Keeping Up!
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Stage II
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: El Paso, Tx
Keeping Up!
Hey yal, Im kinda new to the motorcycle scene and i decided to go with a Sportster. I know that sportster's where first made for racing and what not but is their a way i can build mine up to compete with current japannese bikes?
Depends on what your going for. I recently purchased a 2012 Sportster 48 andd my buddies Ninja 650R pulls away pretty hard especially from 80+ mph. I'm thinking that with an intake, exhaust, and a tune I should be able to keep up but at the end of the day does it really matter?
I still get twice the looks ride 10x more comfortable.
I still get twice the looks ride 10x more comfortable.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
jap sports bikes and harley are two very different beasts.
if you really want that crazy speed then maybe a harley isnt for you.
you can always book a test ride and see how you like the speed it puts out
if you really want that crazy speed then maybe a harley isnt for you.
you can always book a test ride and see how you like the speed it puts out
NO way no how.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I'd start with a custom built aluminum frame to increase stiffness and reduce weight.
The up side is your Sportster won't go out of style and you'll always be able to get parts, unlike my brothers 1980 something Honda Saber.
The up side is your Sportster won't go out of style and you'll always be able to get parts, unlike my brothers 1980 something Honda Saber.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
From: DuBois, PA
Absolutely you can keep up. I ride with rockets a lot and I've never felt like I was going to get left behind, probably because we aren't racing. But keeping up and racing are two different things entirely. When we ride through town maybe we will go over a empty bridge and take them to 80 or so from a dead stop. As long as you can ride you can do just fine. Cruising twistys at speeds safe for my license and the road also is fine.
If your trying to beat a rocket, ive done it, but only with really bad riders. If the rocket is half decent you will loose. They are just two different machines. You don't try to beat a mustang with a caddy. Sportster despite its name is a cruiser, its a sport cruiser. A rocket is a sport bike. I wouldn't buy a Bentley to race a viper.
If rubbing your nuts on a tank and racing is what your into then I'd go with a rocket. Personally I think the ducati's are nice. kawaski aswell. But I leave the real racing to the offroad/track where its much less dangerous, much more legal, 10X MORE TECHNICAL, and keep my sporty. Even when its **** out I get enjoyment from looking at the chrome and parts and thinking about customization. Where as a rocket your pretty much just going to put an exhaust on it maybe tune it
/rant
If your trying to beat a rocket, ive done it, but only with really bad riders. If the rocket is half decent you will loose. They are just two different machines. You don't try to beat a mustang with a caddy. Sportster despite its name is a cruiser, its a sport cruiser. A rocket is a sport bike. I wouldn't buy a Bentley to race a viper.
If rubbing your nuts on a tank and racing is what your into then I'd go with a rocket. Personally I think the ducati's are nice. kawaski aswell. But I leave the real racing to the offroad/track where its much less dangerous, much more legal, 10X MORE TECHNICAL, and keep my sporty. Even when its **** out I get enjoyment from looking at the chrome and parts and thinking about customization. Where as a rocket your pretty much just going to put an exhaust on it maybe tune it
/rant
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