reliability/comfort
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
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From:
reliability/comfort
Hey everybody,
 \\;
I've been waiting to get a HD for several years (like lots of people). \\; I'm hopefully just a few months away (would be right now, but the better half wants more $ saved). \\; I have sat on the bikes I am/was interested in, and felt like I wanted a Dyna (low rider of Bob). \\; The only reason I have not considered a sportster is because so many people say the "moved up" after a few months and I know that I won't be able to trade/sell and get another one for probably several years if I want to keep a happy marriage. \\; I'll be doing a mixture of highway/city/country. \\; If I'm being honest with myself, I probably won't do any touring, but might ride a few hundred miles at a time here and there. \\; How comfortable are the sportsters? \\; I'm 5'7 with 30" inseam and weigh 150#'s. \\; I know comfort is pretty subjective, but the price is soooo good on a new or barely used sportster right now. \\; Also, how reliable have they been. \\; I'm not an experienced wrench. \\; I'll be riding solo, because the wife wants nothing to do with it. \\; Thanks for any advice.
 \\;
Goose
 \\;
I've been waiting to get a HD for several years (like lots of people). \\; I'm hopefully just a few months away (would be right now, but the better half wants more $ saved). \\; I have sat on the bikes I am/was interested in, and felt like I wanted a Dyna (low rider of Bob). \\; The only reason I have not considered a sportster is because so many people say the "moved up" after a few months and I know that I won't be able to trade/sell and get another one for probably several years if I want to keep a happy marriage. \\; I'll be doing a mixture of highway/city/country. \\; If I'm being honest with myself, I probably won't do any touring, but might ride a few hundred miles at a time here and there. \\; How comfortable are the sportsters? \\; I'm 5'7 with 30" inseam and weigh 150#'s. \\; I know comfort is pretty subjective, but the price is soooo good on a new or barely used sportster right now. \\; Also, how reliable have they been. \\; I'm not an experienced wrench. \\; I'll be riding solo, because the wife wants nothing to do with it. \\; Thanks for any advice.
 \\;
Goose
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, Va
RE: reliability/comfort
I love my Sporty. \\; I am 6'1", 180# with a 34" inseam. \\; With the forward controls and highway pegs, I have no comfort issues, and it performs well in both the city and on the highway. \\; The only problem I have had with mine is the speedometer went dead, but it was replaced under warranty. \\; If properly maintained, the Sportster will last 100K+ miles, as evidenced by at least one or two of the forum members. \\; My advice though, is to see if you can test drive both a Dyna and a Sportster to see which you like the best and which is more comfortable for you. \\; You will be the one riding it, and only you can tell which is best for you \\; (damn that's a whole lot of yous). \\; Also, if the Dyna is the bike you want in the first place and is the one you like the best...why not get it. \\; That way you won't have any regrets if you get something else and it isn't what you really wanted.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Fort Bragg, NC Area
RE: reliability/comfort
I'm 5'5" with 30" inseam and weigh 170ish. The 1200C I own is almost a perfect fit with the forward controls. More than enough power. The two-up stock seat can be a bit rough on the rear for longer rides, but I think thats pretty much the common factor with all the stock seats from what I read in the forums.
Best bet is to sit on the 1200R, 1200C and 1200L and see how it fits, then take it on a test ride. You might be surprised.
I get the occasional 96ci envy at times, but for the 3 grand I was going to have to pay, Im content for a bit with what I got. Perhaps in a year or so I may look at the Dyna. At the rate the gas is going there will be a buyer if I decide to sell I am sure. For now I am happy.
Best bet is to sit on the 1200R, 1200C and 1200L and see how it fits, then take it on a test ride. You might be surprised.
I get the occasional 96ci envy at times, but for the 3 grand I was going to have to pay, Im content for a bit with what I got. Perhaps in a year or so I may look at the Dyna. At the rate the gas is going there will be a buyer if I decide to sell I am sure. For now I am happy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 4
From: fegfsg
RE: reliability/comfort
comfort is VERY subjective, you need to sit on a few with a couple different modifications. try out different styles of handlebars and seats and forward or mid controls.
reliability is fine for a lot of model year sporties, but i would not buy a used bike in your position without service history or any kind of warranty.
go for broke and get a brand new one with a warranty or something that will take care of anything that happens in the first couple thousand miles.
the only people who "MOVE UP" from a sportster are the ones who never wanted one in the first place.
the sportster was never designed to be the laid back cruiser they are marketing it as. it is a pretty decent performer, not like the other harleys, which are strictly cruiser. so know what you want before you buy or you wont be satisfied.
and if you know you want a sporty short term, dont sink money into it, beucase its not an investment. you probably wont lose as much as if you were selling a jap bike but it wont MAKE you money on the trade unless its over 50 years old and in showroom condition.
reliability is fine for a lot of model year sporties, but i would not buy a used bike in your position without service history or any kind of warranty.
go for broke and get a brand new one with a warranty or something that will take care of anything that happens in the first couple thousand miles.
the only people who "MOVE UP" from a sportster are the ones who never wanted one in the first place.
the sportster was never designed to be the laid back cruiser they are marketing it as. it is a pretty decent performer, not like the other harleys, which are strictly cruiser. so know what you want before you buy or you wont be satisfied.
and if you know you want a sporty short term, dont sink money into it, beucase its not an investment. you probably wont lose as much as if you were selling a jap bike but it wont MAKE you money on the trade unless its over 50 years old and in showroom condition.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 952
Likes: 7
From: Waterford, MI.
RE: reliability/comfort
Sportster is a great bike and all that most people need. \\; The question is what do you WANT? \\; If you have your heart set on a Dyna you will always think of the Sportster as \\;the bike you settled on. \\; I personally like riding the Sporty. \\; It is fun and tossable but I prefer my Deluxe because it was the bike that I really wanted in the first place.
