I Love My 2014 72 Sportster I have a Windshield and Leather saddle bags! btw: I’m 5 feet tall and I even had to lower my suspension so I could reach the ground. Also, my bike is louder because I switched pipes That’s a Beautiful bike! 🤙🏻
Good review, thanks for posting! I've been riding a '12 Seventy-Two for over a year now, and I'm very happy with it. I'm six feet tall as well, 230 lbs and I don't have any issues riding it at all. Forward controls give me more than enough leg room. I did find the stock seat to be really uncomfortable, I replaced it with a Lepera Bare Bones for a big improvement. I came from sport bikes (CB900 & GSXR750,) and I don't find the bike to be underpowered at all. Not sport bike fast, but yeah, it moves out in a hurry. Very torquey. Decent brakes and good handling, not much suspension travel. Fit and finish are great, paint work is really good, mine is Big Blue Pearl. Chrome is really nice too. Thanks again for posting. 👍
I bought a used 2013 "72" approximately a month and a half ago. It is fun to ride once you get used to the "Harley Position", with your feet forward and your hands at shoulder height. I agree that the peanut 2.1 gallon tank sucks. Sometimes I have to fuel up twice a day. Mine is "big flake red", and it offsets the clean chrome quite well. I'm 5' 10", and like you, find the seat is a bit short even for me. There is an extended seat available which stretches back further than the stock seat, but I'm hesitant to buy it, in case I don't like it. Mine came with a chromed high rise passenger bar as well. Gives me someplace to attach a small pouch or bag to carry small items like tools and such. One thing I do have to change is the speedometer. The one on my machine doesn't provide any gauge for the engine's RPM and I worry about exceeding the redline level. I have had it on the freeway at speeds up to 80 mph, and found it handled well, even without a windshield. The OEM rear shocks are not as easy on the spine if you have the preload set too high (4 or 5), which can jar the kidneys and lower back when crossing railroad tracks or uneven pavement.
It's definitely a "bar hopper". As soon as you leave the gas station you're thinking about where the next fill up is. lol I'd like to add one to the stable myself cause they are pretty cool. Thanks for posting this SFR.
thank you for the review and glimpse of the 72. I've been contemplating the 72, the 48, Indian Scout, & the Victory Octane. I really love the looks of the 72. I couldn't help but chuckle at your reaction when that car almost pulled out in front of you and your comment on the bart system. I would love to see what your reaction would be to the NYC subway system. keep up the good work on the videos! I enjoy them!
Thanks for the review man... i like it! Im currently in between this or the 48. im only 5 foot 5 and i like those two. i was going to get the 48 up until yesterday but i checked the 72 today earlier at the dealer shop and it was amazing. thx again.
+SanFrancisco Riderr Done! Ps: I'm getting the 72! Has an absolute noticeable more power than the 48 after the 5th gear. Anyways, cheers for the vids :P
With the improvements that they made to the '16, I'm a little surprised that H-D will discontinue it after this year. Hasn't it also been one of their better sellers?
I really liked my XL1200T Superlow but even at 5'8" 100 miles a day is a bit much for a sporty so I upgraded to the FLD Switchback and it's great. I've yet to test ride a 72 or really any of the other Sportsters but they are definitely very nice looking. And I completely agree on the fit, finish, and cool factor but if I could, I'd own many different bikes, lol. Thanks for the review. Cheers
Nice, thanks for the detailed review. Do you remember what the cornering was like. I am trying to decide between the 48 or 72 I am leaning toward the 48 but have not been for a ride on the 72.
Really dig the looks of the 72. Named after the route in Whittier where the bobber-chopper was a popular trend in the 70s. Super small for me tho and feels like a toy. Easy to ride and fun. Harley is discontinuing this mode??? Where did you hear that??
Great looking and performing, XL1200cc, Sporty. Sportys have come a long way in terms of lowering the engine vibration, over the years, too. Since, '04, they have rubber mounted engines to take the shake, rattle and roll, out of the rider's teeth. In my opinion, this is the only modern H-D, to own, cause it still utilizes the EVOLUTION engine design, a proven design, with METAL GEAR DRIVE to operate the 4 cams, instead of a silent/roller chain drive, which can stretch and affect cam/valve timing, and also have with PLASTIC cam chain, tensioners, which must be periodically replaced, on all the Twin Cam engines, produced since '99 to the present. And the right side, final belt drive on the Sporty makes belt change out quick, simple and easy, as opposed to the big Twin, H-Ds, which are time-consuming and very costly, to change out the final belt drive. One should get many years of great, reliable service out of the H-D, 72, with it's nice profile and lines.
you would have to fill up the gas tank at least 2 times, i only took it for a short ride around Oakland airport and did not get the chance to ride longer.......
+Fat Harold I have a 2014 72 and a 2011 Road King Classic. For around town, I thoroughly enjoy riding my 72. Fun as hell! MANY upgrades available for it, especially that crappy stock seat. You can check out my bikes on Instagram. My username is the same and my account is public. I enjoy assisting fellow riders.
understood, however it was a brand new bike and dealership wanted me to keep the rev's low so the future buyer has a good bike, hence my driving to respect the new buyer thx
I would love to have a 72 Sportster. I think these are the nicest Harley’s on the road
Ah, the 72 Sportster - the epitome of two-wheeled perfection. It's like the Mona Lisa of Harley's, capturing the hearts of riders everywhere.
I Love My 2014 72 Sportster
I have a Windshield and Leather saddle bags!
btw:
I’m 5 feet tall and I even had to lower my suspension so I could reach the ground.
Also, my bike is louder because I switched pipes
That’s a Beautiful bike! 🤙🏻
Good review, thanks for posting!
I've been riding a '12 Seventy-Two for over a year now, and I'm very happy with it. I'm six feet tall as well, 230 lbs and I don't have any issues riding it at all. Forward controls give me more than enough leg room.
I did find the stock seat to be really uncomfortable, I replaced it with a Lepera Bare Bones for a big improvement.
I came from sport bikes (CB900 & GSXR750,) and I don't find the bike to be underpowered at all. Not sport bike fast, but yeah, it moves out in a hurry. Very torquey.
Decent brakes and good handling, not much suspension travel.
Fit and finish are great, paint work is really good, mine is Big Blue Pearl. Chrome is really nice too.
Thanks again for posting. 👍
Great feedback 👍 do subscribe to my channel ! 👍 thx
I bought a used 2013 "72" approximately a month and a half ago. It is fun to ride once you get used to the "Harley Position", with your feet forward and your hands at shoulder height. I agree that the peanut 2.1 gallon tank sucks. Sometimes I have to fuel up twice a day. Mine is "big flake red", and it offsets the clean chrome quite well.
I'm 5' 10", and like you, find the seat is a bit short even for me. There is an extended seat available which stretches back further than the stock seat, but I'm hesitant to buy it, in case I don't like it. Mine came with a chromed high rise passenger bar as well. Gives me someplace to attach a small pouch or bag to carry small items like tools and such.
One thing I do have to change is the speedometer. The one on my machine doesn't provide any gauge for the engine's RPM and I worry about exceeding the redline level. I have had it on the freeway at speeds up to 80 mph, and found it handled well, even without a windshield. The OEM rear shocks are not as easy on the spine if you have the preload set too high (4 or 5), which can jar the kidneys and lower back when crossing railroad tracks or uneven pavement.
Partriarch excellent write up, thx for sharing, SFR
Nice video! I am restoring a 2012 model. Great bike!
It's definitely a "bar hopper". As soon as you leave the gas station you're thinking about where the next fill up is. lol I'd like to add one to the stable myself cause they are pretty cool. Thanks for posting this SFR.
I got a mini gas can for mine that sits in the front by the handle bars custom made 30 ounce gets me 150miles+ per fill up,
thank you for the review and glimpse of the 72. I've been contemplating the 72, the 48, Indian Scout, & the Victory Octane. I really love the looks of the 72. I couldn't help but chuckle at your reaction when that car almost pulled out in front of you and your comment on the bart system. I would love to see what your reaction would be to the NYC subway system. keep up the good work on the videos! I enjoy them!
thanks for the note Pat, those are good choices, good luck with your decision, i want to review the Octane, so stay tuned
I'm going to go test ride one of these. Love the styling and I won't be doing long rides so this is right up my alley
cool let me know how you found it, others will be interesed
Harleys r really cool I like them...BUT nothing compares to the old triumphs...the sound, the vibration, the handling, the cool factor.....best IMO
I'm 6 ft too and ride a xl1200l. It has forwards with 12" mini apes and it's a pleasure to ride! You complain too much 😅
Thanks for the review man... i like it! Im currently in between this or the 48. im only 5 foot 5 and i like those two. i was going to get the 48 up until yesterday but i checked the 72 today earlier at the dealer shop and it was amazing. thx again.
thx bro, good luck with your purchase, both great bikes, do subscribe if u get the chance
+SanFrancisco Riderr Done! Ps: I'm getting the 72! Has an absolute noticeable more power than the 48 after the 5th gear. Anyways, cheers for the vids :P
Congrats Bro ! awesome
With the improvements that they made to the '16, I'm a little surprised that H-D will discontinue it after this year. Hasn't it also been one of their better sellers?
yeah i am very suprised they are eliminating this bike, its one of the best looking bikes i have seen
I really liked my XL1200T Superlow but even at 5'8" 100 miles a day is a bit much for a sporty so I upgraded to the FLD Switchback and it's great. I've yet to test ride a 72 or really any of the other Sportsters but they are definitely very nice looking. And I completely agree on the fit, finish, and cool factor but if I could, I'd own many different bikes, lol. Thanks for the review. Cheers
Nice, thanks for the detailed review. Do you remember what the cornering was like. I am trying to decide between the 48 or 72 I am leaning toward the 48 but have not been for a ride on the 72.
thx, the 48 will corner better than the 72
Kinda bummed that they will stop making these
KTX _90 really? source?
Really dig the looks of the 72. Named after the route in Whittier where the bobber-chopper was a popular trend in the 70s. Super small for me tho and feels like a toy. Easy to ride and fun.
Harley is discontinuing this mode??? Where did you hear that??
Hey Ryan the dealership gave me the update 1 month ago
Hello great video! Would you recommend this bike for a new rider. A bit on the height challenged? 5’7” 230lb. ?
Yes and yes
SFR SanFranciscoRider thanks for the quick response. I am also in the Bay Area enjoy the temp heat wave. ✌️
Less talk...more hitting the throttle.
ok got it
Nice bike
What's a Hawley Davidson ?
Hey great review thank you
thx John👍🏻
You can always put on a passenger pillion.
Great looking and performing, XL1200cc, Sporty. Sportys have come a long way in terms of lowering the engine vibration, over the years, too. Since, '04, they have rubber mounted engines to take the shake, rattle and roll, out of the rider's teeth. In my opinion, this is the only modern H-D, to own, cause it still utilizes the EVOLUTION engine design, a proven design, with METAL GEAR DRIVE to operate the 4 cams, instead of a silent/roller chain drive, which can stretch and affect cam/valve timing, and also have with PLASTIC cam chain, tensioners, which must be periodically replaced, on all the Twin Cam engines, produced since '99 to the present. And the right side, final belt drive on the Sporty makes belt change out quick, simple and easy, as opposed to the big Twin, H-Ds, which are time-consuming and very costly, to change out the final belt drive. One should get many years of great, reliable service out of the H-D, 72, with it's nice profile and lines.
Too bad they took out the "trap door" access to the transmission gears, in 2003. Also, an aftermarket 6 speed is made for the pre-2004 : (
damn i want a seventy-two
hows it on a 200 mile trip ?
you would have to fill up the gas tank at least 2 times, i only took it for a short ride around Oakland airport and did not get the chance to ride longer.......
3 Fill-ups
the 72 is the best sportster ever made
+Fat Harold Definitely better than my first Sporty...
+Fat Harold I have a 2014 72 and a 2011 Road King Classic. For around town, I thoroughly enjoy riding my 72. Fun as hell! MANY upgrades available for it, especially that crappy stock seat. You can check out my bikes on Instagram. My username is the same and my account is public. I enjoy assisting fellow riders.
its 73.2 cubic inches.
1202 i believe
where the heck ya from boy?
sounds Australian
stufoo nah I'm Australian. He sounds Dutch or Swiss maybe.
Love the look it´s awesome but i think this bike will be to small for me, i´m 6´3 tall :-(
I'm 6'3" and I've got one with the extended fwd controls. Fits and feels great. Accutronix make them
you carry on about the 21 inch front wheel , apparently it causes a wobble at 70mph
i have one and go 70 all the time with no problem. i don't get why some people say this?
That's a given.
it sounds like it thumps in
👍its really cool bike 👍
you should of opend up....this thing is plenty fast...LOL more power it's a 1200
with small tank light...this thing rips.....LOL. I have one ha....
understood, however it was a brand new bike and dealership wanted me to keep the rev's low so the future buyer has a good bike, hence my driving to respect the new buyer thx
+SFR SanFranciscoRider cool to bad this bike is fast...
LZ Martin yeah I was the same. I'm like come on GIVE IT SOME. 😁
did you say 72 cubic inches ? The 72 stands for 1972
contact Harley genius
I suppose the 48 stands for 48 ci. nope 1948 styling fat front tire. 1972 = tall skinny front tire . both are 1200 cc approx
Actually named after "route 72"
The 1200 engine on the Sportsters are actually 73.4 Cubic Inchs or 1,202 Cubic Centimeters
type in 72 sportster on Harley Davidsons official site "inspired by the wild haired riders of the 70's..........."
I'd like to see what Honda could do, if they gutted the insides of a new Sportster, and put their own gears and pistons in it.