Does anyone in here just leave their Sportster stock? Mine's not, but was considering going back since I will trade it in a few years like I always do. Just wondering not hating.

 

Good move. I've been looking at buying a second sportster and every time I see one within my price range, it has mods that I don't like! :-(

 

Keeping all the stock parts is a good idea. I'm starting to look like a hoarder now though.

 

Nothing wrong with stock. To each...

Only sporty id run stock is a 883cn, 1200r, 883r, or current roadster.

Wouldn't touch the rest. Nothing wrong with them... just not in to chrome, spokes, inner tubes, ballon tires, slammed suspension, and blacked out SOA clicheness... i flat out hate the iron, the newer one especially.

 

^^Me too.

 

Mine is stock. Purchased that way as sort of a barn find. 1986 Liberty 1100, all original with the exception of tires, drive chain and new brake lines. Currently looking for a 5 speed so I can have one to modify to my tastes.

 

Very nice!

 

my FIL has an 88 883 that he bought new, and never touched except to change oil.

 

Riding a 2009 XR1200, completely stock. Like it that way. Had a previous 09 XR that was modded, and it wasn't really any better, and the Remus exhaust, even though it looked good, was just too loud for any distance riding.

Currently have five bikes in the garage, and except for two having aftermarket mufflers (bought them that way), they are all stock, and have had no problems with any of them.

 

There are flaws with sportsters. And the fact they may have more accessories than any other bike aids in changing them. Dont get me wrong, you can keep them stock and be completely content. The new ones are really quiet, the suspension was never great, the clutch is prone to fail and they breathe their own blow by. None of those are inherently bad however, it allows you to give the bike a bit of your own taste. Visual and performance are all just preference. I have shot gun pipes and I've had people scoff at them and comment "how often do you burn your leg" but I ask them how often they scrape their exhaust. My exhaust was for ground clearance, my suspension was for comfort, air cleaner was for motor longevity (rerouted oil). Did I need to do any of it? nah, I was bored and it got me out in the garage.

Just my two cents.

Edit: my other bike is a KLR650. Those are solid bikes. Once you replace the weak points that is. There are several factory parts that need to be replaced before it is a solid bike. Not the case with the sportster but it gives you an idea that most bikes have a weak point that could use improving.