Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Daily Commuter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 12:01 PM
  #11  
jlh2607's Avatar
jlh2607
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

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!
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 12:24 PM
  #12  
champ198's Avatar
champ198
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 62
Default

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
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 01:47 PM
  #13  
Osco's Avatar
Osco
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 02:41 PM
  #14  
inswva's Avatar
inswva
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 02:46 PM
  #15  
veritas.archangel's Avatar
veritas.archangel
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 28
From: Allyn, WA
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 03:05 PM
  #16  
Wildon883R's Avatar
Wildon883R
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Default I wouldn't sell my Jeep

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 03:15 PM
  #17  
883Persian's Avatar
883Persian
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Where the Camels live best!
Default

i ride mine everyday ..
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 03:39 PM
  #18  
chrisangie's Avatar
chrisangie
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern KY.
Default

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,
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 08:09 PM
  #19  
MuttonChops's Avatar
MuttonChops
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Default

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.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2010 | 09:32 PM
  #20  
Guest
Guest
Posts: n/a
Default

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.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
harleyglen
Sportster Models
48
Sep 15, 2013 09:02 AM
tjbintz
General Harley Davidson Chat
30
May 15, 2008 04:50 PM
Bluesrider
Dyna Glide Models
157
Oct 19, 2007 10:35 AM
Bobber Jay
Dyna Glide Models
115
Mar 30, 2007 12:57 AM
bobzharley41
Sportster Models
12
Feb 24, 2006 11:20 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 AM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-6
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE