2012 Model Shootout: Harley-Davidson Sportster Vs. Suzuki Boulevard C50

Comparing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to just about any other bike on the market can be a dangerous thing for a writer to do, but as Japanese motorcycles have continued to improve with every passing year, and as Harley Davidson begins to realize that people need and want to ride, but save money while they're doing it, a fair comparison is necessary in order to sort out which bike is the better buy. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is as apt a comparison against the Sportster as any motorcycle can be, thanks to the relatively close displacement of both bikes, as well as the pricing, which is exactly the same.

The 2012 Harley Davidson Sportster Superlow XL883L

Harley Davidson is used to the attention that it receives for its heavyweight motorcycles, but lost a lot of market share when Japanese manufacturers started producing attractive middleweight motorcycles that looked like heavyweights during the 1990s. While they were always an aspirational motorcycle, it suddenly became important for them to push their Sportster, the smallest and most affordable motorcycle in the stable, to be more competitive. Through the 1990s, the Sportster became smoother, more refined, and more of a "hot rod" motorcycle than what it had been in the 1980s, a starter bike. For 2012, the Sportster Superlow carries over the traditional hot rod styling of the Sportster, while at the same time providing a ride that is just unconventional enough to be enticing.

Powered by the standard 53.9 cubic inch engine, the Sportster Superlow produces 55 foot-pounds of torque and achieves 51 miles per gallon fuel economy. Gone is the superfluous six-speed transmission from previous years, replaced by a standard 5-speed that's more than adequate to handle the power of the Sportster's engine. Some of the nicer features of the bike include very good quality fit and finish, as you would expect of a Harley Davidson, attractive paint choices, and fuel injection. All in all, it's not a bad little bike for $7,999.

The 2012 Suzuki Boulevard C50T

The Boulevard C50 and its predecessor, the Volusia, made a big splash when they were introduced. boasting the look of a much larger cruiser, the C50 was long and agile, comfortable for commuting and traveling, and produced plenty of power for a passenger and rider to take on just about any road with ease and comfort. Today's C50 motorcycle is a significant departure from the first Volusia, but still manages to retain the character that made it such an attractive bike when it was first introduced. Today, you'll find fuel injection instead of a carburetor, updated front and rear fenders, and LED lights.

The 2012 Suzuki Boulevard C50T classic prices out at the same level as the Harley. At $7,999, you get two-tone paint, whitewall tires, and fuel injection. Although the C50T has a slightly lower displacement than the Sportster, the different gearing (and ultimately the different purposes) of the two bikes make them nearly identical in performance.

Comparison

There's a lot to like about both bikes. They both have high build quality that should keep you from mechanical breakdowns for at least as long as the warranties last, and both engines produce good power while returning fuel economy that will make either bike a good choice for a commuter motorcycle. The primary differences between the two come into play with the styling and the available options at the starting price point. The C50T gives you the option of two color schemes for the base MSRP, while the Harley Sportster requires you to pay extra for any color other than Vivid Black. In addition, passengers will likely be more comfortable with the ergonomics of the C50T as opposed to the Sportster thanks to its stretched-out frame and larger passenger seat. The Harley Davidson, though, outclasses the C50T as a hot rod bike. There are far more aftermarket accessories that can be added to the Sportster than are available for the C50T. Either way, though, they're both great bikes that have come a long way since they were first introduced.

Sources:
Harley-Davidson: 2012 Harley Davidson Sportster Superlow: www.harley-davidson.com
Suzuki: 2012 Suzuki C50T Classic: www.suzukicycles.com