there have been some changes to the sportster , i think with the 04's is where it started.
now, me personaly, I like the "old" pre 04 stile with the hard mounted motor, smaller fuel tank, narrower rear tire and fender, straight riser on the customs and whatever else there is.
I dont dislike them like I do with "victory", but i really like the old stile better.
what is your opinion and why?
just curious,
-Dale-

 

I really like the look of the new ones. Wich is what i own. (05 883 custom) The two biggest reasons i use to not like the sporty was the pee nut gas tank. It looked so small and puny with to me too all its looks alway. I also didn't like the cross over pipe on the exhuast. Although these things were interchangeable thats the look they use to have in my mind. I did like the hard mounted engine so that it vibrated more though. However i love mine and very happy with the choice. Just have a hella time checking the oil!

 

Until they came out with the 04 model I hated sportsters...now I own one.<go figure>
The larger gas tank was a great improvement, cant stand the small tank. I don't know why people complain about the rear tire on the new model, it's only 1 inch wider.

 

only had an older one, like it just fine. seen a newer one with the engine removed.......not very impressed with the frame.

 

What didn't you like about the 2004+ frame?

My understanding was that the new frame used thicker tubing, had 3 stabilizer links for the new engine mounting system, and was much stronger and more rigid than the 2003 and earlier frames.

Here is part of an article I had saved dealing with the new 2004+ Sportster frames:

"Because the engine no longer serves as a structural member, the all-new 2004 Sportster frame is much stronger to compensate -- over 100% stronger than the 2003 version, according to Harley engineers -- and 26 percent more rigid when compared to the 2003 counterpart with the engine mounted."

Here are a couple of picture of the 2004+ frame;

 

around where the engine slides into the mount that part of the frame is not much bigger than my pointer finger. didnt look good to me! it just my .02 dont want to make anyone mad cause the new ones look great!

 

https://www.hdforums.com/m_394168/tm.htm

 

Get what you want, but ride them both first. I have had quite a few of the "old" style Sportsters, including 2 Sport models and loved them but, I wouldn't trade them all for an 04 and up Sportster.
Let me point out that the frame on the new Sporties is stiffer because it has to be. The old model uses the engine as a stressed member of the frame to stiffen it up.
The new Sportsters also have a better engine as in the Buell tech they use. Better breathing heads etc.
One down side to the new Sporties is the tranny, the old one had a "trap door' so if you had a problem it could be easliy removed. That has been deleated in the new ones and if you do have a problem the engine must be removed from the frame and the cases must be split to gain access. Of coures there is rarely a tranny problem.


DC

 

Man talkin' Old... mine is 28 years old, I love it and don't plan on ever letting go..........

 

Yea, and fine lookin' Ironhead it is!!!!

DC