Sportster is top heavy?
#1
09-26-2007 | 09:05 PM
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From: Sacramento California!!!
Sportster is top heavy?
I keep hearing people say this about Sportsters. I tried many other bikes before I bought my Sporty. I triend Honda Shadows, V-Stars and other Harleys.
A few may have sat lower, but were not as comfortable for me. The Shadow and V-Stars felt more top heavy with their larger gas tanks then the Sportster does to me. Granted, I am tall at 6'4".
Overall, with the peanut tanks, lower seat and controls I don not find the Sportster top heavy in the least, actually the opisate.
Opinions?
A few may have sat lower, but were not as comfortable for me. The Shadow and V-Stars felt more top heavy with their larger gas tanks then the Sportster does to me. Granted, I am tall at 6'4".
Overall, with the peanut tanks, lower seat and controls I don not find the Sportster top heavy in the least, actually the opisate.
Opinions?
#2
09-26-2007 | 09:47 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,349
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From: Appling GA
RE: Sportster is top heavy?
Yeah, I think you're wrong, but its the harley line up most times, BMWs are top heavy also and so are triumphs
the shadow feels less top heavy to me and so does the vulcan...Comfort has nothing to do with the top heavy aspect, ecept lower center of grav does fell a little more comfy to me....
I didnt buy my bike for comfort tho.
the shadow feels less top heavy to me and so does the vulcan...Comfort has nothing to do with the top heavy aspect, ecept lower center of grav does fell a little more comfy to me....
I didnt buy my bike for comfort tho.
ORIGINAL: Kolni
I keep hearing people say this about Sportsters. I tried many other bikes before I bought my Sporty. I triend Honda Shadows, V-Stars and other Harleys.
A few may have sat lower, but were not as comfortable for me. The Shadow and V-Stars felt more top heavy with their larger gas tanks then the Sportster does to me. Granted, I am tall at 6'4".
Overall, with the peanut tanks, lower seat and controls I don not find the Sportster top heavy in the least, actually the opisate.
Opinions?
I keep hearing people say this about Sportsters. I tried many other bikes before I bought my Sporty. I triend Honda Shadows, V-Stars and other Harleys.
A few may have sat lower, but were not as comfortable for me. The Shadow and V-Stars felt more top heavy with their larger gas tanks then the Sportster does to me. Granted, I am tall at 6'4".
Overall, with the peanut tanks, lower seat and controls I don not find the Sportster top heavy in the least, actually the opisate.
Opinions?
#5
09-26-2007 | 10:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
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From: Ozark Country
RE: Sportster is top heavy?
Really depends on what model Harley you are comparing the Sportster against.
The Sportsters and Dynas give me the feeling that you are sitting 'on' the bike, while with the Softails and their lower seating height you feel like you are sitting 'in' the bike.
No big deal when you are moving at speed, but when you are 'duck walking' the bike backwards into a tight parking place or something like that the difference in the center of gravity is noticeable.
The Sportsters and Dynas give me the feeling that you are sitting 'on' the bike, while with the Softails and their lower seating height you feel like you are sitting 'in' the bike.
No big deal when you are moving at speed, but when you are 'duck walking' the bike backwards into a tight parking place or something like that the difference in the center of gravity is noticeable.
#6
09-26-2007 | 10:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Boston, Ma
RE: Sportster is top heavy?
Gotta agree with OldFenderGuy (I usually do) I think as far as Harley's go, the Sportster compared to other Harley models is indeed "top heavy" I have ridden my brothers FXR and while it outweights my sportster by at least 200 lbs (not sure of the exact weight) it was so much lower that it "felt" like a lighter bike. I am 6'2" so perhaps with taller riders the sportster doesn't feel like it would to a shorter rider, but who knows.... 
#7
09-26-2007 | 10:30 PM
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From: Indiana, USA
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#8
09-26-2007 | 10:42 PM
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From: Ozark Country
RE: Sportster is top heavy?
ORIGINAL: jc_denton
The Sportster is not top-heavy. I don't know where people get this. Perhaps they don't have experience with actual top-heavy motorcycles.
The Sportster is not top-heavy. I don't know where people get this. Perhaps they don't have experience with actual top-heavy motorcycles.
But then again, what do I know.
#9
09-26-2007 | 11:38 PM
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
#10
09-27-2007 | 01:04 AM
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From: Nashville, TN
RE: Sportster is top heavy?
I dunno about metric bikes, but compared to other Harleys, yes the Sportsters are top heavy. Like OFG said, once you're underway, it doesn't matter. But when moving around in and out of the garage, parking lots..etc etc...The bike can feel more heavy than a big-twin.