How Fast Is a Harley Sportster 1200? (Stock vs Stage 1) 

New to riding. Picked up an '02 1200 XL custom. Already has the upgraded intake sytem on it but stock exhaust. Couldn't be happier. I've had so much fun not only riding, but learning to do my own work on it.

The 72's are such awesome sportsters.

I don't know how people find something to dislike about this vid... great video man been watching your content for about 2 years now. Keep up the good work Blockhead.

JIMMY MAC!!!! Dude!!!! He was hands down my favorite teacher at MMI! He was a great teacher and made learning fun! So glad to see him still doing it! So awesome! Learned a lot from him! 🍻

Watching this series so far has gotten me so much invested in dyno tuning and wanting to be a dyno tech.. I have learned so much from this so far that I want to go to school to learn it but it is WAY too expensive to do it

I always loved the 72's. Just classy lil bikes.

That gold flake paint job is SICK. That's the first HD I've seen in a long time that I would probably actually ride... just because it looks so damn cool.

Wow this guy has probably forgotten more about working on Harleys than most guys know who are doing diy video's on you tube. Great explanations, clear and concise only a good teacher can make a complicated subject easy and interesting to wrap your head around thank you.

That was very interesting to watch. Dr Mac is great to listen to. Sounds like he’s a great instructor.

Very informative thanks Block, I've got a 2020 48 special currently being run in but I'm toying with the idea of a stage 1 afterwards. This is the best video I've seen and I now understand a lot more.🤯

I put a stage 2 with some short shots on my 2019 1200 Iron among other things and my bike is very iconic in my town with how aggressive I ride it leaving everyone behind. You can hear me coming from across town. I love the sportsters

The gear shift /peak hp breakdown is the best ive 3ver heard for explaining staying in the fat zone,pure gold block 🔥🤘

Sportster Aftermarket: "Whatever you want, we have it in black or chrome in at least 19 different sizes."

I’ve got a Lucky Green 2013 Sportster 72. Love that bike.

I really enjoyed listening to him explain all the little technical details. Fascinating. It makes me want to work at my local HD dealer and become a "dyno guy". 👍

Dr Mac has probably forgotten more about this stuff than most Dyno guys have learned. I had to watch this video twice to "get it". Well, done Blockhead. This is the kind of video that helps a LOT more than watching guys ride to lunch places....if you know who I mean...

I'm new to this ch. This is some of the best instruction I have ever heard. He made the science of tuning so simple. He deserves to be called "Professor"

I have a 2013 Sportster 72 matte black. Absolutely love this bike

Jimmy is not only extremely knowledgeable, he's able to share that knowledge in ways that others can understand. It's obvious that he's an instructor and not strictly a tuner/builder.

Not just raw date. But a professionals reasoning and explanation of the mindset the engineers had when developing the product. Everyone wants to chase more but really it's fine the way it was, even if limited on the top end

Love your video, thanks for the in depth explanation. Bought my 72 used. It had V&H pipes and I added the S&S teardrop mini. I'm 61 and have had a few sportys and big twins. I don't need any more power than what this thing puts out-serious get up and go. My thoughts before I got it was a cam upgrade-couple rides and I'm over that.

Just pulled my 2019 Roadster out of the Storage/Mod Season up here in Washington State. Mods - 2-1 Full System Exhaust, The Gas Box 007 Air Intake, HD Tuner, Dyno Tuned. Lost weight dropping the OEM exhaust and spam can intake. Stock OEM - The Evo 1200 did not like going anything above 85mph. The power just started petering out. My customized Stage 1 NON Screaming Eagle EFI Roadster - 100mph uphill all day long with lots of left over twist to go on the throttle. It was worth it in my opinion. It is like a limiter was removed from the engine. The other big plus is my knee isn't banging on the Spam Can.

I'm really enjoying all the videos of the Dyno runs and the explanations of HP and TQ numbers. Great series and I'm looking forward to more Goldzilla content!

Great episode bro 👍! I learnt a lot watching this, he really knows his stuff. And hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿

I bought an /08 1200 on stage one but they ran it without a tune..... The spark plugs were snow white after running. Installed V&H tuner and that's what she needed. I got more fuel to match the air. Awesome difference. Plugs are honey colored as should be. Makes for a good Sportster. This demo here is spot on with it's geometry.

That is very cool!!!! Really like these videos! Keep up the good work and stay safe out there.

Damn this was informative! Makes me want to dial in my bike ... between a new suspension, exhaust, stage 2, tune and dyno ... damnit Blockhead ... you're making me broke... geez

That torque explanation was on point. I dont ride a bike, but I totally understood brodie!!

