Actually, for motorcycles in general, a Sportster ain't that light.

I went and checked the specs. A Sportster 1200 Roadster is 565 lb. dry, while an FXD Super Glide is 632 lb. dry.

That's 67 pounds. Not that much difference, in my book. I'd think the FXD's superior torque would more than make up the difference.

By comparison, a typical sportbike, a Yamaha YZF-R6, weighs 366 pounds! A big-bore YamahaR1 is still only 390 pounds.

A Sporty is still a pretty big motorcycle. I do not agree with one poster that it's a "girls' bike".

 

I rode my Sporty amongst of bunch of crazy guys on Dynas for years and would generally leave them behind when we hopped on the freeway. My Sporty was very quick and really didn't have much done to it. Dyno numbers withstanding, my little chick bike could stomp a Dyna more often than it would lose. 120+ jaunts were the norm and the little Sporty would get there considerably faster than the big bikes.

Either way, who cares? You went over to the Sporty forum and stirred the pot and they got pissed. What do you expect?

Now try hopping on a 65hp 235lb dirt bike and talk about which one gets up to speed faster. My 450 could murder a Harley in straight acceleration. Unfortunately it slammed into the rev limiter at 75mph.

 

I have had both and they are both nice bikes. Dyna is definately a better ride. I would have both in my garage if I could justify it to my old lady!

 

It is sad, but the Sportys really get no respect. Ever go to your first HOG meeting and stand up to introduce yourself. I've never seen it, but imagine standing infront of all those people and saying, " Hi. I'm Bill and I ride a 2004 xl883". Might as well say you rode up on a schwinn with streamers and a basket on the front.

 

You cannot play the weight card. Pushing a 850 lb bike does nottake 300lbs more of exertion to move it. I know....trust me...I gotta push bikes all the time to fit my riding needs for the day. Have you ever pushed a car? Does not take 3000lbs of force to move it. Your looking at about 20 percent more(stock real numbers are 50 to 62)HP for a Dyna comparedto a Sporster. Look at the gear ratios of a 6 sp compared to a 5 speed. Look at the torque. Sportsters are fun riding bikes but too much motor? I just dont get that and never will.....AND I HAVE ONE!!!

 

I don't think you got murdered in the sporty thread,no one in there produced any dino sheets or anything. It's like some people are saying ,the sporty's are quick light to light but top end your Dyna is out front. To each his own....

 

I bet you would not say "you rode up on a schwinn with streamers and a basket on the front" to Sonny Barger who rode sportsters.

 

A given engine may or may not be "too much" depending on the chassis.
A 750 cc may be too much and make a bike difficult to ride for novices, while a 1600 can be just enough and make another bike just perfect.
You never know till you try it.

 

A sportster was looked upon different in the sixties

 

i have had my tail kicked by a sporty or two! they are great bikes!