Comfort question
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
RE: Comfort question
ORIGINAL: Chopperz
I wonder why everyones suggesting he spend twice what he wants? I take my sportster to rallys you'll be able to go anywhere,and easily keep up with landbarge touring bikes.Unless you WANT to save for another YEAR,or spend twice as much.My 07 XL883 was 6595+++ and as mentioned, has better suspension than the low. I wonder if these are the same people who get angry when a salesman doesn't listen and tries to "put them on the elevator"(spend more)
I wonder why everyones suggesting he spend twice what he wants? I take my sportster to rallys you'll be able to go anywhere,and easily keep up with landbarge touring bikes.Unless you WANT to save for another YEAR,or spend twice as much.My 07 XL883 was 6595+++ and as mentioned, has better suspension than the low. I wonder if these are the same people who get angry when a salesman doesn't listen and tries to "put them on the elevator"(spend more)
The poster is/was looking for a touring bike. And if they want a harley.......why start with a sportster? A sportster can eat up the miles for sure.......but if you are looking for TOURING bike .......why start with a sportster?
If you need to ride, and ride soon....and have limited cash.....sure. Get a Sportster.
The poster said they wanted to tour. I have said before...I get no commision....so i don't care what you buy, but a sportster does not fill the bill of tourer UNLESS you are looking to buy a sportster.
All depends on the needs and wants. But if you want to tour, you will be trading/selling the sportster within a year.
Chuck
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
RE: Comfort question
Being military myself, I know how your budget impacts what you can do, Beer. My kid has an '07 883 Custom, and if you can swing the few extra clams I'd sugget you go for it as the forward mounted controls will make a world of difference on long hauls, plus you get the 4.5 gallon gas tank. Ours has a windshield and a Sundowner seat and while you won't confuse it with an Electra Glide on long hauls, it's a more than capable tourer, especially with a set of saddle bags on it.
Best of luck with whatever you choose...
Best of luck with whatever you choose...
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Comfort question
You have all giving me a bunch of things to look at and I will definatly be thinking about them all. But I think I also didn't make myself very clear. I will be taking as many trips as I can fit into my schedual and more importantly budget, I will also be starting off slow and steady. I have the plan of starting off with the sportster as it fits nicely into my budget and gives me something to build experience on before I jump into a bike that is alot more expensive and something that might be a but more difficult to learn to ride on.
I allready have my dream Softail - as a picture on my desktop and I will definatly be getting it someday but now is not the time.
But again I thank you all very much for the inputs and it lo9oks like I will probably be going with the 883 instead of the 883L unless I can pull of the 883C as the idea of the forward mounted controls does appeal to me. But then again is that something that I might be able to do myself a little way down the line?
Again I thank you all for the great input.
I allready have my dream Softail - as a picture on my desktop and I will definatly be getting it someday but now is not the time.
But again I thank you all very much for the inputs and it lo9oks like I will probably be going with the 883 instead of the 883L unless I can pull of the 883C as the idea of the forward mounted controls does appeal to me. But then again is that something that I might be able to do myself a little way down the line?
Again I thank you all for the great input.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Comfort question
Just be sure you aren't going in with the assumption that in the very near future, you'll be able to get most of your money out of the Sportster as you move up to a larger bike. There's a prevailing myth that Harley's hold their value better than diamonds! Various threads have suggested that may have been true in the past but not so much now - especially with Sportsters. How did one guy put it - "Sportsters are easy to buy and really hard to sell!"
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Newport TN
RE: Comfort question
Beer, don't let any old mans butt talk any bull to ya. The Sporty is a very capable and fun bike to ride any dam where on! I have rode accross this country and back 4 times on Sportys over the years. If you can get your Sporty' set up to do 300 mile days then you are rideing as far as MOST guys do on their Softtails and even Ultras.
If your wanting to ride the miles then equip your Sporty for comfort and hauling. the guys have given you some good ideals on bags, shocks windsheilds And spend some bucks on aCOMFY Seat!! The ol Butt will usually be the first to say it's time to stop!..You'll want a sleeping bag and a tent maybe. So set it up to carry the weight.
