Go Sportsters

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

the fact that those things are even allowed on public roads continues to amaze me. I know a young guy just bought a 2005 R1 for like $5K.

just what he needs....

I've been looking at Harleys for awhile now and I'd like to have a big one but I'm not in the mood to deal with that weight. I just want something to poke along with and enjoy a turn or two when the mood strikes me.

appreciate the input. as fate would have it two 883R's show up on EBay after my post earlier. Iowa and Indiana though the one in Iowa claims he'll deliver to your door. what a guy. check out flea market there was an 02 Superglide for stupid cheap money last night if it's not sold I'd be shocked. thanks for the input on the 07 information is a very handy thing.

what about the 2001 Sport model Sportsters with more HP and "better" shocks"

Really liked the suspension. Other than that I didn't have much interest.

I saw the super glide. If I were in the market I would have been all over it.

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by woodnbow

Couple of things here I noticed, the forward control deal for one. I have 36" inseam and ride a Sportster Sport, I'm in my late 50's. Not a big deal if you pick a decent seat for your bike. Rubber-mounted Sportsters are overrated. An answer in search of a question. I've ridden nothing but rigid 1200's since they started making them and unless you're extremely sensitive to vibration (carpal tunnel or some such) they just aren't that bad... They are heavier too but the newer engine has better head designs and run very strong so you'll probably only notice that on the scale. I don't have 50# to lose so I'm stuck with rigids but you couldn't go far wrong with a rigid XL1200S, put the money you save into seat, bars and quarter fairing upgrades.

Everyone's different. Some people can't stand mids. Personally I like them.

I disagree about the vibration difference between rigid and rubber mount systems. I've owned three sportsters and have ridden literally hundreds of them from iron heads to the latest injected models during the decade I worked for the MoCo. From one to the next they can be worse or better. But for sure there was a noted difference, though admittedly I found it most annoying at highway speeds and higher revs. Otherwise it isn't so bad, but it is enough overall that my next sportster will once again be a rubber mount. Ideally I'd love to have a 2007 injected 883R in black, just like the '06 I had that someone rear-ended and totaled with the exception of the fuel injection upgrade. If not that bike, then I'd like to have an 883 Iron.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

would any 2000-2003 883 with dual disc have to be an "R" and would that also mean that it came with the longer forks?

many thanks for the input I do appreciate it.

I think so, but adding a disc to any mag-wheel 883 is pretty simple--no need to buy a new wheel like on a bike like the NH750 or Magna.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of lowered Rs out there. However, the Rs have probably been lowered using a lowering kit and not shorter tubes so they would be easy to return to stock height.

All standard 883s and Rs came with the long forks. Dunno if the Hugger model used shorter tubes or not.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by sargev55

what are the supposed handling quirks the rubber mounts have?

i've put close to 21000 miles on my 2005 1200r and really don't have any idea what they may be talking about.

Dunno--long thread on xlf about it. Never paid it much mind because I didn't have a rubber mount.

If it doesn't bother you--great.

They were getting speed wobbles and head shake IIRC.

[nachtflug]

Originally Posted by AZbiker

I think so, but adding a disc to any mag-wheel 883 is pretty simple--no need to buy a new wheel like on a bike like the NH750 or Magna.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of lowered Rs out there. However, the Rs have probably been lowered using a lowering kit and not shorter tubes so they would be easy to return to stock height.

All standard 883s and Rs came with the long forks. Dunno if the Hugger model used shorter tubes or not.

I was just thinking from an ID perspective. single disc = shorter forks, if so, then not the bike for me.

I've yet to ride one but my concern is ergo's.

here is another question. I saw some very new as in 2010 883 Roadsters on ebay. are these one gallon larger gas tanks? Bueller says he likes the 2007 bikes with the FI and a better looking tank then the newer ones.

[Bloodweiser]

There's a billion shapes of people riding sporsters,
if you really want the bike,
I'm sure you'll find a way to set it up comfortably.

In 2008 the R's got a 4.5 gallon tank,
instead of the 3.3.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

I was just thinking from an ID perspective. single disc = shorter forks, if so, then not the bike for me.

I've yet to ride one but my concern is ergo's.

here is another question. I saw some very new as in 2010 883 Roadsters on ebay. are these one gallon larger gas tanks? Bueller says he likes the 2007 bikes with the FI and a better looking tank then the newer ones.

Single disc does not necessarily equal shorter forks. I think the Hugger model was the only solid mount from the factory to come with the 1" of travel up front.

My 01 XLH883 had normal length forks and a single disc up front. If the forks are lowered via a lowering kit it's easily reversable.



Just looked up a 2010 883 Roadster--the shape of the tank indicates it's a 3.3. The 4gal tank came stock on the rubber-mount Customs, it looks a lot different.

[Murphy Slaw]

Dairy Queen.......

Yummmmmmmmm

[Birdmove]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

would any 2000-2003 883 with dual disc have to be an "R" and would that also mean that it came with the longer forks?

many thanks for the input I do appreciate it.

Yes. Unless, like my friend Dave, the owner installed the second front disk brake parts on his 2006 XL883. But the XL883 had the longer suspension anyway.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by Murphy Slaw

Dairy Queen.......

Yummmmmmmmm

Had to fuel up before my assault on the Butterfield Trail.

[Ginger Beard]

I picked up a C because of the larger tank ,longer forks and I kinda fancy the 21" front wheel. I switched to mids and added 13.25 Works Performance shocks. With almost 7 inches of ground clearance it now and handles more like a bike should handle. Tours pretty darn nicely even with a bag full of apples and avocados bungee netted to it.

[ag_streak]

I just picked up my custom seat made by a local shop. I'm thinking of a mild scramblerizing of my '07 Roadster, but I'm just getting started. I already replaced the stock handlebars with 2.5" narrower ones from an 883N Nightster. Next will be mid-height tracker-style side mount pipes, fork gaiters, longer shocks, and then tires. I also bought a used 4.4 gallon tank, but it needs a fuel pump and painting. I had the seat made for the longer tank, and I'll live with the gap between the seat and tank for now.

The seat came out too bulky in appearance. Kind of ugly, but it works well. The "standard" seating position totally changes the character of the ride! My ass is no longer locked in one place.





I was going for this look, the seat off a Bonneville T100. It didn't come out exactly as I wanted, but it's damn functional and comfortable.

[DAKEZ]

It looks good to me.

[wannaklr]

I have got to ride one of those R models. The only Sportster I've ridden was a Low. I liked the motor but hated the suspension.

[ag_streak]

Originally Posted by wannaklr

I have got to ride one of those R models. The only Sportster I've ridden was a Low. I liked the motor but hated the suspension.

It's the only Sportster model I'd consider. I demo-rode the new XR1200R a couple times. It's a great bike, but I can't past the looks, and I can't avoid comparing it to Japanese bikes. It's like its trying too hard, or something!

The R's look the part, in my mind, and I'm quite satisfied with the cornering clearance. I think the stock shock length is 13.25" or 13.5". I want some nice Progressives or others in the 14.0 - 14.5"" range.