Harley Davidson XL 1200R Sportster Roadster

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Roadster comes with neat upside-down forks and more massive triple clamps. Also, the steering geometry has been revised to allow the Roadster to carve around the bends more easily and with more precision.

The 43mm forks now also look more aggressive, especially with the low handlebars Harley fitted on the 2016 Roadster. The front also boasts two 300mm floating rotors squeezed by two-pot calipers for massive and confident stopping power. ABS is optional in the US, but comes standard in Europe. The retro, '20s headlight is common for both models.

Harley added a pair of cast aluminum wheels, 19" for the front and 18" for the rear, both with five offset-split spokes. The tail section has also been redesigned and now exudes a fastback fender that complements the all-new two-up 30.9" (78.5 cm)  seat perfectly.

Also in the back, new dual emulsion-type shocks with pre-load adjustment are there to help riders attain the perfect road stance.

The 1,202cc air-cooled Evolution 45-degree v-twin engine produces 103 Nm (76 lb-ft) @ 3,750 revs per minute, and this should make the Roadster pretty fun to ride on winding, sloping roads.

- Premium emulsion technology rear shocks with screw style pre-load adjustment
- 43 mm inverted front forks with premium cartridge dampening technology and triple clamp design
- Optimized steering geometry for a responsive, confidence-inspiring ride
- Two-up seat with ribbed detail and minimalist styling
- Lightweight, Offset-Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum wheels; 19-inch front, 18-inch rear
- Lowered handlebar
- Extreme chopped rear fender with Integrated license plate bracket/rear lighting assembly (North America only)
- Finned cast timer cover
- Custom tank graphics

Authentic Styling

It only takes three words to describe the look of the Roadster™ motorcycle: garage-built custom. You get blacked-out styling details, slammed bars, chopped rear fender, race-inspired graphics, a finned timer cover, slotted black exhaust shields. The list goes on.

Iconic Engine

Low-end torque is the calling card of the 1200 cc Evolution® V-Twin motor mounted in the nimble frame of the new Roadster™. It’s also known for the soul-satisfying sound.

Handling

The Roadster has plenty of stoplight-to-stoplight muscle, but the places this machine truly shines is in the corners. It’s the only Sportster® in the line with inverted front forks. And there’s a new 43mm front suspension with cartridge damping and a new steering geometry that make for easy handling and a quick response to your inputs. It’s all riding on sticky Dunlop® Harley-Davidson® Series Radial tires.

Comfort

One look at the Roadster™ is all it takes to make you want to get in the saddle and go hard. We added to that feeling with a ride that makes you never want to stop. The new two-up seat is low-profile, but designed to keep you comfortable all day. And the premium suspension is built to absorb the punishment the road wants to throw at your body.

STYLING

Blacked-Out Styling

There’s plenty of black to bring a dark edge to the garage-built look of the Roadster™ motorcycle. The mirrors, belt guard and headlamp are black. The oval air cleaner has a black insert. There are slotted black exhaust shields and a blacked-out powertrain.

New Paint and Graphics

The paint and graphics on the new Roadster™ are an unmistakable nod to the performance heritage that runs deep in the Motor Company.

Slammed Handlebars and New Gauge

You get the performance look and feel of slammed handlebars on the Roadster™. The riding position is aggressive. And the new gauge includes a speedometer and tach so you can keep track of what’s going on in your power plant.

New Light-Weight Offset Split 5-Spoke Wheels

The Roadster™ comes rolling out of the factory on new light-weight, offset split 5-spoke wheels. They give you a custom look, easy-steering and a better power to weight ratio. Now it’s your turn to squeeze every ounce of performance out of this ride.

New Two-Up Seat and Rear Tail Section

The garage-built custom look of the Roadster™ is evident in the new seat and tail section of the bike. Simple, minimal and raw. The seat has a low profile, performance look, and the fender has been chopped 1.5” to accentuate the rear wheel. There’s also a side-mount license plate to keep the fender and wheel clean.

Air Box with Finned Timer Cover

The air box on the Roadster™ is the classic oval, a nod to the heritage of the Sportster® motorcycle and the V-Twin engine at its heart. It’s painted to match the finish on the engine and paired with a finned timer cover to add to the classic, street custom finish on this machine.

Chrome Exhaust Shields with Blacked-Out Muffler Shields

The Roadster™ features classic 2-into-2 tapered blunt cut mufflers. The pipes are chrome, but thanks to slotted black muffler shields things don’t get too bright.

Side-Mount License Plate

There’s a side-mount license plate that keeps the chopped rear fender and rear wheel clean.

ENGINE

1200 cc Air-Cooled Evolution® V-Twin Power

The Evolution® engine—known in certain crowds as the Blockhead—was first bolted to the frame of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle back in 1984. Born from legendary Shovelhead and Ironhead engines, the Evolution® engine broke new ground in displacement innovation while maintaining the hunger for power, durability and proven reliability that The Motor Company was built on.

Iconic 1200 cc Air-Cooled Evolution® Engine

The Motor Company was built on the feeling our engines deliver to the rider, and decades of riding experience went into the development of this one. Born from the legendary engines of our history, the 1200 cc Air-Cooled Evolution® V-Twin is renowned for its massive low-end torque and soul-satisfying sound. Lightweight aluminum heads and cylinders improve air-cooling efficiency, which means reliability that will last for years.

HANDLING

Dual Disc Front Brakes with Floating Rotors

There’s no question you’ve got a lot of muscle behind you when you’re on the Roadster™ motorcycle. That’s why you’ve got dual disc front brakes with floating rotors in front of you. The more confident you are in stopping, the better the going gets.

New 43 mm Front Suspension with Inverted Forks

At the front of the Roadster™ motorcycle, you’ll notice a new 43 mm front suspension with inverted forks. They feature cartridge damping and the brawny look of massive new triple clamps. They keep your rubber on the road when the pavement gets rough.

New Steering Geometry

As part of the new performance package, we engineered a new steering geometry for the Roadster™. The result for you is easy, nimble handling and a confidence-inspiring ride.

Dunlop® Harley-Davidson® Series Radial Black Wall Tires

When you have the combination of this much power and agility, you want sticky rubber to make the most of it. The Roadster™ delivers with Harley-Davidson® Series Radial Black Wall tires.

COMFORT

New Two-Up Seat

The new two-up seat on the Roadster™ motorcycle is the optimal combination of comfort and custom style. It’s a low profile, with a nice, deep scoop to keep you firmly planted under acceleration, and it puts you just 30.9 inches off the ground for a low center of gravity and confident handling.

Premium Emulsion-Type Shocks with Pre-Load

The premium emulsion-type rear shocks on the Roadster™ are all new. They feature a screw-style adjustable pre-load so you can dial the ride in to your style. They give you solid handling, and keep your rubber in contact with the asphalt over the bumps and cracks in the road.