THE ROADSTER 1200 IS A QUALITY BIKE | SPORTSTER ROADSTER 1200 REVIEW & TEST RIDE

The Sportster is Harley's oldest continuously produced model, and the 2020 Roadster 1200 is the perfect example of why. With mid-mount controls, sleek drag bars, and an aggressive riding stance, the XL1200 Roadster is a fun bike for anyone who wants that cafe racer-inspired aesthetic with upgraded suspension and a responsive motor.
See more information about this and every bike you see on my channel by visiting tallahasseeharley.com/
-
Insta: Two_Wheeled_Teacher
Facebook: TheTwoWheeledTeacher

[@donniebraham6156]

I have a 2014 sportster custom in vivid black and I love this bike

[@thomasmotorcycleman1175]

I have 16 bikes..mostly harley and buells...including the new livewire, wicked quick and great handling.....my roadster however is probably my most fun bike to ride...the riding position makes corners twice as fun and you don't have to go 100mph

[@jonnylewis134]

Same for the fun factor of this bike I got a clubbed out dyna aswell...but for ripping around town this bike is pure fun!!...since the air cooled sporty is coming to an end..I think its a great model to have in the collection

[@thomasmotorcycleman1175]

@@jonnylewis134 yes ..I'm actually thinking of getting another one... maybe letting one of my buells go...I don't ride as fast as I used to. I definitely like the roadster for riding like it feels fast!

[@jonnylewis134]

@@thomasmotorcycleman1175 the one you have what do you have done to it? Im still debating even what exhaust I want to do

[@thomasmotorcycleman1175]

@@jonnylewis134 it's almost totally stock ( painted air cover an license plate bkack..I have several other bike's with custom exhaust...but I like the look of the stock roadster...if I get another..I will probably put some VH Short shots...but that's it.

[@jonnylewis134]

@@thomasmotorcycleman1175 funny I feel the same way..Im usually one to mod everything but Ive left mine completely stock aswell...might do a powervison just to richen up the afr...and then decide from there

[@mchristr]

Harley should have used the Custom tank on the Roadster. It would lend a more traditional cafe look. The bike is underpowered but cams, pipe, and a tune should fix that.

[@gauravsharma3400]

Hey man, nice video. Can you shed some light about the number plate relocation on the indicator. Which one is it and if you have any links for me to buy would be highly appreciated. Thanks

[@dennisharrison4744]

Iv got a 2009 sportster 1200 custom i realy like mine im 6ft fits me great

[@alca4340]

hi do you think a rear shock upgrade is necessary for me 5 10 230 lbs

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

I would recommend it. Those are my exact measurements, too, and the sporty was pretty tight for me. The rear shocks would bottom-out pretty easily

[@vincentbeijing6926]

You might be fine with just adjusting the preload of the schocks. I often ride 2 up on my Roadster and it doesn’t bottom up.

[@alca4340]

hi what is your height and weight and inseam please...i had a sportster and couldn't get comfortable

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

5’9”, 220, 30” inseam

[@dipjothipaul5868]

im thinking about getting my very first motorcycle. my choices are this roadster 1200, the fat bob 114, and the cb650r. which would u suggest?

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

What kind of riding will you be doing most of the time you are on it? Commuting, highway touring, off-road, bar hopping, etc?

[@dipjothipaul5868]

The Two Wheeled Teacher mostly commuting to the gym and a little bit of highway. Which is like 30 min drives roughly

[@dipjothipaul5868]

I am also 5’7 and 155 lbs

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

So any of these bikes are going to be good choices with regard to that sort of riding. The sporty and the cbr won’t be as comfortable as the fat boy after about a half hour. They both have pretty aggressive riding stances which places a good deal of weight on your wrists and elbows. That effect is dependent on your height, too, as the sporty has mid-mount foot controls and the cbr has rear mount controls. If you’re any much taller than 5’9” (give or take) you’ll be making some parts adjustments on those two bikes if you want them to be more comfortable for longer trips at highway speeds. That being said, the sporty is a TON of fun. I testrode one and have a video of that on my channel, and I had so many good things to say about it. I’ve also been on the new fat boys with both engines, and I would buy a fat boy in a heart beat if I could. Those bikes are so much fun, they’re very comfortable, and they ride like a dream. I’m not super familiar with sport bikes, but I do know that the CBRs are a popular and respected model built by a company with remarkable pedigree and customer loyalty. If these are your three options, there isn’t a wrong choice.