The great thing about a mid weight bike like the Sporty is you can go places where the Ultras won't dare. I slept besides many a creeks and rivers and up deserted roads cause the Sporty was agile enough to get in and get out. The big land barges are preaty much blacktop locked!
And the Sportys are preaty easy to maintain and are a preaty tough bike, so that should help out in the expenses part. I'll be out rideing a Sportster anyday rather than sitting on the porch watching others rideing by cause I'm SAVEING my money for a bigger bike!!
Check out the XL forums for tons of Sporty talk!
If your wanting to ride the miles then equip your Sporty for comfort and hauling. the guys have given you some good ideals on bags, shocks windsheilds And spend some bucks on aCOMFY Seat!! The ol Butt will usually be the first to say it's time to stop!..You'll want a sleeping bag and a tent maybe. So set it up to carry the weight.
The great thing about a mid weight bike like the Sporty is you can go places where the Ultras won't dare. I slept besides many a creeks and rivers and up deserted roads cause the Sporty was agile enough to get in and get out. The big land barges are preaty much blacktop locked!
And the Sportys are preaty easy to maintain and are a preaty tough bike, so that should help out in the expenses part. I'll be out rideing a Sportster anyday rather than sitting on the porch watching others rideing by cause I'm SAVEING my money for a bigger bike!!
Check out the XL forums for tons of Sporty talk!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Comfort question
That is ok I have no intention of selling my first Harley for a long long time if at all, if anything I will pass it on to my wife when I can afford to upgrade
But I have read up around different places and know that once I drive it off the lot it will be decades before I can get what I paid for it in a sale
But thank you for the tip
But I have read up around different places and know that once I drive it off the lot it will be decades before I can get what I paid for it in a sale
But thank you for the tip
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
RE: Comfort question
I'm saying the same things others already have, go for a touring bike or at least a softail if you plan on longer trips. Not knocking the Sporty but the bigger bikes were made for longer trips. Are you buying through AAFES or are you stateside?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 2
From: Schaumburg, IL, near Elgin, IL
RE: Comfort question
ORIGINAL: Beerninja
I am getting my first ever bike in a little over a month, and being on a Navy budget I am electing to go with the Sportster, I just have a quick question and I know ultimatly I will be testing both flavors out on my own for the final decision but I was wondering on the comfort difference between the 883 and 883L. I plan on doing some serious riding as in lots of road trips and such and was curious about what others have to say about the distance comfort of the two models.
Thanks in advance.
I am getting my first ever bike in a little over a month, and being on a Navy budget I am electing to go with the Sportster, I just have a quick question and I know ultimatly I will be testing both flavors out on my own for the final decision but I was wondering on the comfort difference between the 883 and 883L. I plan on doing some serious riding as in lots of road trips and such and was curious about what others have to say about the distance comfort of the two models.
Thanks in advance.
ORIGINAL: VtBlackDog
the "L" had extra crappy suspension-the front fork would bottom out on bridge road seams/big bumps. the 883 standard suspension is better, especailly if you are over 175 or so pounds.
like others said, if you want to go places, get a softail; find a clean, used FX-- from 2000 or later with the counter-balenced engine.
the "L" had extra crappy suspension-the front fork would bottom out on bridge road seams/big bumps. the 883 standard suspension is better, especailly if you are over 175 or so pounds.
like others said, if you want to go places, get a softail; find a clean, used FX-- from 2000 or later with the counter-balenced engine.
Why not rent, borrow or test? Renting sounds expensive, but you build experience without risking your new bike.
The problem with longer rides for most riders is the seat. If you are going to do a lot of long trips, set aside some cash for a trade-up seat. Butt problems usually do not appear unitl after two or three hours of riding, when the seat starts to compress with your weight and it starts to feel like you are riding on the metal frame.
And don't worry about making the perfect decision - this will be you first bike, but probably not your last one.
RE: Comfort question
IMHO, a softail or a dyna would make a better bike for your first one. They have a lower center of gravity and I believe easier to handle at low speed. They may be heavier bikes but dont feel like it because of the lower center of gravity.
Chris
Chris
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