Seventy-Two

This Sportster-based nameplate was introduced for the 2012 model year as a factory custom with a clear early-1970s chopper influence. Harley-Davidson positioned it as a stripped-down, retro-styled variant in the XL1200 family, emphasizing long-and-low proportions, a narrow peanut-style fuel tank, tall handlebars, whitewall tires, and generous chrome and paint treatment rather than pure performance. The model was part of Harley-Davidson’s modern dark-custom wave, aimed at riders who wanted an accessible 1200cc Sportster with strong visual identity and a period-inspired stance. It remained in Harley-Davidson’s lineup through the 2016 model year, after which it disappeared from the Sportster model-code listings for 2017, indicating the nameplate’s continuous run ended. Enthusiasts often remember it as one of the most recognizable factory Harleys of the 2010s because it translated classic custom cues into a production motorcycle without losing the basic Sportster character.