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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Rode a Sportster for the first time... /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1407588585 Message started by Smokestack on 08/09/14 at 05:49:45 |
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Title: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Smokestack on 08/09/14 at 05:49:45 And I was... Underwhelmed. Granted it was an 883, and might have been running poorly (I don't really know, as I have no basis for comparison), but other than being pretty torquey, I found it too heavy and sluggish compared to my Savage. Also granted that my Savage is a lot lighter than stock, bored out, cam-ed and carb-ed, etc, so I might not have the best un-biased starting point. :) So, to all those who own or "traded up" to a sporty, what am I missing? I want to like them, and was seriously considering picking one up as another project, but as of now I think I'll just look for a vintage CB750 instead. |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by gizzo on 08/09/14 at 17:44:16 Do you know what? Same here. I rode a mate's 883 Iron a while back and came away a bit disappointed. Not that fast, and shakes like a dog sh..ing razor blades. Much worse than my big singles. The speedo looked nice though... |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by MMRanch on 08/09/14 at 18:03:53 Well SmokeStack Did you notice how quiet the motor was ? The sportsters have Hydraulic lifters and pushrods to lift the valves up . No more adjusting or noisy valves 8-) There are a couple of other things that matter . The Pre-2004 sportsters are not rubber mounted motors and you don't want on of them. You really don't . The standard Sportsters are to high off the ground and are "Top Heavy" feeling, the "Low" or lower shocks on the reg. model is what your after. The basic sportster 883 has a well balanced motor and in 07 had a HP increase (fuel-injected) over the older model . Weight/HP ratio very similar to a hoped-up S-40. The 1200 model is exactly a 883 with bigger piston (same stroke) , taller primary gear and is no longer a well balanced engine (I've had both). The 1200 is quicker than a S-40 ever can be. I'm talking 50+ in first , 75+ in second , and geared to top out about 145-150 ish. It will go through 1st and 2nd just as fast as a standard geared savage/S-40 will but be going a lot faster when it does (High test gas required). So to recap: Lower the center of gravity enough to loose the "top heavy" feel Get the Fuel-injected (07 or newer/50mpg) for the HP increase or go with the 04-06 model for best fuel millage . Stay with the 883 for smooth or if your "power hungry" get ya a 1200 model :o and "Hang-On" ;D I keep my S-40 , and plan on Keeping it ---but the Sportster does the Interstate trips very well (883 with the 1200 primary gearing) best of both Sportster wrapped up in one package (smooth and long legged). 8-) . |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Rix on 08/09/14 at 23:00:09 Harley. That's enough to discourage me. |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by WD on 08/09/14 at 23:08:44 I've had a few... the old models (Ironheads) were better bikes than the new ones. 1974 and older had right side foot shift and left side brake, just like older Brit bikes. Get a good generator and a good voltage regulator, upgrade the oil pump, get a King tank, and the XL900s were decent. The XL1000 was horrible. The Evo Sporties I've owned/ridden were straight up garbage, be they 883 or 1200, 4 speed or 5 speed models. |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Dave on 08/10/14 at 03:18:15 I rode MM's bike for a bit. It was very smooth, steered nice, and with MM on it the thing corners really well. He has it loaded down with luggage, and it doesn't seem to mind. Dave |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Todd James on 08/10/14 at 23:06:23 I'm buying a 2007 Sportster 1200 Low next week. I test drove it last week and was intrigued enough to want it as a companion to my 2007 S40. Both bikes are mostly stock and I just ride for pleasure on the beautiful country roads in this part of Ohio. After a few months I'll be interested to see which bike I tend to grab the keys for when I want to take a ride. |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by MMRanch on 08/11/14 at 07:20:05 Congratulations Todd Remember about the "Primary Gear" from the 1200's will move 5th gear redline up to the 150mph area (not that the 883 would do it)(or me either), but those long legs feel good on the interstate . I find myself cruising along then looking at the speedometer and slowing down often. Seems like it wants to run about 80 or so. I understand some of the 1200 fans like to run the 883 primary gear so they can pull wheelies without working the clutch . :) |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Serowbot on 08/11/14 at 07:55:08 Hey MM,... where's a good place to get a 30 or 32 tooth front pulley?... I've read about people getting them for $35, but all I find is $100+... |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Todd James on 08/11/14 at 23:17:13 Thanks, MM. I'm really looking forward to spending some time on the Sporty. ... and thanks for the heads-up on the "Primary Gear". But dang, only 150 MPH ? Is that enough to keep up with you and Dave on the Dragon ? I'm hoping to join you guys for your ride next Spring if my schedule allows. I'll have 3 years riding experience by then and hopefully will have learned enough to know my safe limits on the Dragon. |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Dave on 08/12/14 at 03:07:30 5E75797167407B7070140 wrote:
