XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect)

1988 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect) Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Built around Harley-Davidson's custom - cruiser motorcycle platform, the 1988 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect) pairs a 1198 cc (73.1 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 50 HP (36.5 kW) at 5,200 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 41.7 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect) measures 222 kg (489 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.23 HP/kg (4.44 kg per horsepower). The 8.5-liter (2.2 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints.

Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1988 to 1991, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.