I just purchased a used 04 roadster and love it. You can not keep me off of it. I have rode in the past but not on a HD. The best part was I paid for it in cash. And still had money for saddlebags, windshield and some other items. When you walk in to the dealer with a $$ amount you want to spend and stay to it. The dealers will always try to upgrade you if you are buying a car or even a table saw. So I would buy a sporty and with the extra money I would have spend upgrading I would buy a snowmoblie for winter riding. Thats just my 2cents..

 

I know of people who never owned anything but Sporty's.

Test ride, test ride, test ride.

If you like the Sporty, buy the Sporty. If you like a Dyna, buy the Dyna.

Its a big investment, buy what feels right, not what sounds right.

 

my opinion, it's a blast to ride. I get alot of complments where ever I go. nobody has ever knocked me about my bike. it's a '05 xl 1200 c. I've changed the look of it somewhat. and alot of people look and look then ask if a sportster. they all say "thats a nice bike". I have alot of fun with it. sometimes I wish had a bagger or something bigger just for cruising and I might one of these days but I don't I would get rid of my sportster. I would have both. the sportster is more my style of riding.

 

I've enjoyed all the Harleys I've had over the years but the Sportster deals out a double dose of the FUN factor.

 

In contrast to what many of you experienced with the dealer push, my sales dude actually steered me toward the Sporty. I had walked in with the idea of getting a Softail STD, DWG, or maybe a FB. Long story short, the sales guy worked hard to get me into the Sporty.

No regrets either. I still like the BT's and may still get one but right now its hard to think of having anthing but the Sporty.

 

I bought a 1200 Sportster in 1990 and still have it. It's as much fun now as it was 16 years ago. I also just bought a 2006 Dyna Street Bob. Love it also but a completely different ride. Point is , if YOU like the ride a Sportster gives ya, get it and prepare to smile alot. If others think that they are somehow less than a Dyna or Softtail, so what. Maybe they can't handle a Sportster. With all the improvments since I bought mine, they're even more fun to ride, No need to worry about wanting to trade up, you'll be having too much fun to think about it.

 

My experience at Southern Tier Harley Davidson in New York was just like what bensonjv described. I walked in looking to buy a Sportster, it was just a matter of seeing the used bikes before I decided to buy new. Brian, my sales guy listened to what I wanted, showed me what he had, and answered all my questions about future upgrades without any B.S. He did not try to steer me into more bike than I wanted or needed. The Sportster is the right bike for me and I'm damn happy with it. If I ever move down to where the flatlanders ride, I'll think about a bigger bike.