Monday I am making the 140 mile drive up north to the Bay Area (near San Fransisco) to see and test this bike. I went back and forth about sporty vs a smaller, lighter bike, ie. NX500, etc, but seeing that a considerable amount of my riding miles have historically been freeway, even on the BMW F750GS I had, and not feeling real good about an engine running 6,000 rpm at 70-75, I gave up on the smaller displacement bikes. I have considered many different models, Triumph Bonneville, both 900 and 1200, Kawasaki W800, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, (I like the looks) and even the Royal Enfield 650's of various models. It all came down to the fact that most weighed 500lbs or more, some as much as the sportster, and the Vulcan weighing about 80lbs more, and many with less power, and only the Vulcan with the seat down low enough for these stubby legs to feel good about. I thought, as close as they all were, I might as well just get the sportster again and settle it, lol.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy...935272084.html

This bike is clean, well maintained and priced very well, considering the current market. I sold my '07 4 1/2 years ago with 17,000 miles on it for $4,100 so this one with less miles and only $900 more is pretty good. Sportsters have NOT depreciated around here. I questioned them at length about the head gasket issue, so I am not concerned. I am not a huge fan of the spoked/tube tires, but might be able to male a swap with someone for some nice cast ones. Since I will be going up there alone, I will have to drive the truck and trailer. I wish I had a way to get it on and off the truck, without the trailer, because this state sets a 55 mph speed limit when towing, which no one obeys, lol. Otherwise speed limit is 65-70. So if all goes well I will own a nice looking sporty once again.

Am I correct in assuming that tube tires are not as strong as tubeless, without the tube? If I were to swap rims/tires, would brake calipers and rotors mount and align the same?

 

Did the '08's still have the ecm under the seat, like the '07's did?

 

I like mag rims for the fact that a flat can be easily fixed on the roadside without removing the wheel.

Can’t do that with spokes and an inner tube.

 

I am not a Sportster guy, but if I had to have one, that is the one I would get! Love the color.
I would put dual discs on it (and probably a bunch of go-fast stuff ) and ride the hell out of it!

Show it off, man! Here is a pic:

 

Good looking bike. Hope it works out for you.
Just for info. The tubed wheels can be converted to tubeless quite easily.

 

I have both the Sportster 1200 and the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom. I like the lower saddle height of the Vulcan, and its looks are nice. It burns regular gas which is a dollar less a gallon than what the Sportster requires. I like the torque of the sportster, and of course the sound. I was going to sell the Vulcan, but got no responses, so I'll keep them both.

 

The '08 Sportster that I own has it mounted to the rear fender. Tha seat has a cavity to accomidate its location. I do not go for it. Replacement seats must be year specific, or I think you can relocate it.

 

Nice looking Custom for an '08. Check the front fender where that fork bag sits, though. I agree on mag wheels as it's easier to maintain. Good luck on Monday!

 

If you find the cast wheels for a 2008 they will fit straight on, that's what I did with the trike I built for my partner at the front — took the 21" spoke wheel off and fitted a 19" cast wheel. 2008 to probably 2022 narrow glide will fit but certainly to 2013. 2007 I think had the inch axle, 2008 has 25mm axle.

The bike looks great. I hope it works out.

 

Looking again at the pictures I think that is a 1200 Low.