I have never had this issue with my 883. In fact I regularly get guys on big twins and the touring models asking about it. A lot of those guys want an 883 as a second bike. Something more fun and nimble. Have some people cracked jokes? Of course but it's all in the fun. Heck I just crack a joke back about their bike. Usually it always ends up with me wishing I had their bike and them wishing they had my bike even though we both have the bike we bought for a reason and wouldn't really change.

I'll be dead honest, I ride with a lot of guys on sport bikes and sport tourers and they love my bike. I get jokes about it being unreliable sometimes but I know they just don't know that the sportster is very reliable. Also I can hang with them in traffic and in the twisties but if it gets really curvy I will fall back. They are even impressed that a Harley can handle good. As for the so called "real bikes" I was on skyline drive last weekend and had quite a few of them hold me up while I was trying to have fun. I'd say just let it go because honestly there's no such thing as a girls bike unless of course a girl is the one who owns it.

In the end, I think most people are just trying to make good company by cracking jokes. I'd just do the same back and then have good conversation with them. When I had a sport bike my Harley friend said I had a bag of rice under my bike. Well I actually went out there upset wondering why would someone put rice under my bike lol. Boy did I feel stupid when I walked out there and realized it's because it's a jap bike lol.

 

Just tell them that its why you bought it and that its a shame they dont make it in pink.

 

Agree. I am new to my Road King so still getting the hang of it, but the Sportster was much easier to get through low speed maneuvers. Forget about center of gravity, once that 800+ pounds starts leaning over at 5mph you feel it.

 

Just don't give a fiddler's fart for 'girl's bike' comments - you can't fix stupid.

 

People are idiots. Ride what you like and don't worry about opinions. Softails are my favorite and what i ride but one day i might have a blinged out 72 with candy paint sitting next too my Fatboy! No such thing as a girls bike. Unless its painted and done up to be.

 

I too like the 883, though 1200 uppers are sitting on my workbench...

If I had the energy to do it I'd explore cutting the sporty and stuffing it into an english featherbed frame with mag/spoked wheels - gettin' the little gal down to fighting weight... Bike's too heavy... Another 'speriment'd be fitting UL 80 uppers... Making a giant K model...

But whatever it is the sporty is not a girly bike.

 

Well, if you don't like the "girl's bike" comments, you have a couple of choices:

1. Buy a big boy bike.
2. Grow thicker skin.

Please do one or the other soon.

GM

 

I wanted a Road King as my next bike and went to go take a look at a few. When I picked it up of the floor I was happy I have a sportster because man was it heavy. I still want a Road King one day but probably not as my next bike. Not like it matters because I have a few years to go before I can buy another bike.

 

Got wheels..Ha, if you play with the big boys (Harley riders), you need thick skin... Welcome from Hampton Roads Virginia.. You'll soon learn who's your friend and the *** holes.

 

After 40+ years I have the bike I always wanted. If I need more power I'll do a 1250 conversion and keep going until the wheels wear out, then get new wheels. What anyone else says or thinks is irrelevant. My 2¢.