Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport vs Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom (2012)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sportstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport
Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport | Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2003 | 2012 |
| Price | — | $10,299 |
| Engine | 1199 cc | 1201 cc |
| Torque | 96 Nm | 107 Nm |
| Weight | 240 kg | 251 kg |
| Seat height | 28 mm | 27 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | 4.5 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | — | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | — | Single disc. Dual-piston |
| Rear brakes | — | Single disc. Single-piston |
| Tires | 100/90-19 51V / 130/90-B16 64V | 130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16 |
Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport vs Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport and the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport brings its published horsepower in a 240 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom counters with its own power figure at 251 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: