Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom vs Harley-Davidson XL1200X Springer Forty-Eight (2012)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Customstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL1200X Springer Forty-Eight. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecHarley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 CustomHarley-Davidson XL1200X Springer Forty-Eight
Model year20122012
Price$10,299$10,499
Engine1201 cc1201 cc
Torque107 Nm107 Nm
Weight251 kg247 kg
Seat height27 mm26 mm
Fuel capacity4.5 L2.1 L
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission5-speed5-speed
Front brakesSingle disc. Dual-pistonSingle disc. Dual-piston
Rear brakesSingle disc. Single-pistonSingle disc. Single-piston
Tires130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16 130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16

Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom vs Harley-Davidson XL1200X Springer Forty-Eight — which should you buy?

Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom and the Harley-Davidson XL1200X Springer Forty-Eight usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom brings its published horsepower in a 251 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL1200X Springer Forty-Eight counters with its own power figure at 247 kg. On price, the Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom has the lower MSRP.

Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: