First Harley - Sportster - on a whim

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I have had Hondas since the 70's but had the chance to get a good deal on a 1200 Sportster 95th anniversary

You got a a good buy with new tires, low miles and look like good condition

I rode mine about 200 miles, have a Goldwing and It was just too small for me. It did ride nice and would be a good short trip round town bike.

They are good beginner bikes

The guy that bought mine needed a shorter bike and the sportster fit him well

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I rode a Sportster for a long time. After I had the motor punched out and new cams installed, my "883" could dust most any Big Twin. I have to admit that I have since moved up to a Dyna, but I only did that after I had torn my Sportster apart every winter for several years in a row looking for something else to customize and eventually ran out of ideas. And I rode my Sporty on more than one cross country trip. You will enjoy it for sure. You can make big power out of a seemingly small bike.
 
I have had Hondas since the 70's but had the chance to get a good deal on a 1200 Sportster 95th anniversary

You got a a good buy with new tires, low miles and look like good condition

I rode mine about 200 miles, have a Goldwing and It was just too small for me. It did ride nice and would be a good short trip round town bike.

They are good beginner bikes

The guy that bought mine needed a shorter bike and the sportster fit him well

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Nice. Is that a Memphis Slim windshield? It's one of those things I don't really want but might do for comfort. I'll ride it a while before deciding.
Mine has a "5" on the Harley emblem. Haven't figured out what that means yet.

1969VADart I rode a Sportster for a long time. After I had the motor punched out and new cams installed, my "883" could dust most any Big Twin. I have to admit that I have since moved up to a Dyna, but I only did that after I had torn my Sportster apart every winter for several years in a row looking for something else to customize and eventually ran out of ideas. And I rode my Sporty on more than one cross country trip. You will enjoy it for sure. You can make big power out of a seemingly small bike.

I'm amazed at what's out there for mods to these bikes.
 
Oh yea, the list of things to do and what can be done JUST in the catalogs is stupid! Never mind real custom work and adaptations.
 
I started on a 1200 Custom. It was great with just me, but adding the bride on back, I got cramped. Upgraded to a Dyna which was perfect until it got cold.Then I bought an Electraglide, thenRoad King, then to a Street Glide. Had the Street Glide for several years unil I had to sell it, after breaking my ankle and multiple surgeries. That was the time when I really got back into working on the cars and haven't looked back.
Sporties are fun and for me it was just a gateway bike to the bigger V-twins.
Congrats and have fun!
 
Quote:
abodyjoe cool.. sporty is a fun bike... is it a 883 or 1200?
and who cares what you ride as long as you ride..
i bought this lil toy a few months ago.. what a blast to ride..

Nice. What is that green beast? Looks cool.


its a Triumph Thruxton . only 900cc but has plenty of power for me. handles great and is just fun to ride. weather permitting i try to ride it the 80 miles round trip to /from work.
 
Nice. Is that a Memphis Slim windshield? It's one of those things I don't really want but might do for comfort. I'll ride it a while before deciding.
Mine has a "5" on the Harley emblem. Haven't figured out what that means yet.



I'm amazed at what's out there for mods to these bikes.

Have no clue about the windshield, think it might have been an option for the 95th, had the logo on it, was a quick release.

After riding my Goldwing the windshield does little good on the sportster...... LOL
 
Here's what I always tell my friends... I do not care what you are Riding as long as we're riding. .... once you hit 3rd gear with the wind blowing all worries and problems out of your head nothing else matters. I have an ultra classic ...... it works for me, my wife and I like to ride for hours. ...we could not do that on my soft tail custom. I would not worry what people say ...they probably don't even ride. It's all about what works for you. There's nothing wrong with a sportster. And for 20,000 les than a new big twin I'd say you will enjoy it ...... if you decide to get a different bike you will get your money back easy..or for that price you could have both........ RIDE ON!!!!!
 
Wow, Harley guys must really be snobs if they're dissing the little brother like that all the time!! Nothing wrong with a sporty IMO, nothing at all!! And for that price, absolutely nothing wrong!!! Ride with pride brother!!

Yes, I graduated to a bigger bike also, but out of convienience! It was my uncles bike, who passed away in June and left it to me! Yea, I have to buy it out of the estate because there is still a note on it, but for $5400, its still a good buy!! 04 Heritage, 9400 miles!! Best of all, the bride will ride on it with no memories of that tiny sportster seat!! Geof
 

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Wow, Harley guys must really be snobs if they're dissing the little brother like that all the time!! Nothing wrong with a sporty IMO, nothing at all!! And for that price, absolutely nothing wrong!!! Ride with pride brother!!

