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My Sons Friend wants a Sporty, What year?

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Old 05-24-2019, 11:50 AM
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Default My Sons Friend wants a Sporty, What year?
So, My son has a StreetBob and his buddy is now looking at buying 1200 Sportster. They are 24 and his friend has limited budget. Not sure but I'm thinking under 5K.
I really don't know much about them.

What years should be avoided?
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 12:15 PM
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2004 was a good year .
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Broccoli2
What years should be avoided?
How far back you want to go? Ironheads have more mojo factor. Anything with the Evo top end and newer will be relatively easy to live with.

Personally, I'm a fan of the '91 to '03 models: The rigid mount, five speed, CV carb era. IMHO some of the best bikes HD ever made.

Should be able to find a very nice, very clean, modest miles example for $3k or less.
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 12:51 PM
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How much riding experience does your sons' friend have?
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 01:00 PM
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What Omaha said for sure. Tons of them out there for south of 3k and they're bulletproof. My 95 went over 100k miles with not much more than regular maintenance. Cheap readily available parts. Simple to work on. I miss mine.
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 01:14 PM
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The 2000 and newer models have the better 4 piston brakes; Ironheads are for gearheads, not for travellers. 2004 and later gained rubber mounts and quite a bit of weight, but some may find the vibration of the earlier ones punishing in the long run by comparison. A nice catch would be an 01-03 1200S; but they're back to rigid engine mounts and vibes. I had an '01 that was built up to 100hp/88ft lbs. Most fun I've had on two wheels.
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 01:36 PM
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The 2004 engine was built with the B heads ( Beull ) heads on the 1200’s . So it breathes better because of the larger valves .
So having it jetted and putting some SE pipes on it is all it needs ! Besides 13.5 shocks .
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 01:36 PM
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Great Answers, He is an Expert Dirt rider... I been at the track when he fly's by at 20+ feet in the air at 70+MPH... I don't think he has had much Road time... But I'm sure he could ride anything with two wheels.

Thanks for all the answers. I will let him know.
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 01:41 PM
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Oh, and I have seen him tear apart and engine and put it back together, same with a ford truck transmission. The Kid has skills
 
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Old 05-24-2019, 02:04 PM
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If is a city bike, with a bit of highway riding, rigid mount is fine ..... if he is going to want to do more highway riding then the rubber mount is good.
 
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