Harley-Davidson expands the Sportster family with the new-in-2018 Iron 1200. Retro is in, so the '70s-esque paint and custom touches drawn from that era give the Iron 1200 plenty of nostalgic value. Power comes from the venerable Evolution engine to the tune of 73 pound-feet of torque to give this ride modern performance that belies the dated veneer. A classic dish with custom spices, the new Iron 1200 raises the Iron stable's displacement ceiling to draw new customers from a market that has been in decline for over a decade.

2018 - 2021 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200

8.00 / 10

Specifications

• Make: Array
• Model: 2018 - 2021 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200
• Engine/Motor: Evolution V-Twin

Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 Design

The Iron 1200 follows the path laid by its little brother, the Iron 883, which is a rather raw and unrefined homegrown air about it, but continues along the path right into the next level. Right away the front fender veers into custom country with a cut-down profile and braces with lightening holes. It comes nestled between blackout lower-leg sliders that are topped with bellow gaiters below a similarly-achromatic tripletree, flyscreen, and handlebar. The bullet-shaped speed screen comes right off the Street range to add a certain café flavor to the mix, and that impression is reinforced with the way the diamond-tufted saddle drops off in the back. It's subtle, but it's there.

What isn't so subtle is the mini-ape handlebar that puts your hands somewhere around just below shoulder height for a bit of a gangster vibe that pairs nicely with the 3.3-gallon “peanut” fuel tank and seventies-tastic tank graphics. Harley must have gotten some black paint on sale, 'cause the darkness continues down onto the V-Twin engine to include rockerboxes, heads, jugs, and cases; only the pushrod tubes remain bright as a nice accent with the expected parallel valvetrain geometry.

Pipes and mufflers join in the fun as they sweep back past the blackened shocks, struts, and turn-signal housings. A bobbed rear fender finishes off the rear end with little in the way of excess weight. The fender is cut back to within a few inches of the fender struts with a compact LED taillight slung under the trailing edge. You pay for that ultra-clean rear end with a side-mount tag, but personally, I think it's worth it though I wish they'd have mounted it vertically. Whatever, it's still worth it in my book.

In profile, it displays the classic Sportster lines with a bit of squat at the hind end adding even more to the overall custom vibe, but head on, it's as narrow as ever. As usual, you can forget about dragging your elbow on this ride, but you can count on a 28-degree lean angle to the left, minus one degree for the exhaust for a total of 27 degrees to the right. Lean and agile, the Iron 1200 toes the family line that started out back in 1952 with the venerable K-model with a definite '70s kick that suits it well, I think.

Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 Chassis

The narrow frame, swingarm, and front end are hallmarks of the XL line that come properly represented on the newest Iron Sporty. Tubular-steel members make up the double-downtube/double-cradle frame on the Iron 1200 with a steel swingarm that rocks a rectangular cross section and two-sided construction for strength and stiffness.

Cast wheels round out the rolling chassis with a 100/90-19 hoop up front and 150/80-16 out back that provide a nice offset, a break to the symmetry if you will, that furthers the custom attitude. A 30-degree rake pushes the front wheel out for a 59.6-inch wheelbase with 4.6 inches of trail to give a slightly more relaxed riding experience with a bit more stability than you might expect from this family.

Unfortunately, the suspension is exactly what you'd expect with fixed-value, right-way-up forks and low rear shocks that offer only the obligatory preload adjustment as the only ride-quality control. Oh well, at least the shocks have one redeeming quality; they pull the laden seat height down to 25.7 inches high, just a skosh taller than the Sporty SuperLow. Low seat heights lend confidence at lights and in parking lots, so the relaxed attitude is a constant across the usage spectrum.

Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 Drivetrain

Power on the Iron 1200 comes from an engine with quite a long service record. The Evolution Sportster first greeted the world back in 1986. Sure, you could just call it outdated, but the MoCo has had 32 years to perfect this engine that has seen the birth and demise of entire generations of Big-Twin plants.

At 1,202 cc (73.4 cubic-feet), this mill would have been considered large within the context of the time frame from which it draws its inspiration with an 88.8 mm bore and 96.5 mm stroke in the classic, 45-degree Vee. Air cooling dissipates the waste heat generated by the 10-to-1 compression ratio, 'cause yeah, we can't be having a radiator on the front of a Sportster; it just wouldn't be right.

Engine control comes down to cables and electronic fuel injection, but little else in the wizardry department. No, still no traction control or rider modes to be found, just the reliable low-end torque that makes Sporties so much fun. It cranks out 73 pounds o' stump-pulling grunt at 3,500 rpm to move its 564-pound wet bulk, and if you don't think that's enough, you haven't felt one hit the powerband.

Riders can expect something around 48 mpg, though as with everything else, individual results may vary depending on riding style, terrain, load, and how much you had for lunch. A five-speed transmixxer crunches the ratios and sends power to the rear wheel via a reinforced belt drive.

Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 Price

As usual, color choice has an effect on price. The Vivid Black model rolls for $9,999 with a sharp, seventies-tastic graphic that runs from blue-to-white. At $10,349, the optional colorways for 2021 are Black Denim and Stone-Washed White Pearl. ABS is a $795 option and security will set you back another four Benjamins. California riders? Yeah, you can look forward to a $100 emission package, as well.

Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 Competitor

Hands-down, the most Sportster-like, non-Sportster bike out there has got to be the Bolt R-Spec from Yamaha's in-house Star cruiser line. It has the looks, the stance and the sporty attitude for the job, and of course, the V-twin powerplant really closes the deal aesthetically.

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec/ Bolt C-Spec

The Bolt's visage hits all the high points quite nicely hits all the high points quite nicely}}, and while I still prefer the H-D's genuine looks, I have to admit that Yamaha really did a nice job with the Bolt. It's probably fair to say that the Bolt is certainly a threat to Harley, at least with the younger buyers are concerned, because of the comparable looks and friendlier price tag. At $8,399, the R-Spec enjoys a significant advantage at the checkout, but price was never H-D's strongest selling point. Still, the $1,600 difference will probably draw those with no particular interest in owning a Harley, just perhaps wanting to borrow the look.

Yamaha takes a hit in the engine department with a smaller, 942 cc powerplant that predictably leaves some grunt on the table with only 59 pound-feet versus the 73 pounds-feet from the Sporty. Suspension and brakes are pretty equal across the board unless you want ABS, then Harley has the only game in town.

Read our full review of the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec/ Bolt C-Spec.

He Said

“While the Bolt is a great-looking little ride, it just isn't quite the same as having the genuine article. I've always been a fan of the Sportster line, and I gotta' say this new model has my stamp of approval. Party on, Wayne.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “You know, I do like the Milwaukee-Eight engine, but honestly, the Evolution engine is so bullet-proof, how can you go wrong? I like this café look with the little bikini fairing and the cafe solo seat, which is right out of the parts and accessories catalog for the Sporties. The Iron 883 is more bobber-oriented and this Iron 1200 definitely has a café flavor going on. It's not just an Iron 883 with a bigger engine.”

Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 Specifications

Further Reading

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