Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low vs Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster (2011)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Lowstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low
Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low | Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2011 | 2008 |
| Price | $9,899 | $8,895 |
| Engine | 1201 cc | 1200 cc |
| Torque | 107 Nm | 107 Nm |
| Weight | 253 kg | 256 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 30 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 L | 4.5 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Dual-piston. | Single disc. 4-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Single-piston. | Single disc. 2-piston calipers |
| Tires | 100/90-19 / 150/80-16 | 100/90-H19 / 150/80-B16 |
Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low vs Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low and the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low brings its published horsepower in a 253 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster counters with its own power figure at 256 kg. On price, the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster 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: