JOYRIDE: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two
2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two XL1200V
This is one hell of a Harley – the look, design and feel of this bike is nearly flawless. The Seventy-Two weighs only 559 lbs. and is the perfect all around town cruiser that will turn heads and elicit envy from riders everywhere.
Since its 2012 debut, there has been nothing in the market that comes close to this level of customized coolness in a factory built machine.
The Sportster has been the industry standard bearer since 1957 and while the Seventy-Two shares more technology with the 1986 model redesign, it still has the DNA of the original with its triangular oil tank, staggered exhaust pipes and tiny headlight. But the Seventy-Two also shares the spirit and soul of custom motorcycles from the early 1970s.
According to the now vintage, Harley public relations lore, “The Seventy-Two is a respectful nod to that era, and to the influence of the custom culture that still percolates today along Whittier Boulevard, the legendary cruising street in East Los Angeles also known as Route 72.”
You don’t have to live in East L.A. to appreciate it, but this motorcycle works anywhere you ride it. Provided it’s not too far, since it only has a 2.1-gallon peanut tank. But, the sexy Sportster is no garage queen either and the glittering iron horse will take you anywhere and back again in style.
Just look at this beautiful beast: Mini-ape handlebars, a skinny, 21-inch white wall tire up front, 16-inch fatty in the rear, chromed out, spoke wheels, staggered slash pipes and a wicked Hard Candy, Black Gold paint job that will make your teeth hurt.
The solo seat at a 26.6-inch seat height is also perfect for its size and all day riding, any bigger would kill the fun, but adding a banana seat with a super long iron tale would look pretty badass too.
Could it have more power? Sure, most bikes could always use more ccs, but this is not a dragster, it’s an old school, belt driven cruiser made for modern rebels looking to raise a little hell on weekends or every single day and night of the week.
There are currently a half dozen Sportster models to choose from and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. The narrow and stripped down Seventy-Two, at 89.6 inches is the longest Sportster available today with the longest wheelbase at 60.6 inches.
For 2016, all Sportster models feature an all-new front and rear suspension upgrades that pair emulsion coil-over shocks with new front cartridge forks. The air-cooled V-Twin Evolution engine with a 5-speed transmission is still cranking out the good times for anyone looking for some action.
Prices start at $11,099 and you can read the specs and build your own Seventy-Two here.
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