oldenough Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) I usually ride a sports/touring type bike, Concours, ZX-11, ST1300. But I recently had the opportunity to pick up a HD Sportster 883, yeah I know, "ladies bike", but with that aside anyone have any experience of this bike? It was a deal that was a no brainer, 2006, one owner, not even 2500miles on it, and at a price that I could roll it into a dealer and get more than I paid for it. Would like to take it out to make my own opinion of it, but the weather is lousy, and I'm trying to decide whether to sell it on. However I'm also quite taken with it, nicely put together, good solid construction, and dare I say, a quite nice looking bike. Edited February 10, 2014 by oldenough Quote
oldenough Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) How tall are you? oops... Edited February 10, 2014 by oldenough Quote
oldenough Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 How tall are you? 5' 6"...but that has never been a deciding factor for me...though it has been tricky at times... Or were you thinking I might be TOO tall for it?.... Quote
CECAA850 Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Just the opposite. If you're too tall, that bike is uncomfortable to ride. Quote
oldenough Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 Yes, I can see that for sure, even at 5'6" I can flat foot on it, anyone over 6" would probably feel cramped. Quote
Guest " " Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Id keep it...great bike to teach a new rider...good for the road test if your state requires it. If you are used to a touring or cruiser...you might find the overall size of the bike small......like going from touring bike to bicycle...from a width perspective. I jumped on a vrod from an ultra classic and got the bicycle sensation. Quote
Taz Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 My cousin is 5'2" and rides a Harley Super Glide. She had to make some adjustments to be able to flat foot it. But she loves it. Leaves her sportster in the garage now. Quote
tigerwoodKhorns Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 I ride an RT1200, similar to what you ride. Went riding with someone on a new Sportster one day last fall. He had to stop for gas every 125 - 140 miles or so, not very comfortable, and was freezing when the weather got cold. Did not look like fun to me. We went up in the mountains and for part of the ride it was 45 degrees, he did not look well. I had my heated grips and seats going full blast so I did not miss a beat. Personally, I would cash out of the deal. Quote
joessportster Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 I have ridden sporty's before, i started with an 883, i put untold amounts of time into that bike I had just as much fun customizing it as i did riding it, In the end it was a 1200 with high comp pistons, s&s heads and jugs mikuni carb tons of chrome, ape hangers, custom paint with mural on tank, hooker header over under pipes, wide glide front end with 16" wheels tires front and rear, Hard bags. When i sold it Only true harley fans could tell it was a sportster. Im 5' 11" 220 pounds If you keep it i will tell you this the mikuni carb made the biggest noticeable difference in power, and was super easy to tune. Quote
minermark Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) I usually ride a sports/touring type bike, Concours, ZX-11, ST1300. But I recently had the opportunity to pick up a HD Sportster 883, yeah I know, "ladies bike", but with that aside anyone have any experience of this bike? It was a deal that was a no brainer, 2006, one owner, not even 2500miles on it, and at a price that I could roll it into a dealer and get more than I paid for it. Would like to take it out to make my own opinion of it, but the weather is lousy, and I'm trying to decide whether to sell it on. However I'm also quite taken with it, nicely put together, good solid construction, and dare I say, a quite nice looking bike. DSC01230_edited-1.jpg This is my little scooter. 07 BigDog, (BullDog) fuel injected S&S, low end cam, straight pipes, digtal everything, Cant wait for summer....... Edited February 10, 2014 by minermark 1 Quote
CECAA850 Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Pretty bike! What's the sissy bar for? Looks like a one seater. 1 Quote
minermark Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) Pretty bike! What's the sissy bar for? Looks like a one seater. Second seat has suction cup mount for the wife. p.s. its a 300mm tire aprox 12" wide w/fender to match. so the second seat just pops on. Edited February 10, 2014 by minermark Quote
CECAA850 Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Very cool. Sold my last Harley in '07. I miss it at times but mostly not. I've been in 4 vehicles that have totaled out and started feeling uncomfortable on the bike. It was taking the enjoyment out of riding so I sold it. Quote
oldenough Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 Maybe I'll hang on to it just for running around on short coffee runs, it won't end up costing me anything, I think I'd at least like to experience the Harley thing. Last time I rode one was back in 90's, on an old 82 Sportster that thing was a complete dog, and offered no enjoyment at all. Quote
RRR Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 The 883 is a great starter bike, its just as fast as the 1200 sporty. The gearing is somewhat higher to make up for the lower horsepower & torque difference. The bikes are dependable until you start tinkering with upgrades & such, then it depends on whats installed and done correctly or not. Quote
mustang guy Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 You did the opposite of me. I sold my 07 Road King Classic last summer and bought an R1200GSW. My beef with the HD was the seating position. I am accustomed to an upright riding position from dirt bikes and never really liked the backache I got from riding hunkered over on the Harley. On the BMW I ride upright, and love the power! It is one of the quickest bikes I've ridden and the quickest one I've owned. Don't get me wrong. The Harley was a joy to ride, and was relaxing. I simply couldn't ride it for long or very often as my back had to recover. Quote
RRR Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 You did the opposite of me. I sold my 07 Road King Classic last summer and bought an R1200GSW. My beef with the HD was the seating position. I am accustomed to an upright riding position from dirt bikes and never really liked the backache I got from riding hunkered over on the Harley. On the BMW I ride upright, and love the power! It is one of the quickest bikes I've ridden and the quickest one I've owned. Don't get me wrong. The Harley was a joy to ride, and was relaxing. I simply couldn't ride it for long or very often as my back had to recover. Dirt bikes are a blast, i rode every available hour when i was a kid. Once they expanded the O'hare parking lot across Mannheim Rd my riding spot was gone, its now just a paved parking lot. Quote
Boxx Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 I have fallen off of one Another bar stool story.... lol... 1 Quote
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