Solid Mounted Sportys
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
Solid Mounted Sportys
Is there anybody out there that just doesn't know why Harley went to rubber mounts and added 75 lbs. to a great machine? I always hear complaints about "vibration" and they just don't get annoying until around 80 mph. For 04 and newer they removed the trap door for the transmission, added a lot of weight and don't make a "standard" type sporty with dual discs or adjustable shocks. You have to buy the XR, which I don't really see as a Sportster. I have a '96 1200 S and did a few upgrades like fork brace, flyscreen, deuce lights, and Supertrapp 2:1 exhaust with Arlen Ness Big Sucker air filter. Damn, I wouldn't trade it even for any of the new ones. I had 50,000 fault free miles on my '95 XL 1200 before I sold it for $4,000 and bought a '96 1200 S with 3,700 miles for $4,500. Sorry if anyone is offended as I'm sure you have your own personal reasons for an '04 or newer.
What's your opinion?
What's your opinion?
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
2008 1200 Roadster,,
Only one I wanted,,
I ride It when I can,,
I see no need to hop It up,,
Plenty fast,,,
Solid mounts,,,
Loved by many,,,
I'll keep My EFI rubber mount...
comming from bigger bikes,,my "Dog Bone" sporty
seems light to me,,
I didn't like the solid mounts vibration,,
To each His own,,
Only one I wanted,,
I ride It when I can,,
I see no need to hop It up,,
Plenty fast,,,
Solid mounts,,,
Loved by many,,,
I'll keep My EFI rubber mount...
comming from bigger bikes,,my "Dog Bone" sporty
seems light to me,,
I didn't like the solid mounts vibration,,
To each His own,,
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
bought my 03 sporty 1200 from my uncle last April and prefer riding it over my nephews 061200S. Its probably because of all the mods i've done to it and have grown attached to the bike. My nephews 06 is def smoother on the freeway but really like my 03.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,100
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From: Marietta, Ohio
Ive ridden several of the newer rubber mount sportys and I am always surprised by how much they actually do vibrate. They don't rubber mount the handlebars anymore, so I was noticing quite a bit. To each his own though, I just don't like the new frame, it's smaller, and really cramped for me being 6'4''
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
IMO the 04 and up looks better and has the 150 rear tire-that helps is the looks dept LOL! My Step dad has a 2002 883 and it's fun to ride, but the over all set up is not near as good as my EFI rubber mounts. I will not even oen a bike that is not EFI so I'm you will not agree with this post LOL!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
I feel exactly the way you do. Sportster are almost smaller superglids. They've lost their identity. Now they weigh around 570 lbs.! I'll never, ever get an '04 or newer model. I love my '96 Sporster S. The soul of a sportster WAS how it felt and handled. WTF were they thinking? Just compromising a bike that's been around since 1957! Look at the '57 model and a new model. Their seems to be absolutely NO relationship. Harley now offers NOTHING I would buy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
I agree on the weight and some of the technical considerations, but for me, the Iron 883 is the first bike that the MoCo has made in a long time that truly stirs my soul and appeals to me aesthetically. (No offense, but I'm really not a fan of chrome).
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
I agree with you guys 100%, but as a business Harley cares more about "sales" than "soul". It's apparent that the rubber mount Sportsters are the result "focus group" research on what the market wants. Lets face it, there's a lot more riders around now that didn't grow up on vibrating motorcycles, and won't tolerate them. Still, I long for a "standard" Sportster that is as basic as they once were. Guess I'm living in the past.
Bob
Bob
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
Thanks man, I love it.
I always thought I would have to buy a Harley and then do a hundred things to it (including respraying it flat black at my own expense) to make it look how I wanted...then they unveil the Iron 883 and I realize I'll only need to do a few things.
Coil and ignition relocate (on its way)
1.5" rise for the bars (on its way)
Pipes (haven't figured that out yet)
I always thought I would have to buy a Harley and then do a hundred things to it (including respraying it flat black at my own expense) to make it look how I wanted...then they unveil the Iron 883 and I realize I'll only need to do a few things.
Coil and ignition relocate (on its way)
1.5" rise for the bars (on its way)
Pipes (haven't figured that out yet)