Motorcycle Question

[absolutevil]

Hey Blackdeuce...what kind of horn cover is that and where did you get it?

 

[G-Mac]

I agree with those who say you will be quickly disappointed in a Sportster.

I bought a new Sportster in February of 1988. I still have it and still enjoy riding it.

It's been a great bike. I even rode it to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina once for Bike Week with no problems.

The newer ones are more advanced. They have lots of great updates...fuel injection, rubber-mounted engine, belt-drive, 5-speed transmissions.

Would I like a bigger Harley? Sure.

Do I need one? Not really.

No disappointments or regrets here.

 

[Armyphotog]

Harleys are like Colts, they always bring top dollar unless there are problems. Only thing is, they are easier to detect on a gun than a bike. Good luck on your first bike purchase. I bought my first one at 21, fresh out of the Army, (my folks wouldn't allow them) and I'm still riding at 71. Just remember one thing, if they don't kill you there's a good chance some idiot driver will.

 

[oldafsp]

Nothing wrong with a Sporty if it fits you. And you like it.

For me and the missus, this is the way we go..

And a little light show at night to show off things a bit.

 

[silentflyer]

A Sportster is a good "starter" bike, if you have never ridden or been away from riding for a while, it's a light, easy to ride bike,great for short tips or running around town. If you are looking to ride a lot of long trips, loaded up with a passenger and saddle bags, rain suits, etc etc., it's not your cup of tea. As for the "reliability" deal, Harley is long past their problems from the AMF days. I ride 20-30 thousand miles a year,a Softail Twin Cam 88 for years, and now a 2009 Road Glide, never had a problem other than tires/brake pads the normal wear out stuff. And it's made in the USA with SAE bolts...why send your $$ to Japan or Germany? What good did they ever do for us? A trip to Arlington or any military grave yard will give you pause to think.

 

[keith44spl]

If I get it-do any of you have any thoughts on getting it past the wife when she gets home Tuesday from Atlanta

Dang Caj,
Jest show up riding it!
Might get the lit'l gal some leather Harley duds to wear even if she don't ride with ya, jest sayin'





I jest came slidin' in on this'n one day...Pulled in the drive and rev'd her up and told my gal...Let's go for a spin!

She looked like she's gonna have sum kinda come apart right theres.

"If'n ya don't...Sum other gal will", I sez.

Works most times...

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Fishslayer]

I'd say stick with your baggers. I once spent a couple of hours on a softail springer, a beautiful new bike. It was one of the most evil-handling, vibratory and uncomfortable rides I have ever experienced.

Once you've gone rubber it's hard to go back.

But the Softail doesn't handle poorly enough out of the box. It can be made worse. Start with some nice tall apehangers. Preferably ones that allow you to lean all the way back. If you still are experiencing positive control of the front end (unlikely), stick in some rubber mounts. The apes also help prevent weight transfer while cornering. Why makes things easy?

The Softail will actually corner somewhat out of the box. We can fix that. Lowering kit with shorter chrome shocks. Why chrome? I dunno. Maybe if you park it on a mirror they look good. Done correctly you can grind the floorboards when you lean it on the kickstand. Mechanics will sing your praises as they scour the shop for planks and 2x4s so they can get your lowered bike onto the lift without high centering it.

Stopping. Harley actually came up with brakes and suspension that worked back in the '80s. Japanese, of course, but ya do what ya gotta do. We can get around this by installing a springer front end and a skinny 21" tire. The front brake will still work excellently, but the springer will bottom and break the front tire loose with a crosseyed glance. Good fun! Bikin' is all about the excitement!

Oh wait... OP?

Cajun, there's not a darn thing wrong with an Evo sportster for around town blasting. But as has already been mentioned, almost everyone I know that started on a Sporty wound up trading for a Big Twin. For a first bike though it's plenty of bike. The 1200cc conversion is pretty simple as well. New jugs & pistons & futz with the carb a bit. The bike actually loses several pounds as well. Less iron in the jugs.

Done correctly the 1200 conversion can be a beast. Lightweight, good handling with a ton of HP. The fastest Harley I ever road was a customer's mildly breathed on 883/1200 conversion. It would break the rear tire loose at will in 3rd gear.

 

[therevjay]

Unlike most I'm gonna tell you, go for the sporty. It will out handle (and with a 1200kit) outrun the big hogs.

Of course I'm a Triumph-Norton-BSA guy. "OF course it leaks......It's British.....It's 'sposed too!"

 

[mkk41]

I actually think that price is kinda high (for this area). The new Sportys are great with rubber mounted motors and fuel injection.

Don't know how big a guy you are , but I'd try sitting on and riding one if ya can.

People mentioned to get a 1200 , but the only difference is a bigger piston. All ya gotta do is have your jugs bored and you have a 1200 , but still insured as an 883 , for about $400.

Since we're showing. Here's some of mine.

My 1997 ex-Police Road King

My 1968 FLH Electra Glide.

 

[Fishslayer]

My 1968 FLH Electra Glide.

I'll have the Shovel, thanks...
Mine started out as a '78 Lowrider...

 

[hogrider05]

I'm also a MSF ridercoach. As others have mentioned, you should definitely take the Basic Rider Course before buying a bike.
Its mandatory here in Florida to get a motorcycle endorsement on your license.

 

[G-Mac]

People mentioned to get a 1200 , but the only difference is a bigger piston. All ya gotta do is have your jugs bored and you have a 1200 , but still insured as an 883 , for about $400.[/IMG]

Are you suggesting insurance fraud?

