New Guy Here: Going from Ironhead to Fullsize
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 452
Likes: 228
From: Northford, CT
New Guy Here: Going from Ironhead to Fullsize
Hello All,
New to the forums coming out of Connecticut. Rode a nice little 1977 XLH1000 Ironhead Sportster last season. Sweet little bike, handles great, looks great, fast, but limited to what I'm looking for in a bike.
I want the handling of the sportster but something that can get up and do 75 all day without missing a beat. Even with a simple sprocket change, the Ironhead was really stretching itself on longer hauls. Oil leaks would pop up and many other odds/ends. Needless to say, I had fun but was constantly fixing something.
I'm 5'7 140 lbs. Not the biggest dude
. I'm looking for simplistic/strip down look on whatever fullsize model I get, just like my Ironhead was (mid controls, no bags, etc).
I REALLY like the FXDB/FXDBI Street Bob since this bike achieves all that plus the reliability of the Evo. Unfortunately they are expensiveee.
I'd really like to continue riding old school as well. I LOVE the shovelhead FXS. Absolutely love that bike. FXE is awesome too. Thing is, will these be just as problematic as my Ironhead was? Obviously, this is a broad question. These bikes are OLD and it's really up to how the bike was maintained over the years. Generally speaking though, are the shovelheads the same, worse, or more reliable compared to a similiarly good running Ironhead? I'm assuming they take well to faster speeds at longer durations compared to an Ironhead.
Basically, I'm looking for something that has the older look my Ironhead had, the character, but without as much huss/fuss and with more ability to do longer cruises.
What ya'll think? And NOO I'm not getting an Evo Sportster nope nada no!
New to the forums coming out of Connecticut. Rode a nice little 1977 XLH1000 Ironhead Sportster last season. Sweet little bike, handles great, looks great, fast, but limited to what I'm looking for in a bike.
I want the handling of the sportster but something that can get up and do 75 all day without missing a beat. Even with a simple sprocket change, the Ironhead was really stretching itself on longer hauls. Oil leaks would pop up and many other odds/ends. Needless to say, I had fun but was constantly fixing something.
I'm 5'7 140 lbs. Not the biggest dude
. I'm looking for simplistic/strip down look on whatever fullsize model I get, just like my Ironhead was (mid controls, no bags, etc). I REALLY like the FXDB/FXDBI Street Bob since this bike achieves all that plus the reliability of the Evo. Unfortunately they are expensiveee.
I'd really like to continue riding old school as well. I LOVE the shovelhead FXS. Absolutely love that bike. FXE is awesome too. Thing is, will these be just as problematic as my Ironhead was? Obviously, this is a broad question. These bikes are OLD and it's really up to how the bike was maintained over the years. Generally speaking though, are the shovelheads the same, worse, or more reliable compared to a similiarly good running Ironhead? I'm assuming they take well to faster speeds at longer durations compared to an Ironhead.
Basically, I'm looking for something that has the older look my Ironhead had, the character, but without as much huss/fuss and with more ability to do longer cruises.
What ya'll think? And NOO I'm not getting an Evo Sportster nope nada no!
Last edited by garystaven88; Mar 7, 2014 at 08:29 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: LI NY
The biggest difference will be the 5 (or 6) speed trans vs. the 4 speed. Knock those revs down....stuff lasts a lot longer. When I got off my shovel onto my first evo, I totally forgot about 5th gear on my first ride. I was cruising along the parkway when it suddenly hit me......"I have another gear!!!"
Not too sure what you consider to be expensive....but just about once a week I'll find big twin evo's around 5K on c-list. I just bought a '99 twin cam Dyna for under 5. I saw a ready for the road evo FXR for like 3500 bucks last week! I honestly can't believe how cheap these bikes are getting.
Good luck with the search.
BTW, your from Conn....I'm right across the Sound on the Island. If you troll LI Craigslist and find something....your just a ferry ride away. I can keep my eyes open for you....what are you looking for?
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcy/4362967503.html <-----Here's one
Not too sure what you consider to be expensive....but just about once a week I'll find big twin evo's around 5K on c-list. I just bought a '99 twin cam Dyna for under 5. I saw a ready for the road evo FXR for like 3500 bucks last week! I honestly can't believe how cheap these bikes are getting.
