Hi, just got back into biking a year ago after a 30 year gap,, I,m now looking to buy a Harley ready for the summer, just for days out so maybe a Sportster would do the job.
Any thoughts guys?

 

A big welcome to you from sunny Southern California. Glad to have you on board.

 

Welcome to the forums!

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For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters

 

Greetings/Welcome from East-Central NE...sit down, log-in & enjoy the ride!!!

 

Welcome (from single-digit-temperature Snomaha)!

 

Welcome from Kentucky. Similar to you, I went 30+ years without a bike. Just didn't have the time, the money, or the inclination--too busy and too broke.

Then, in 2009, being retired, I realized I had been living in denial for a very long time LOL. Bought a new 1200 Sportster. Wow! Had never ridden a bike that big. The 2 biggest bikes in my younger days were a 650 Triumph Bonnieville and a 750F Honda. But I rode that 1200 Sporty off the lot and did fine. Seemed like I had never given up riding.

But, not quite 2 years later I was ready for a bigger bike. Wanted a TC. Traded for a new 2011 Fat Bob. Nice!

But, did I really better myself going to the Dyna? Wasn't anything the Dyna could do that the Sportster didn't. Yeah, the 6 speed was nice. But...., now I was thinking about some longer rides. Over nighters. Etc.

OK, this time I did more research, test rode a used Road Glide, etc., etc. Yeah, I bought a new 2016 RGC. Loved it!

Then, dang it, the Rushmore bikes came out for 2014, but no 2014 Road Glide. Lot of nice improvements with the Rushmores. I wanted all those improvements, and the BoomBox with GPS, and a Tour Pak. Well, in 2016 the Road Glide was now available in the Ultra, but I stayed with my 2013 RG. Until....On 9/1/17 I found a garage queen 2016 RGU, LOTS of mods, looked like new, just under 10K miles, and THOUSANDS cheaper than the very few 2016 RGUs I ever located at dealerships (I had been checking dealers for any 2016 RGU for a while). The owner had to have his artificial shoulder replaced and his riding days were over so I got a really great bike at a really great price! And I believe I will have this bike a very long time.

OK, grasshopper, the reason I'm telling you all this is to make you think long and hard, to the best of your ability, about what kind of riding and maybe about how much riding you will likely do. Granted, things change. But try to look down the road a bit. Do you think you may get into all day or multi day rides? Or do you just want a scoot for buzzing around town? And do you want comfort and storage space for long rides or is all of that of no use to you? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Took me some time (and $$$) to figure out what really suited me but I did, finally. So, before you go out and buy a Sportster, check out some softails and also a couple of touring bikes. My Road Glide is as nimble as it needs to be for local riding and it sure gives me a lot more comfort and storage space for trips--and I love my music and GPS screen!

Let us know what you end up with.

 

Welcome from Pennsylvania

 

some great replies so many thanks for that, I have a Kawasaki versys that the wife and I use for touring, we did a 1500mile trip around the top of Spain last year and it was great. But we both like the idea of a weekend bike and thats where the Sportster comes in. Did look at one before but to be honest it didn't tick all the boxes for touring, just couldn't make it work,, just not sure if a 883 will do the job for 150 mile day trips

 

G'day DD,

welcome to HDF.

I will be your tour guide. Be sure to read the manual before posting ok mate?

Or we will have discipline you and if you don't "get it" we will need to discipline you biker style.

Now, for your orientation. Go down the hall on your left to the 1st room. No, wait. The 1st room on your right. That is where the commissary is.

Then you will see doors marked for the mortuary, skeet shooting, a room where we make fun of In-Jun bikes, and of course we have a ahh, umm, oh yeah a across the hall.

We had a BOMB MAKING room but, well, ahhhhh, 1 of the guys just didn't understand Blasting Caps very well so..... you know.

We have our own pub .

There are several places where you can familiarize your self with the .

So don't be a wall flower watching others . Get involved.

See you around mate. I am going to the commissary now.

​​​​​​​You are in the “New Members Area” where you can introduce yourself and let us know what Harley Davidson bike(s) (if any) you ride/own.

If you have questions about engines, exhaust systems, audio issues, etc… then:

1) Please go to the upper corner and Roll Over “Forums”

2) Then come down to and Roll Over “Harley Davidson Tech & Mechanical Forum”

3) Then come down to the section that would be most appropriate for your question like Audio Systems, Engine Mechanical Topics, Exhaust System Topics, etc… and CLICK on the topic you have a question about.

You will find the knowledge here is EXCELLENT and these here mates are willing to help you in any way they can. ‘juss be careful. There are some “Trolls”, so I suggest just ignoring them ‘ole farts.

See you around HDF. Come often, we have a humor thread, game thread, and a LOT of other stuff.

Have A Great Day Mate,

BuzzCap7

 

Well you are buying, if you were selling, alot of what you'd get is lowball dollar values and Sportsters are free. If you find a free Sportster in your quest let me know