i
was one of those guys who dismissed Sportsters. Not because they’re “girls’ bikes” or “underpowered”—they just weren’t for me. I like the idea of a bike I can ride around town and take on a crosscountry journey, and Sportys just don’t fit that bill. What I immediately noticed about the Iron 1200, however, was the apparent homage to AMF Harley days with the paint and the blacked-out nature of the bike. It seems like the styling department at Harley has been paying attention to our cover bikes over the last year or so, because the Iron 1200 incorporates a lot of what we at Cycle Source look for in a bike. I was hanging out with some bike builders when I first saw it, and we could see the mark Harley was trying to hit, and I think they got very close. The notion behind this bike seems to be a stripped-down, brand-new 1200 Sportster that might appeal to the same guy who would consider getting an older bike with similar styling. Of course, this new bike also comes with all the modern amenities and a warranty. I am not their target audience, but this bike
made me consider it as an option to run around town on—it was that fun. What made this bike fun? Let’s start with the 19-inch, nine-spoke cast front wheel with retro exterior shock boots and black mini-ape handlebars. That combo gave the feel of a nimble cruiser that could do double duty as a bar hopper and a bike for day tripping. The other feature that makes this bike is really a personal preference—it has mid controls. This allows me, as the rider, to feel the bike beneath me and steer with my feet, which I much prefer to forward controls. The plastic headlight cowl (which they call a speed screen) is a nod to club-style bikes, and, although it serves no functional purpose, it does hide the headlight and wiring. The 3.3-gallon peanut tank is a feature that sets this bike apart—it has a subtle ridge down the middle of the tank, and it’s also set higher to expose some of the backbone, giving it a chopperlike aesthetic. I had the bike long enough to get all the comments from friends like, “What girl did you borrow that bike from?” and “You’re a little old for a millennial, aren’t you?” But I also got comments like, “Wow, that bike is pretty cool” and “I think they hit the mark.” The
cycle source - BETWEEN THE LINES
Arai Defiant X Helmet with Pro Shade - I typically ride with a full-face helmet, so the cruiser oriented Defiant X helmet was a welcome addition. It has great styling, modern ventilation and fits great. I love the fact that their sun shield is outside the helmet with Pro Shade. As the people from Arai said, “Why would you want something that could shatter that close to your eyes when you could be using that room for extra protection.” Although I found the visor and Pro Shade challenging with gloves at first, I grew to like the secure air tight closure. MSRP $695.95- $809.95
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June ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