Good luck with the search.
BTW, your from Conn....I'm right across the Sound on the Island. If you troll LI Craigslist and find something....your just a ferry ride away. I can keep my eyes open for you....what are you looking for?
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcy/4362967503.html <-----Here's one
Last edited by C.J; Mar 7, 2014 at 08:56 AM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 452
Likes: 228
From: Northford, CT
The biggest difference will be the 5 (or 6) speed trans vs. the 4 speed. Knock those revs down....stuff lasts a lot longer. When I got off my shovel onto my first evo, I totally forgot about 5th gear on my first ride. I was cruising along the parkway when it suddenly hit me......"I have another gear!!!"
Not too sure what you consider to be expensive....but just about once a week I'll find big twin evo's around 5K on c-list. I just bought a '99 twin cam Dyna for under 5. I saw a ready for the road evo FXR for like 3500 bucks last week! I honestly can't believe how cheap these bikes are getting.
Good luck with the search.
BTW, your from Conn....I'm right across the Sound on the Island. If you troll LI Craigslist and find something....your just a ferry ride away. I can keep my eyes open for you....what are you looking for?
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcy/4362967503.html <-----Here's one
Not too sure what you consider to be expensive....but just about once a week I'll find big twin evo's around 5K on c-list. I just bought a '99 twin cam Dyna for under 5. I saw a ready for the road evo FXR for like 3500 bucks last week! I honestly can't believe how cheap these bikes are getting.
Good luck with the search.
BTW, your from Conn....I'm right across the Sound on the Island. If you troll LI Craigslist and find something....your just a ferry ride away. I can keep my eyes open for you....what are you looking for?
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcy/4362967503.html <-----Here's one
My tastes:
Street Bob: http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcd/4344856967.html
Good Ole Dyna Wide Glide: love the simplistic look of these bikes
http://newhaven.craigslist.org/mcy/4356746069.html
FXS http://newhaven.craigslist.org/mcy/4323332198.html
One thing about the FXDWG though is I'm not sure if mid controls are able to be installed? If not that is a big deal breaker for me. In that case I should be looking at Dyna Low Riders or Super Glides (as well as the Street Bob).
Last edited by garystaven88; Mar 7, 2014 at 09:22 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Miss. Gulf Coast
Right now there are crazy good deals out there. A buyers market.
I just picked up an '08 FXDC with 10500 on the clock, new rubber, detachable bags, sissy bar, custom pegs, grips, etc, mini apes, V&H big radius pipes, wide glide trees and windshield for 7 grand! Beautiful, garage kept one owner bike. Good luck in your search!
I just picked up an '08 FXDC with 10500 on the clock, new rubber, detachable bags, sissy bar, custom pegs, grips, etc, mini apes, V&H big radius pipes, wide glide trees and windshield for 7 grand! Beautiful, garage kept one owner bike. Good luck in your search!
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 272
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From: pomgolia
Hello All,
New to the forums coming out of Connecticut. Rode a nice little 1977 XLH1000 Ironhead Sportster last season. Sweet little bike, handles great, looks great, fast, but limited to what I'm looking for in a bike.
I want the handling of the sportster but something that can get up and do 75 all day without missing a beat.
New to the forums coming out of Connecticut. Rode a nice little 1977 XLH1000 Ironhead Sportster last season. Sweet little bike, handles great, looks great, fast, but limited to what I'm looking for in a bike.
I want the handling of the sportster but something that can get up and do 75 all day without missing a beat.
had more fun on that than on any other Harley since - should never have sold it & have always regreted selling it
want something that will do 75 all day, go round corners, great v twin sound and sweet handling - ducati may be what you are looking for, its everything a modern day sportster should be
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 452
Likes: 228
From: Northford, CT
Wow Robbie13 that is the style I am looking for. Here was my Ironhead: 
Hoping to achieve the same type of style on the new bike since I LOVED the look of my Ironhead.
Yes Ken Oaff, FUN bike indeed. Just wish it had another gear! The newer EVO Sportster just don't do it for me looks wise.
Hoping to achieve the same type of style on the new bike since I LOVED the look of my Ironhead.
Yes Ken Oaff, FUN bike indeed. Just wish it had another gear! The newer EVO Sportster just don't do it for me looks wise.