Saw a sweet 1200T the other day, no miles really, but what jumped out at me were the darn spikes, and even worse, the lack lean angle that makes some engineer think they're needed. Kinda scary.

 

Roadsters are harder to find and more expensive. Look at the standards, same thing as a roadster minus dual front brakes. 2008 was the last year of the standard and can be had on the cheap side. Now they werent technically called a standard, they werent called anything but a sportster. I liked mine but had 3 sportys at the time so I sold it.

 

IF you can find a 2004-2008 XL1200R Roadster, that is the bike I HIGHLY recommend. Longer suspension, more clearance in corners, dual front brakes, tach and speedo. The difference between the years are 2004-2005 non-black engine. 2006 black engine and last of the carb models. 2007 black engine and fuel injection. 2008 black engine but comes with the 4.5 gallon gas tank vice 3.3 gallon....last of the Roadster 1200 models in the US.

I had a 2007. Loved the bike! Figure I would keep it. But the 2014 Sportsters had some major changes from the 2004-2013 Rubber Mounts that I really thought was worth selling my Roadster for....wasn't planned, just kind of happen when I went to a dealership.

Again...if you can find a Roadster model, you will be very pleased with it. They are getting harder to find, but come up. The "R's" are the best stock out of the box Sportster that Harley built until the 2014+ in my opinion.

 

Agreed - however they are detachable with a wrench! I don't know why anyone would leave the darned things on their bike!

 

I'd take them off right away, sure, but the implication is very shallow lean angle. So what grinds 1st? Gotta be the pipes on the right. I suspect the roadster is the one for me. Sounds like a bit of a hot rod, more brakes is always good, 2nd choice the standard. Neither of which they sell new in this country anymore.

 

Depends on what your definition of hot rod is To me dual disks and a tach dont make a hot rod. The engines between the two are the same.

 

I have a Super Low XL1200T that I traded a XL1200 Low on. They are comfortable rides.

When a found a very low mile 03 883R in pristine condition for $3500 I jumped on it.

It is a tall bike. I am 6'3" and have no problem on the Super Low, but the 03 with forward controls is more of a fit than even my touring bikes.

The 883R had the SE breather and SE II mufflers with the carb rejetted for that set up. It runs great and holds it's own on the Interstate at 75 to 80 mph. All that while giving 57 mpg.

I can not tell the difference in the hard mounted 03 engine than the rubber mounted latter bikes.

An older Sportster is a great option for most riders in value and performance. It seems easy to find one with low miles and great condition.

At 75 yoa I can understand wanting a litter agile bike.

 

Story I hear is that the R has 70HP. I think that's a bit more than standards. I want the longer shocks and increased cornering ability mainly.
By the way I had a 77 KZ 650 as a 2nd bike 86-96. That sumbitch would scoot.

 

The R has a lot going for it, but it doesn't have that sort of power! There was an earlier bike called XL1200S Sportster Sport IIRC which had twin plug heads and higher performance, which is what you have in mind, introduced in the late '90s.

 

I picked up this 2001 really cheap and changed the seat to a Corbin solo and added end bar mirrors. Also just ordered a small shield for the front to break the wind off the chest.