 \\;
Mark
 \\;
Mark
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 886
Likes: 89
RE: reliability/comfort
I'm 6' 3", 250+ lbs - my 1200C fits me fine with forward controls and Sundowner seat. I ride highways/city and town roads with no problem.
I admit I bought the Sportster since it was in my budget, but I plan on keeping her for the long haul.
I admit I bought the Sportster since it was in my budget, but I plan on keeping her for the long haul.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From:
RE: reliability/comfort
ORIGINAL: gooseafcrna
Hey everybody,
 \\;\\\\\\;
I've been waiting to get a HD for several years (like lots of people). \\;\\\\\\; I'm hopefully just a few months away (would be right now, but the better half wants more $ saved). \\;\\\\\\; I have sat on the bikes I am/was interested in, and felt like I wanted a Dyna (low rider of Bob). \\;\\\\\\; The only reason I have not considered a sportster is because so many people say the "moved up" after a few months and I know that I won't be able to trade/sell and get another one for probably several years if I want to keep a happy marriage. \\;\\\\\\; I'll be doing a mixture of highway/city/country. \\;\\\\\\; If I'm being honest with myself, I probably won't do any touring, but might ride a few hundred miles at a time here and there. \\;\\\\\\; How comfortable are the sportsters? \\;\\\\\\; I'm 5'7 with 30" inseam and weigh 150#'s. \\;\\\\\\; I know comfort is pretty subjective, but the price is soooo good on a new or barely used sportster right now. \\;\\\\\\; Also, how reliable have they been. \\;\\\\\\; I'm not an experienced wrench. \\;\\\\\\; I'll be riding solo, because the wife wants nothing to do with it. \\;\\\\\\; Thanks for any advice.
 \\;\\\\\\;
Goose
Hey everybody,
 \\;\\\\\\;
I've been waiting to get a HD for several years (like lots of people). \\;\\\\\\; I'm hopefully just a few months away (would be right now, but the better half wants more $ saved). \\;\\\\\\; I have sat on the bikes I am/was interested in, and felt like I wanted a Dyna (low rider of Bob). \\;\\\\\\; The only reason I have not considered a sportster is because so many people say the "moved up" after a few months and I know that I won't be able to trade/sell and get another one for probably several years if I want to keep a happy marriage. \\;\\\\\\; I'll be doing a mixture of highway/city/country. \\;\\\\\\; If I'm being honest with myself, I probably won't do any touring, but might ride a few hundred miles at a time here and there. \\;\\\\\\; How comfortable are the sportsters? \\;\\\\\\; I'm 5'7 with 30" inseam and weigh 150#'s. \\;\\\\\\; I know comfort is pretty subjective, but the price is soooo good on a new or barely used sportster right now. \\;\\\\\\; Also, how reliable have they been. \\;\\\\\\; I'm not an experienced wrench. \\;\\\\\\; I'll be riding solo, because the wife wants nothing to do with it. \\;\\\\\\; Thanks for any advice.
 \\;\\\\\\;
Goose
You and I are \\;pretty close in size. \\; I wanted a bigger bike but after sitting on \\;a few I had to accept the fact that on some I couldn't reach the ground easily, not unless I wanted to lower the bike and get a whole new, more narrow seat which I am sure the dealership would nickel and dime me to death on that. \\; Shorter shocks and new seat could easily get to $600-$1000 depending on the seat.
 \\;
Just out of boredom I sat on a Sporty which from a distanced always looked tiny. \\; Up close it was larger than I thought and fit me like glove. \\; I love it.... Its fast and looks great. \\; I have mine lowered and fairly rigid but can easily soften it up if needed for a long ride. \\; Windshield &\\; saddle bag package....
 \\;
As far as reliability, no problems so far.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: reliability/comfort
I currently own 6 Harley's, \\;including a hardtail Panhead chopper, Shovelhead kicker, Dyna WideGlide, RoadKing, Softail FatBoy, and modified 1200C Sportster. \\;
 \\;
Everyone them them has strong point and weak points. \\;
 \\;
Only you can decide what is best for your needs, so I would recommend visiting your local dealer, sitting on various models, and then making a decision.
 \\;
Just do your homework and decide what you really want before you purchase any specific model. \\; That will save you money in the long run, as you won't feel the need to trade (usually at a loss) for a differnt model.
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
Everyone them them has strong point and weak points. \\;
 \\;
Only you can decide what is best for your needs, so I would recommend visiting your local dealer, sitting on various models, and then making a decision.
 \\;
Just do your homework and decide what you really want before you purchase any specific model. \\; That will save you money in the long run, as you won't feel the need to trade (usually at a loss) for a differnt model.
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 22
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: reliability/comfort
Here is a link to the service history of a 2002 sportster with over 100,000 miles on it. \\; I'll be doing the 110k service later today. \\;
 \\;
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2535127/tm.htm
 \\;
If you really want the bigger bike get it. \\; Don't settle on a sporty. \\; Sportsters are great if you can't afford a bigger bike &\\; want the American bike stealership support.
 \\;
 \\;
https://www.hdforums.com/m_2535127/tm.htm
 \\;
If you really want the bigger bike get it. \\; Don't settle on a sporty. \\; Sportsters are great if you can't afford a bigger bike &\\; want the American bike stealership support.
 \\;
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
RE: reliability/comfort
I don't think Harleys are any more reliable than Japanese or European bikes but they are made hear and its the looks of the Harley that sold me. \\; It really doesn't really matter which country you get your bike from just have fun riding it. \\; I always rode triumphs in my younger years and I wouldn't hesitate to get another one.