I just came across a clean , low mile 2013 Custom. Looking for around town bike, to work etc, bike for when I don't need the Sport Glide. If I remember Sportsters got a bunch of updates in '14 or '15. Any thing to watch out for or should I go a couple years newer?

 

2013 would not have a in speedo tach would it ?

 

Wife's got a 2018 48 special, things a little hot rod versus my Fat Bob, I did change to a 4.5 gallon custom tank . Only has speedo for gauges if I remember correctly. Nice little scooter.

 

The 2014 and up has CAN bus. Everything works by communication versus a physical switch turning something on.

The electronics feature a body control module BCM that is the heart of the CAN bus and also pretty much replaces all the fuses and relays from earlier models. You now get a DTC when a bulb is blown.

The speedo lcd display shows trip A and B, clock, odometer and tachometer with gear selected. The 2013 you have to press a button on the back of the speedo. With the 2014 there is a toggle switch on the left hand side to rotate the display.

Fitting slip on mufflers is a bit easier as the connecting pipe is moved to the headers. The O2 sensors are 12mm heated so you have to look for correct year when changing out exhaust systems.

I have a 2008 and a 2017 here and the engine is as strong in both of them so nothing is changed there.

 

2014 got updated brakes. The front disc is larger.

 

So '14 up may be the way to go if I can find a clean one at a good price. Will they hold their value now that they are slated for eventual discontinuance ?

 

They pretty much are discontinued.

I think dealers will take all the good ones they can get so if you can find what you are looking for get it.

No new Custom and other models.

 

The H-D in the US only sells the 883 Iron and 48 now in the traditional Sporster models. Most other countries no longer have the Sportsters.

'14 and up would be a good choice but there's nothing wrong with earlier models either. Main difference is the electrical as mentioned. If you want the '13 and concerned about the tach, H-D sells this speedo/tach combo. I have one on my '11 Custom. It has the features mentioned above and miles-to-empty and fuel gauge with an optional fuel sending unit.

 

I looked up specs and hope it's wrong : 2.1 inches of rear suspension travel. Front is great at 5.6 inches, but 2 inches is not good for this old man with fused cervical vertebrae. Rear suspension tolerable or not ? Rode an Indian Scout a couple years ago at a demo and could not wait to get off it. It had the same rear travel.

 

I got Progressive 444 rear shocks on mine. They gave a big improvement over stock. They are 12.5 inch shocks. I have a bad back as well.