Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster Common Problems and Ways to Fix

The Harley Davidson Sportster has been a staple of the Milwaukee-based company since its debut in 1996. Since then, the bike has undergone various modifications for providing enthusiasts with the power and reliability they know and love.

While the 1200 Sportster is an excellent choice, it could still use a few tweaks that will ensure it does not develop performance problems down the road.

This article will supply all the information you need if you are looking for signs to watch out for when purchasing a used Sportster or simply trying to maintain yours in excellent condition. Below are the most common Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster issues and recommended fixes.

Your 1200 Sportster's Battery or Electrical Components are Acting Up

Several Harley Davidson motorcycles have been described as having electrical components vulnerable to faults. If your battery fails to charge when connected to power or drains even when the bike is parked, e.g., overnight, chances are high that your battery or electric components are defective.

These components include rectifiers, regulators, wiring harnesses, and stators. Signs that your battery and electrical components are faulty include:

• Flickering of lights
• Lights (dashboard, indicator, or head) going off while you ride
• The lights do not turn on even when the bike is running
• Bulbs burning out

The lights on your Harley may refuse to come up even though the motorcycle is running.

Solution

Where your 1200 Sportster has no signs of life (no ignition, lights, or horn), the culprits could be a failed ignition switch or blown maxi-fuse. You could also be suffering a wiring problem between components like the starter, battery, ignition switch, fuse panel, and maxi-fuse. Inspect all these components for signs of failure.

You may have a damaged ignition switch if you frequently dangle things on your ignition key while riding. Electrical problems could also be caused by loosened battery cables which only need to be tightened. Where you cannot identify the cause of the issue, it is advisable to bring in a professional for expert diagnosis and repair.

Your 1200 Sportster Has Oil Leaks, Smoke Pouring from Exhaust, and has Lost Power/Performance

Riders who have noticed oil puddles under their 1200 Sportsters would be safe to blame a faulty front or rear gasket. Your gaskets may fail due to exposure to continuously high internal pressure. This sustained pressure usually weakens the gasket over time and causes holes and cracks that begin to leak oil. A failing gasket has various symptoms, but the most common is an oil leak.

Your gasket may also be damaged by failing to warm up your Sportster properly. When gaskets do not warm up properly, they are more prone to failure because they do not expand fully before being exposed to friction and pressure after pulling your throttle.

The lack of expansion causes cracks that allow oil to leak through the gasket. Grounding your 1200 Sportster for extended periods is also likely to damage the gaskets because they do not get a chance to heat and expand regularly and thus become very brittle.

Solution

Usually, replacing the faulty gasket solves the issues. It is also advisable to warm up your 1200 Sportster before hitting the road to avoid damaging your gaskets. Where your bike is grounded for a while, ensure your turn on the engine and let it purr for a bit to heat the gaskets.

If you do not replace faulty gaskets as soon as possible, the oil leaks and reduced performance may cause severe damage to your engine over time. Where faulty gaskets are left ignored, riders eventually have to pay for an engine rebuild or replacement to get the bike operational.

Your 1200 Sportster is a Rough Ride

The entire Harley Davidson Sportser line has a reputation for being a rough ride. Your 1200 Sportster may display its limitations on backed-up streets or the freeway. The suspension on your bike will likely be overwhelmed when the wide tires absorb impact from lane cracks, tar strips, or expansion joints.

When traveling on exerting terrain, you may feel some only if you tinker with the setting on your preload-adjustable shocks.

Solution

If you are looking to make your 1200 Sportster a smoother ride, your first step should be adjusting the suspension setting. Even though many riders do not check the settings before hitting the road, their rear shocks can easily be adjusted for preload.

If changing your settings does not make a discernible difference, you may have to purchase new suspenders compatible with your Sportster(for riders whose models' suspenders are no longer manufactured by Harley Davidson). The most popular alternatives are Race Tech and Progressive. 

Your 1200 Sportster Brakes are Mushy/Soft

If you like to test whether your bike is faster than the wind, you need to be guaranteed that you can come to a quick and safe stop. The brakes on your Harley are unlikely to fail, but many riders wish their 1200 Sportsters had breaking capabilities that match its speed.

Your 1200 Sportster is installed with a front brake disc that is 300mm and a rear brake disc that is slightly smaller. The smaller size of the rear brake disc significantly compromises your 1200 Sportster's braking power.

Your rear brake, though smaller, carries most of the weight because the rear tire is wider, and most of your bike's weight rests here.

Solution

Investing in better breaks is a decision that you are unlikely to regret. There are several ways to boot your 1200 Sportster's braking power. Upgrading your caliper or disc will go a long way in ensuring your safety at all times. Riders will also find that installing stainless steel brakes also help to reduce the deficiency.

If you are not ready to spend extra, you could simply swap the front and rear pads for a noticeable increase in braking capability. For about $800, you can spoil your 1200 Sportster with ABS.

Your 1200 Sportster Feels Uncomfortable During Long Rides

The 1200 Sportster's ergonomics are perfect for some riders but not so much for others. If you find your bike's cockpit too compact for your comfort, it may be because the 1200 Sportster is better suited for small riders.

This is why some people wrongfully refer to it as a 'girl' bike. Many big riders have found ways to customize the mid-mount footpegs, neutral sitting, and close-in handlebar to their larger frames.

Solution

Anyone with a 30-inch inseam may feel a little boxed in their 1200 Sportster during long trips. When looking to save your knees the discomfort, your best option would be to tweak the handlebar positioning or replace a deep-dish bucket for a flat perch.

If you are a touring rider, forward foot controls are your best bet. Since ergonomics are very subjective, it is advisable to try different variations to find the most suitable for your body type.

Your 1200 Sportster Has No Wind Protection

The Sportster will not be winning any awards as the most freeway-friendly bike. Considering it has a fuel tank that is large enough to go for hundreds of miles, its lack of a windshield is a turn-off for some riders. The seat on your 1200 Sportster will put you squarely in the way of wind currents. This exposure will get very uncomfortable once you hit speeds of over 50mph.

If you want to put rubber on the road until there is no more road, you must consider installing a permanent or detachable windshield. Harley manufactures several detachable windshields that are compatible with your Sportster.

Your 1200 Sportster's Gears are Slipping During Startup

If your Sportster's gears fail to engage on time after firing up the ignition, it is likely due to a faulty clutch that causes an increase in RPM that is not matched by a similar increase in speed.

Your clutch is a vital component that allows you to transfer power from the engine to your transmission and wheels. It also enables you to change gears while driving.

When your clutch begins to fail, you will face challenges accelerating, decelerating, changing gears, or moving. Poor acceleration is due to the faulty clutch losing power and affecting performance. Where your gears only change with difficulty (or not at all), the likely cause is the sticking in place of the clutch pads.

Solution

Clutch issues are best left to a certified repair expert who can assess the level and nature of damage to your clutch. The professional will advise you whether the problem can be solved with a repair or calls for replacing some components.

How to Ensure Your 1200 Sportster is Reliable

Regardless of the abovementioned issues, many riders will swear on the reliability of the 1200 Sportster. All you need to do is stick by these four rules to ensure your Sportster doesn't turn into a garage queen.

• Adhere to the service schedule
• Clean your bike regularly
• Store your motorcycle as instructed on the manual
• Ride your bike regularly.