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I am a 58 year old 170 pound young guy who just learned to ride two years ago. My learner is an 81 Kawa 440 ltd. Had lots of fun with it. I am ready to buy new. Sat on all makes, figured I'd buy metric. However, I find the 1200 Sporster Low the most "right" feeling bike I have sat on so far. I like that it is light and narrow, has EFI, discs front and back. Seems manueverable.

My question.... Does this bike make sense for me? Do guys like me buy this bike? My idea of riding is cruisin' around for an hour or two a couple times a week. No highways. No long trips. Thanks.

Longshot wrote: However, I find the 1200 Sporster Low the most "right" feeling bike I have sat on so far.

that statement alone is the most important consideration in buying a motorcycle, imo. the sportster is a great bike, and if it fits you, that makes it even better. it will be perfectly happy zipping you around town, and it would have no problem taking you on a longer trip if you do ever decide to do so.
sounds like you found yourself a winner!

now go get it and show us some pics!

thats the exact bike i was looking at a while back. HD sure knows how to finish out a bike.

I've never ridden one, but I predict the general consensus here will be that that is a great bike for guys with a couple year experience.

There are lighter, better handling, cheaper bikes out there but, man, HD sure knows how to finish out a bike.

If you don't go overboard with the chrome and studded leather junk, the sportster isn't too bad a deal. And as any Harley guy will tell you, they will hold their value (until the market rights itself, as any mis-harley-ist will claim). And it will sing the potato-potato song as only a Harly will.

Harley guys will refer to sportsters as "girl bikes." Many other riders consider sportsters to be the only (non-Buell) Harleys worth riding because they are lighter and better handling than the others. To each his own.

If you like it go for it. I really like HD's pearly yellow paint and the two-toned pale blue/black color schemes on the Sportsters. What color are you considering?

atom wrote:Harley guys will refer to sportsters as "girl bikes." Many other riders consider sportsters to be the only (non-Buell) Harleys worth riding because they are lighter and better handling than the others. To each his own.

As I've posted before, I've heard this "girl's bike" stuff - mostly on the internet! In real life, 9 out of 10 Sportsters I see on the road are ridden by guys. Concur with Big B: if it feels right, then this is probably your bike.

One of the sweetest sounding bikes of any make or type I've ever heard was a Sportster with a Vance & Hines 2-into-1 exhaust- gnarly and gritty without being too loud.

Big B wrote:

Longshot wrote: However, I find the 1200 Sporster Low the most "right" feeling bike I have sat on so far.

that statement alone is the most important consideration in buying a motorcycle, imo. the sportster is a great bike, and if it fits you, that makes it even better. it will be perfectly happy zipping you around town, and it would have no problem taking you on a longer trip if you do ever decide to do so.
sounds like you found yourself a winner!

now go get it and show us some pics!

Mr Longshot, PLEASE! before you buy the HD go and sit on a Suzuki S83

atom wrote:Harley guys will refer to sportsters as "girl bikes."

SOME Harley riders do, not all of them. My first Harley was an '86 XLH 1100 and is wasn't a girl's bike by any stretch of the imagination.

As for resale value, that has changed a bit since the new rubber-mount EFI Sportsters and 96ci FL series motors came on the scene. Anything pre-'06 has pretty much tanked in value due to all the recent improvements, but that means there are some good deals to be had on late model Harleys.

i have sat on the S50 and it felt pretty good. Have not sat on S83. I would like EFI, however. i don't think Suzuki has it on the S50 nor the S83. I am thinking EFI in my cool environment would be desirable.

my previous co-worker has a 1200 sportster. she's female.

im not saying i agree it's a girl's bike.

im just saying she has a sportster.

Mr Gummiente? resale value? ha ha ha ha ha! you HD owners talk about ur HD is made of gold like its an investment! ha ha ha ha ha you HD guys think everybody wants to own and buy ur used HD ha ha ha ha ha the real truth is for the past 3 years HD sales have been down lower and lower every year and more and more current HD owners are trading in their HD's for rice burners and they are losing their pants on the trade in price and the suits sitting in the HD Corporate Office are in a panic wactching the Star Line of bikes flying outta showrooms! Thats the truth!