I love this guy’s analogies. He makes things easier to grasp, he must be a great instructor. This is by far the best comparison/explanation video of tuning that I’ve seen. Thanks a bunch for doing this. In addition, I’m not usually a fan of the ‘72 but damn I’d buy that one in a heartbeat!

Great vid mate. Enough info for an average bloke to get himself in trouble lol That comment of HD Vtwin being 2 separate engines connected in 1 block sat well. Getting them both running optimum, then running in sync is where the magic happens.

Gotta love technicians who break bikes in on the dyno!! Clutch and all loved that also!

Globs of info we have needed for years! Awesome, so much value in this video!

I love his analogies but they make sense to me. Great teacher!!

Nice to see Jimmy Mack still there. He was one of my instructors when I attended MMI

J Mac is a great guy. I have had many dealings with him throughout the years. Stage one 1200 sportsters will make 69-75 hp and 72-77 torque. A 883 to 1200 conversion will make more power because of primary drive ratio

on the 2007 and new sportsters, you would think that the computer would adjust the fuel air mixture to be spot on no matter what mods you make.

jimmy mac was my instructor for one of my class that introduced the M8 engine

I have that same 72 color and everything it was my dads when he passed it’s what getting me started riding lol

Have 2015 xl totally stock,pretty quick.happy with it!

Interesting. Very interesting. Thanks for doing this series on the Dyno/Tuning of the bikes! 👍🏻

The sportster is such a versatile bike. The one in my avi is a 1994 that started life as a 883 standard that went to a 1200 and is now a triked hammer 1250 with raked trees, 4 gallon sport Bob tank, pingel shifter and thunderheader. Really just too much to list. It fucking rips even with that heavy ass trike swing arm and rearend. I'm not sure what cams it has though as I've yet to open the cam chest. I have a set of buell thunderstorm heads I plan to install in the near future. Yes that is my wheelchair mounted on the back!

Very intelligent instructor, appreciate the video so interesting block!!

❤️ wow that sportster looks good,love the color ! WOW a 72 !

My 02 1200c was a factory custom......it had the chrome motor and bluish/grey and cream white with ruby red pin stripping...and 24 caret gold HD on the tank...it had drag bars on a riser...I removed the drag bars and put 6 inch bars on it....with the riser and the 6 bars it was pretty rad.....it had been dyno jetted.....it always wanted to go up in 3rd gear...very fast.

One of the best block vids yet!

Coming from a Vmax owner whom consistently stomped V-Rods, I finally thought I may calm things down a bit and buy a new Harley "Breakout". I didn't need the power nor the speed any longer. I figured a cruiser with a bit of snort would be enough. The Harley dealer insisted I try the (At that Time) the Breakout. Took it out for a ride and I was thoroughly disappointed. I remember riding 1980's era Kawasaki 440's that had more power. Keep in mind I was comparing it to my old school 1200 Vmax...not the modern version. Again, I wasn't looking for something as powerful as the old version of the Vmax...just something with snort that was about 70% of the power. The salesman told me I could upgrade the already $22,000 bike with these stage 1 through 4 kits. He also told me the stage 4 kit voids the warranty. Each stage added thousands of dollars at that time. The new version of the Yamaha Vmax (1700cc) was on the market for just under $18,000 and it would stomp a stage 10 Harley if there was such a thing. I walked out of the dealership. Harley needs to make bikes that honk from the factory with a decent warranty....get rid of the "Stages" upgrades. Anybody can straight pipe exhaust, make a lot of noise and watch a Volkswagen beat you across the intersection. How about make a reliable, decently powered cruiser that looks and performs great from the factory? When Harley hits those points, I may consider buying one.

This is a great video! I like how in depth he goes! This answered so many questions I had for upgrading my Honda interstate!

Damn, I learned so much. Great video! Can't wait to see the results of the Stage 4 Sporty.

Wasn't the second bike dyno"ed in this vid a 1200R (Sportster 1200 Roadster) ? It looks like, dual disks in the front, black motor, and this particular paint with the scalop on the tank...without saying the Mickey's ears on the bar :-D This one was from factory a bit more powered than usual stock Sportster with some more HP than the usual ones. First thing that come to my mind is that they should have an Andrews camshaft (don't know if it is the right name as english is not my native language). Continue the great content !!! I'm always waiting for new vids from you with the blockhead's squad and an amazing content !!!

Super cool to learn about this stuff🤙 I’m doing the red flake paint job on my 48 to look like the red flake on the 72.

Highest area under the curve. Key. You said something really important, really quickly right there.

