Cruisers

1994Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster

17 fields on record

The 1994 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster is an iconic middleweight cruiser renowned for its nimble handling and accessible seat height, making it ideal for riders seeking an authentic Harley experience without excessive weight. Its 1189cc V-twin engine delivers classic torque-focused performance characteristic of the Sportster lineage, while the lightweight chassis enables agile maneuverability compared to larger touring models.

Capacity: 1189.0 ccm
Engine: V-Twin
Gearbox: 5-speed
Dry weight: 223.0 kg
Seat height: 737 mm
Power: 50.0 HP (36.8 kW) @ 5200 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike All model years

What’s new for the 1994 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster

vs the 1993

Spec	1993	1994
Dry weight	216.0 kg (476.2 pounds)	223.0 kg (491.6 pounds)

Other years 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail5%

Cornering40%

City riding60%

Daily riding62%

Touring42%

Two-up50%

Track10%

Best for: A classic air-cooled cruiser built for relaxed street riding, boulevard cruising, and short-to-medium rides with plenty of low-end grunt.
Built for: Loud, torquey, and unmistakably Harley - a rumbling 1200cc V-twin that favors laid-back cruising over outright pace or agility.
Not ideal for: Not for track days, off-roading, sport riders chasing lean angles, or long-haul tourers needing a big fuel tank - just 8.5L here.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 737mm, a rider of 175cm with a 79cm (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 1994 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster, with a cramped knee angle of around 80 degrees and an upright riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 750 mm or under — Short Kings →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1189.0 ccm
Power: 50.0 HP (36.8 kW) @ 5200 RPM
Torque: 75.5 Nm (7.7 kgf-m)
Engine type: V-Twin
Power/weight ratio: 0.2242 HP/kg (dry)
Cooling system: Air
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 2

Transmission

Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Belt

Dimensions & weight

Seat height: 737 mm
Dry weight: 223.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 8.50 litres

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes: Single disc

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	1993	1994	1996	1997	1998
Capacity	1189 cc	1189 cc	1189 cc	1189 cc	1199 cc
Dry weight	216 kg	223 kg	223 kg	223 kg	223 kg
Seat height	737 mm	737 mm	737 mm	737 mm	736 mm
Fuel capacity	8.5 L	8.5 L	8.5 L	8.5 L	—