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2020 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS - Sportster Iron 1200 , Motorcycles are different things to different people.
Cruisers remain a mystery to some motorcyclists--even veteran riders--who can't quite understand the appeal of something that isn't the newest, fastest, and best handling.
Fortunately, Harley-Davidson continues to build motorcycles that are part of our lives, rather than simply a highly efficient extractor of adrenaline--not that there's anything wrong with that.
This brings us to the 2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200, back for its third year in production.
Just looking at the Iron 1200 puts me in a good mood, appealing to my sense of motorcycle riding on a wide variety of levels.
The classic pushrod-actuated two-valve motor is welcoming simplicity.
Air cooling keeps things real, while the touch-of-modern EFI system is tastefully hidden by a round air filter holder.
How much horsepower does the 73 ci V-twin put out? I couldn't possibly care.
The critical numbers are 73 ft-pounds of torque at 3500 rpm.
From idle, I have all the linear power I need to do battle in traffic, cruise the boulevards, or take on the urban canyons.
The rubber-mounted Evolution motor sounds good, and feels right in the chassis.
Above the engine sits a fuel tank that brings back the 1970s.
Without a doubt, the 1970s AMF-era-inspired styling has been controversial.
For some, it recalls dark days for The Motor Company, and I can understand that.
I was taken aback by the graphics when they debuted three years ago, but I can say that I'm glad Harley-Davidson has stuck to the styling guns with the 2020 Iron 1200.
It has been nearly 40 years since AMF bowed out, so I think we can let bygones be bygones.
Oh, and the tank holds a usable 3.
3 gallons thanks to a claimed 48 mpg, so you won't be hitting the gas station every few minutes as you would with an actual peanut tank.
Other period-perfect styling touches include the fork gaiters, bikini fairing, bobbed fenders, minimalist speedometer, and side-mounted license plate.
I would like to see wire-spoke wheels to bring it all together.
Ergonomics on the 2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 recall a Schwinn Stingray with the mid-position foot controls, Mini-Apes, and a solo seat.
The seat/peg ratio is best suited to smaller riders, though the raised handlebar gives needed knee-room to taller riders.
Although my 32-inch inseam could have used more room, it didn't stop me from enjoying day-rides in the city and the hinterlands.
The seat has sparse padding, as Harley-Davidson wants to keep the seat height as low as possible.
For me, a more posh seat would be fine, as my knees are still bent when flat-footing it at stops.
I do appreciate the stop at the back of the seat when I twist the throttle hard.
My butt settles right in with the proper support, and we're off to have a great time.
Throwing the 564-pound Iron.
Cruisers remain a mystery to some motorcyclists--even veteran riders--who can't quite understand the appeal of something that isn't the newest, fastest, and best handling.
Fortunately, Harley-Davidson continues to build motorcycles that are part of our lives, rather than simply a highly efficient extractor of adrenaline--not that there's anything wrong with that.
This brings us to the 2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200, back for its third year in production.
Just looking at the Iron 1200 puts me in a good mood, appealing to my sense of motorcycle riding on a wide variety of levels.
The classic pushrod-actuated two-valve motor is welcoming simplicity.
Air cooling keeps things real, while the touch-of-modern EFI system is tastefully hidden by a round air filter holder.
How much horsepower does the 73 ci V-twin put out? I couldn't possibly care.
The critical numbers are 73 ft-pounds of torque at 3500 rpm.
From idle, I have all the linear power I need to do battle in traffic, cruise the boulevards, or take on the urban canyons.
The rubber-mounted Evolution motor sounds good, and feels right in the chassis.
Above the engine sits a fuel tank that brings back the 1970s.
Without a doubt, the 1970s AMF-era-inspired styling has been controversial.
For some, it recalls dark days for The Motor Company, and I can understand that.
I was taken aback by the graphics when they debuted three years ago, but I can say that I'm glad Harley-Davidson has stuck to the styling guns with the 2020 Iron 1200.
It has been nearly 40 years since AMF bowed out, so I think we can let bygones be bygones.
Oh, and the tank holds a usable 3.
3 gallons thanks to a claimed 48 mpg, so you won't be hitting the gas station every few minutes as you would with an actual peanut tank.
Other period-perfect styling touches include the fork gaiters, bikini fairing, bobbed fenders, minimalist speedometer, and side-mounted license plate.
I would like to see wire-spoke wheels to bring it all together.
Ergonomics on the 2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 recall a Schwinn Stingray with the mid-position foot controls, Mini-Apes, and a solo seat.
The seat/peg ratio is best suited to smaller riders, though the raised handlebar gives needed knee-room to taller riders.
Although my 32-inch inseam could have used more room, it didn't stop me from enjoying day-rides in the city and the hinterlands.
The seat has sparse padding, as Harley-Davidson wants to keep the seat height as low as possible.
For me, a more posh seat would be fine, as my knees are still bent when flat-footing it at stops.
I do appreciate the stop at the back of the seat when I twist the throttle hard.
My butt settles right in with the proper support, and we're off to have a great time.
Throwing the 564-pound Iron.
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