Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Buying a Sportster and need som input...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 08:01 PM
  #31  
russellabjr's Avatar
russellabjr
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Default RE: Buying a Sportster and need som input...

well took the MSF course this weekend and passed.. it was very informative and a lot of fun too. anyways, going to HD tomorrow hopefully.. maybe have some new pics up.

ive almost decided to go with the 833c beacuse im a new rider, wont be having passengers, and wont be taking it on the highway until im comfortable on the surface streets first.. i do plan on some back road trips back home and to gainesville once football season starts, so i think the 833 will suit me fine...

besides i can always upgrade with teh 1200 kit if i want to, right?\

great forum too.. very helpful

russ
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 08:23 AM
  #32  
whaap's Avatar
whaap
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
Default RE: Buying a Sportster and need som input...

One more thing to consider. You can ride a 1200 just as slow as you can ride an 883. It's all in your right wrist. Just because you have 1200 doesn't mean you have to use it. If you want to start slow, do so on a 1200 then instead of wanting to upgrade your 883 in a few months you'll already be there. Plus the difference in cost between an 883 and 1200 should be pretty well recovered when you sell it.
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 01:47 AM
  #33  
itileman's Avatar
itileman
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3
From: Billings, MT
Default RE: Buying a Sportster and need som input...

I think the 883 is a good choice. I found a used 03 100 Aniv. Model with 8k miles on it and in mint condition. Got it for $5,100. It came from a private party but the guy who had it owns a Harley rental place (bike was not part of the rental fleet). Had all maintenance records. Last week (after a month of riding), I was ready to sell it and move up to 1200C. Today, I changed my mind. The dealers have some attractive finance plans (on the surface), but you're a couple grand behind the 8-ball if you want to sell because you haven't sufficiently paid down the debt after 2 years and the real payments begin. Plus, by the time you trick out a stock 1200, you have spent a bunch of money.
As for my 100 year anniversery 883 CEM Hugger, I own a piece of American History. It's completely stock and a collector's bike. Extra chrome and skull topped lug nuts won't bring up its value.It will never be worth less than what I paid for it unless I drop or wreck it. The original 03 Anniversery Medallions are going for over $70.00 right now on ebay (about $17.95 MSRP when new). I think the same thing will happen with the 03 bikes if it hasn't already.
It goes fast enough to scare the sh*t out of me on mountain roads (Montana). I hadn't ridden since the early 80's (I'm in my early 60's), but I am so comfortableand in controlon this bike that riding came back to me while pulling out of the guy's parking lot. It's much better than my 1957 Triumph 650 was back in 1963. I'm still going to take the course as soon as I can get into one (they're booked til the end of July and not returning phone calls).
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 02:37 AM
  #34  
saltlick's Avatar
saltlick
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
Default RE: Buying a Sportster and need som input...

remember this, if you even think youll want to get a 1200 in the future do it now. Conversions are great, but resale is bad, you will never get the money out of it. Even if you have the harley shop put new 1200 heads on it and do it the right way, you will still have 883 on the title, and can list it as an 883 to 1200 conversion when you sell it, but people use that against you since the blue book on a 1200 is usually around 1500 dollars more than an 883. I have been trying to sell my bike on craigslist lately, and either people dont know what a conversion is and shy away from it (thinking you modified the bike and it shouldnt have been) or you get the smart allecs that tell you the conversion means nothing to them, you still have an 883 and they wont pay any more for it because of the conversion. So to me, unless you dont mind losing all the money and time spent for the conversion, or plan on keeping the bike forever, buy a 1200 and save yourself some hastle.

I had one guy tell me theres no way there was a conversion done on it, how can they fit a 1200 engine on an 883 frame? He told me hes not stupid i was trying to pull a fast one on him. God there are some dumb people on craigslist.
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 08:21 AM
  #35  
brgtr3's Avatar
brgtr3
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Default RE: Buying a Sportster and need som input...

Just a thought... you may be able to pick up an '07 as soon as the '08's come out, and have the stealer wave the delivery/ dealer prep fees. That's what my stealer did for me when I got a new '06 this spring.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lostpupp
Sportster Models
10
Dec 22, 2018 09:07 PM
NewHDDude
General Harley Davidson Chat
85
Jan 15, 2014 04:10 PM
notoriousbob
Sportster Models
52
Dec 18, 2013 12:24 PM
bharvey60
Sportster Models
20
May 9, 2008 03:30 PM
mikebryant
Sportster Models
38
Jan 25, 2006 07:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:55 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE