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2005–2010 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Pure Sportster, Zero Compromise
The XL 1200 R Roadster is the Sportster with its sleeves rolled up. At its heart is the air-cooled 1202 cc Evolution 45° V-twin. It sits on rubber mounts in a steel double cradle and makes 66 hp, with 79 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Around that engine, Harley-Davidson fits cast aluminum wheels (19-inch front, 16-inch rear), dual front discs, a belt final drive and a more upright, sportier riding position. There's no ABS, no traction control and no ride modes. It's metal, air and a big twin, and in this category that's the whole point. Pure Sportster!
On paper, this is a cruiser built to be ridden first and made your own second. The 28.3 in (719 mm) seat, 60.0 in (1,524 mm) wheelbase and 584 lb (265 kg) wet weight keep the bike long and low. That long wheelbase points to calm manners at highway speed. The 3.3 gal (12.5 L) tank says short day rides and rally runs, not interstate marathons. The controls are simple and accessible, and the aftermarket around this platform is enormous. That points to a rider who wants Harley character up front and a blank canvas to build on. Start here.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 66 hp (49 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 79 lb-ft (107 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 1202 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-16 |
| Wheelbase | 60.0 in (1524 mm) |
| Seat height | 28.3 in (719 mm) |
| Wet weight | 584 lb (265 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 gal (12.5 L) |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
Valve guide seal oil consumption
Some 2005 models suffered from leaking valve guide seals, causing excessive oil consumption and smoke on startup. The fix involves replacing the seals with aftermarket parts.
Oil seepage from air filter
Oil may seep from the air filter assembly, requiring regular cleaning and monitoring of oil levels.
Where this Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200 R Roadster pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Sportster XL 1200 R Roadster is actually built for.
If Sturgis or Daytona is your yearly ritual, this is the best fit here: an air-cooled Evolution V-twin, belt drive, a long, low stance and a bike you can make your own before you roll into town.
Made for Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
A good match for slow days on historic routes: classic Harley lines, a low 28.3 in seat and simple controls. The 3.3 gal (12.5 L) tank means regular fuel stops, which suits an easy rhythm anyway.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Only a partial fit. The long wheelbase points to steady highway manners, but with no luggage system, no cruise control and a 3.3 gal (12.5 L) tank, big two-up park loops mean bolting on a lot first.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
