Let's talk... Ironhead Sportsters
A local car buddy of mine is also really into bikes; his dad was a real-deal biker "back in the day" and has a crazy built Shovelhead that pulls wheelies. My friend showed me that bike as well as his 1947 Knucklehead and needless to say I really want an old Harley now. He recommended I go with a Sportster because I'm 6' tall but only 150 lbs lol. Now I'm trying to find what info I can on the old Ironhead models as it seems the Evos are obviously much more popular nowadays. So what's up with people complaining about the maintenance? Tuning a carb, ignition timing, valve lash seems like easy stuff? I get the idea that most riders aren't necessarily mechanically inclined which leads me to believe if I could teach myself how to build car engines I can probably teach myself how to work on an old motorcycle.
Also regarding safety, yes it would be my first bike and YES I will be taking the rider safety course most definitely.
Any advice, stories, etc. would be greatly appreciated!
I’m 5’9” @ 190lbs. Your 6’ frame would IMO be a bit happier on a larger bike. Having owned a ‘03 XL1200C Sportster, is we’re I get my opinion from.
The pro to the sporty is they are better handling turning radius and quick off the line next to the larger bikes. The Sportster topped out at 115. The bigger V twins will go higher, but take a little longer to get going.
The Sportsters draw back which I kind of stated is top end. 115 mph. Lower in torque and hp and a small gas tank. The shorter wheel base can be a little tougher ride.
The typical peanut tank is 3.3 gallons. With the typical bolt on parts, exhaust, better air cleaner, jetted up carb with a screaming eagle ignition, the power went up in a big manor and I didn’t loose any mileage. I averaged 50 mpg’s and the best recorded mileage was 60 in sub 60 mph traffic during rush hour. Slow non stop movement in the 45-60 mph range. I noticed a big mileage drop at 70 & 70+. Lowest I recorded was 40-ish mpg.
The latest big V twins are now getting similar mileage if you keep the throttle relaxed. This is due to the F.I. & overdrive transmissions they now come with.
I would push you to a new bike. The evolution engine is newer, better, more advanced over the older engines which are becoming more and more difficult to get parts quickly for. There more reliable. Less cranky and troublesome. With only filter changes and spark plugs to contend with, they should be largely trouble free.
I love to see the older bikes up and running but it seems to me that all I hear are owners bitchin about something & not riding.
If and when I do this again, it will be a big V twin bike with overdrive. Ether a street glide or Dyna Wideglide. Which they stopped making the wideglide and dyna series.
I still love a carb over the FI. Which has the normal fly by wire split second hesitation.
