I drove my friend's 2001 1200C and he drove my 07-883C. The bikes are like totally different bikes in feel , handling etc etc. My 07 883C drives like a Vespa compared to his 2001 1200 which drove like a 18 wheeler, shake rattle and role wow. My bike was much much smoother and seemed faster all the way around, and his 1200 felt like you were really riding a rough tough Harley... I mean the thing shook....like that song,"you know you shook me"{ I felt meaner on his bike..}. Now the 1200 has over 10000 miles on it so maybe it needed something in the tune up department{not sure...he just had it tuned up, so I don't think that was the issue}. The 07 accelerated easier and much smoother without any effort. The 2001 shook you up and was like a monster. I am just saying these two Harleys seemed to have virtually nothing in common TO ME in the way the ride and handled. If you want the rough shaking ride and tough feeling , go for the 2001 ... It shook me up too much...wore me out{ I know,,,I am old}. I need a smoother ride..... I'm a wimp

 

Up until 2004 the Sportster engine was rigid mounted in the frame. Beginning in 2004 all Sportster engines were rubber mounted. You experienced the difference.

 

You experienced the difference.


thanks. Man, not that one is right or wrong but there is a huge difference in the kind of ride you find. I could not handle that bike on longer rides, though many have no problem at all and been driving them for decades

 

Yeah, I have always admired the Sportster but it wasn't till they went rubber mount in 04 that I became interested enough to buy one. A year and a half ago I bought a used 05 1200 C and absolutely love it.

 

The engine mounts make a huge difference.

 

The pre 2004 sportys are the real deal man. 500 lbs stock. Low 13 sec 1/4 mile stock for 1200. They lean better than the new ones too. I'd rather drive a mack truck than a vespa any day.

 

HD increasedthe powerin the post-2004 Sportsters in order to cancel the weight difference. Essentially, they still do the 1/4 mile in the same time they used to, only now it's more comfortable to ride because of the rubber-mounted engine. So the pre-2004 Sportsters are in no way better than current. The extra weight they have now wouldn't change the handling aspect at all, either, only a change in the wheelbase would do that. I believe they still have the same wheelbase, so the handling should be exactly the same.


Oh, and Simba, I have ridden a 2007 1200R and a 2007 883R back-to-back, and there is virtually no difference. So it's gotta be the fact that the years are so far apart. Well, of course the 1200 is much faster all around, but handling-wise, there is no difference in the 2007 models.

 

comftarable smunfturable ... who wants a smooth riding sporty? thats why I got a sporty and a dyna. One for rocketing, and one for cruising.

 

LOL. With my rubber mounted 05 I don't need two bikes. My one bike does rocketing, cruising and touring, all in one !!!

 

itstill seems sacriligious to me seeing a boucing motor on a sporty. Times change now though. I cant even get a new carbed Harley nemore. Yikes!!! And cats??? whats up with that!!!!!