Go Sportsters

[drhach]

It almost looks like it's from a newer Bonneville. Definitely a nice addition.

[Photog]

I'm looking at this (LSL - not sure if it's being sold):



and this Corbin:



But any input on seats that would fit the XR would be welcome.

I love the look of my stock seat, but my butt isn't as happy with it as my eyeballs are.

[hhkiwi]

Thanks for the kind words, here's a link to a post that explains the seat: http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....postcount=1705

The fork brace was already on the bike when I bought it so I can't comment on how the handling of my bike compares to that of a Sportster without one.

Here are two side shots of the bike:

[thatdirtykid]

The fork brace is great for handling. Mine had a screaming eagle brace when I got it. I didn't like the chrome and it interfeared with a fender I liked. Took it off. Put it back on after one ride. I hear the super brace works the same. I think it looks best and its cheap.

Hhkiwi, that seat is great, I wish I had had one like it

[hhkiwi]

Originally Posted by thatdirtykid

Hhkiwi, that seat is great, I wish I had had one like it

A lot of people ask me about the seat. It is strange that you can't get one like it for the Sportster anywhere - I looked for months and finally decided to do my own. It took me quite some time do modify the stock seat pan but once the upholsterer had worked his magic it all came together nicely. It wasn't a cheap exercise though - I probably spent somewhere in the order of $300 plus many hours of my time...

[EetsOK]

It's too bad Harley won't make a retro standard Sporty to go head to head with Trumph Bonnevilles and kawi W800's. They sure do seem obsessed with skulls and wanna be bobbers though.

[Bloodweiser]

I have a fork brace. Picked up a used SE for cheap awhile back.
I'm 150lbs, and it really did not change anything for me.
After I had bought and installed,
started reading it makes better use for the people much massier than I.

[fastdadio]

I have a 99, XL1200s. Bought new. I rode it the first summer and installed the HD fork brace over the winter. It tightened up the handling to a very noticable amount. I highly recommend it. About that bench seat. I get cramped up on longer rides because the distance from the pegs to the seat is too short. Also the stock seat foam would compress after about an hour and leave my ass sitting on the seat pan. Combine this with the solid mount engine vibes and it's time for a break. I had this company modify my stock seat pan. http://www.badassbikeseats.com/
I had him add about 4 1/2 inches of foam to the driver front area and told him I wanted a 70's era ujm bench seat look. What an improvement! Feels like a completely different bike. Gets me further away from the pegs and dampens alot of felt vibration through the seat. Another very worth while mod/farkel for long range riding improvement was the addition of handle bar end weights. My bars are solid mount and get quite buzzy over 70mph. I bought and installed the heaviest solid stainless steel weights they listed and am very happy with the results. They cut the felt vibration through the bars by a significant amount. http://www.manicsalamander.com/products.aspx
I think these three mods done to any Sportster are well worth the money.
I have no affiliation with the above linked vendors except to be very pleased with their products and service.

Message sent from a Molsen beer can with very tightly streched fishing line.

[Berto]

I am looking at one of these


http://www.biltwellinc.com/index.php...t_detail&p=129

[hhkiwi]

Yep, I looked at the Biltwell Banana. Great looking seat but, unfortunately, not suitable for 2004 or later model Sportsters...

Greetings to Gainesville - Go Gators!

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by fastdadio

I have a 99, XL1200s. Bought new. I rode it the first summer and installed the HD fork brace over the winter. It tightened up the handling to a very noticable amount. I highly recommend it. About that bench seat. I get cramped up on longer rides because the distance from the pegs to the seat is too short. Also the stock seat foam would compress after about an hour and leave my ass sitting on the seat pan. Combine this with the solid mount engine vibes and it's time for a break. I had this company modify my stock seat pan. http://www.badassbikeseats.com/
I had him add about 4 1/2 inches of foam to the driver front area and told him I wanted a 70's era ujm bench seat look. What an improvement! Feels like a completely different bike. Gets me further away from the pegs and dampens alot of felt vibration through the seat. Another very worth while mod/farkel for long range riding improvement was the addition of handle bar end weights. My bars are solid mount and get quite buzzy over 70mph. I bought and installed the heaviest solid stainless steel weights they listed and am very happy with the results. They cut the felt vibration through the bars by a significant amount. http://www.manicsalamander.com/products.aspx
I think these three mods done to any Sportster are well worth the money.
I have no affiliation with the above linked vendors except to be very pleased with their products and service.

Message sent from a Molsen beer can with very tightly streched fishing line.

First of all, we need pics of that seat. Get to it!

I remember a thread on the XLForum about Manic Salamander bar end weights that turned into a shitfest. Were you the one that started that thread?

[_tomaso_]

my 1991 Sportster XL 883 in 2000

[bravada]

Originally Posted by EetsOK

It's too bad Harley won't make a retro standard Sporty to go head to head with Trumph Bonnevilles and kawi W800's. They sure do seem obsessed with skulls and wanna be bobbers though.

My feelings exactly. I like a Bike to ride. I am secure in my manhood. Don't need skulls, studs or leather streamers. The Sportster has always looked on its own. That is why it lasts....

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by bravada

My feelings exactly. I like a Bike to ride. I am secure in my manhood. Don't need skulls, studs or leather streamers. The Sportster has always looked on its own. That is why it lasts....

Take an R model, throw a flat seat on it, done.

Too bad the R models DIDN'T SELL.

[scooterintexas]

What is the typical cost to convert the engine from 883 to 1200? Parts and labor breakdown? What about the SE stage 1?

Looking at prices on used sportsters, it looks like you can get a low mileage 883 for $3K - $4K here in the DFW area. If I can upgrade to the 1200 at a reasonable price this may be the way to go.

Like this one: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/3338127623.html


Scott