im 6 foot 4 looking to purchase a 1200 sportster XL50th anniversary HD. Its seat height is 8 tenths higher than a custom. I was looking at a roadster which is 8 tenths higher than the XL50 and that felt fine.but i didnt like the plain look. felt to big for custom . i think the taller gas tanks on roadsters and xl50 help me not look so weird on it. the XL 50 is in my price range. and im no mechanic thats why i want new. however i havent sat on a xl50 but did sit on roadsters felt fine. if i want 1 i need to get it shipped from 3 hrs away they will deliver to my house. what do u think of this whole situation?will this be a good 1st bike. figure i will get better trade in on xl50 in future. there is 0 miles on this bike .
2007-03-25 04:57:17 · 6 answers · asked by drew c 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
the 1200's are basically all the same except for: xl1200c custom...they have forward controls from factory and added chrome here and there. the xl1200n nightster...a factory lowered 1200 with a seat height of 25".
the weights and engine will all be the same. some tho dont have a 4 gallon tank. just because its an anniversary edition dont mean that u'll either get a better trade-in. some consider sporty's a 'dime a dozen' from alot being on the used market. u will lose money if u try to trade up within a year or 2 after buying it.
some buy anniversary bikes for the wrong reason. i see no point in getting an anniversary bike and not riding it. that would make for a hell of an expensive door stop eh?
take my advice from being a roadster owner for over 2 years with almost 7000 miles on the clock....which is good for the amount of time i get to ride because of work schedules.... item 1: get the forward controls. u'll feel less cramped from u being 6'4. be advised tho, they slightly reduce lean angle.
item 2: get at the very least, a detachable windshield. the wind blast will wear u down within 100 miles at interstate speeds.
item 3: get a sundowner seat. its THE best seat from hd and THE best seat for a sportster. u will easily be able to cruise 400+ miles in a sitting. the stock seats SUCK. u'll be wantin to get off within 80 miles on a stock seat.
item 4: saddle bags.....its a gotta have.
dont have it shipped....ride that sporty and break it in right. like i said, if and when u decide to sell it, just cause it has 'anniversary' on it dont mean u'll get the highest price. this isnt considered a touring bike like a road king. if u can, take a test ride on a custom with forward controls, and a ride on a roadster with mid-level controls since i belive the bike ur looking at will have mid-level controls.
have an engine guard put on it also. if u drop it for any reason, it will save ur gas tank from gettin a ding, and it will be alot easier to pick it back up.
2007-03-25 05:13:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 6'4", reach isn't going to be a problem for you. Thus, don't worry about seat height. Do you feel comfortable on what you've sat on? Will you be happy 6 months down the road? The Custom Sportster will be worth the most on re-sale, followed by the XL50. Plus, the Custom comes with forward controls which will aid in comfort for your height. The Roadster & XL50 should have mid-controls. I'm no mechanic either, but consider a bigger, used bike that's just a couple of years old w/ low mileage. There's a ton of Harleys out there now; so, it's a buyers' market. Plus, if you want to wait, the 2008's will be out in July which will allow you a good deal on a 2007. Those are some options for you that I hope will help. I'm 6'3" so I understand the size & height issue. Good luck!
2007-03-25 06:54:06 · answer #2 · answered by misdirection777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 6'4'' you will probably look like a circus bear on a Sportster.
Not to mention, you will outgrow it in about three months. Go for a big twin, you'll be glad you did.
2007-03-27 07:15:15 · answer #3 · answered by thomy8s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nice bike.
Have you taken riding lessons yet?
Are you accustomed to the things that happen to motorcycles that do not happen to cars, like the white line on the road surface during the rain? (really REALLY slippery)
Or any of the other various factors?
Bit of power there if your not accustomed to it.
2007-03-25 05:08:01 · answer #4 · answered by occluderx 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have fun and I do hope you live long enough to learn.
2007-03-25 05:12:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
pick one & go with it
2007-03-25 11:22:54 · answer #6 · answered by wild1highinvamountains 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