Cruisers
1998Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster
24 fields on record
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster is an entry-level cruiser that appeals to new riders seeking authentic American motorcycle character. Its compact 1199cc V-twin engine delivers manageable power with strong torque, while the low 736mm seat height ensures accessibility. Known for nimble handling and customization potential, this lightweight Sportster excels as both a learner's bike and a platform for personalization.
- Capacity
- 1199.0 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Dry weight
- 223.0 kg
- Seat height
- 736 mm
- Power
- 59.0 HP (43.4 kW)
What’s new for the 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster
vs the 1997| Spec | 1997 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 50.0 HP (36.8 kW) @ 6000 RPM | 59.0 HP (43.4 kW) |
| Torque | 75.5 Nm (7.7 kgf-m or 55.7 ft.lbs) | 89.0 Nm (9.1 kgf-m or 65.6 ft.lbs) |
| Top speed | — | 160.0 km/h (99.4 mph) |
| Fuel capacity | 8.50 litres (2.25 US gallons) | 12.50 litres (3.30 US gallons) |
| Rear brakes | Single disc | not listed |
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- 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 usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →68
out of 100Good
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 87.1% of the time, 4.6 points above expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 68% of models.
All years of this model: 58 / 100 (average) from 4,396 tests.
87.1%Passed first time
6.6%Failed outright
6.3%Fixed during test
12,000Typical miles
575Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Score by year first registered
42
56
56
57
56
52
68
67
19921993199419951996199719981999
Against its rivals · ranks 5 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic | 91 Excellent | 106 |
| 2 | Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide | 84 Excellent | 705 |
| 3 | Harley-Davidson Softail Springer | 74 Good | 398 |
| 4 | Yamaha VMX 1200 V-Max | 66 Good | 14,206 |
| 5 | Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster | 58 Average | 4,396 |
| 6 | Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 1200 | 36 Below average | 718 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 1199.0 ccm
- Power
- 59.0 HP (43.4 kW)
- Torque
- 89.0 Nm (9.1 kgf-m)
- Engine type
- V-Twin
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.2646 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 88.8 x 96.8 mm
- Compression
- 9.0:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Starting
- Electric
- Valves per cylinder
- 2
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Belt
Performance
- Top speed
- 160.0 km/h (99.4 mph)
Dimensions & weight
- Seat height
- 736 mm
- Dry weight
- 223.0 kg
- Wet weight
- 226.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 12.50 litres
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Single disc
- Front brakes diameter
- 292 mm
- Rear brakes diameter
- 292 mm
- Front tyre
- 100/90-19
- Rear tyre
- 130/90-16
Specs last verified against published sources: .
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 | 1200 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 | 12.5 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | 56 Average | 56 Average | 56 Average | 52 Average | 68 Good |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster?
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster has a Capacity of 1199.0 ccm (73.17 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster have?
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster has a Power of 59.0 HP (43.4 kW).
How many gears does the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster have?
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
What is the torque of the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster?
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster has a Torque of 89.0 Nm (9.1 kgf-m or 65.6 ft.lbs).
How much does the Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster weigh?
The 1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster has a Dry weight of 223.0 kg (491.6 pounds).
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Similar bikes
Same category, weighted similarity
1998 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Sport
1199 cc · 227 kg · 734 mm
1999 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 1200
1198 cc · 223 kg · 730 mm
1998 BMW R 1200 C
1170 cc · 239 kg · 740 mm
1999 BMW R 1200 C
1170 cc · 239 kg · 740 mm
1998 Yamaha XV 1100 Virago
1063 cc · 222 kg · 715 mm
1997 Yamaha XV 1100 Virago
1063 cc · 222 kg · 715 mm
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