike and the button to turn on is on the right handle

[@feline-n6b]

Harley uses key fob on all of their bikes now ?

[@TheQCollection]

I took my cousins wife's 2020 883 iron out for a little test ride the other day and it reminded me again why I don't like the sportster line. The seat and mid controls just don't feel right for me, anyways have to wait to test ride the new sportster that harley davidson has introduced. Maybe that might change my mind and get me to buy one.. Cheers

[@KSMotoCafe]

yeah Sporty is definitely not for everyone - I would say Iron and 48 had the biggest riding style differences but if you didn't like the overall characteristic of the bike (evo engine) then all evo sportsters will be subpar for the rider. The new sportster S seems promising since it is a totally different style of riding but it does have a shorter wheel base so I am not sure how a rider taller than 6' would feel on it. I just test rode the Softail Fatbob and boy that bike was a beast! Look forward to that review coming up! Thanks for watching!

[@TheDorkKnight23]

The only thing I like about the iron 1200 is the AMF inspired gas tank. Just about everything else I would change. To me the all black look is hella boring. I was gonna originally gonna get the iron 1200 but then I saw the 2013 "Seventy-two" with its chrome engine and 21 inch front tire and the more classic harley chopper look I just knew that bike was for me.

[@KSMotoCafe]

the 72 is a great version of the sportster! You got a great taste! Im a bit of a square when it comes design and like a simple/boring look lol

[@TheDorkKnight23]

@@KSMotoCafe nothing wrong with your style. I just like some pop with bike.

[@SB-mw1bg]

How did you like the 1200 seat compared to the 883 seat?

[@KSMotoCafe]

both are not that comfortable. I would say the 883 had a bit more foam

[@SB-mw1bg]

@@KSMotoCafe thank you.... you're recommended aftermarket for cheap?

[@KSMotoCafe]

Saddlemen seems like the best choice for comfort and looks. I would steer clear from cheap seats as they are less comfortable than the stock.

[@SB-mw1bg]

@@KSMotoCafe thanks

[@RideWithJanex]

Wow this bike is awesome ..harley 1200 loved to try thiis kind of bike ,enjoy the ride new friend

[@KSMotoCafe]

Thank you! Yeah when ever you get a chance to hop on an evo sportster - do it up! But do go on it with an open mind that it will have a unique riding signature than most motorcycles and for those coming from sport bike world, they will hate it until it grows on you. all that shake and rumble!

[@dbrownj]

Can’t wait to get this. Just need my license and then I’d be pulling all the bitches at school

[@KSMotoCafe]

😎 hell yeah but word of caution, Harley attracts older men more than chicks hahaha. Sport bikes have the same effect but with younger men.. But Motorcycle helmet at a coffee shop?! now that attracts girls! hahaha best of luck with the license man - it truthfully was one of the best decisions of my adult life

[@maxim9655]

is this bike comfortable for someone thats 5,68 feet (1,73m)

[@KSMotoCafe]

Yes all sportster series should be a good fit for that height

[@paulhorvath9784]

Roadsters do make more power than Iron 1200. Great bikes but Need more refinement..The Vibration between 110-150 km broke my headlight housing.

[@KSMotoCafe]

just a tad bit ~3ft-lb more torque than the Iron 1200 at 3750rpm vice 3500rpm. I think it is the wheels and change of riders triangle that make the big difference in speed for Roadster vs Iron1200.

[@joshrivers5870]

Check engine light on at 3 thousand miles?

[@KSMotoCafe]

I am guessing it was the 1000mile maintenance indicator. edit - also the reading is in kms

[@joshrivers5870]

Yeah that’s not it . Mine never came on for the 1000 mile

[@KSMotoCafe]

@@joshrivers5870 dunno 🤷🏻‍♂️ maybe the abuse it has gotten for being a demo model across Canada...

[@joshrivers5870]

@@KSMotoCafe yeah that would make sense 🤷‍♂️

[@YamiMoves]

That’s a beautiful road where is that

[@KSMotoCafe]

it's on Vancouver Island (Victoria), Canada!

[@jayteesgear]

I want it!

[@Fibermyalgia]

I have the blue the green way harder

[@MelissaMartinez-ju2nh]

Ride Free, Live to Ride on a Harley Sportster Iron 1200!

[@KSMotoCafe]

🤟😀

[@joellaurin9007]

AMF sucks!

[@KSMotoCafe]

I wouldn't go as far to say it sucks because I have not ridden an actual HD motorcycle made during when AMF owned HD and then became a Bowling equipment company but I just prefer the modern HD logos for the fuel tank.

[@joellaurin9007]

@@KSMotoCafe AMF harleys were reliability liabilities... they weren't that great in quality and most importantly reliability. I think near the end they were at over 50% of bikes produced had major defects. Don't get me wrong, I love the shovelheads and ironheads as Classic Americana in the earlier years prior to AMF. HD being bought back and the introduction of the EVO with increased quality and reliability leads me to believe AMF wasn't in it to win it... (sucks ;)

[@joellaurin9007]

@@KSMotoCafe I also like the modern logos

[@KSMotoCafe]

@@joellaurin9007 yeah I may just dig further to research these AMF HD bikes and why their designs are so preserved by HD

[@joellaurin9007]

@@KSMotoCafe fortnine does a great show on the HD topic, including AMF.

[@Silenttreatment1975]

Where ever you are, It is beautiful.

[@KSMotoCafe]

thank you! Vancouver Island (Canada's westcoast)

[@AdamBeitsinger]

Don't listen to this guy please he's such a cherry picker