Dr Mac knows his stuff 👌🏾. I’d love to get my 48 on the dyno. Keep up the great vlogs bro. 👍🏾🤙🏾

I bought 1200 Sportster with a stage 1 air filter, Vance and Hines short shot, and a Vance and Hines tuner. I added the Screaming Eagle clutch and this bikes rips. Oddly enough just like in this vid I started to find if I shift earlier rather then rapping it all the way out to the end of rpm band. I would have more power. It actually lifts the front wheel enough going into second to scare piss out of you. Not something I expected the first time I hit the power band just right 😉

Any opnions on the V&H FP3 tuner? Also, it would be nice to see a comparison between these "off the shelf" tuners and see how well they perform on the same bike. Great videos, keep them coming!

Slow vs water cooled 1200’s. Throttle by wire, for emissions, and liquid cooling has really helped with horsepower production. We have bikes that make over 200 horsepower. This same throttle by wire allows engineers to tame the power delivery with software which also makes possible Lean TC, Lean ABS, cruise control, antiwheelie, etc.

By far the XL1200V Seventy-Two is the best looking sportster made. Didn't quite sell like hotcakes when they were available but are in HUGE demand now. IF you can find one in nice shape especially with the $800 hard candy custom paint upgrade....... grab it!

We used to have a Buell X1W with aftermarket exhaust and no rev limiter. That thing had SO much torque. We used to have to really warn people when they rode it. Some dude in the city we lived in claimed he swapped his Sporter's engine out with an X1 Buell engine, or maybe modified it to make the engine basically a Buell (same base engine anyway.) It's been a while so I don't recall the details too well. I would bet it was a lot of fun to twist a throttle on that bike.

Those slash cut slip-on's are LOUD! I had to use them on my '93 Sporty to scavenge the N8 cams. It wasn't worth the aggravation.

Just get the engine to breathe. Head porting, flow bench work and a street valve job will help. Cams with the right amount of overlap helps immensely. A good 2 into 1 exhaust is the way to go. Build what you want. Ride safe.

Nice! I just bought a 2015 sportster 72. Only has 500 miles. Lowest mile used 72 I'd ever found till i saw this one.

I loved this bike I never had the funds to get on they were 20K AUD and I got a 883 Super low ex demo a year later for a bargain in 2022 I would so much like one but you can only have one bike

Loving the technical dive in these vids.

We've got a 2016 Breakout at the dealership I work at in the black and gold hard candy

Great informative video! Def do more of these.. plus stage 2...3....4

That’s one hell of a bike 🤤 with that gold lock that’s your stile but not a not of black, I like it

This guy is very good at explainations

aesome video!!! very informative , I really need to get a tuner for my sporty asap. also a air cleaner.

I leaned this shift pattern a long time ago when I was vary young kid . I leaned my self from riding and driving my car and bike . I can feel and hear the bike what it likes . Now my hearing is failing a bit and it is hard to hear the engine vibe to tune the bikes I have . Another thing that I have learned that the density has a lot to do with how an engine runs . Some days the air is light even when the sun is out and some days it is heavy . I sort of knew when a bike of even my car would perform the best . I just have this feeling inside of me that what is right . It was a pain in the back side to tune a multi carb bike or car . Ho what I mean about car I had cars that had multi carbs on them directly to each port like a bike would have . A carb bike are not so easy to tune in making it rich or lean just by changing up the jets . Just sinking in the carbs to each cylinder is easy for me . I can do both buy ear and feel . When children used to play with toy cars I was playing with engines and things that did not work or it did work and try to break it . One time I took a carb off a lawn mower because it was leaking fuel out of the carb . I wanted to see why it was doing that . I took the bowl off and pulled the pin out to get the float out . back then I did not know what parts was called but I knew what parts are and leaned on my own as I went . But any way I got the float out and leaned what it was for . I leaned that the float would rise as fuel went into bowl area and that pushed the needle to stop the flow . So the so called float or the needle was ether bad or at least the problem . I shook the float and I could feel something slushing inside it and it didn't come out , I got my dads propane tank out and crack the knob on it and lit a match . I just learned how to light the torch . So I put the poor old float on the ground and aim the flame at the float to heat it up . Hoping that it would do something and it did . Steam started and then it lit up . A little flame out of the little hole on the bottom side of the float and that turned into a bigger flame and a longer flame . It did that for a little longer then it started to burn back and just burn around the float . This happened for a while then the float popped apart . After wards and the parts of the float where they spit apart had cooled . I just learned that what was in the float was fuel and that made the float heavy so it let more fuel into the float bowl area and let the carb to over flow . I know this was long and not in the field of this . But I did learned something from this good guy here and wanted to tell a story about learning new things . I still love tinkering on things and I love that some people tell there story and I can lean from them .

