2006 vs. 2007 Sportster 1200

CNTLOSE · 06-04-2011, 03:08 PM

I am looking at buying a 2006 Sportster 1200 Custom. To my understanding this is the last year the Sportster had carburetors. Other than maybe cold starting and a warm up period is their any difference in the two years...or all FI ones for that matter? (By this I mean performance and reliability.)

Thanks!

Dodsfall · 06-04-2011, 07:11 PM

It's a good convenience not to have to mess with a choke at start-up, but the carbed versions are fine as far as performance and reliability are concerned.

The biggest change in the later models is the isolated engine mounts for the 2004 and up models. Highly recommended.

SteveM · 06-04-2011, 08:00 PM

I ride an '06 1200 Custom and having carbs really isn't an issue for me. I've never had anything else. The bikes are basically the same and I guess it depends on the price difference. The FI bikes don't need the warm-up period, but I've never been in that much of a hurry to turn the key and go anyway.

CNTLOSE · 06-04-2011, 09:41 PM

That is all good to hear. Especially since I just purchased a 2006 Custom an hour ago.

It feels great to back on a Harley!

SteveM · 06-05-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNTLOSE

That is all good to hear. Especially since I just purchased a 2006 Custom an hour ago.

It feels great to back on a Harley!

Any pics?

CNTLOSE · 06-05-2011, 07:33 PM

Here is one...will ad some more shortly.

SteveM · 06-06-2011, 06:24 AM

Looks great, congrats.

Badlands-4-2 · 06-06-2011, 09:20 AM

The bike looks mostly original. Do you plan on keeping it that way?

OTD · 06-06-2011, 01:14 PM

Congrats, nice looking bike.

CNTLOSE · 06-06-2011, 05:54 PM

Thanks everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badlands-4-2

The bike looks mostly original. Do you plan on keeping it that way?

Yeah other than the seat, mounts for the quick release sissy bar, and tail light upgrade she is bone stock. However she won't be for long. I am looking at the V&H Staggered Shortshots and doing the required intake/carb upgrades. Will also do some other cosmetic things to personalize it, but nothing major. The wife will get this bike after she spends some time on the Honda...at which time I can get the Fat Boy I really want.

Lil' Red Rocket · 06-13-2011, 02:11 PM

Had a 2003 carbed dynasaur...
Got a 2008 Fuel Injected Sporty
can NEVER go back

Power, handling, braking all much better

vistavette · 06-15-2011, 06:07 PM

That's a great looking bike; congratulations. I'd really like to ad a 2007 XL50 (50th ann ed.) to my garage at some point

CNTLOSE · 09-02-2011, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I finally got the Stage 1 upgrade done. I went with the V&H Staggered Shortshots with no baffles and a SE intake. I added some decorative brushed pieces to the oil tank and battery cover that match the one on the gas tank.

Badlands-4-2 · 09-03-2011, 11:20 AM

Looks Nice! Do you notice a big difference in performance/economy after the stage 1?

CNTLOSE · 09-03-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badlands-4-2

Looks Nice! Do you notice a big difference in performance/economy after the stage 1?

I do, not set your pants on fire difference but you do feel it. The biggest difference is I can actually use 5th a 50 mph without it feeling bogged down. As far as economy I keep forgeting to write my mileage down to check it. I have heard that it can cost as much as 4 mpg difference. Not sure if that is because of the larger jets or just the fact that the rider likes to get on it a little more with the sound.

tj107us · 09-06-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNTLOSE

I do, not set your pants on fire difference but you do feel it. The biggest difference is I can actually use 5th a 50 mph without it feeling bogged down. As far as economy I keep forgeting to write my mileage down to check it. I have heard that it can cost as much as 4 mpg difference. Not sure if that is because of the larger jets or just the fact that the rider likes to get on it a little more with the sound.

Its a little both,

06-04-2011, 03:08 PM	#1
CNTLOSE Verified Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 30	2006 vs. 2007 Sportster 1200 I am looking at buying a 2006 Sportster 1200 Custom. To my understanding this is the last year the Sportster had carburetors. Other than maybe cold starting and a warm up period is their any difference in the two years...or all FI ones for that matter? (By this I mean performance and reliability.) Thanks!

06-04-2011, 07:11 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,976	It's a good convenience not to have to mess with a choke at start-up, but the carbed versions are fine as far as performance and reliability are concerned. The biggest change in the later models is the isolated engine mounts for the 2004 and up models. Highly recommended. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-04-2011, 08:00 PM	#3
SteveM Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 433	I ride an '06 1200 Custom and having carbs really isn't an issue for me. I've never had anything else. The bikes are basically the same and I guess it depends on the price difference. The FI bikes don't need the warm-up period, but I've never been in that much of a hurry to turn the key and go anyway. __________________ 1982 Seca 400, 2006 XL1200C, 2007 BV250

06-05-2011, 07:33 PM	#6
CNTLOSE Verified Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 30	Here is one...will ad some more shortly. __________________ 2006 HD Sportster 1200C

06-06-2011, 06:24 AM	#7
SteveM Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 433	Looks great, congrats. __________________ 1982 Seca 400, 2006 XL1200C, 2007 BV250

06-04-2011, 09:41 PM	#4
CNTLOSE Verified Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 30	That is all good to hear. Especially since I just purchased a 2006 Custom an hour ago. It feels great to back on a Harley!

06-06-2011, 09:20 AM	#8
Badlands-4-2 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Badlands of North Dakota Posts: 9,673	The bike looks mostly original. Do you plan on keeping it that way?

06-06-2011, 01:14 PM	#9
OTD Ole Hamburger Hands Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norman OK Posts: 4,796	Congrats, nice looking bike. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-13-2011, 02:11 PM	#11
Lil' Red Rocket Master At Arms Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Washingrad, Slick side Posts: 197	Had a 2003 carbed dynasaur... Got a 2008 Fuel Injected Sporty can NEVER go back Power, handling, braking all much better

06-15-2011, 06:07 PM	#12
vistavette Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 694	That's a great looking bike; congratulations. I'd really like to ad a 2007 XL50 (50th ann ed.) to my garage at some point

09-02-2011, 10:15 PM	#13
CNTLOSE Verified Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 30	Thanks for the comments everyone. I finally got the Stage 1 upgrade done. I went with the V&H Staggered Shortshots with no baffles and a SE intake. I added some decorative brushed pieces to the oil tank and battery cover that match the one on the gas tank. __________________ 2006 HD Sportster 1200C

09-03-2011, 11:20 AM	#14
Badlands-4-2 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Badlands of North Dakota Posts: 9,673	Looks Nice! Do you notice a big difference in performance/economy after the stage 1?

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