sportster yes or no?

Question

thinking about geting one

Answer 1

only 2 people had any decent answers. i ride an xl1200r sportster, and i've easily ridden 400 miles in a day with ease. those that bother to properly outfit them for long rides will say the same thing, those that dont are doomed to have monkey butt within 70 miles.
i ride a 100% stock engine setup, and i'm getting almost 55 mpg with premium gas. they're a good and forgiving bike, easier on the wallet, easy on gas. to ride 400 miles in a day, u do need to change the seat to a sundowner, and add a windshield. the wind blast alone is enough to wear u down after 150 miles.

a sportster with a simple stage1 will leave the bigger bikes in the dust, those that have the money to go all the way to stage3 will have a very potent little hotrod.

Answer 2

If you want a Harley, save up and get a dyna or softtail. They have more power, have a more comfortable ride and handle better. They are more expensive than a Sportster. So consider a used one if cash is an issue. If your heart is really set on the Sportster, go for it. You won't be happy with anything else. Just be sure to get the 1200, not the 883.

Answer 3

YES, it is a great little bike.....regardless of your experience. If a beginner, it will be a nice starter bike and should hold its' value relatively well so you could trade up to a larger bike when you want without taking a bath. I would recommend a Sportster 2004 or newer as these are the first models which feature rubber mounted engines which makes a HUGE difference!

Answer 4

If it's what you REALLY want, go for it.
Only a couple decent answers here. To echo some: talk to people who own and ride them, in person if you can. They are not cruisers, but CAN be set up for the long haul. And they are certainly not girly bikes. Anyone who tells you that doesn't know how to get the full potential out of it. Nobody puts Fatboys or Electraglides on the track, do they?

Answer 5

The only problem with a sportster is having to tell you dad your gay. Its not much of a bike. Avoid anything older then the new model, after the 883 was released. they are at least a fairly dependable ride. old sportsters are nothing but junk. You have never seen it till you own one. People that do own one wont admit they ride such a crappy bike, and talk big about them. Show me a pre-evolution sportster with over 15,000 miles on it and i will show you a major repair bill somewhere. You can listen to sidewalk commandos all day, but ask anyone on a big twin, older then 40. If they are honest, you wont hear many good words. As with anything, some Edsels never broke down...the real question is where are the others? Look around for a stock AMF era Sporty. All original. Good Luck. chances are 1/2 of the original junk equipment is gone, and its all been replaced by aftermarket stuff. Yeah the new sporty is a bike. Even handles better. Get the conversion 1200cc kit or buy one done up. But God help you if you buy a pre-Willie G Sporty. Nobody can.

Answer 6

You want a Sportster,buy a Sportster! BUT if you want a MOTORCYLE look at the imports,better enginering,smoother ride,less maintenance etc.etc,and better pricing

Answer 7

Good bike, small price.
I have an 83 Shovelhead I ride all the time.
My *** is numb after 60 miles, but by then I need to refill.
Mine looks great, but buy one with a rubber mounted engine.
Your hiney will thank you.

Answer 8

It depends on the type of riding you're going to do.For day trips ,bar hopping and poker runs they're cool.If you're planning on going on road trips(Laughlin, Sturgis ,Daytona etc.) You'll be bummin. They are fun to ride ,but not comfortable for too long a ride. If you get a Sporty cough up the xtra $$ for a 1200,even then you will probably out grow it and want a big twin.

Answer 9

If you are using it for short hops the Sporty is great. Anything over 100 miles will hurt. I bought one years ago in Salt Lake city and rode it back to Houston. Whew, never thought I'd make it.

Answer 10

If that's what you want, go for it. I myself don't like Harley that much, but that's my choice.
Everyone likes their own brand, or they wouldn't have bought it. Find someone who owns one and get some straight answers on it from them, do some research on live people.
Half the people on this thing know very little about bikes because they don't have one.
If you end up loving it, you made a good choice, if not, you have no one to blame but yourself.