Todd: The truth is.....we don't go much over the 30 mph on the Dragon. There are corners that can't be taken at 30 mph, and on the straights we may go over 30 to pass someone in a hurry. We all just get in a line and ride at or own pace.....some are quicker than others. When we get to the end....we just stop, take in the view, and wait for the rest to show up. We don't approach it like a group of squids taking on New York City! Dave |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Todd James on 08/12/14 at 07:32:57 Dave That's nice to know. It makes a weekend on the Dragon with all of you sound less intimidating for a novice like me. I've followed all of the Dragon Run threads for the past couple years thinking that I'd enjoy the rides, activities, and fellowship, but that I wasn't yet skilled enough to drag pegs with riders as skilled as you and MM. Thanks for the clarification and hopefully I'll be able to attend next Spring's ride ! |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by MMRanch on 08/12/14 at 11:07:29 Whoo ! ::) I've never taken my 883 past 90 mph, but it would cruise at 90 just fine . ;) The 883 ain't no sportbike wheelie machine . I would guess it having power to do +- 115 or so ? 90 mph is about 1/3 throttle . Truth be told , we don't really go that fast on those dragon type roads . Heck ! My pegs drag a lot earlier than OldFellers. Granted most of the time a little more throttle applied when the pegs first touch down will help get around the corner , but these are FUN-RUNS (most of the time) ! ;D ::) ;D |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Greg on 08/12/14 at 14:33:55 455745575A49464B40080 wrote:
I have only ridden my buddy's '02 1200. Can you elaborate on "no longer a well balanced engine"? I am seriously thinking of breaking down and getting a Sportster for the huge aftermarket accessories available for it. |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by MMRanch on 08/12/14 at 16:35:57 Yea Greg Back when I had my 2004 1200 sportster , sometimes I'd get my right knee against the breather , and get it tickled from the vibration. Kinda reminiscent of a 200 china street-legal dirt bike I used to have (vibrate better than a Fat-Giggler machine ;D) I rode with an old feller on a 02 1200 sportster for a while , and always had a hard time getting him to cruse above 70. Then one day he says "How the He** do you stay on that thing above 65mph ? Mine vibrates my A** off ! " :-[ From what I've read the other Harleys rubber mounted years ago but for some reason they held-off on the Sportsters till 04 . :-? Bot Ebay ... Mabby the time of year makes a difference ? I'll help ya watch . :) |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Serowbot on 08/12/14 at 17:30:53 Here's a pic of mine... 2012' Superlow... Taken way back in January... I'm wearin' assless chaps!... ;D,...(it was frikkin' feezin' that day!)... Anyway,.. I've made a few small mods since then,... (I really need to update my photos)... http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/serowbot/167_1875_zps42486ad7.jpg |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by MMRanch on 08/12/14 at 21:14:46 Hay ! , I like the fender on that bike your parked next to ! :P I wouldn't have to clean my bike near as often with a fender like that up front . :-? Is that a Yahama 650 ? I put the 1200 primary drive sprocket and chain and also the front secondary drive pulley on my not long after I got it. seems like my 883 front pulley was (? 28 ?) and the one I got was a (? 30 ?), but the europeans have a (31 or 32) .?. I'll look in my service manual next time I have it out . :-? anyway the belt worked with the larger pulley with just a little forward room to spare , and the speedometer shows 50 when the GPS shows 52 or 53 mph. I think if the front pulley was any bigger I'd have to get the longer belt. Bot you got the Mid controls , you taken any long rides yet ? :) |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Todd James on 08/12/14 at 21:37:52 Bot ... What's the difference between a "Low" and a "Superlow" ? The assless chaps ? |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Serowbot on 08/12/14 at 23:55:39 Low is just low,.. but Superlow is super low... :-?... ...and assless chaps,.. is just about the only option in chaps... ...'cause ass'ed chaps... ...is just called,.. pants!... ;D ;D ;D... |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Dave on 08/13/14 at 03:22:33 47554755584B4449420A0 wrote:
Once every 3 years is often? :o |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by Serowbot on 08/13/14 at 07:07:42 ;D ;D ;D... with a V-Star 650 Classic fender, you can go 5 years between washes... ;D ;D ;D.... |
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Title: Re: Rode a Sportster for the first time... Post by MMRanch on 08/13/14 at 08:27:07 Ok , Ok ;D ;D ;D next question : is the tire dia. close enough to fit the 650 classic fender on the Sportster ? :-? A little adjusting on the mounting holes is no problem , getting a holt of a 650 classic to measure might be. Next time I see one you can bet I'll be going for a tape measure ! ::) Ebay can be a great place to shop sometimes ! :) Since Dave cleaned my bike and made it look so good , I've kinda gotten used to riding a "Clean Machine" . I'm halling around polish and a piece of "Sham-WoW" in my saddle bag now , I'm a change Man ... Reformed even (a little) ! . :D Heck , even my S-40 is staying clean now-days ! :) |
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