Hey all,

I have owned two sport bikes while I was in the Air Force and built one Honda cruiser while I was working a bit of construction. I am now back in school and want something to get me around besides my truck. I looking into buying my first HD. Being my first Harley and lacking a budget, I wanted to get something entry level bike. I have been looking at a bunch of 1200 Sportsters ranging from 1980-2002 and $2,700-$3,900. I think I have the one that I want but, again being new, am just unsure of which models/year to get or to watch out for.

I found a clean 2002 XL1200 with 16,028 mi for $3,000 (firm) with extra tires, saddle bags, and some other "goodies" but it is a good 7 hour round trip. He is older and has health issues that hasn't allowed him to ride too much. He says he has taken it for "a spin around the block" every so often but hasn't ridden it for almost 2 riding season.

Some local runner ups:
2003 XL1200 100 yr edition 20k mi - $3,900 (pending sale)
2002 XL1200 Newly tuned 14k mi - $3,900 obo (needs tires)
1994 XL1200 new tires 11k mi - $3,500
1993 XL1200 primered with upgrades 18k mi - $2,700 (5hr round trip)

Any suggestions? Let me know what you guys think.

- Kolt

 

I bought a sportster new in 2003. Love the 100th anniversary badging and paint scheme. Rode it for 10 years and never fixed a thing. Just oil and tire changes. It was a carbureted 883. Only downside is they are rigid mount engines and vibrate a lot at highway speed. I think 2004 was first year for rubber mounted sportster engines which was a major improvement. If you don't mind the buzzing from solid mount engine then those are probably good years for you. It never bothered me but I was younger back then lol

 

As Johnny said, anything 03 and back will have a solid mount motor. It's really just preference. I rode a 94 from Missouri to Key West when I was 16 and I remember everytime I got off of it my hands would be tingling as if they fell asleep. If you are just gonna blast around town a little here and there it's fine, but IMO if you are going to put any serious mileage on it, I'd go for a rubber mount. 04-06 is carbureted and 07-up is EFI. Sportsters are a good choice as the engines are pretty much bulletproof. Assuming your budget is 4k, I think you could find a little later model one in that price range.

 

Dang! $3k is a good price for a lo-mi 1200 Sporty produced after Y2K. I'd grab that one!

 

I appreciate the input and, eventually, I would more than likely be able to afford something most substantial. At the moment I am literally squeezing $3000 + tax/fees to get the one that I am referring to without putting us into trouble.

Some may say to just wait until I have the funds to get a newer/nicer one but by then the riding season will be over and I will have nothing to show for it. I am just looking for something to get me to and from school, around town and maybe a little further. I hardly go that far even with my other vehicles.

 

Well there is a positive to you plan. Buying for 3k means it will be easy to sell for 3k when you get rid of it. Sportsters loose a lot or value but once they hit bottom they don't go any further. You can get all your money back when your done and ready to upgrade. You find a decent one for 3k I say jump on it and enjoy. Should easily sell for 3k to the next guy who wants a cheap sportster

 

Just picked it up! Definitely excited.

 

Woohoooo!!!

Looks super! Welcome aboard!

 

Congrats!! She looks clean. I'm assuming that's the 02 you mentioned in your original post?

 

Which one did you get?