Any Sportster Riders?

[Brian P]

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If you haven't ridden a Harley, or a Sportster in particular, I strongly recommend that you try before you buy.

If you are used to Japanese bikes, these are ... ahem, different.

I rode one ... once. Not for me. I like having brakes that work, and an engine that doesn't sound and feel like a garden tractor.

 

[Dizzer]

I remember enjoying mine a lot when I had it. They have a raw feel.. Was cool to ride something different for a while but brutal suspension, small tank, and sub par braking power/performance had me searching for another bike within a year.

 

[Hardwrkr13]

I'd also highly recommend a Victory Vegas or Hammer. I've had a Vic and it's great. My good riding buddy had a 1200 Sporty and our mutual friend had a Vegas. That Vegas was better in every way.

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[GreyGhost]

Id suggest the italian harley aka guzzi, but I know polaks and italians dont get along

Good choice.

$7250

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[bigpoppa]

Good choice.

$7250

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or this

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Looking for a motorcycle? Find a chopper, cruiser, soft tail or street glide in Guelph , curb your car and just hit the road.

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or

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or

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[afici0nad0]

Current owner of a 2013 48.

Its good for what it is; bar hopper. Not designed for distance or comfort. I wont be riding for more than 1 hour without a break.

Brakes are OK. Lean angles are OK. Need to fill up every 50-75kms.

Just routine maintenance. Been reliable so far.

Im actually window shopping for a early 2000s honda/suzuki supersport. I may find it more comfortable than my 48.

 

[mimico_polak]

50-75km for a fillup? Wha.....

 

[bigpoppa]

50-75km for a fillup? Wha.....

it aint called a peanut tank for nothing

 

[afici0nad0]

You can probably go longer distance between gas stations but i tend to keep the rpms higher and lower gearing

Goes back to my position on the 48 being a bar hopper. Need to be close to a gas station at all times

 

[Gary]

If you haven't ridden a Harley, or a Sportster in particular, I strongly recommend that you try before you buy.

If you are used to Japanese bikes, these are ... ahem, different.

I rode one ... once. Not for me. I like having brakes that work, and an engine that doesn't sound and feel like a garden tractor.

^^^ this exactly.
I rode one from milton to kitchener and back via 401 for a friend who was too scared to ride it that far.
I hope I never have to do that again.

 

[afici0nad0]

^

Voluntary torture

 

[GreyGhost]

Current owner of a 2013 48.

Its good for what it is; bar hopper. Not designed for distance or comfort. I wont be riding for more than 1 hour without a break.

Brakes are OK. Lean angles are OK. Need to fill up every 50-75kms.

Just routine maintenance. Been reliable so far.

Im actually window shopping for a early 2000s honda/suzuki supersport. I may find it more comfortable than my 48.

Cool looking bike but definitely not for me.

Harley-Davidson 48 Review

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"Thankfully modern day Harley’s are quite economical but even returning six litres per 100km the puny tank puts the touring range at a maximum of around 130km which leaves little room for error. Punting hard around the city could drain the 48 dry in less than 100km."

 

[Jampy00]

HD Sportsters are iconic motorcycles, they drum up feeling of nostalgia and the open road and they're styling is classic. They are however far from perfect motorcycles and to some this is what attracts them, while others run the other way.

I've ridden a few and enjoyed them but they are not touring machines, but they are not supposed to be.
Like a few others have stated try to take a test ride and see how they feel to you and what you intend them for.

Finding a good used one might be the best bet as some of the upgrades & mods may already be completed.

 

[TK4]

I'd also highly recommend a Victory Vegas or Hammer. I've had a Vic and it's great. My good riding buddy had a 1200 Sporty and our mutual friend had a Vegas. That Vegas was better in every way.

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Victory is no longer supported by Polaris. Going forward parts will be a problem.

 

[Kawyman]

Victory is no longer supported by Polaris. Going forward parts will be a problem.

Polaris is committed to having parts till 2027. Only small issue I’ve run into is there’s not a large amount of support for aftermarket parts and accessories anymore. There’s a few places in the states, Kijiji or eBay if you want handlebars or a exhaust etc,etc. But I’d guess the OP would be on to something different if parts do became a issue later on down the road.

 

[Kawyman]

and you only have to keep the Victory long enough till you can snag a deal on a used challenger or maybe a scout, so a couple years on the Victory buying time and saving money ain’t that bad

 

[Mad Mike]

If you haven't ridden a Harley, or a Sportster in particular, I strongly recommend that you try before you buy.

If you are used to Japanese bikes, these are ... ahem, different.

I rode one ... once. Not for me. I like having brakes that work, and an engine that doesn't sound and feel like a garden tractor.

I think you have to put in into perspective, jump on an 883 and a competitors bike like a Shadow 750 or Suzuki C50. Or a 1200 vs a C90 or VTX.

This class of bikes are not known for performance - no expectation for canyon carving or track like handling, they cater to a market that wants the cruiser character and bikes that are very easy to ride.

 

[woot]

89-03 Solid mount carb
04-06 rubber mount carb
07+ rubber mount efi

883 = don't bother
1200 Custom = spokes, fwd controls, bigger tank
roadster = dual front brakes, taller shocks, mid controls, little tank
nightster = black custom with small tank
48 = roadster with fat front wheel

There's some others but those are the most popular

 

[woot]

Here's my sportster. 2005 roadster. Dual front brakes, rubber mounted engine, still has carb. Tank is small so it has to stop allot so comfort doesn't matter so much.

 

[afici0nad0]

I like the roadsters. As woot said, you get your dual front brakes

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