sportster vs. big harley

[steve0528]

should I buy the sportster that I can afford now..or should I keep saving my money? No long trips..just an around town machine. Are there any reasonable substitutes for H.D.?

[redwitch]

If you're not doing long trips, I'd go with the Sportster. It's more fun, anyway, and just think of the fun you can have tinkering with it and tricking it out. ;)

If you think you're going to do long trips, though, go for the bigger, more comfortable bike even though I happen to think a fully dressed hog is a travesty.

[kregski]

I had a sportster 1200 and my daughter had an880 model.we both enjoyed them very much.Im 190 lbs 5 11 my bike fit me fine..

[SteveZ]

Oh...the question of life...how big a bike???

I guess I'm an old-school type. I go by the philosophy "never get a bike bigger than you can lift." Eventually, the day will come when the bike is laying on its side and you have to raise it. This is not to say that you dumped the bike, because it has been known that scurrious folk will knock it over when you are not to be seen.

I've got a 2005 XL1200R Sporty and wouldn't trade it for the most expensive hog on the road. The bike and I have seen Interstate time in several states (including FL), and it has proven to be as responsive on the Interstate as it is on the back roads. It sits "wet" at around 575 pounds, and non-muscular me is able to raise it without help. I ride it everywhere, from local spins to Rolling Thunder, with no complaint. There are some who want more "mileage" out of a tank of gas (I get about 125 tops), but then again, after 90 minutes I'm more than ready to give the rear end (mine, not the bike's) a break anyway.


While I love my Harley, if I ever was to go after a monster-bike, the Yamaha Star line to me has the best bang for the buck. Had a Yamaha 650 roadster and it was fabulous. But, the odds of a change are very slim, mainly because the Sporty does everything I want - decent on long trips and fabulous on shorter ones.

The price of the bike should not be the issue - it's what do you REALLY feel comfortable handling?

All that aside, if you get the Sporty, suggest you consider a windscreen (love bugs don't taste good!), engine guard (it pays for itself 10X if the bike is knocked over), and the replacement seat (the stock seat is lousy, but the big cushion seat is great).

[redwitch]

OK, Steve, when do I get a ride?

[SteveZ]

redwitch - that is totally up to my spouse!

There is an old biker's proverb: Never mess with She who feeds you, for eventually you must fall asleep!

[redwitch]

Tell her I promise to behave -- only interested in the bike, not the man. ;D I haven't ridden on a decent bike in years and soooo miss it!

[SteveZ]

As soon as I bring the bike back to TV. Right now it's still in Maryland at the "other" house. This commuting between MD & FL (6-8 weeks MD, followed by 2-3 weeks FL) has been a headache, but it's down to just under 16 months to go.

[l2ridehd]

And your discussion goes to the real issue in answer to the question of which bike to buy. Does he plan to ride alone or have someone on the back. I have owned both a Sportster and a full size and even though me and the spouse are not heavy, 180 and 130, the full size Harley gives a better ride for two. Mine is currently a Dynaglide low rider, but am even thinking of a Hertiage softail, Road King or an Electro Glide to make it even better. Steve is right about one thing, after 2 hours on the bike the back side needs a break. However the bigger bikes give a much better ride and less buttache.

[steve0528]

just me, and the handeling is the most important aspect...weight is important, I dont want to have to manhandle a big brute...I prefer the styling of the sportster, but is all the rest ( braking, cornering, overall comfort) worth the money? Again, it will only be used for short trips, without the benefit of companionship! I'll take the porsche when I need company...

[paul]

Everyone is always talking "HARLEY" I love my Goldwing

[steve0528]

whats a goldwing?

[SteveZ]

Goldwing = The motorcycle equivalent of the Mercury Grand Marquis (LOL)

All kidding aside, it's a fabulous bike which has all of the accessories/toys one can hope to have and still be on two wheels.

As far as the Sporty's handling, The XL1200R has dual discs up-front for braking (which I prefer) versus single-discs on just about everything else. The handling is very responsive and it has the highest torque on the market. The Sporty is definitely better as a single-ride versus companion (have done it both ways and the difference is noticeable but not brutal). The ride is decent now that the Sporty has rubber engine mounts.

The bottom line is it's a matter of choice. All rides are great, just some are more "Goldilocks fit" than others.

[DDoug]

Get a 3 wheeler and dont listen to the O thats not a motorcycle never have to worry about it falling over great in traffic and really comfortable . Any brand you want and they are not hard to handle.

[F16 1UB]

whats a goldwing?


I believe the Goldwing was the first bike to have reverse? Yeah, that's what I said. I don't ride anymore but Sporster is my choice. Of course extended front end, pull back Z bars, few other mods.

F16

[steve0528]

thanks to all, I appreciate the input. sportster size and style are first inclination. have 2 questions. 1) does 883 have dual disc system?
2) what year did rubber engine mounts come out?
is the 883 enough vs. 1200?

at first I thought that a goldwing was one of those scooters that have become so popular..

[SteveZ]

The rubber mounts were a 2004 (I believe) improvement.

The dual discs are available one the "Roadster XR" model, not the "custom (XC)." The Roadster has the smaller fuel tank (has not been a problem for me) and the solid spoke wheel (very important to me.) I don't like wire-wheel spokes because they all use tube tires. I like tubeless, and one time having a flat will make anyone a believer.

The 1200 over the 883 - definitely! You will notice a performance difference at higher speeds and wherever there are hills. If you ever decide to ride two-up, the larger engine makes it a better ride - you don't have tht salt-on-the-tail feel.

Don't know the last time you were on a bike, but the Sportster is a kick in the tail the first time you ride it. It has so much torque it can run away from you. If it has been a long time since you've ridden, or the only experience is on a 125cc at a community college certification course, the bike (in fact, almost all bikes) can be quite eye-opening. There's a lot of used bikes out there ridden once by folk who were shocked at how much power was under them and the bike literally got away from them the first ride (which ended up not-pleasant).

If this is a first-bike, one shouold consider getting something that's used, less power (500-650cc) and less expensive. The resale/trade-in value won't be brutal, and the learning experience is priceless. Folk don't normally get driver's licenses and immediately get a Porsche or other high-performance ride - bikes are no different. The community college course trains a person to ride at less-than-20mph in a barricaded parking lot on a 125cc bike. Sometimes it worth it (safer, cheaper, more fun) to take the experience in echelons, rather than jumping out there on something hot - and the Sportster is not a "beginner bike," but a performance ride of unique character.

[steve0528]

stevez, thanks for all the insights! know all about "kick in the butt", rode a kawasaki 500 in the early '70,S! owned an XLCH for a short time. bad brakes, oil leaks. harsh ride, but it was one bad looking machine! Mom hated it!

[Springer]

Owned a Springer and an Ultra Classic. I gotta say I loved the Springer. However on the long trip there is nothing like the Ultra. You just don't feel beat up at the end of the day. I had both Harleys for several years but recently sold the Spinger to my nephew when he return from Iraq. Now I bought a place in TV and need the second bike back.

[Springer]

My son had one of the fast bikes. I never got comfortable on it like I did the Harleys. Do you still have a bike? I did meet some of the people from the scooter club last year when I was down there. They seemed to ride mostly smaller motorcycles and doing fun shorter trips. Have not met or talked to anyone from the Nomads Club. Looked like they take some longer trips.

[samhass]

Steve, did you see the Kawasaki I listed for my neighbor?