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Sportster
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:29 am
by reloader24
I am getting into riding again, and i am dead set on getting a xl1200n sportster nightster. I am 6'1'' and weigh about 300lbs and everyone i talk to tells me a sportster is too small. please give me your opinon.
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:06 pm
by flynrider
The only way you can tell is to go sit on one. Whether or not it's comfortable will depend on how long your legs are, compared to your upper body. The 1200 will certainly not have a problem hauling 300 lbs. around.
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:56 pm
by fireguzzi
Im only about 5'9" and the nightster felt pretty cramped, even with after market forward controls. It will haul "O Ring" though. The camped position did make me feel secure while accelerating at a pretty quick rate though. And I think it is kinda designed to feel that way, it being a sportier breed of harley.
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:40 pm
by -Curly-
Get the forward controls and you will be fine.
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 8:29 pm
by Wrider
An inch taller than you and about the same weight! My friends say me on a Sportster looks like a "monkey "procreating" a football" lol. But it'll have no trouble hauling you around, just get forward controls and maybe risers or mini-apes.
Wrider
Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 1:39 am
by Captain Pete
If you get forward controls, you should be fine. And the 1200 won't have any problem hauling your weight. However, even though HD started using better motor mounts on these in an attempt to isolate the vibration, you're still going to notice it quite a bit after a long ride. I know one guy with an 04' 1200 that he claims will shake the fillings out of his teeth. Sporties are strange bikes. They can run beautifully if you keep them tuned right, and keep an eye on the idle screw (it can vibrate out a little every few hundred miles or so). But personally, I would by a Dyna low rider if I was going to get another Harley. That way, at least it would be a bike that's worth sinking a few grand or more into with accessories; and you will put a few grand into it (it's a Harley). I'm sure you've heard the adage that HD stands for 'hunerd dollahs'; but that was 1903 dollars.
Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 2:52 am
by Gummiente
Captain Pete wrote:and keep an eye on the idle screw (it can vibrate out a little every few hundred miles or so).
News Flash: All Harleys - including the entire Sportster lineup - are now fuel injected. There are no more idle screws to adjust.
Re: Sportster
Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 4:30 am
by Gatineau_Guy
reloader24 wrote:I am getting into riding again, and i am dead set on getting a xl1200n sportster nightster. I am 6'1'' and weigh about 300lbs and everyone i talk to tells me a sportster is too small. please give me your opinon.
My wife's bike is an 07 883 Custom. I enjoy riding it and I am 6'2" and around 190. These is lots of leg room with the forward controls. The 1200 would have not problem in terms of power.
Cheers,
Gatineau_Guy
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:39 am
by koji52
Nightster's midcontrols felt a bit cramped for me, but it might be because I am used to forward controls on my custom. I am 5'10''.
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:12 am
by follow
I use to have a 883L sportster with forward control and mini apes my husband who is 6'3" and about 240 use to like to putt around on my bike from time to time with no problem. We live in Colorado and that little puppy use to be able to climb the hills just fine with him or me or even the both of us on it (had to when other bike was down) also I did numerous rallies a couple of LDrides, Iron butts across the desert and she kept pace with the big boys mind you she was only an 883L so the new 1200 has more than enough. Don't let others discourage you in from you getting what you want, be happy with your choice....P.S. the only reason why I traded her in was the HIGH MILES she had.... all worth it.