Hi

Newbie here ... and have been lurking for a while.

I am thinking of getting a Sportster 1200 C. I like the bike but somehow at every visit to a few different dealers, most folks who hang out there tell me to buy a larger bike so I won't have to upgrade. Some folks suggested the Softail.

But based on my reading online, it seems that the Sportster has the best engine design.

What do you folks think ?

 

Howzit and Greetings from Houston and a Displaced Cut N Shoot Texan

Get what you like, you will be the one riding it.

My only advice is get the one most suited to what type of riding you intend on doing

ie .. if you plan to tour, the bags would be pretty damn convenient

Haole

 

You want to buy what's best for you, not what everybody else thinks.

Welcome to the Forum from Kansas!

 

I've been riding a 96 1200C for longer than I care to remember. It has taken me to Florida and back, Colorado and back and all over the eastern US. It will do what ever you want it to. That being said , it isn't the most comfortable bike for touring. It is at it's best around town and for day trips. You have to decide what is important to you and what fits your budget.

 

Welcome to the forum. My first HD was a 2016 sportster 48 but where I live fuel stations are not every few miles so I upgraded to a Dyna. If I lived back on the east coast I would of kept my sportster no problem.

 

Here's what I think and tell others...
Go to a dealership and see which one looks good to you, that fits you the best and buy it. Another way is if a dealership has a demo day and test ride every bike that you like and choose it that way. After all, it's your choice and I can't and won't tell you which one to get because everybody has their own preference on which one feels and looks the best to them and that they can afford. Good luck.

 

There are things about the way the Sportster engine is designed that are indeed superior. In particular, the way the cam design allows for more parallel pushrods lends itself to high performance applications.



That probably doesn't mean much of anything in ordinary, street applications, and means absolutely nothing unless you plan on putting in some radical, high-lift cams as part of a major hot-rodding project.

The sales guys aren't steering you away from Sportsters for your own good. They are doing it because they want to unhinge you from more of your money.

Sportsters are awesome. If that's where your heart is leaning, go for it. It's your money, your bike, your decision.

 

What everyone else said; buy what suits YOU and how YOU want to ride.

No, the Sportster doesn't have a "better" engine. I'm not sure where you heard that, but neither engine would be considered "better" in my book. Ride them both, buy what fits YOU.

 

Sportsters are a nice bike, I've owned 2. But I will say that MOST people who buy them upgrade to a larger bike within a year or two. Again, I said MOST people. I will also tell you that for me its a 3 or 4 hour bike. Meaning after 3 or 4 hours I have had enough and want to stop. I rode mine to the beach and back several times, it's a 3 1/2 hour ride from my house. That's about the longest I would ever want to do. There are people who ride them across country and love them, just not me. Demo a few different bikes, figure out which one fits your intended riding and spend your money where ever you like.

 

Buy what you like and best suits your needs, forget what everyone else thinks you should get as they won't be riding or paying for it.

The Sporty 1200 is a fine bike, may not be the most comfortable for touring if you are a bigger guy but the bike will be up to the task.

Next time folks are telling you to get "X" because if not you will be upgrading in a year or two ask them how many are still on the first HD they ever purchased. Some folks will buy a bike and keep it 10-20 years but just as many are constantly upgrading or changing bikes, sometimes for the latest and greatest and sometimes just because a different model catchs their eye or more fits their needs