Hi everyone,

I am very excited, and looking to purchase my first Harley Davidson in the very near future. I just sold my sports bike, and following my dream of owning a Harley Davidson. I found a 2001 Sportster XL1200C with low miles (about 3500) and just had a few questions. I googled it but couldn't find much information.


1. What are the pros/cons of this model and year compared to other models and years? Especially compared to other Sportster models because I cannot find the specific differences between them.

2. It is carbuerated and not fuel injected, right? Pros/cons?

3. When I go look at the bike, is there anything specific I should be looking for?

4. I am 5'6" 170lbs, am I a good size for this bike? (I will find out this saturday when I go see it but I figure I'll get a heads up)

5. Anything I should be warned about or any other suggestions you may have.


Thank you very much, and I appreciate any help.

 

If I were you I'd try and find a used 2004-06 1200C with about the same mileage. The 2004-06 models have a rubber mounted engine that does a good job of reducing vibration common to the earlier models. Prior to 2004, the Sporty engine is mounted directly to the frame.

I'm 5'11" / 180Lbs and my 2006 1200C fits like a glove.

 

Yeah you can get a newer model pre f/i for dirt cheap! Great bikes!

 

Niskyne, ..........Congradulations on your purchase. It sounds like a really low mileage deal. Youryear bike has the carb as far as fuel delivery is concerned. Fuel injection just came out on the sportster. Rubber engine mounts likewise just came out in, I think, 2004. I would look for signs of engine failure or problems such as oil leaks, knocking or pinging. Smoke from the exhaust. Things like that. Look to see if all the parts are there and if they matchup right. The possibility of it being in a wreck is there. Be sure the vin numbers all match up to the registration. Is the electrical system ok? Are the tires worn in relation to the amount of mileage on the bike. Does it have a record of the maintainance done on it? At your size, you should fit the bike very nicely. Good luck.

 

2004 or newer for the rubber mount. Take a little time and check around. There are alot of recent vintage, low mileage bikes out there. A year ago I found my (then) one year old 05 1200 C on ebay. It had 1300 miles on it. It was and still is perfect. The original owner lost about $4,000.00.

 

If it looks like showroom, that's a good sign! Seriously, there are lots of Harleys that are sold with little more than break-in mileage on them, with lots of accessories thrown in the deal--for a great price. I went by the dealer today. They were pretty glum--big inventory and nothing is selling.Keep looking until you find one that is just about perfect. There are plenty of them out there.

 

yes I will warn you sportsters become addicting , they are extremely fun to ride and fun to makeyour own.

 

I pulled up next to a Club Member the other day. He was stopped at a light and I dropped from 30 to 0 in the space of the length of his bike. He was on a Fatty and me on the Sporty. Eventually, he acknowledged me then the lite turned green. He went "BRRURPUUPUPUPUPUP" and I went "ZOOOOOMMM" and he was a memory in 5 seconds. I LOVE MY SPORTSTER!!!!

 

i like the non rubber mounted bikes, dam if your gonna ride a harley and have the loud pipes, mine as well have the vibration to go with it ya pansies!!

 

[sm=funnypostabove.gif] I love the tingly sensationmine gives me!Don't let the pre 04 models scare ya'.The vibes aren't THAT bad!