[@dipjothipaul5868]

The Two Wheeled Teacher alright thank you. That was very informative

[@Darkrider8500]

Wish I could hear the motorcycle

[@grayghost1423]

Are you still doing content?

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

Not anymore.

[@JohnSmith-wv4or]

If,you,hating,on,sportsters,you,are,hate,on,harley-davidson.❤

[@dennisharrison4744]

For my own use iv got no use for a big huge heavy bike

[@lepa7570]

i cant afford it

[@JohnSmith-wv4or]

Sportsters,are the,most,fun,,harley,too,ride.❤😊iron883,and,12:00,have the,bullet,proof,evo,motor,the,only,true harleys,out,there.😂

[@madrat5176]

I’ve got a 2018 Roadster and this guy knows nothing about Harley, Sportsters in general and especially the Roadster. Painful to watch. Channel is great otherwise

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

Hey Rat! Thanks for the view and comment. I’m not sure what you mean by “this guys knows nothing about Harley”, and I’m not sure what from my video gives you that impression. I’ve ridden dozens of harleys and made videos about a lot of them. Sure, I don’t know everything, but surely me having different opinions doesn’t mean I don’t know anything. Would love some specific feedback or examples. Take care, TWT

[@madrat5176]

@@TheTwoWheeledTeacher Sorry, it was harsh and I meant no disrespect. First, the Roadster is very different from the other Sportsters in the lineup (and ever actually, since the original 883 in 1957). Much taller stance, inverted front fork with dual disk brakes, much better lean angles, etc. It’s even on a modified frame, so it’s not the “same” bike as the 883, 1200 and forty eight. It’s almost it’s own thing between a sportster and softail, and the Evo has been tuned differently to give around 10 more hp and torque compared to the Iron 1200 and Forty Eight. And while this class is smaller than the softails, a 1200cc v-twin isn’t a “small” bike by any stretch. Yes, a high sprung 600cc sport motor will be faster off the line, but like you did say, this isn’t meant to be an R1. The history behind this bike, again going back to 1957 and you can even go to the Model K in 1952, is pretty much unmatched and there’s a character and riding experience that no other bike provides. There’s a lot more to this bike than the sum of its parts and I feel like you completely missed that. Anyway, no disrespect. I’ve got a different perspective on the brand I guess. And great channel bro!

[@TheTwoWheeledTeacher]

You’re probably right about me missing some points for sure. Honestly, this video was done pretty quick because I had really limited time with the unit. The Harley website doesn’t give us much detailed info, and if there’s any family of models I haven’t spent enough time with? It’s the Sporties. Rest assured that when the weather perks up and I get the time, I’ll give the Sporty a proper review

[@madrat5176]

@@TheTwoWheeledTeacher Awesome. And yeah, I could tell you were rushed for time. Keep in mind that the Roadster was cut for 2021, so no new models. If you can’t find a 2020, you’ll be out of luck. Why they cut this and not the Forty Eight is a mystery to me, but I guess it proved to be too much of a niche bike (as it’s so different from the others). A real shame. If you want a great new Harley to review, I highly recommend the new Street Bob with the 114 Milwaukee. Might just put a serious dent in the Low Rider S sales.

[@teslaedison6236]

@@madrat5176 These Harleys absolutely will keep up with a SS 600cc 0-60. After that they will get left behind. I love my Harley 1200! The EVO motor has so much character and soul that the 600 super sports lack. I have a 2005 XL1200C and now I'm thinking I want a Roadster as my " sport" bike. I've owned Ninjas too but there is just something about the Harley I feel is more raw and real to me. What do you have?