Yes, I graduated to a bigger bike also, but out of convienience! It was my uncles bike, who passed away in June and left it to me! Yea, I have to buy it out of the estate because there is still a note on it, but for $5400, its still a good buy!! 04 Heritage, 9400 miles!! Best of all, the bride will ride on it with no memories of that tiny sportster seat!! Geof

Geof ..... Is that custom paint or is it a Screaming Eagle ? Great looking bike.
I've been labeled as a "Harley Guy" my closet is mostly black T's from some harley shop or another that I have been to, as with every hobby, there are pee brain idiots that have to open there mouth about something. In my opinion ...Honda, Harley, Kawasaki, Yamaha, whatever, enjoy the ride.
 
Wow, Harley guys must really be snobs if they're dissing the little brother like that all the time!! Nothing wrong with a sporty IMO, nothing at all!!

Nope, there isn't. Unless in my case it's too small.

Can you picture me on a Sportster? I can ride them, just uncomfortable for me, I feel like my knees are up under my chin, lol.

I have actually been looking at a couple though, I don't know if I could orient things differently or not to make it more comfy to ride. I found one in Tecumseh for 2700, looks like it's in decent shape.
 
If you are going to replace the pipes might want to look at the brand I have on mine...not the cheapest but....

http://rbracing-rsr.com/lsr21/customs.html

Have spoken to a ton of folks over the past couple of summers....have never heard a single negative thing about them. Couple of folks that have been building bikes for decades have said that when it comes to power production this company can't be beat...

Take this for what it is worth...I own a bike that is considered an around towner.....a bar hopper...and these folks are right. Which is why there is a new frame sitting out in the garage. Nothing wrong with a Sporty, but it's small size will get tiring on anything but a quick trip. If all you plan on doing is putting around, stopping frequently to stretch your legs it will be a great ride. If you plan on riding any great lengths, well. Fair comparison would be making a cross country trip in an a-body the way they were "back in the day" compared to one build with a more modern day spin, EFI/OD/r&p steering etc . Sure the "back in the day" version will get you there....but the modern day build will not exhaust you on the way.
Love riding my chopper, after a trip to town and back, 70-80 miles I am done. Back when I had a bike that was not so exhausting I would cover 700 miles in a day like it was nothing. The chopper, 150 miles is more than enough in a day.
 
Nope, there isn't. Unless in my case it's too small.

Can you picture me on a Sportster? I can ride them, just uncomfortable for me, I feel like my knees are up under my chin, lol.

I have actually been looking at a couple though, I don't know if I could orient things differently or not to make it more comfy to ride. I found one in Tecumseh for 2700, looks like it's in decent shape.

Exactly, it is just too small.
 
Dude, you got a sweet ride. I had one. Upgradable to death. I had an 02 883 hugger. When I sold it, it was 1204cc of mean. Big twin and bagger guys think they got one up on us. Just remember, we drive a-bodies. We're meant to put big engines in little packages. I don't know how tall you are but those mid-controls will certainly get on your nerves. Depending on your riding style, forward or rear sets are probably in your future. Chain drive another big plus. I had belt failures all the time.
Ignition, heads , carbs, exhaust and suspension all easy, all relatively affordable.
Oh Btw 4 cams no pushrod bowing, straight line.look up Axtell they. Make big bore kits.

1204 cc?? My Evo is a touch over 1700cc....and it makes a lowly 122 hp or so. When it comes time for a new power plant for my ride it will probably be along the lines of...

http://www.ultimaproducts.com/140engine.html

140", 160 hp with 175 lb ft grunt......seriously doubt any Sportster will be able to run with it...

All BS aside, what is important is that you will be "out there", enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Idaho panhandle.

I have said this a few times, ever since I got back on the bike. I 100% regret starting on the Dart. If I could get a decent dollar for it I would sell it in a heart beat....and put the $$ from it into my bike. As much as I like old cars I am a bike rider....plain and simple.

To the OP, do you have a bike endorsement on your d/l? If not I wish you luck passing the current test...those cones are a true mother effer. You may want to look into one of the classes....I know one of them down in AZ if you past the course you did not need to go take the riding test...or at least you did not have to a while back. If you would like to talk to someone about getting a more comfortable seat let me know, I will give you Lonny's info.
 
I rode year round in NYC for a good percentage of my life. Had every kind of bike you could imagine...when I moved from NY to TN, I had 28 (yes, twenty eight) bikes. Came down here with 7 of them, and one by one reduced the number to zero. Then, the bug bit again. I decided that I was going to get one bike, and ONLY one bike, and after mulling it over for a bit, I decided it was going to be a Sportster. Picked up a low mileage 2004 883, and never looked back.
Why? Because it is the default motorcycle. The basic ride that has remained essentially the same for the last 60 years and will stay that way until probably after I'm dead. It does nothing particularly well...nothing particularly poorly. Makes no statements has no pretenses. I love the bike for what it is. There are days I want a 'Busa, days I want a Goldwing, days I want an old Beezer...but the common thread on those days is that just want to ride. The Sporty takes care of that well. Enjoy your bike!
 
Geof ..... Is that custom paint or is it a Screaming Eagle ? Great looking bike.
I've been labeled as a "Harley Guy" my closet is mostly black T's from some harley shop or another that I have been to, as with every hobby, there are pee brain idiots that have to open there mouth about something. In my opinion ...Honda, Harley, Kawasaki, Yamaha, whatever, enjoy the ride.

According to my uncle, this is 1/100 painted this color as a "special edition" paint in 04. I think other years featured other special edition paint jobs! I've researched it a bit, nothing comes up and it is not a stock color! All I can go by is what he told me, and he was known as a spinner of yarns, he was a charter boat captain after all!! Geof
 
I've been riding Harleys since '72.I traded a 1995 ElectraGlide Ultra Classic in on a 883 Hugger back in 98.I had a 87 Electra Glide Sport and liked it better than the Ultra so I kept the Sport. Wanted the Sportster for a light weight Be-Bop around towner and it was a good one.Also owned a 2001 1200 Custom.Both very good bikes.The wife got the 883. Enjoy what you have,don't matter what others have to say.
 
To the OP, do you have a bike endorsement on your d/l? If not I wish you luck passing the current test...those cones are a true mother effer. You may want to look into one of the classes....I know one of them down in AZ if you past the course you did not need to go take the riding test...or at least you did not have to a while back. If you would like to talk to someone about getting a more comfortable seat let me know, I will give you Lonny's info.

I'm planning to do a course at the local Harley shop. No test required by DOT when I pass that. I've been practising figure 8s on the driveway, I'm down to about a 30' by using the choke to up the idle a little, makes clutch feathering much easier.

As for pipes, seat etc, I'll want to ride it a while before deciding on anything. I may want a 2 up so I can take my wife and grandkids for short rides.

I'm reading a great book called "Proficient Motorcycling" right now, getting educated on safety. I intend to be very cautious, not too interested in freeway riding or long trips but we are close enough we should plan a ride together next summer.
 
I rode year round in NYC for a good percentage of my life. Had every kind of bike you could imagine...when I moved from NY to TN, I had 28 (yes, twenty eight) bikes. Came down here with 7 of them, and one by one reduced the number to zero. Then, the bug bit again. I decided that I was going to get one bike, and ONLY one bike, and after mulling it over for a bit, I decided it was going to be a Sportster. Picked up a low mileage 2004 883, and never looked back.
Why? Because it is the default motorcycle. The basic ride that has remained essentially the same for the last 60 years and will stay that way until probably after I'm dead. It does nothing particularly well...nothing particularly poorly. Makes no statements has no pretenses. I love the bike for what it is. There are days I want a 'Busa, days I want a Goldwing, days I want an old Beezer...but the common thread on those days is that just want to ride. The Sporty takes care of that well. Enjoy your bike!

Holy cow! Twenty eight. I am in awe :D
The fact you ended up with a Sportster means a heck of a lot.
I've read similar stories on some of the forums.

Thanks all for the comments. I appreciate the advice, not offended by any of it. The conversation is fun and I enjoy seeing what people are riding.
 
Idaho,
Nice ride, hope you enjoy it! That is almost definately a Hugger. I had a '93 Hugger, and your's sits the same as mine did. I don't know how big of a guy you are, but I'm not exactly a small guy. One thing I definately had to watch out for was bottoming out the rear suspension. If you can, I'd keep the rear shock setting at the highest you can. Also, the P-clamp for the front muffler would drag on the ground in a hard right turn if I was hammering on it. That can be a little dicey. Otherwise, for 2 years and 12,000 miles, mine was a trouble free ride. Good luck, and watch the A-holes texting and driving.
 
Congrats to the bike. I took my driving license for bikes earlier this summer, bought my first bike about a year ago. A Sportster 1200 C, which I`m about to turn into a cafe racer with the help of some Ducati 916 and 848 parts.
In the mid of august I participated in a run around the lake Mälaren outside of Stockholm with, they say, 15000 other bikers. What an awesome feeling.
 
my starter sporty an 83 ironhead i called the bumblebee
 

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You can get custom seats and fat bob tanks. Half the world will never know it's a Sportster. One things for sure. That 1200 is a lot of engine for a light bike. Just hit the throttle and leave them hecklers at the stop light in the dust. Don't forget. This thing was "Technically" a Sportster. I'd give just about anything for one.

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