2020 Harley-Davidson® XL1200NS - Sportster® Iron 1200 , Motorcycles are different things to different people. Cruisers remain a mystery to some motorcyclists—even veteran riders—who can’t quite understand the appeal of something that isn’t the newest, fastest, and best handling. Fortunately, Harley-Davidson continues to build motorcycles that are part of our lives, rather than simply a highly efficient extractor of adrenaline—not that there’s anything wrong with that. This brings us to the 2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200, back for its third year in production.

Just looking at the Iron 1200 puts me in a good mood, appealing to my sense of motorcycle riding on a wide variety of levels.

The classic pushrod-actuated two-valve motor is welcoming simplicity. Air cooling keeps things real, while the touch-of-modern EFI system is tastefully hidden by a round air filter holder. How much horsepower does the 73 ci V-twin put out? I couldn’t possibly care. The critical numbers are 73 ft-pounds of torque at 3500 rpm. From idle, I have all the linear power I need to do battle in traffic, cruise the boulevards, or take on the urban canyons. The rubber-mounted Evolution motor sounds good, and feels right in the chassis.

Above the engine sits a fuel tank that brings back the 1970s. Without a doubt, the 1970s AMF-era-inspired styling has been controversial. For some, it recalls dark days for The Motor Company, and I can understand that. I was taken aback by the graphics when they debuted three years ago, but I can say that I’m glad Harley-Davidson has stuck to the styling guns with the 2020 Iron 1200.

It has been nearly 40 years since AMF bowed out, so I think we can let bygones be bygones. Oh, and the tank holds a usable 3.3 gallons thanks to a claimed 48 mpg, so you won’t be hitting the gas station every few minutes as you would with an actual peanut tank.

Other period-perfect styling touches include the fork gaiters, bikini fairing, bobbed fenders, minimalist speedometer, and side-mounted license plate. I would like to see wire-spoke wheels to bring it all together.

Ergonomics on the 2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 recall a Schwinn Stingray with the mid-position foot controls, Mini-Apes, and a solo seat. The seat/peg ratio is best suited to smaller riders, though the raised handlebar gives needed knee-room to taller riders. Although my 32-inch inseam could have used more room, it didn’t stop me from enjoying day-rides in the city and the hinterlands.

The seat has sparse padding, as Harley-Davidson wants to keep the seat height as low as possible. For me, a more posh seat would be fine, as my knees are still bent when flat-footing it at stops. I do appreciate the stop at the back of the seat when I twist the throttle hard. My butt settles right in with the proper support, and we’re off to have a great time.

Throwing the 564-pound Iron