The Harley Davidson Sportster series of bikes has one of the longest and richest histories in the industry. Despite a production run that has lasted longer than many governments, the Sportster series is often neglected when mentioning great Harley offerings. That is unfortunate, since cruisers like the Harley Sportster XL1200 are great rides that offer power and a relatively lightweight bike.
Harley Sportster Coverage
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They also offer riders an easy to insure bike. Typically, Sportsters are cheaper to insure than the larger Dyna models, and much more affordable than sport bikes and expensive European makes.
Brief History of the Harley Sportster 1200
The Harley Davidson Sportster series has been in production since 1957. The original engine used in the Sportster series was the Ironhead; a two-cylinder, four valve pushrod V-twin. The Ironhead was replaced by the Shovelhead in 1966 and the current bikes are powered by the Evolution series of engines. The first Sportster engines retained the crankcase design from the earlier Model K/KH. This design placed the transmission within the same casting as the engine. The gearbox was driven by the engine through a triple-row chain drive and a multi-plate clutch.
In 1984, Harley debuted the Evolution engine. The first engines produced were 1,340 cc and featured aluminum cylinders and heads. The aluminum construction made the engines more oil-tight as well as being lighter and more durable. In 1986, Harley introduced the 1200 version. HD introduced the Hugger body style in 1988. The Hugger lowered the bike and made it more compact. The aim was to draw women and beginners. The 1200 has remained fairly unchanged over the years. The major exception may be the addition of rubber engine mounts to reduce vibration.
Harley-Davidson XL1200 Coverage: Recommendations
Most states require motorcycle insurance. That coverage is usually a basic liability policy. Liability policies will not cover your bike, just the damages done if you are found at fault after an accident. If you have a loan against your bike, the lender will require you to have more extensive coverage. The risk of having to pay for repairs out-of-pocket and bank requirements are why all riders should have additional coverages. The Harley Sportster 1200 insurance coverages you may need include:
- Collision coverage: this protects your bike in an accident under nearly every circumstance. It may or may not include uninsured/under-insured coverage. If it doesn’t, take care to add those coverages.
- Uninsured/Under-insured motorist coverage: on average, fifteen percent of the motorists in the U.S. do not have insurance coverage. Who wants to pay for damages caused by another motorist? The under-insured aspect of the policy protects you in case the other motorist is from a state with lower minimum requirements or the injuries exceed the policy caps of an at fault motorist.
- Comprehensive coverage: this protection covers damage from fire, wind, water, theft, and vandalism.
Harley Sportster Insurance Rates
Harley Sportster Coverage
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A variety of factors affect your motorcycle insurance premiums. These include, but are not limited to: make and model of bike, driving record, and the state you live in. Despite those factors, there are ways you can lower your premiums. Given that Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 insurance can range between $15 and $50 per month for full coverage (depending on the company you use, state you live in, and riding habits), you will want to do everything possible to keep your costs down.
The best way to keep your premiums in check is to shop your coverage around. That is why we have created an easy to use tool so that you can get quotes from multiple companies that insure Sportsters. All you have to do is enter your rider and motorcycle information, and you will receive several quotes from the nation’s most trustworthy insurers.
