Sportsters are not Entry Level Bikes
#221
05-11-2014, 10:56 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rapid City
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I bought a Sportster last Friday, my first Harley-Davidson out of the 48 motorcycles I've owned over the years. It's a pristine, low-mile, 2004 XL1200R for a hell of a good price. I bought it because it was my 'Harley of first choice', a specific model and year that I've wanted for several years now, and one just happened to pop up at the right place, at the right time, so it's now in the garage.
I don't want a larger Harley, I wanted this Sportster 1200, and I'm no beginner, with about a half-million motorcycle miles under me.
I've never considered the 1200 Sportster as a 'beginner's bike', or 'girly-sickle', it's a ballsy, no-frills brute of a motorcycle who's relatively rough edges are part of it's attractiveness to me. It's not fast, but it can be quick, if you know what I mean, it's a lot of fun to ride around on, and it's pleasing to look at.
Over the next year, the only thing I'm going to do to it is try to improve the suspension so that it's not such a rack over poor pavement, but otherwise, I'm going to leave it absolutely stock.
It's not our only bike, we have a total of five in our garage including the 'new' 1200, but it fits a distinctive and unique niche in our little fleet.
As for it being stepping stone to a bigger Harley, that ain't going to happen. I wanted the Sportster because it was a Sportster, not a way to get into larger Harleys on the cheap. If I want to ride a larger pushrod V-twin, I have a 125 ci, Kawasaki Vulcan that I like very much. If I want to go fast, I have a 190 hp sportbike, if I want to take a trip with the wife, I'll take the GL1800....when I want to ride a fun and interesting classic motorcycle with a lot of history, I'll take the Sportster.
The damn thing sure is beautiful though...2600 miles.
I don't want a larger Harley, I wanted this Sportster 1200, and I'm no beginner, with about a half-million motorcycle miles under me.
I've never considered the 1200 Sportster as a 'beginner's bike', or 'girly-sickle', it's a ballsy, no-frills brute of a motorcycle who's relatively rough edges are part of it's attractiveness to me. It's not fast, but it can be quick, if you know what I mean, it's a lot of fun to ride around on, and it's pleasing to look at.
Over the next year, the only thing I'm going to do to it is try to improve the suspension so that it's not such a rack over poor pavement, but otherwise, I'm going to leave it absolutely stock.
It's not our only bike, we have a total of five in our garage including the 'new' 1200, but it fits a distinctive and unique niche in our little fleet.
As for it being stepping stone to a bigger Harley, that ain't going to happen. I wanted the Sportster because it was a Sportster, not a way to get into larger Harleys on the cheap. If I want to ride a larger pushrod V-twin, I have a 125 ci, Kawasaki Vulcan that I like very much. If I want to go fast, I have a 190 hp sportbike, if I want to take a trip with the wife, I'll take the GL1800....when I want to ride a fun and interesting classic motorcycle with a lot of history, I'll take the Sportster.
The damn thing sure is beautiful though...2600 miles.
Last edited by J Backlund; 05-11-2014 at 11:02 PM.
I couldn't agree with you more.
#224
05-12-2014, 07:00 PM
I bought a Sportster last Friday, my first Harley-Davidson out of the 48 motorcycles I've owned over the years. It's a pristine, low-mile, 2004 XL1200R for a hell of a good price. I bought it because it was my 'Harley of first choice', a specific model and year that I've wanted for several years now, and one just happened to pop up at the right place, at the right time, so it's now in the garage.
I don't want a larger Harley, I wanted this Sportster 1200, and I'm no beginner, with about a half-million motorcycle miles under me.
I've never considered the 1200 Sportster as a 'beginner's bike', or 'girly-sickle', it's a ballsy, no-frills brute of a motorcycle who's relatively rough edges are part of it's attractiveness to me. It's not fast, but it can be quick, if you know what I mean, it's a lot of fun to ride around on, and it's pleasing to look at.
Over the next year, the only thing I'm going to do to it is try to improve the suspension so that it's not such a rack over poor pavement, but otherwise, I'm going to leave it absolutely stock.
It's not our only bike, we have a total of five in our garage including the 'new' 1200, but it fits a distinctive and unique niche in our little fleet.
As for it being stepping stone to a bigger Harley, that ain't going to happen. I wanted the Sportster because it was a Sportster, not a way to get into larger Harleys on the cheap. If I want to ride a larger pushrod V-twin, I have a 125 ci, Kawasaki Vulcan that I like very much. If I want to go fast, I have a 190 hp sportbike, if I want to take a trip with the wife, I'll take the GL1800....when I want to ride a fun and interesting classic motorcycle with a lot of history, I'll take the Sportster.
The damn thing sure is beautiful though...2600 miles.
I don't want a larger Harley, I wanted this Sportster 1200, and I'm no beginner, with about a half-million motorcycle miles under me.
I've never considered the 1200 Sportster as a 'beginner's bike', or 'girly-sickle', it's a ballsy, no-frills brute of a motorcycle who's relatively rough edges are part of it's attractiveness to me. It's not fast, but it can be quick, if you know what I mean, it's a lot of fun to ride around on, and it's pleasing to look at.
Over the next year, the only thing I'm going to do to it is try to improve the suspension so that it's not such a rack over poor pavement, but otherwise, I'm going to leave it absolutely stock.
It's not our only bike, we have a total of five in our garage including the 'new' 1200, but it fits a distinctive and unique niche in our little fleet.
As for it being stepping stone to a bigger Harley, that ain't going to happen. I wanted the Sportster because it was a Sportster, not a way to get into larger Harleys on the cheap. If I want to ride a larger pushrod V-twin, I have a 125 ci, Kawasaki Vulcan that I like very much. If I want to go fast, I have a 190 hp sportbike, if I want to take a trip with the wife, I'll take the GL1800....when I want to ride a fun and interesting classic motorcycle with a lot of history, I'll take the Sportster.
The damn thing sure is beautiful though...2600 miles.
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alex907 (07-24-2022)
#225
05-12-2014, 07:55 PM
Moderator
#227
05-12-2014, 08:15 PM
Moderator
#229
05-12-2014, 08:31 PM
Moderator
No hating. I haven't seen anyone "hating". I've seen some ribbing but that's about it. Total Noob!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-m...otal-noob.html
Welcome by the way!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-m...otal-noob.html
Welcome by the way!
