Sportster XL 1200CX Roadster (MY2017)

The Roadster takes the 1202 cc air-cooled Sportster and aims it somewhere other than the boulevard. The 45° V-twin makes 66 hp and 73 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm, so the shove arrives early and the five-speed gearbox with belt drive keeps the delivery unhurried. What sets this one apart is the hardware around the engine: an upside-down fork, a 19-inch front wheel on a 120/70, and a 30.9 in seat that puts you forward rather than reclined. ABS is standard. It reads as a stripped, purist Harley with roadster intent, not a chrome cruise ship.

On the road it works best at a steady clip, where the 571 lb wet weight settles into the chassis and the bike tracks straight without fuss. This is for a rider who wants Harley sound and presence in a leaner shape, and who intends to change things: aftermarket support here is about as deep as it gets, so bars, pipes, seats and paint come down to taste and budget. The caveat is plain. A 3.3 gal tank, no cruise control, and a front fork with no adjustment at all put a ceiling on how long the days can run.