Why the sportster over any other Harley! Money! performance! What!
bubbles52,
Jun 14, 7:03pm
the 883 is as gutless as they come
trouser,
Jun 14, 7:11pm
cheap.
gunhand,
Jun 14, 7:12pm
Cheap way to get into a Harley and get "that" feeling.cheap for a new bike as well and probably a stepping stone to a much over priced bigger one.
sr2,
Jun 14, 7:12pm
Hate to say it but it might be a HD trait. Even the Vrod (although great fun and a great looker) isn't that fast in a straight line.
berg,
Jun 14, 7:24pm
The Sporty 1200 is a good "entry level" Harley Tractor which makes then quite popular.
drog,
Jun 15, 6:02am
.aka H-D Skirtster.
purple666,
Jun 15, 8:29am
The humble Sporty Too big for the kids Too small for the Mrs
A great quote from the days of ironhead sportsters
321mat,
Jun 15, 8:59am
Because they are popular with transvestites
greenwing,
Jun 17, 11:34am
I had a '98 Sportster 1200, it would keep up with my non- Harley mates, handled and went well with plenty cornering clearance. Only fault was it was too uncomfortable for the pillion, even with a touring seat as they weren't wide enough in the pillion part . So sadly sold it for a Harley Lowrider, not so much fun around corners but at least the wife is happy on the back now with the super comfortable pillion seat.
i-n-horz,
Jun 17, 12:47pm
Sportsters have a good riding stance especially if your into twisties, other than the ol'883 they have plenty of power to kill yourself with if your that way inclined and more than enough to give yourself a fright or those that your riding with not expecting a Sportster to be on your rear rubber or even whipping past you. As with any bike performance parts are plentyful to gather extra HP which most motorcyclist of the multitude of makes do in one way or another and in my opinion to the dislike of x-HD owners, haters, wannabes and I can go faster than you crowd the HD is a great sounding bike with the right exhausts (non stock) like most V-twins be they American, Italian etc.
countrypete,
Jun 17, 1:46pm
A Harley Davidson is the most effective way of turning petrol into noise, with the annoying by-product of horsepower.
sifty,
Jun 17, 1:54pm
A combination of price and simplicity.
not everyone wants a goldwing or gsxr. I give the harley blokes as much of a hard time as anyone but I wouldn't mind having a 1200 sporty I could use for a blat now and again. and the XR1200 is actually pretty cool
richardmayes,
Jun 17, 1:58pm
I'm not much of a biker, but to me these look like a Harley with most of the optional extra BS deleted. Just a straight, simple, classic, good-looking bike. I can see the appeal.
Alot of the time it's not the motorcycle that can't handle the road rather than the rider not being able to handle the motorcycle,riding beyond ones ability is not always a good look and at worst ends in tears.
klrider,
Jun 18, 5:51am
Fantastic peice of equipment as long as you dont want to go, stop or turn on it.
klrider,
Jun 18, 5:56am
Riiiiiight, effective at horsepower, haaaaaaa ha ha lol, good one. Great as long as the rider is aware what they are riding, problem is most think they have a rocket under them, but in bike terms most of them are cruisers, and good at that Funny, Ive always found that Harley riders are more interested in being seen riding a bike than actually riding a bike. Ive had a couple by the way, and might end up with another in the future, but just love adventure touring at the moment.
bmwnz,
Jun 18, 5:57am
I asked a long-time HD riding friend about this and he said quote: "Softies are for girls, geriatrics or wannabes. A real HD rider wouldn't have one on his arse for a wart."
Fairly blunt, but at least he had an opinion.
countrypete,
Jun 18, 6:39am
Damn Damn!I meant "without the annoying byproduct"!Totally cocked it up!Still, they are kinda cool to listen to.
sifty,
Jun 18, 8:39am
Ha, I read that as 'without' didn't notice the actual wording.
crzyhrse,
Jun 18, 8:43am
If it's the sound you like just eat a stack of garlic then go sit in the bathtub and let rip.
Much cheaper and nobody will think you're a douche.
trogedon,
Jun 18, 3:24pm
Apart from the person who has to clean the bath when its more than just a fart??
countrypete,
Jun 18, 3:51pm
As Billy Connelly said, whe you get older, NEVER trust a fart!
howie69,
Jun 18, 6:01pm
The sporty can be modified to a real little bullet, but you have to work on the handling to really get the benefit. Lots of aftermarket parts available to do this. I bought a brand new one in 88 and after being so disappointed with factory performance pulled it apart and hotted it. If you are as crazy a rider as I was you will have a lot of fun and it can be made to handle cornering really well. I didn't upgrade the brakes which made for interesting riding. Nothing like being in a full slide in mud at the end of a long straight wondering if you will come out. Mind you that was a life time back I am a lot older and have slower reflexes now.
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