2003 vs. Rubber Mount
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 43
From: Boise Idaho
I have riden both and there is definatly not a tremendous differance in the too. I would buy which ever you liked the best. At normal highway speeds and around town you would be hard pressed to tell the differance.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Iowa
i had a 91 sportster xlh883 deluxe that had been converted to 1200, and then last year i sold it and bought a 07 1200c.. the 91 was completely reconditioned right before i bought it.. stage 1 p&p, hypercharger, mikuni 42mm carb, the whole nine yards.. i loved that bike.. bobtail fender, chrome EVERYTHING.. but i started having trouble with the mikuni carb, kept idling rich and fowling plugs.. so one day while at the dealer for service, i was looking at the new bikes.. my good friend had just bought a 07 1200r with EFI, so when i saw the 07's i wanted one.. i havent regretted it for a minute.. i didnt think the 91 rode bad, but maybe the 07 is little smoother.. but the efi is excellent, no choke to screw with, no jets, or floats to mess with.. stock it ran perfect, i added a fuel pak when i installed the exhaust and a/c.. still no problems.. carbs can be a pain in the ****... and when they give you trouble, it makes efi awfully attractive.. that is the only reason i traded.. although, i hear the stock CV carbs are not bad. and i dig the 2003s allot though.. it is the 100th anniversary.. definitely a bigger milestone the 105th in my opinion.
so in my opinion, if you arent wanting to pay for 07 or newer to get the EFI, i think you would be plenty happy with ANY evo sporty up to 2006.. the 04-06 are rubbermounted but a little heavier, so your wife might actually appreciate the 86-03's lighter wieght. and i TRULY dont think they vibrate that much more.. and i have ridden thousands of miles on both..
here is a pic of the 91 - i still love that bike..
so in my opinion, if you arent wanting to pay for 07 or newer to get the EFI, i think you would be plenty happy with ANY evo sporty up to 2006.. the 04-06 are rubbermounted but a little heavier, so your wife might actually appreciate the 86-03's lighter wieght. and i TRULY dont think they vibrate that much more.. and i have ridden thousands of miles on both..
here is a pic of the 91 - i still love that bike..
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
I had both a 2000 1200 and now a 06 1200. Myself I like the rubber better. I can tell you at low speeds there isn't much deference, but at higher speeds, the rubber is smoother. Now as for your wife, the 03 may work well because it's lighter then the 04 and up. If it's a good deal go for it, 03 was a good year with the 100th anniversary. If it has stock carbs that should be no problem. Easy to work on if you have a problem, with EFI, it's back to a dealer and get your $ out...Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: S.C.
I have an 02 sporty and a couple of other HD's that are rubber mounted (not sporty's) and I think the solid mounted sporty does transfer a bit more vibrations through the frame. You'll feel it in your hand after 30 or 40 miles and also through your feet. One thing to consider is that aftermarket and HD accessories (not OEM parts but accessories) for the solid mount bikes, while available, have less of a selection than the newer rubber mounts. If the 03 is set up how you like it you'll be OK - if you want to change much you'll be able to but as I noted, selection will be limited.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: The beautiful NW GA mountains.
I had an 03 1200C and now and 08 1200C. The difference is huge to me. The 03 was bone jarring at 70 plus. The vibration was really bad, had a mirror stem break from the vibration after only 500 miles. Needless to say you couldn't make out anything when looking in the mirrors. The 08 has just enough vibration to let you know you are on a sporty. In fact if I rode with a windshield I don't think I would even notice the bike vibration. It is quite comfortable. I too had the hands go numb on the 03, but not on the 08. If she is just going to do short trips she might be ok with it. But if she ever rides an 04 or newer you will have to buy her one. Good luck
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks All
I've made a decision. Thanks everybody for the excellent advice and your experience. Nothing is as helpful as experience.
We're going to hold off on the 03 and wait till the right rubber mounted sporty comes our way.
Thanks again, Ya-all Rock!!!
~skid
We're going to hold off on the 03 and wait till the right rubber mounted sporty comes our way.
Thanks again, Ya-all Rock!!!
~skid
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Onalaska, WI
I had a 2000 883 custom and now have a 2008 1200 custom.
Definitely go with the '04 or newer - the rubber mounted engine is much better.
You can actually use the entire power-band of each gear as opposed to short-shifting due to the vibration.
If you intend to do a lot of cruising 60mph and faster - definitely get a rubber mounted sporty.
If you're going to just cruise around town I would get the '03 if the deal was super.
The '08 EFI models are definitely nice if you want to start your sporty up and go.
With my 2000 sportster I would have to wait till the engine was warmed up before you could ride her at highway speed. 3-6 minutes depending on how cold it was outside.
Definitely go with the '04 or newer - the rubber mounted engine is much better.
You can actually use the entire power-band of each gear as opposed to short-shifting due to the vibration.
If you intend to do a lot of cruising 60mph and faster - definitely get a rubber mounted sporty.
If you're going to just cruise around town I would get the '03 if the deal was super.
The '08 EFI models are definitely nice if you want to start your sporty up and go.
With my 2000 sportster I would have to wait till the engine was warmed up before you could ride her at highway speed. 3-6 minutes depending on how cold it was outside.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
From: Near Richmond VA.
Actually, I just went through this and the wife chose. Since her riding is going to be mostly around town/country roads under 55 and the bike was noticeably lighter to her, she chose the 03 we were looking at. Plus she really liked the silver/black anniversary color scheme.
I have ridden it a few times, and I am here to tell you that over 60mph, it has a lot of vibes in the bars and pegs. Under that, it is just fine. I plan on changing out the grips to something a little more isolating and going back to stock pegs soon.
Oh yea, something else to consider is the clutch! My wife complained about the clutch being to stiff and how it wasn't fair my big bike's clutch was easier to use. I have oiled the cable generously and adjusted it so it is easier for HER. But an easy clutch kit is in the works I am sure. The newer ones I think have that after 06?
I have ridden it a few times, and I am here to tell you that over 60mph, it has a lot of vibes in the bars and pegs. Under that, it is just fine. I plan on changing out the grips to something a little more isolating and going back to stock pegs soon.
Oh yea, something else to consider is the clutch! My wife complained about the clutch being to stiff and how it wasn't fair my big bike's clutch was easier to use. I have oiled the cable generously and adjusted it so it is easier for HER. But an easy clutch kit is in the works I am sure. The newer ones I think have that after 06?
Last edited by JollyRogers; Aug 11, 2008 at 08:51 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: Southern Indiana
Very interesting
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