 

[blackdeuce]

Hey Blackdeuce...what kind of horn cover is that and where did you get it?

It's made by CycleSmiths. It's kinda pricey, but a real nice piece made of nicely chromed aluminum. It was one of the few aftermarket horns that I liked.

I didn't check the fitment, but J&P has them.

Cycle Smiths Finned Horn Cover | 360-070 | J&P Cycles

 

[310Pilot]

Hi Caj, the Sporty will be a fun ride. It is possible, in fact, highly probable, that you will be looking for a bigger bike in a few months to a year or so, but it will be a great scoot to get started with. That being said, definitely take the MSF course before you start riding it, then practice under controlled circumstances for a while before you go out in any real traffic. I don't know what to suggest for breaking the news to your wife, m/cs and wives usually don't mix too well at initial introduction - better spruce up the dog house a bit before she gets home, you and the Lab may be spending a lot more time together for a while! It will be a lot easier when you get your next bike, though, at least if you get one the same color. I got back into riding after a 30-year +/- layoff back in 2003, and my girlfriend was fit to be tied when I told her I had purchased a motorcycle. She fumed under her breath for a while, and waited until a small mishap to lay the "I told you so" on me. Anyway, I had purchased a black 750 ACE, and took the MSF course. On Valentine's Day, 2006, I bought a new Harley Electra Glide. Honestly, I was not looking forward to the grilling about buying another bike, spending all that money, etc.; however, it, too, was black, and she didn't notice that it was a different bike for about three months, when a "friend" came over and said "Hey, when did you buy a new Harley?" Of course, I immediately responded that I hadn't bought any new bike, trying to put an obvious male-to-male vs female inquisition look and accent on it, but he persisted with the new bike yak. Lisa even told him it wasn't a new bike. Sadly, she eventually realized that it was a different bike, so I caught the flak, but about three months later, and somewhat diluted. The interesting part was managing to not let her see the two bikes together, as I kept the Honda. Remember, once past the initial hurdle, a black bike is a black bike in the eyes of most women. Oh yeah, one other thing - it won't be long before you start modifying and/or prettying-up your new scoot. Remember, every new part you order for it is "safety equipment," that will make it a bit more palatable to the other half. Good luck, and enjoy!

One other thing, you're going to be hammered with "It's not safe!" Tell her it is a lot safer than buying a new ladder - I can't ride for at least 5 more weeks, as I was up on an extension ladder a week or so ago, and it let go. Even though I know how to land (airborne school a loooong time ago), the landing resulted in a broken ankle and a sprained wrist (10-12 foot fall), never had anything that serious happen to me on a motorcycle.

 

[palmetto99]

For your first bike, buy something inexpensive and in decent shape. Take the safety course (they let you ride the little 250cc bikes, like a Hejaz!). Ride the first bike for six to twelve months then sell it for what you paid for it and look for something nicer, better, bigger.

In 1997 I bought a 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700 with low miles for about $1300 bucks. About a year and a half later (and 10,000 miles) I got $1000 trade-in when I purchased a new 1998 Honda VFR800FI.

 

[Mickey D]

Perfect timing. Rode for 14 years from late '70s to '93, first a '73 Sportster then a '76 Shovel, selling my H-D to get my pilot's license. After an 18 year LOA from riding, I purchased this 2001 Road King Classic last week.
Nice to be back in the wind.

I suggest getting a DynaGlide. If you don't enjoy riding, you will not have a problem selling it.

 

[indiandave]

Not trying to sound smart but the 883 was targeted at women and the younger rip around town crowd. I think you would be disappointed quickly.

This is not true. the sportster was made to go head to head with the British imports. When they came out in 1957 they were the bad *** bike line for Harley. The 883 Iron head was not originally a "chicks bike".

 

[ol' geeser]

The sportsters I have been associated with have been very hard to ride...rider comfort is non-existant,steering is heavy, and they are prone to fall.

The FL framed bikes- Softtails, roadkings, and ultras are infinetly easier to ride and handle, and the comfort level is not even in the same universe....

The bigger bikes also have more lights, which makes you easier to see, which is very important for safety

 

[ladder13]

Perfect timing. Rode for 14 years from late '70s to '93, first a '73 Sportster then a '76 Shovel, selling my H-D to get my pilot's license. After an 18 year LOA from riding, I purchased this 2001 Road King Classic last week.
Nice to be back in the wind.

I suggest getting a DynaGlide. If you don't enjoy riding, you will not have a problem selling it.

Nice one Mike, love those wide whites

 

[absolutevil]

Saw a 2009 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster with the Black Denim package. Has 2,100 miles and the guy is asking $5,875. Is that a good price? Is this a good bike for a 56 year old's first motorcycle? Was thinking about offering him $5k to see what he does.
If I get it-do any of you have any thoughts on getting it past the wife when she gets home Tuesday from Atlanta

Well we all have our own taste for what we like, I now have an 06 Road King Classic with all kinds of extras. But to answer the question $5800 is a good price if it's worth that to you. If you had to buy it new from a dealer there are all kinds of hidden price increases you have to figure in to the original price of the bike not to mention any engine modifications like pipes or air filter. Any little chrome thingy or do-dad added, assuming you like it, probably costed more then you think from a dealer. As for a first bike It would be the best fit in the Harley line and if you really like riding you can sell it for about what you payed and move up to another bike of you choosing. With 2k miles it's almost new. Check to see if it had it's 500mile and 1000 mile service done at a dealer or some proof is was done by someone else. It's not a deal breaker if it was not done but I think there called for in the maintenance schedule.