LostArtist wrote on 05/02/11 at 07:42:15:MMRanch wrote on 04/26/11 at 19:57:55:Well
The Sportster is only 490 lbs and 80+ HP. Its a fun bike !
Has resale value too !
Yeaaa , Justin ..... just ride it ....
what sportster do you have??? wow, my buell at the crank gets 78 hp . . . 400 lbs 60 ft/lb torque
My '86 1100cc EVO weighs 455 lbs and has approx 70 HP (un-EPA'd, it said 62 in the FSM but when I rejetted the bike really really came to life (sort of like rejetting a LS650).
JRM,
Don't get a 883. The LS650 can toast it up to about 55 mph. The 1200's are much more powerful (65-80HP depending on year and engine option)
You can get an IRON Head (70's to 1985) cheap now (approx $2K USD) but the EVO engines are easier to get parts for.
--------------------------Advantages---------------
It's the oldest production (longest continuously manufactured) sport bike in America (not sure about the world). 1957 to 1984 = Iron Head Sportster's, 1986 to present = Evolution Sportster's
It's longer and if you are 5'10" plus, you will feel better on it than on the LS650.
You can get parts fairly easily. That also includes customizing parts.
Hydraulic Lifters, so no valve lash adjustments.
You're Better half will fit better on it than a LS650. (still tight though.....)
The engine oil is separate from the tranny oil. That means you can put good low friction oil in the engine and not worry about the clutch plates.
You can check the spark plug in approx 45-60 seconds. Since they are out in the open, it's as fast as you can get the boots off and turn the wrench.
The woman walking around the Harley dealers, even though they are a bit stuck up, are hotter.....
-----------------------Disadvantages-------------------
They cost more
They are top heavy
They have slight design changes every 4 years (approx). So a 1986 can only share a limited number of parts with a 2011.
The LS650 & Sporty's both can be danced, but the LS650 does the "twist", the Sporty does the Tango (not quite as quick to turn).
Insurance is higher.
It is stolen more often than the LS650.
A lot of "Harley" riders ( & want-a-be's too) don't thing Sportster's are true Harley's.
Harley dealers are worse than Suzuki Dealers.