Which Sportster
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 287
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From:
Which Sportster
Hi guys, I'm new and learning about the models and was wondering if you could tell me why Harley salesmen say to stay away from the Sportster. I rode one and loved it. I presently ride an 03 BMW K1200GT which is fast and heavy but that Sportster was way fun. I like 883R and the 1200C, is there a huge difference in the ride on these?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 250
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From: Glendale, CA
RE: Which Sportster
Maybe it's because they want to sell you the more epxensive bike. I've had mine for about 6 months now and already have over 5K miles on it. I absolutely love it. I've never ridden an 883 so I can't coment on it, but the 1200C is an absolute dream to ride - even 2UP (with a few slight modifications such as a new seat and tire pressure and shock setting changes). You are going to be the one riding it, so it's your call.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 694
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From:
RE: Which Sportster
Yeah, the salesmen will always try to up-sell you. I went in looking at Sportsters and they tried to sell me a Dyna.
since you have riding experience I would recomend the 1200, you will want the extra power.
since you have riding experience I would recomend the 1200, you will want the extra power.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS!!!!
RE: Which Sportster
It's probably just the salesman wanting a bigger commission, but a lot of people seem to trade up the Sporty for a bigger bike so that might be his motivation. Anyway, I love my 1200C and wouldn't have done it differently.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
RE: Which Sportster
Weird. When I went in to get mine I said I was a beginning rider and the guy started off by showing me the 883 Sportster. He did pitch the Custom, so he went with the top end 883, but he still started off low. After research I decided to go with the 1200 and when I told him I wanted to go with that he said they don't want to do the hard sell on the more expensive bikes and let people arrive at that decision on their own.
Actually, they did have VRod's on sale and he pointed that out also, so there was some small attempt at an upsell.
Actually, they did have VRod's on sale and he pointed that out also, so there was some small attempt at an upsell.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Turkey
RE: Which Sportster
My opinion 883 is perfect for solo , ı thınk the R model has mid. controls and the C model has forward controls so ı thınk the Custom must be more comfy . If you are goıng to rıde 2 up then you better get the 1200 , ı have the 883 and generally ım rıdıng 2 up but soon ı wıll convert to 1200 , ıts nıce to know that you have some extra power to use when you really need ıt . Good luck.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Which Sportster
Interesting. I had an 02 R 1150 RT and decided a Sportster would be a neat companion bike. I bought a used 05 1200 C and fell in love with it. After a short while I realized I would probably not use the Beemer again so I sold it on eBay and have never regreted it. The Sportster is a great bike.
I would buy the 1200 over the 883. Not that the 883 is bad but I have never read in these forums a 1200 owner wishing he had bought an 883. I have read a number of 883 owners wishing they had bought the 1200. From a practical point of view, I think you would recover the difference at the time you sold it.
Further, I would suggest you shop for used. I found my one year old 1200 C with 1300 miles and in perfect condition on eBay. I had to fly to Tennessee to get it but that was just another adventure as far as I was concerned. I figure the original owner lost appx $4,000.00 considering the accessories, etc. The bike was and still is perfect as new.
I would buy the 1200 over the 883. Not that the 883 is bad but I have never read in these forums a 1200 owner wishing he had bought an 883. I have read a number of 883 owners wishing they had bought the 1200. From a practical point of view, I think you would recover the difference at the time you sold it.
Further, I would suggest you shop for used. I found my one year old 1200 C with 1300 miles and in perfect condition on eBay. I had to fly to Tennessee to get it but that was just another adventure as far as I was concerned. I figure the original owner lost appx $4,000.00 considering the accessories, etc. The bike was and still is perfect as new.
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Douglasville, GA
RE: Which Sportster
The Harley dealers are independently owned, and you will find differences in one compared to another. One difference is the way they pay their sales people. Some pay based on the price of the bike that is sold and others pay on the number of bikes sold, regardless of the price. If you find one of the later dealers, you are more than likely not going to get the hard upsale pitch.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
RE: Which Sportster
As you'll see by reading these various posts, Sportsters are AWESOME- whether you're just starting out or already have experience riding. Perhaps this sales guy's margins were better on a particular Dyna or something - who knows.
I have heard people rip on the high center of gravity with the Sporty, but is the Dyna that much better? I guess it all depends which bike.
Still, I've read a lot of posts where people pick the Sporty over a Dyna. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the price difference, but I've seen some die hard sporty fans out there.
Your call, but in my opinion the Sportster wouldn't still be selling like it has been for so long. Like Harley's in general, there's a lot of cool history to the Sporty. You can trick it out to be any bike you want it to be.
There's obviously something about the Sporty that keeps people riding & buying it for years and years and years.
Get the 1200 over the 883.
I have heard people rip on the high center of gravity with the Sporty, but is the Dyna that much better? I guess it all depends which bike.
Still, I've read a lot of posts where people pick the Sporty over a Dyna. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the price difference, but I've seen some die hard sporty fans out there.
Your call, but in my opinion the Sportster wouldn't still be selling like it has been for so long. Like Harley's in general, there's a lot of cool history to the Sporty. You can trick it out to be any bike you want it to be.
There's obviously something about the Sporty that keeps people riding & buying it for years and years and years.
Get the 1200 over the 883.