This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you.
The 1200 Sportster is a great bike for those who want a little more power than the average cruiser. But one thing that can make or break your experience with this bike is the carburetor.
In this article, we will be discussing the three best carbs for 1200 Sportsters. We’ll go over what makes each carb great and why you should consider them for your bike.
The 3 Best Carbs for 1200 Sportster
Best Performance 1. Mikuni TM42-6 |
| Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Value 2. JIK HSR42 42mm Carb |
| Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Replacement 3. Autoparts CV40 |
| Check Price On Amazon |
1. Mikuni TM42-6 – Best Performance
It’s no secret that Mikuni carburetors are some of the best in the business. They’re known for their quality and reliability. So it should come as no surprise that their TM42-6 is one of the best carbs for the 1200 Sportster.
This carb is a great choice for those who want more power and performance out of their bike. The TM42-6 fits perfectly into the stock intake and offers a noticeable increase in power and throttle response – 25% more power to be exact, according to Mikuni.
What makes the TM42-06 so great is its simple and reliable design. It’s easy to install and tune, and it comes with all the necessary hardware. The carb starts and idles in the cold much better than the stock carb, and it offers great fuel economy too.
Furthermore, if your 1200 Sportster already has some mods installed, like more aggressive cams, ported heads, etc., then the difference in power will be even more noticeable.
The only drawbacks are that you’ll need an HS42/001 adapter in order to use the original air cleaner and the price tag is a bit high, but it’s definitely worth the money. With that said, if you’re looking for the best carb for your 1200 Sportster, then this is the one you want.
2. JIK HSR42 42mm Carb – Best Value
If you’re a bit short on cash, but still want the Mikuni TM42-06 for your 1200 Sportster, then consider the JIK HSR42 42mm Carb. This carb is a Chinese clone of the TM42-06, and it offers similar performance at a fraction of the price.
The JIK HSR42 42mm Carb is a direct bolt-on replacement for the stock carb, and it should offer a roughly similar increase in power and throttle response as the Mikuni. It’s easy to install and tune, and it comes with all the necessary hardware.
The carb also starts and idles much better than the stock carb, although fuel economy may not be as good as the Mikuni.
Overall, the JIK HSR42 42mm Carb is a great choice for those who want the performance of the Mikuni TM42-06 without spending the extra money.
The only drawback is that it’s a Chinese clone, so quality control is most definitely not as good as Mikuni. But if you’re on a budget, then this carb is definitely worth considering.
3. Autoparts CV40 Replacement Carb – Best Replacement
If you’re not looking for any extra power or performance and just want a replacement for your worn and old stock carb, then consider the Autoparts CV40 Replacement Carb. This carb is an exact replica of the stock carb, so it will bolt right on and you won’t have to worry about any fitment issues.
The carb comes with all the necessary hardware and more, including an assortment of jets, and even a fuel filter. It’s just as easy to install and tune as the stock carburetor, and it offers great fuel economy. Best of all, it’s very affordable.
The only drawback is that it’s a replica of the stock carb, so you won’t see any increase in power or performance – it’s just an inexpensive replacement for the original carburetor on the 1200 Sportster.
How to Choose the Best Carb for 1200 Sportster

Now that we’ve gone over the three best carbs for 1200 Sportster, it’s time to choose the one that’s right for you.
Performance
Obviously, the first thing you’ll want to consider is how much power and performance you’re looking for. If you just want a replacement for your worn and old stock carb, then the Autoparts CV40 Replacement Carb is a great choice.
When it comes to performance, the Mikuni TM42-06 is the clear winner. It offers the most power and throttle response of the three carbs, and it’s also the most expensive.
The JIK HSR42 42mm Carb is a great choice for those who are on a budget but still want a carb that offers good performance. It’s not as powerful as the Mikuni, but it’s much cheaper.
Ease of Installation and Tune-ability
Another important factor to consider is how easy the carb is to install and tune. If you’re not mechanically inclined, or if you don’t have much experience working on carburetors, then you’ll want to choose a carb that’s easy to install and tune.
The Autoparts CV40 Replacement Carb is an exact replica of the stock carb, so it will bolt right on and you won’t have to worry about any fitment issues. It’s just as easy to install and tune as the stock carburetor, and it comes with all the necessary hardware.
With that said, the Mikuni TM42-06 and the JIK HSR42 42mm Carb are both tuned for the factory and should be pretty close to plug-and-play.
Manufacturing Quality
Next, you’ll want to consider the quality of the carburetor. Obviously, the Mikuni TM42-06 is going to be better in this regard since it’s made by a well-known and reputable company, that’s renowned for the precision and quality of their carburetors.
The JIK HSR42 42mm Carb is a Chinese clone, so quality control is most definitely not as good, but the carburetor is still a decent choice for those who are on a budget.
Price
Finally, you’ll want to consider the price of the carburetor. The Mikuni TM42-06 is the most expensive of the three carbs, but it’s also the best in terms of performance and quality.
The JIK HSR42 42mm Carburetor is a great choice for those who are on a budget, as it offers good performance without breaking the bank. On the other hand, Autoparts CV40 Replacement Carb is the most affordable option and it’s a great choice if you’re just looking for a replacement for your old and worn stock carb.
Benefits of Having an Aftermarket Carburetor on a 1200 Sportster
Now that we’ve gone over how to choose the best carb for 1200 Sportster, it’s time to talk about the benefits of having the best carburetor for your bike.
Better and More Reliable Cold Starts
One of the benefits of having a good carburetor is that it will provide you with better and more reliable cold starts.
If you ride during the colder months, then you know how frustrating it can be to try to start your bike on a cold morning. Not only do you have to crank the engine for a while before it actually starts, thus draining your battery in the process, but the engine will also misfire and idle poorly at first.
With a good carburetor, you can say goodbye to those frustrating cold starts. The carburetor will help the engine start more easily, and it will also idle more smoothly.
Better throttle response and performance
Obviously, a better carburetor will make a big difference when it comes to performance and throttle response.
A good carburetor will flow better and help your engine breathe better, and as a result, you’ll see an increase in power. Not only that, but you’ll also notice an improvement in throttle response.

Better Fuel Economy
Finally, a good carburetor will also help you achieve better fuel economy.
If your carburetor is tuned properly, then your engine will be able to run more efficiently and use less fuel.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, everything you need to know about choosing the best carb for 1200 Sportster, as well as the benefits of having a good carburetor.
We hope you found this article helpful, and if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!

Nick Kowalski is a diesel mechanic by trade, but his passion lies in motorcycles.
He’s been riding them since he was just a wee lad, and he loves restoring old Japanese street bikes and ATVs in his spare time.
Nick is an adrenaline junkie at heart, and he loves nothing more than hitting the open road on his motorcycle.