Sportster re-engineering?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 826
From: Toronto Canada
they tried re-engineering the Sportster , it was called a Buell . didn't sell enough so they shut it down . don't expect anything radical from HD , the Buell and the Vrod show they can't figure out how to sell new stuff so they're sticking with what they know (and we all like)
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In NY
Beginning in '54, with the KH model, the Sportster had a "trap door" in the left side case which allowed the transmission to be easily removed from the bike for repair without having to pull the engine, pull the jugs and split the cases. That was a lifesaver on my '89 Sporty, as I had the transmission pulled three times while I owned it due to faulty shift cam followers that would distort when overheated, causing the shift mechanism to hang up.
In '04, when Harley redesigned the Sporty for rubber mounts, they omitted the trap door, and thus, the transmission can no longer be accessed without pulling the motor and splitting the cases. This means that should the transmission fail, it's very likely that repairing it may cost more than the bike is worth. When a repair costs more than the item is worth, that implies that the item is a "throwaway" or disposable item. To be fair, the five speed is much more durable than my old four-speed, but things can still go wrong on occasion.
Don't get me wrong, I love Sportsters, but, by making them harder and more expensive to repair, I feel Harley is moving inevitably toward the "throwaway" business model. Serviceability and repairability are major reasons I own and ride Harley-Davidsons.
In '04, when Harley redesigned the Sporty for rubber mounts, they omitted the trap door, and thus, the transmission can no longer be accessed without pulling the motor and splitting the cases. This means that should the transmission fail, it's very likely that repairing it may cost more than the bike is worth. When a repair costs more than the item is worth, that implies that the item is a "throwaway" or disposable item. To be fair, the five speed is much more durable than my old four-speed, but things can still go wrong on occasion.
Don't get me wrong, I love Sportsters, but, by making them harder and more expensive to repair, I feel Harley is moving inevitably toward the "throwaway" business model. Serviceability and repairability are major reasons I own and ride Harley-Davidsons.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Unfortunately, IMO, the Sportster ended when it went rubber mounted. It gained weight (almost 75lbs more than my '88), and most of them now have barely any better lean angles than a lot of the Big Twins. Throw in the missing trap door as mentioned previously and the Sportster has lost most of it's "Sport".
Don't misunderstand me, the Sportster line still has some very nice bikes which a lot of people enjoy. I still entertain the notion of buying a newer one from time to time.
But if I were to want to build a more performance oriented Sportster, I'd go with a rigid mounted Evo from 86 to 03. Build the motor, upgrade the trans, put some good shocks and forks on it, and strip off a few items to bring the weight down to around 450lbs. THAT would be a fun bike to blast around on for a Harley, and it has already been done by many people.
A rubber mount would need about 20% more power to keep up with the 450lb bike.
J
Don't misunderstand me, the Sportster line still has some very nice bikes which a lot of people enjoy. I still entertain the notion of buying a newer one from time to time.
But if I were to want to build a more performance oriented Sportster, I'd go with a rigid mounted Evo from 86 to 03. Build the motor, upgrade the trans, put some good shocks and forks on it, and strip off a few items to bring the weight down to around 450lbs. THAT would be a fun bike to blast around on for a Harley, and it has already been done by many people.
A rubber mount would need about 20% more power to keep up with the 450lb bike.
J
The sportster is fine the way it is. It's selling just fine.
Now,to the poster trashing the twin cams,you must not have one. My 96,now 106 has been reliable to a fault. The engine runs like a scalded cheetah and I haven't had a single engine problem.
As a matter of fact the only issue I've had with my twin cam street bob is the cheap *** front wheel bearings,other than that the bike is as reliable as my 06 v-star was. Not even so much as a hiccup.
Stay in the stone age.
Now,to the poster trashing the twin cams,you must not have one. My 96,now 106 has been reliable to a fault. The engine runs like a scalded cheetah and I haven't had a single engine problem.
As a matter of fact the only issue I've had with my twin cam street bob is the cheap *** front wheel bearings,other than that the bike is as reliable as my 06 v-star was. Not even so much as a hiccup.
Stay in the stone age.
The sportster is fine the way it is. It's selling just fine.
Now,to the poster trashing the twin cams,you must not have one. My 96,now 106 has been reliable to a fault. The engine runs like a scalded cheetah and I haven't had a single engine problem.
As a matter of fact the only issue I've had with my twin cam street bob is the cheap *** front wheel bearings,other than that the bike is as reliable as my 06 v-star was. Not even so much as a hiccup.
Stay in the stone age.
Now,to the poster trashing the twin cams,you must not have one. My 96,now 106 has been reliable to a fault. The engine runs like a scalded cheetah and I haven't had a single engine problem.
As a matter of fact the only issue I've had with my twin cam street bob is the cheap *** front wheel bearings,other than that the bike is as reliable as my 06 v-star was. Not even so much as a hiccup.
Stay in the stone age.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In NY
Just buy a dyna and be done with it instead
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