Modify or new bike - need input please!
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 299
From: midwest
Modify or new bike - need input please!
I've got a '07 1200C w/low miles, and have been running with some fellow jarheads. They run about 75 on the interstate, and while the Sporty can do it I'm beat at the end of the day due to the vibration and lack of floorboards. Being 60 doesn't help...
Should I upgrade the 1200 or save the $ and pick up a six speed big twin? The Sporty would have to have taller gearing to reduce cruising rpm, thus engine work to pull the taller gears. On the other hand it'd be cheaper than buying another bike, and I enjoy the Sporty's light weight.
Anybody out there faced this dilemma before? Like to hear from you!
Should I upgrade the 1200 or save the $ and pick up a six speed big twin? The Sporty would have to have taller gearing to reduce cruising rpm, thus engine work to pull the taller gears. On the other hand it'd be cheaper than buying another bike, and I enjoy the Sporty's light weight.
Anybody out there faced this dilemma before? Like to hear from you!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
You at least owe it to yourself to try some of the big twins out. I owned a sportster 883 XL with a modified 1200cc engine and it was a total blast to ride but was not the most comfortable. Try out a big twin and let us know what you think.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 25,718
Likes: 41
From: WIMBORNE,DORSET, GREATBRITAIN
or you could pick up a cheep evo,there must be plenty cheep evo around as not many folk over your side of the pond likes them..
http://tonisglamourshack.blogspot.co.uk
http://tonisglamourshack.blogspot.co.uk
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 10
From: Kentucky
I usually don't encourage anyone from parting with their sportster as I loved mine dearly. However it sounds like your running with a pack of big twins and having trouble so maybe it is time to upgrade if you want to continue riding the way they do. I loved my sporty but following big twins down the interstate for long periods wasn't a option. But I didn't have to worry about that as I rode alone mostly. You could pick up a used dyna or softail of the same year as your sporty for fairly cheap if you don't mind used. To me that's a better option than screwing around with gearing and such.
If you really like sportsters as I did...,you will like a dyna even more.
If you really like sportsters as I did...,you will like a dyna even more.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
I had the same dilema
Last year I had an 07 1200c, my buddies all had big twins.. I bought an 2004 Heritiage with a TC88/5speed. I love it and never looked back.. Dont get hung up on the 6speed. Its nice, dont get me wrong but the 5 speed is just fine..
Last edited by uncle kebo; Sep 10, 2014 at 09:39 AM.
I've got a '07 1200C w/low miles, and have been running with some fellow jarheads. They run about 75 on the interstate, and while the Sporty can do it I'm beat at the end of the day due to the vibration and lack of floorboards. Being 60 doesn't help...
Should I upgrade the 1200 or save the $ and pick up a six speed big twin? The Sporty would have to have taller gearing to reduce cruising rpm, thus engine work to pull the taller gears. On the other hand it'd be cheaper than buying another bike, and I enjoy the Sporty's light weight.
Anybody out there faced this dilemma before? Like to hear from you!
Should I upgrade the 1200 or save the $ and pick up a six speed big twin? The Sporty would have to have taller gearing to reduce cruising rpm, thus engine work to pull the taller gears. On the other hand it'd be cheaper than buying another bike, and I enjoy the Sporty's light weight.
Anybody out there faced this dilemma before? Like to hear from you!
Unless you want the most "Pimped Out Yugo" of the bunch
LOL
Haole
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,365
Likes: 24,241
From: NC, USA
I started out on a bone stock new 1989 (4 speed, 883 Sportster). It was fun at first especially on solo runs but as soon as I got in with some guys on some hopped up Shovels or tweaked 80 cu in 5 speed Evo's I was toasted. It took me about 16,000 miles and I stepped up to a 1991 Softail Custom, put a Stage 1 on it and was very happy with the ride and additional power.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 835
From: North Carolina
Edited a bit to get to the real question.
Answer - If you really like to ride then, oh hell yes. Sell/trade the sporty and get any one of the FLH series. You will not be sorry at the end of the day.
I can't do more than about 50 miles on my Dyna before my back starts feeling it. I can rack up several hundred on the Ultra Classic.
LOL
LiiT
