Did I make the wrong choice?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 90
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RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Don't worry what others say it's YOUR bike and not theirs.I've got an 04 1200 custom with over 13,000 on it and don't regret buying it at all.Sportsters have been in production since 1957,what other models have been around that long?If a model doesn't meet or exceed expectations they discontinue it.That's no issue for the sportser.Harley doesn't build several thousand sportsters a year to stick in a warehouse.Somebody is buying them and riding them.I work with a guy who likes to throw off on sportsters.Guess what he rides?A 94 jeep cherokee.Just goes to show you that some people go unarmed into a battle of intellect.You just keep riding and learning.It's hard to hear the critics over the wind in your ears and the rumble of your pipes!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: hillbillyonahawg
I work with a guy who likes to throw off on sportsters.Guess what he rides?A 94 jeep cherokee.Just goes to show you that some people go unarmed into a battle of intellect.
I work with a guy who likes to throw off on sportsters.Guess what he rides?A 94 jeep cherokee.Just goes to show you that some people go unarmed into a battle of intellect.
And what do you have against '94 Jeep Cherokee's?????
Mine has over 205,000 miles on it, and it's still my 'go anywhere' main vehicle. Drive it more than all my other cars and trucks combined.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 2
From: central WI
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Its all HD marketing crap. I ve always had sportys for 20 yrs and never heard all this until recently. Think about it you go in to buy a bike and they try to steer you away from the XLs to at least a Dyna, If they dont succeed then they start with the outgrowing it crap. All these people that dont know better take it as gospel and here we are. They almost had me too on a Street Bob but I couldnt justify 2x the $.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 788
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RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Hey Joan, which part of T-Town do you live in? I'm up here in Olalla, representin' the Sporty on the westside.
Get yourself over to 5-mile drive at Point Defiance; it's a good road for building up some handling skills and confidence while not being a speedway.Do it on a weekday, though, weekends get pretty busy.[:@]
See ya on the road sometime.
Get yourself over to 5-mile drive at Point Defiance; it's a good road for building up some handling skills and confidence while not being a speedway.Do it on a weekday, though, weekends get pretty busy.[:@]
See ya on the road sometime.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,082
Likes: 8
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: StargazerXT12
I've seen several posts especially in the general chat area about Sportsters not being good for beginners and that's what got me second guessing.
Uhhhhhhh, now you can relate to all us guys who are tired of hearing "Girls Bike" comments! You, a girl, are hearing, it aint a beginners Bike!
I'm going to keep riding, and enjoying. After 2 months, I'm STILL smiling...
I think you have answered your own question!
I've seen several posts especially in the general chat area about Sportsters not being good for beginners and that's what got me second guessing.
Uhhhhhhh, now you can relate to all us guys who are tired of hearing "Girls Bike" comments! You, a girl, are hearing, it aint a beginners Bike!
I'm going to keep riding, and enjoying. After 2 months, I'm STILL smiling...
I think you have answered your own question!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 23
From: SW PA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
I am a semi new rider on the street myself. I bought the supposed starter bike in a Shadow 600 and drove it all of last year and Feburary I got the Sportsters and actually feel much safer and I couldn't tell you the # of ways the Sporty is better. Really the Sportster was the bike I wanted but up here at $9k for the 883C was crazy so I went out of state and couldn't be happier! Much more nimble bike IMO than my Shadow and just feels like a more solid built bike,the brakes don't even compare to the Sportster let alone the extra power for the extra $1500 difference in price I feel like an idiot for buying the Shadow
But I have it now and Dawn said she wanted to try it out because she likes how low it is compared to our 2 Sporty's which feels better to her. My Shadow isn't a bad bike but it doesn't hold sh*t to my Sportster! But Dawn I think was scared of how fast the 89' was with it's set-up plus the extra weight on top of that. If she don't ride it I'm chopping it[8D]
But I have it now and Dawn said she wanted to try it out because she likes how low it is compared to our 2 Sporty's which feels better to her. My Shadow isn't a bad bike but it doesn't hold sh*t to my Sportster! But Dawn I think was scared of how fast the 89' was with it's set-up plus the extra weight on top of that. If she don't ride it I'm chopping it[8D]
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
I think that the Sportie is a great choice for people who want a lighter, smaller-framed Harley.I actually think that the balance is just perfect - then again, I have an XL1200L rather than a C. The only challenge I find, is managing that responsive throttle.Either from a standing start or dropping down a gear to overtake, the take-up is fantastic. If you are not concentrating 100%,it can catch you by surprise (as it has obviously done with some here ...). Keep practicing. I really don't think you've made a mistake - you just have to tame the beast. Show that you're theboss!
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
I just picked up a Sportty myself and while I'm not a total newbie to riding, this is the first one I've owned. I have to say that I can't think of a better way to learn how to ride. I think once you get comfortable with you bike, it will become 2nd nature. On a sidenote, I have never seen so much support from so many people about a subject. It makes me proud to be a Harley owner!
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: eggroll
Hey Joan, which part of T-Town do you live in? I'm up here in Olalla, representin' the Sporty on the westside.
Get yourself over to 5-mile drive at Point Defiance; it's a good road for building up some handling skills and confidence while not being a speedway.Do it on a weekday, though, weekends get pretty busy.[:@]
See ya on the road sometime.
Hey Joan, which part of T-Town do you live in? I'm up here in Olalla, representin' the Sporty on the westside.
Get yourself over to 5-mile drive at Point Defiance; it's a good road for building up some handling skills and confidence while not being a speedway.Do it on a weekday, though, weekends get pretty busy.[:@]
See ya on the road sometime.
Glad to see another local here.
Don't know if you're familar with it, but I've ridden Orville Road which is much like the Point, except the speed limit is 35. Also been out on Meridian between Eatonville and Puyallup. And last night I actually got on the Freeway (512).
Maybe sometime we can meet up say at Destination (Tacoma) or the Point or something and ride. I'd Love it.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Thank you all for your replies. You've made me feel so much better. I'm no longer second guessing my decision!. In fact last night I actually got out on the freeway for the first time!
I'm so loving this bike. I appreciate all of your comments and support.
I'm so loving this bike. I appreciate all of your comments and support.