At the heart of the 2012 Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom custom - cruiser motorcycle, Harley-Davidson pairs a 1201.3 cc (73.3 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, maximum torque reaches 107.1 Nm (79 lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and belt final drive. Internal engine geometry specifies a bore and stroke of 88.9 x 96.8 mm (3.5 x 3.8 inches) with a 9.7:1 compression ratio.
On the scales, the XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom measures 264 kg (582 lbs) wet (curb). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 676 mm (26.6 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,521 mm (59.9 in) wheelbase engineered for planted straight-line stability. The 17.03-liter (4.5 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 4.9 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 348 km (216 miles) between fill-ups.
Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 2008 to 2012, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.
Theoretical Range
~348 km (216 mi)
Engine
Displacement1201.3 ccm (73.30 cubic inches)
Engine TypeV2, four-stroke
Engine DetailsAir-cooled, Evolution® Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Torque107.1 Nm (10.9 kgf-m or 79.0 ft.lbs) @ 4000 RPM
Compression9.7:1
Bore x Stroke88.9 x 96.8 mm (3.5 x 3.8 inches)
Fuel SystemInjection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
LubricationDry-sump
CoolingAir
Transmission
Gearbox5-speed
Final DriveBelt (final drive)
ClutchMulti-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath
DrivelineChain primary drive, 57/38 ratio
Performance
Fuel Consumption4.90 litres/100 km (20.4 km/l or 48.00 mpg)
Greenhouse Gases113.7 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
ExhaustChrome, staggered exhaust with slash-cut mufflers
Use this page to compare this motorcycle by its real specifications, not only by model name. Focus on the details that affect fit, comfort, handling, range and ownership.
Torque
Torque is useful for judging real-world pull, especially for touring, commuting and loaded riding.
Seat Height
Check the seat height against your inseam and riding posture before choosing a motorcycle.
Weight
Compare weight carefully because it affects low-speed handling, parking and confidence.
Fuel Capacity
Fuel capacity helps estimate touring range and how often you may need to stop.
Brakes
Brake setup is worth comparing if you ride in traffic, mountains or with a passenger.
Suspension
Suspension details can matter for comfort, road feel and long-distance riding.
Transmission
Transmission and final drive affect maintenance, smoothness and everyday usability.
