My style of riding has changed over the past few years. I'm taking more day trips, but I still like to get out onto the slab and "lose myself" for a few hours. I sure do like my big bike, "Black Betty," but I had a blast riding the "48" last season. It was sometimes a hassle to pick which bike to ride.

I thought, "Too bad Betty doesn't have a little sister..."

I signed onto the Harley homepage the other day and found a new Sportster offering for guys like me. It's called a "1200 Custom," and while the engine is the same, the larger tank and the heavier front end offer guys like me an alternative.

Now, I had thought about just buying a 3.3 gallon EFI Sportster tank for the 48, having it spray painted to look similar and turning my mirrors up. I have replaced the stock seat and adjusted my rear shocks--besides growing some very useful "butt callouses" last summer. I even thought about getting a Nightster.

But I liked the 48's heavier front end and just needed more fuel. But I can buy a lot of gas for 400 bucks, and just paying that much for a new tank was not the answer.

This custom has the same seat I just installed on the 48, the bike carries more fuel, and I believe the rear shocks are of better quality. Heck, I have a spare kidney I can sell, and I'm seriously considering this custom as that "third Harley."

As an update, no 1200 Custom has shown up at my dealership for me to look at. I don't know at this time if the concept is a valid project, or just the high-end version of MoCo's "use bin parts and paint everything black" mentality. With this custom, it appears that they are offereing numerous personal refinements as options and installed--I like that idea.

Did you guys ever see one, or in like manner, is this bike just a tarted up Superlow or 1200 Low?