I have a 2015, 1200 fourty eight with Cobra slip-ons (cat back), and stock air filter. So it sounds like with just an intake and some sort of tuner, I can increase power and torque by 10-15% that's very impressive. I will look for a tuner and intake ASAP!!

My first Harley was an 883. Skipped to 88 and think the 1200 is in view very soon.

I ride an 06 Sporty 1200 and I suppose its only a stage 1 screamin eagle. I love the bike! I installed a 9 disk Barnett clutch and its sweet.

Nice explanation of Hp and Torque. Thanks.

Wow, that was excellent! More like this please.

Would be awesome to see more about the 72 :0

That's an awesome Sportster 72,love the old school chopper looks of those bikes

Great video, very interesting. My 1200 is full stage one, I’d love to go all the way to stage 4 😁. I’ve been looking at cams but don’t really know where to start. I burnt out my stock clutch though, just fitted an Energy One.

That exact same bike was sitting next to the XL1200 Custom that I bought new in '09. Still riding it, still loving it. Mine is Mirage Orange Pearl over Vivid Black. It gets compliments wherever it goes. Regarding the gold flake, there was also the same thing done with other colors like red and green and they looked incredible. It seems that H-D colors have gone away. The 2021 Softtail standard, black only. The 2021 Fat Boy 114, there's 4 colors and 3 of them are black and one is shit green. Whatever happened to metallic/pearl white, or Wicked Red, or Indigo Blue? I think that paint is super important and it seems that H-D has just completely dropped the ball. Even in 2018, the Fat Boy 114 came in at least 7 colors, so it was a little better than now, but I fear that we will never see the likes of the Sportster 72s again.

how did he not speak about that V rod dominater thats cool the students can work on a bike of that caliber

Excellent vid! Very surprised at stage I gains… noticed both bikes were export models, with amber rear lenses and speedo reading in km’s. Would love to see difference going to stage II, or all the way to IV if possible!

Dr. Mac sounds like Owen Wilson in casual convo about motorcycles.

Great vid. Learned bunches. Appreciate this. Made it simple for old dudes that have been riding for 50 years but ... well. Ya know what I mean 😭

Brilliant video, so interesting really enjoyed this content 👍

I didn't take the harley course but I actually met him and talked with him for awhile

Maybe the question should be, “how quick is my 72?”. Because once I hit 100 or better that skinny front tire starts having a mind of its own. I don’t think I’ll need to go any faster.

What a brilliant video, thank you so much for the tech background behind why the upgrades work. It's also really nice to hear two intelligent guys discussing serious mods without cussing and BS. Sounds like a Sportster with a stage 1 kit is a nice all round ride.

Love that orange stage stage one. Never seen that particular paint job. Looks like that bike is an 08 1200 Roadster.

This guy must be a hell of a teacher. If i can understand it this easy your good lol.

I’ve got a ‘12 red flake 72 with exhaust and k&n heavy breather and been thinking about doing a cam but I’d like to see the numbers from stock to built and see the difference

Would it have made more power once it's break in period was done? If the rings aren't fully seated doesn't that effect overall performance and power output?

This guy is awesome very knowledgeable

Love the 72 it’s a awesome bike

0:25 whuuuut??!!! do they ship to europe? :D I want it :D Also, is it safe to run a stock 1200 with stage 1 to 7000 rpms? mine is set at 6200 on my stage 1 map. those extra 800 rpms sound like fun :p

Good on you thanks,have o7 883 Australia,it did seem to hit rev limiter early,put vh short shots , kukurin AC,and se race tuner, seems to pull a lot harder an longer till hit rev limiter, completely different animal,I think we have pissy import restriction s,on bikes ,dejet ed etc

WILL NEVER SEE IT.....BUT A SPORTER IS THE ONLY BIKE I WOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD UP...BEAUTIFUL BIKE GOOD. VIDEO

I love the 72's

Looove my 72

I have a 2015 sportster 72. I'll love to bike this bike.

I think I speak for all of us. Video on the turbo sportster please

informative, TY of course 40 years ago none of that meant anything. It's always fuel, oxygen and exhaust. those are your 3 tools. With out computers it's ride and adjust for what you are looking for. these new bikes i would imagine allow you to interact with the tuner and tell it what kind of ride you are taking today so it can adjust your ratios for you. It's all cool stuff but i liked everything better in the 70's and 80's.

Great video. Thanks for the great information.