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First Harley
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Israel
First Harley
Hi guys,
I'm about to get my first Harley (will take a couple of months), and I'm aiming to SPORSTER 48 2017.
Could you give me some advises, or things to pay attention to before the purchasing?
I'm about to get my first Harley (will take a couple of months), and I'm aiming to SPORSTER 48 2017.
Could you give me some advises, or things to pay attention to before the purchasing?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
Likes: 4,946
From: England
This should be most of it:
The Sportster owner's manual is available for download but I can't get the site to display at present here
https://www.harley-davidson.com/shop...-owners-manual
The Sportster owner's manual is available for download but I can't get the site to display at present here
https://www.harley-davidson.com/shop...-owners-manual
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Jun 17, 2020 at 05:37 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 1,202
From: river
I havent changed brake fluid on any motorcycle Ive owned, ever. Are my brakes going to stop working?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 26
Likes: 11
From: North Carolina
Unless there's a major component that failed on your brake system, I believe you should be fine. Changing out the brake fluid is just a good preventive maintenance procedure to make sure that your brakes are at its optimum condition. The brake fluid will brake down after a certain amount of time so it is good to flush them out and put new fluid in. Remember, if your brake fails, well... I'm sure you know what happens next.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Read your owners manual, where you will find you should change brake fluid every two years. It's been that way all my life. By 'change', flush new fluid through every caliper until clean fluid comes out. Retire for well-earned favourite beverage!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
Likes: 4,946
From: England
So the answer is maybe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,055
Likes: 1,819
From: Kalifornia
If this is not your first bike, but just your first Harley, you will notice a big difference in the transmission. This is normal. First off don't be shy shifting from neutral to first. It will engage with a loud clunk. This is normal. Also don't try to ease it into gear. It will just grind. No need to stomp on it but reach out with the left foot and push it like you mean it. It takes one or two times and you will get the feel for it.
I rode a neighbors KLR650 a couple months after I got my sportster, and was never sure when it was in gear, there was that much difference. Also the sportster shifter, and all other Harleys, seem to travel farther than many bikes I have owned.
You better be used to using the front brake, because the rear brake on my sportster was all but useless. Just do not use the front brake when doing slow speed turns. That usually causes owies.
Look for leaks, should be zero on a '17,(My '07 had zero) and make sure clutch engages and disengages normally. Look for aftermarket add ons that were done poorly. If from a dealer, try to find out if it has aftermarket tuning or factory, if private party, the same. If PP, see if they have the tuner and if it goes with the bike. I did not sell mine with the bike, but it will be used on my Ultra.
I rode a neighbors KLR650 a couple months after I got my sportster, and was never sure when it was in gear, there was that much difference. Also the sportster shifter, and all other Harleys, seem to travel farther than many bikes I have owned.
You better be used to using the front brake, because the rear brake on my sportster was all but useless. Just do not use the front brake when doing slow speed turns. That usually causes owies.
Look for leaks, should be zero on a '17,(My '07 had zero) and make sure clutch engages and disengages normally. Look for aftermarket add ons that were done poorly. If from a dealer, try to find out if it has aftermarket tuning or factory, if private party, the same. If PP, see if they have the tuner and if it goes with the bike. I did not sell mine with the bike, but it will be used on my Ultra.