My first bike was an XL883 which was my everyday ride until I got a super glide, then a crossbones, while the XL just collected dust in the corner. The old sporty needs some maintenance this winter then I plan on making it my daily commuter and letting the softail take a break. The 883 will get a little better MPG and I miss riding it!

 

im married with 2 kids and just got my Sporty last week but i have rode it to work quite a bit this week since i got all the lincence and insurance done on it. hopeing to ride it to work more as long as the weather holds out on me.
its gonna get some major makeovers this winter with new paint and some other add on goodies but for now im gonna ride it as much as i can. there are times i have to take the cage like when i have errands to run in town and taking the kids around to stuff but if i can do it on 2 wheels im going to im lovin this thing

 

Do what I did once,,,
Sold the fancy car,,
Got a Bike,,,
then got me a Big P.O.S. gas hog old beater of a car,,,
Hey It was paid for, was handy in bad weather,,,
Was a rust free dent free 69 Impala,,,
Heater worked,,,radio did not,,no air,,paint sucked,,
I miss that car.

 

I primarily commute on the bike; 50 miles each way. Even though I hate the aesthetics of saddle bags, I put some on the bike so I could quit rocking a backpack. I *hate* wearing a backpack while I'm on the bike. Now I can conveniently transport my laptop, lunch, and rain suit every day. I think the Sporty is a perfect commuter bike.

 

It all depends on what your needs are. Sure you can use the bike as a commuter. But what about those other times? Will you ever need/want to transport more than one other person. Will you ever need to carry something of real size (like a big screen tv, computer, lumber, etc)? Think about how many times you use the car for those kind of things. Are you willing to give that up? Maybe keep the car, but use the bike for commuting. Or, if you're still paying on the car, sell it and buy a cheaper used car to have around.

 

I wouldn't sell my cage to buy a Sportster or any bike for that matter. I live in Northern Ohio where most winters 4-wheel drive is a must have. I ride my bike daily once day time temperatures are 60F or higher and morning rides don't drop below 45F. I ride my bike from late April to about right now. It's been in the mid to lower 30s when i go to work as of late. Have to leave for work at 3:30 am so its pretty cold.

I refuse to store it in the winter as i will ride on weekends when day time temps are 40-50F plus. I just need to gear up for it. I'll put a 100 or 200 miles on it this weekend rain permitting. Even if i live where you didn't have winter weather i would still own both. What can i say i like to ride and 4 x 4.

 

i ride mine everyday ..

 

i ride mine every day i can handle the cold unless its in the 20s i can handle it,and when i can sneek the wifes sporty out i take it haha,

 

I decided to actually keep the cage and save up for the bike over the next 12-18months. I suppose if I want it enough then waiting for it shouldn't be a drama.

I'm curious how cold 20's are in the states? Since you fellas mentioned it, I occasionally have to drive/ ride in 10*C and lower, I don't know how that converts into fahrenheit .

But anyway, thank you all for the input here. Definitely helped me make my decision on the matter.

 

20 F is -7 C, which is doable, but getting a little... um... brisk; 10 C is 50 F, which is plenty warm enough for me to ride happily.