2007-08-26 09:56:08 · 10 answers · asked by jellis 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
The Ironhead Sportster evolved from the K Models in 1957 and I think it was primarily built to satisfy a need for a fast nimble street racer - and to compete with the British bikes.
People were stripping down the 57 model to reduce weight for street racing, so a year or so later Harley came out with the XLCH which was a lighter kick-start factory version of the street racers.
I think Honda was the first Japanese bike imported into the US and I don't think Honda started selling bikes in the US until 1959... I might be totally wrong about the date, but the bikes that Honda was shipping to the US at the time definitely couldn't compete with the Harley, Norton, or Triumph.
2007-08-26 10:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by ScooterTrash 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
In fact Harley lobbied the AMA to ban British bikes from competition. The flathead could not compete with the ohv models built in England.
www.pnwma.com
2007-08-27 05:58:11 · answer #2 · answered by Deckard2020 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they were the fastest & most durable street bike made anywhere for about 10 or 12 years kind of like the busa is now except the busa has a lot of close competitors, the sportys only competition was the norton & the norton was only good for a few hours between overhauls when run balls to the wall.
with the motor & tranny as 1 unit they were also more reliable & oil tight than the big twins & probably still are if both bikes are ridden hard with no clutch shifts & pop up wheelies in the first 2 or 3 gears. but your social life is easier on a hog, its hard to get laid if your riding a ladies bike.
2007-08-26 22:02:32 · answer #3 · answered by Who Dat ? 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sportsters were built light and quick. back in the day, they ruled the dirt races, and no big twin was able to keep up with them. even the big twin hd's doesnt have the same takeoff capability vs the sportster....v-rod or buell's not included. they're the cheapest and most affordable harley in the fleet. too bad narrow minded idiots dont have the guts to even try 1.
2007-08-26 21:08:34 · answer #4 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think Scooter nailed it. The K model was Harley's response to the growing popularity of the British 650 twins (primarily Triumph and BSA) in the late '50s.
2007-08-26 17:42:11 · answer #5 · answered by ammodave 2 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Just like all Harleys they were built under the pretense of being worthless. The sportster is arguably the best harley because it is the cheapest. So it's the cheapest worthless bike money can buy.
2007-08-26 20:17:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋
ScooterTrash nailed it. He is correct. And they are still made today. No pretense needed.
2007-08-26 23:02:09 · answer #7 · answered by John himself 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just a guess but when they use to race the board tracks. Or maybe to compete with the cheaper japanese that had the motor and gearbox in one case.
2007-08-26 17:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by ronnny 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
WW 1
2007-08-26 17:02:00 · answer #9 · answered by John St.Louis 5 · 1⤊ 6⤋
So girls could look tough too.
2007-08-26 17:48:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