Should I should, or should I shouldn't?

[Feraud]

I say yes!

 

[jamespowers]

It is a lighter HD so all I would have to ask is if it fits. I mean how do you look on it? Proportional?
If its fine then its later than you think. Go for it. :eusa_clap

 

[Rooster]

Just put some damned mufflers on it so I can hear my TV.......:rage: lol

 

[Mr. Lucky]

It's a sweet bike, but it's still basically a Sporty and, therefore, it'll ride like one. You have to ask yourself: Do you want to rumble, or do you want to cruise? Have you looked at this?

 

[carebear]

Yep, Sportsters can be a little small looking with a big guy on 'em.

I'ma wanting a FatBoy at some point.

 

[Feraud]

You should certainly consider height when going for a Sportster.
Taller fellas look a bit cramped on it. Forward controls can be added to the bike to accomodate longer legs.

 

[dhermann1]

You want classic?

You want classic? I'll show you classic:

Now made in India, using original British equipment.
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/classic.html
Not that I would be tempted, mind you. My dream wheels still are attached to a 1941 Buick.
Here's a commentary from someone who owns one:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/royal_enfield_letter1.htm

 

[Samsa]

Go for it! You only live once, after all.

My only concern is that you won't be able to wear a fedora while riding it. Unless Art is able to make a fedora capable of protecting one's head in the unfortunate event of a crash... hm, I think I need to patent that idea before someone steals it actually.

 

[Diamondback]

Sounds like fun, a mix of haberdashery and engineering arts. Where do I sign on as part of the design team?

Dix, looks like a nice bike. All I can say is, take one out for a test-drive from your dealer, and see how it "fits" you.

 

[Ecuador Jim]

I guess my thoughts about Sportsters go back to the old AMF days. This is a much nicer looking version, but I still can't get past the "Sportster" image...my problem. If it sings to you though, you should get it.

Art might be able to fashion a Fedora that would fit over your helmet. There used to be a guy around here who had a "hair" helmet, so a Fedora helmet may not be that far fetched. Perhaps a leather trench too?

 

[Ed Bass]

Hey Dix,
Speaking as an owner of many bikes from custom choppers to Harleys to Yamahas and more......pass on it, it's a Sportster.
Here's why:
You'll outgrow it in a week. The pegs are uncomfortably high and keep your knees in a hunched up position so that even if you're not very tall you'll look like Baby Huey riding a mini bike. They just don't have a good reputation and are considered the real bargain basement bike.

But the best advice I can give you is the same advice that was given to me years ago when I was looking at a new Sportster to buy. I asked a good veteran rider friend what he thought of my proposed choice. He said "The first time you ride your new Sportster up to a group of fellow riders and one of them asks why you're riding your girlfriend's bike, you won't be able to get that thought out of your head and then you're going to hate that bike." I passed on the Sporty, and I have since witnessed that very scenario many times. Just look on ebay and see how many one year old Sportsters are for sale.

You can get a nice '02 Harley soft tail for $12-14k. If price is an issue and that is why you're contemplating the Sportster (in conjunction with wanting the vintage look) consider the Kawasaki Drifter. It is very affordable and looks just like a 40's vintage Indian. They come in 800 cc and 1500 cc. Take a look at them on eBay or a Kawaski site.

Good Luck whatever you choose and I'll keep an eye out for you on the road.

Best, Toots

 

[Feraud]

He said "The first time you ride your new Sportster up to a group of fellow riders and one of them asks why you're riding your girlfriend's bike, you won't be able to get that thought out of your head and then you're going to hate that bike." I passed on the Sporty, and I have since witnessed that very scenario many times.

What a crappy and conformist attitude for guys who supposedly want to play the biker role.

I have owned a Sportster since '92 and woe to the corporate biker who pulls that elitist jive w/me.

 

[Decodence]

Only buy a Hardley Ableson if you want something which won't idle on its own, and leaks oil all over your floor.

 

[Big Man]

"You only live once ... "

Go for it! You only live once, after all ...

"You only live once." As someone who has been in the Fire/Rescue business for almost 30 years, this is my thought exactly.

Back in the early 70's, I used to ride a Harley. I still have it. It's been parked in my Dad's garage since 1975. I would love to start riding again, and would like to have a BIG Harley (bigger than the Sportster). Every time I am just about ready to make the plunge to buy one, I'll end up responding to a call where we scrape some bike rider off the highway and load them into a helicopter for a flight to the trauma center (if they are "lucky"), or use a shop-vac to pick up what's left. Still, I'd really love to go back to riding. I loved it, and I''m sure I'd love a BIG bike, too.

Yes, you "only live once."

 

[Technonut]

What a crappy and conformist attitude for guys who supposedly want to play the biker role.

I have owned a Sportster since '92 and woe to the corporate biker who pulls that elitist jive w/me.

Agreed Feraud... I have NEVER received any such comments with my 1998 XL1200S Sportster Sport, and I have ridden with some pretty hard-core Harley enthusiasts in my time.

Only buy a Hardley Ableson if you want something which won't idle on its own, and leaks oil all over your floor.

Gee... mine idles just great, runs smooth as silk, and leaks NO oil.. Of course my Sportster Sport has 2 spark plugs per head... It also rides like a dream with factory fully adjustable fork and shocks...

From a review: http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/reviews/hdsportster5_98.htm

Forty-one years later the Sportster is still in production, but its days of basking in the praises of the performance junkies are long gone. In fact, many loyal Harley-Davidson riders dismiss the Sportster as a toy, a beginner's bike, a "chick bike." The XL1200S Sportster Sport model is Harley-Davidson's attempt to put a shine to the Sportster's tarnished image. They have succeeded in this attempt. After getting roasted on twisty country roads by a few women riding 1200S Sportsters, some of those big boys on big twins may change their minds about Sportsters and about "chicks."

My Bike:

 

[Feraud]

Only buy a Hardley Ableson if you want something which won't idle on its own, and leaks oil all over your floor.

This is certainly not a condition of any of the models of the past dozen years is it?
Wasn't this a problem that was solved with the evolution engines?

 

[Rockapin-up]

I'm just passing this along, so don't bite my head off. My Dad has been riding for over 30 years and says any one he's ever met who's bought a sportster has regretted it 6 months later but I wouldn't know from personal experience. I say if the bike is calling to you then go for it, take if for a test ride and if it fits then get it.

 

[Smyat]

Only buy a Hardley Ableson if you want something which won't idle on its own, and leaks oil all over your floor.

Harleys do NOT leak oil.

They mark their territory.

 

[Ed Bass]

My Dad has been riding for over 30 years and says any one he's ever met who's bought a sportster has regretted it 6 months later

Your Dad's right. If all a person has ever ridden is a Sportster, how can they really compare?

Best evidence:

Most Sportster riders eventually trade up to one of the big V twins.

Nobody EVER downgrades from a big V twin to a Sporty.

Best, Toots

 

[Jovan]

I like it. I'd say get it if it feels right to you.

Go for it! You only live once, after all.

My only concern is that you won't be able to wear a fedora while riding it. Unless Art is able to make a fedora capable of protecting one's head in the unfortunate event of a crash... hm, I think I need to patent that idea before someone steals it actually.

As for that, I would just carry a crushable fedora in the saddlebag. If that is a small saddlebag I see at the side... I dunno. Just an idea.