Harley Davidson XL1200T Sportster SuperLow 2016 Service Manual

Harley's own marketing copy captures the SuperLow 1200T's dual identity precisely: "if ever a motorcycle could turn a trip to the corner store into a cross-country trek, the SuperLow 1200T model is the one." Built specifically to pack genuine touring convenience into a light, approachable Sportster package, it pairs a detachable windshield and lockable saddlebags with a low center of gravity and easy reach to the ground — Harley's own press materials describe it as delivering "confidence-inspiring handling" alongside "the maneuverability riders covet."

Power comes from the air-cooled Evolution V-twin, 1,202cc via a 3.5 in. bore and 3.811 in. stroke with a 10.0:1 compression ratio, delivering a claimed 70.8 lb-ft of torque through electronic sequential port fuel injection and a 5-speed transmission with belt final drive. TopSpeed's own review notes the fundamental architecture traces back to the original 1986 Evolution Sportster engine, changed remarkably little since — "the same all-in-one engine/primary drive/transmission unit and parallel pushrod geometry" that's defined Sportster character for three decades.

TopSpeed's chassis breakdown details genuinely thoughtful geometry for a low-slung cruiser: 4.2 inches of ground clearance and a 31.1-degree steering head angle combine with 5.9 inches of rake for a deliberate blend of straight-line stability and cornering manners — "nothing spectacular, but sufficient" for the touring-cruiser role the bike is built for, with 26 degrees of lean to the left and 25 to the right. Cast aluminum five-spoke wheels mount an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear tire, with a substantial 300mm front disc and matching rear caliper providing genuine stopping power despite the single-disc-per-wheel setup. A new seat for 2016 improved all-day comfort, part of the broader front and rear suspension overhaul Harley applied across the entire Sportster range that year. Dimensions run 87.6 in. long with a 59.1-inch wheelbase, shipping at 573 lbs (599 lbs in running order) with a 4.5-gallon tank rated for a claimed 48 mpg combined. 2016 pricing started at $11,799.

This factory service manual covers the procedures, torque specs, and diagrams needed to keep a 2016 SuperLow 1200T running the way it was built to.