I am in the process of selling my 05 Roadstar 1700. Reason..... the wife now wants to ride and mine is setup for 1 person. I was looking to not come out of pocket for another bike. I was thinking of possibly a Sportster 1200 or 883. The wife will probably not ride more than 100 miles for only 3-4 times per year. So the few questions I have are:

1) Is there any size difference in the 883 or the 1200? Didn't know if there was any extra room on the 1200.

2)I ride mainly to work 60 miles round trip. Do they make a seat with a backrest for the sportster? I love a backrest

3)MPG?

4) Fuel tank size?

5) What price would I be looking at for adding 14-16" ape's installed?

6) The sportster is a bike that I could buy and not come out of pocket. Would I be making a bad decision in buying one as old as a 99 model? Would you steer me away from the sportster if you had to do it over again?

A little side not is that my wife is about 5'6" 115 lbs (n case you were wondering her size to determine comfort level.

Thanks in advance

Michael

 

#1 Frame size is the same, the engine is the difference
#2 IDK
#3 I get roughly 35-38 mpg with my 883
#4 3.3 gallons on mine, larger available
#5 IDK
#6 It depends on condition and mileage, as pre 04' bikes share several parts

 

A roadstar should be a more comfortable 2 up bike.

1) No same frame, 1200 is about 35 more hp/tq

2) I believe mustang does

3) 40-45mpg (1200cc)

4) 2.1, 3.3, & 4.5 gallon

5) Not sure

6) The evo motor has been around since the 80s so in a mechanical regard no it's not a bad decision. While I love the sportster if I had to do it all over again I would have bought an inexpensive starter bike then a bigger bike. I'd recommend something more comfortable, mods can only go so far.

 

I rode a 2001 Roadstar for a few years, and recently rode my brother's 883L Sportster. Believe it or not, the additional power of the 883 will blow you away! Go for the 1200 and you will be AMAZED!

The Road Star will have more room for the two of you, but as small as she is, She needs to be on a Harley!!!! Get the Sporty or a Dyna or a Softail and you will Never look back!!!!

I am now on a 2007 Heritage Softail and even though the engines between the Heritage and the Road Star are both approximately 96 ci, or 1600cc's, I only got 35mpg on the Road Star at best. I get 45-48 on the Heritage!!! Unbelievably!!!

 

Oh, and Welcome to the Forum from Land Between the Lakes Tennessee!

 

1) Same exact bike. The engine is just a little bigger bore on the 1200.

2)There are a couple options, but they don't look that great on a Sportster.

3) 883 will get you about 50-55 highway, 1200 45-50mpg.

4) From 1997 and up, nearly all bikes came with the 3.3 gal peanut tank.
Some custom models have a 4.5gal tank, and the 48 and 72 have a smaller 2.2 gal one.

5) Ape install at a shop will run you near $1000 give or take.

6) I love my Sportster, but it is not a 2-up machine by design. It can be modded into one and I do it all the time, but it is still a Sportster. They have a rough ride and are pretty tight for space. Your wife would be much happier with a bigger, more comfortable bike.

And on a side note, why wouldn't you just put the money into making your Roadstar a two-up bike (sissy bar, pillion, etc.) instead of selling it and buying a Sportster, which honestly is not much better in that department? You'll still have to drop money into it to make it suitable for long distance/2-up riding.

 

+1 on what scuba said, I would think your roadstar is a larger frame bike than a sportster. The sportster is really intended to be a 1 person bike but for the use your describing it could work. If you decide to get a sportster you want to get a 2004 or newer XL 1200 Custom or a Low. They are the only 2 sportsters to have the larger 4.5 gallon tank. In 2004 the frame was redesigned with a rubber mounted motor vs a solid mounted motor on the 2003 & older.Also the motor was improved to have more power in 2004. There are a few options for a drivers backrest,
1.Mustang makes a nice seat for about $450 with the back rest.
2. there is a company called Protac online that makes a cheaper one for under $150.
3. then there is Utopia that makes a self install unit that looks nicer than the protac but you cant remoce that one.
http://www.utpr.com/sportster1200xl.html

my 1200 sportster gets 44 mpg.

 

I think that Sportys are a bight tight for 2-up riding. I ride around town with my girlfriend and she's fine, but going on a 100 miles trip..different story.

Do you just want a Harley or simply a more comfortable bike? What would you have to change on the Roadstar to make it 2-Up ready?

 

As a died in the wool Harley owner I can't help thinking that swapping a 1700cc bike for a Sportster, then adapting the Harley for 2-up riding is a waste of money and effort! If you are determined to have a Harley, well done and welcome, but don't change to a smaller bike when your current bike can surely be easily adapted?

 

Hear, hear!!!