XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect)

1991 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect) Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Harley-Davidson's sport touring motorcycle lineup, the 1991 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 1200 (reduced effect) utilizes a 1198 cc (73.1 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke layout. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 49 HP (35.8 kW) at 5,200 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and belt final drive. With a specific output of 40.9 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 226 kg (498 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.22 HP/kg (4.61 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.