2002 vs 2007 Model
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
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2002 vs 2007 Model
Hey all, Is there a big difference between these models? I'm buying my first HD and these are the two I'm looking at. Aside from price and mileage is there a difference b/w the two? Thanks!
2007 Sportster Classic 1200XLC or 2002 Sportster 1200 XL Custom
2007 Sportster Classic 1200XLC or 2002 Sportster 1200 XL Custom
Last edited by chanman17; Jul 14, 2010 at 01:43 PM. Reason: spelling
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Nashville, TN
Lots of difference. In 2004 they added the rubber mount engine, and many other changes in the Sporty. The larger frame is one example of the other things changed in 2004. In 2007 they went to Fuel Injection instead of carb. Between 2007 and 2002, they really aren't the same bike at all.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
You might want to ride both.
Depending on what you are looking for in a bike, one might be much better then the other.
The 2007 will have the rubber mounted motor, which is nice for vibration reduction, but I think is heavier then the older bikes, might have a lower seat height, and then there is the fuel injection thing.
Fuel injection works really well (at least on my bike), but its expensive to change the mixture, and its a lot more complicated then a carb is, all sorts of sensors and so on.
Vibration bothers some people much more then others.
I have had Triumphs and older Harleys for a long time, and vibration does not bother me at all, but it can break things on the bike over time.
On my old Daytona, I had to braze the air filters 4 times, lost a licence plate after it cracked, cracked the rear gas tank mount, cracked the coil mounts 3 times till I rubber mounted them, and I used to blow headlight bulbs every 6000 miles till I rubber mounted that also.
Locktite and self locking nuts will be your friends.
I like older bikes, but old Harleys and other big twins really break things over time.
Brett
Depending on what you are looking for in a bike, one might be much better then the other.
The 2007 will have the rubber mounted motor, which is nice for vibration reduction, but I think is heavier then the older bikes, might have a lower seat height, and then there is the fuel injection thing.
Fuel injection works really well (at least on my bike), but its expensive to change the mixture, and its a lot more complicated then a carb is, all sorts of sensors and so on.
Vibration bothers some people much more then others.
I have had Triumphs and older Harleys for a long time, and vibration does not bother me at all, but it can break things on the bike over time.
On my old Daytona, I had to braze the air filters 4 times, lost a licence plate after it cracked, cracked the rear gas tank mount, cracked the coil mounts 3 times till I rubber mounted them, and I used to blow headlight bulbs every 6000 miles till I rubber mounted that also.
Locktite and self locking nuts will be your friends.
I like older bikes, but old Harleys and other big twins really break things over time.
Brett
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
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OK, thanks guys. With a the 2002 with 11,600 miles, how much more life can I expect to get out of it?
My general impression is that fuel injected is more reliable than carburetion which concerns me on the 2002. Is that true?
Vibration is no big bother to me. I'm coming from a 1978 Kawasak (carburetor is a pain!)
My general impression is that fuel injected is more reliable than carburetion which concerns me on the 2002. Is that true?
Vibration is no big bother to me. I'm coming from a 1978 Kawasak (carburetor is a pain!)
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,312
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From: Allyn, WA
It may be more expensive in the outset, but it's not complicated at all. Most FI changes just require the ability to use a computer to load a map. Heck, with the RideMaxx system, there's a switch that goes on the handlebar that allows the rider to change from "performance" to "economy" on the fly. Can't do that with a carb bike.
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2nd Gear
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The 2002 is a good mix of classic and modern. I think I'll go with that. Cheaper and easier to work on the carb than EFI too. It has the Screaming Eagle II exhaust and carb kit. Not sure what that does for me but it sounds cool 
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
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Take care of any Harley and it will run forever, unlike cars which rust out or have expensive things fail.
You should get 50,000 miles out of the motor I would think before something major is needed, and motorcycles are easy to work on/rebuild.
I could tear my Triumph down to the crankshaft and rebuild it in 2 days because I had the parts on hand.
Carbs are fool proof and reliable if kept clean (don't leave gas in them).
Fuel injection is nice, start and go, no choke, it corrects for some things automaticly, its very clean and efficient.
I am not sure how cheap it is to tune a bike after mods though, with a carb, a few jets at a few bux each and you are good to go.
Make sure you check the vibration level, Harleys can be brutal, not like anything Japanese or even old English, although some big singles might be as bad.
I had an 883 in 1986, and it was great, but the vibration broke battery cables in a short time.
Brett
You should get 50,000 miles out of the motor I would think before something major is needed, and motorcycles are easy to work on/rebuild.
I could tear my Triumph down to the crankshaft and rebuild it in 2 days because I had the parts on hand.
Carbs are fool proof and reliable if kept clean (don't leave gas in them).
Fuel injection is nice, start and go, no choke, it corrects for some things automaticly, its very clean and efficient.
I am not sure how cheap it is to tune a bike after mods though, with a carb, a few jets at a few bux each and you are good to go.
Make sure you check the vibration level, Harleys can be brutal, not like anything Japanese or even old English, although some big singles might be as bad.
I had an 883 in 1986, and it was great, but the vibration broke battery cables in a short time.
Brett
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,312
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From: Allyn, WA
...unlike cars which rust out or have expensive things fail. You should get 50,000 miles out of the motor I would think before something major is needed, and motorcycles are easy to work on/rebuild.
I am not sure how cheap it is to tune a bike after mods though, with a carb, a few jets at a few bux each and you are good to go.
I am not sure how cheap it is to tune a bike after mods though, with a carb, a few jets at a few bux each and you are good to go.
As far as tuning a FI after you have the module, it's a simple download. Like I said, initially it may be more expensive, but the tuning possibilities are greater and easier.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Central Florida
Get the Dog Bone Sporty !!
Most people who ride round on a solid mount that love em don't
spend any time at or above 4,000 RPM's.
My 08 R turns 3,500 RPM at 75 MPH and at 4,000 vibe's just start commin
through the bars. Because of the rubber mounts It's no problemo all the way up the tach.
Makes for some nice pullin power when ya can swing the tach all the way
without loosin your fillings and havin stuff fall off the bike.
If yer all inta spending big bucks to hop up an already fast 1200 just for braggin rights and drag racin,,,the older one Is wayyy easier to retune.
If yer Inta fast smooth ridin and don't wanna wrench Go for the "Dog Bone" sporty.
I'm on a box stock EFI 1200R an I ain't seen a single stage 1 that can catch me,,,prolly due to poor tuning or the fact I got a tach and can reach for the redline with no worries.
I rode a Stage one,,,dealer said It had the sert and SE II's n SE air kit. Power was not smooth and In the wrong place.
Rode a buddies,,V&H and SE air kit and fuel pack nice pullin power in the subdivision,,couldn't get nuts in there.
Out On the road It sounded louder, was cool. He got on it,,I didn't have to do much to keep up, we just did a few gears,,
If yer gonna get into tuning,,listen to these guys,,they know what works. DON'T just go buy parts an bolt em on
Last edited by Osco; Jul 14, 2010 at 08:21 PM.