New sportsters...need opinions on them
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Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
New sportsters...need opinions on them
I going for my license soon and am going to be looking for a sportster to buy for my first bike. The only problem is I wont have enough cash to buy one outright, so ill need to finance unless I find a used one. Im selling my dirtbike which I rarely ride to fund the Harley, im hoping to have $2500 to put down.
Now I know that having a brand new bike to learn on may not be the wisest choice but the payments are tough to argue with. I went and looked at an Iron 883 today, with my great credit and $800 down payment are around $175. So if I put more down I can get the payments even lower.
What is everyones opinions on the new sportsters? Are they good reliable bikes? Should I be looking for a used bike I could get financed on? Ive read that the carbed versions(2006 and earlier I think) are better than the new FI models.
I appreciate the help guys, I really hate the buyers remorse feeling and just want to enjoy the bike.
Now I know that having a brand new bike to learn on may not be the wisest choice but the payments are tough to argue with. I went and looked at an Iron 883 today, with my great credit and $800 down payment are around $175. So if I put more down I can get the payments even lower.
What is everyones opinions on the new sportsters? Are they good reliable bikes? Should I be looking for a used bike I could get financed on? Ive read that the carbed versions(2006 and earlier I think) are better than the new FI models.
I appreciate the help guys, I really hate the buyers remorse feeling and just want to enjoy the bike.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,680
Likes: 2,279
From: South Carolina
Buy a used one. There are good ones out there you just have to be patient, keep looking at CL every day, and Ebay also it can have some deals as well.
Buy used at the right price and you can sell for what you paid for it.
Buy used at the right price and you can sell for what you paid for it.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
If I understand what your asking is you would rather have a new bike and you have the money for a good down payment but not an outright purchase. Nothing wrong with that.
Shop around for rates, I found a loan at 2.99% for 60 mos. Don't count on the dealer to find you the best rate, they deal with a select group or HFS.
Yes, the new bikes are reliable and the Iron is a great platform. Up until last week when I traded the Nightster in on a switchback I put 20,000 trouble free miles in two years on it. I kept my '09 883 as a second bike because I prefer the gearing for the backroads around here. Kurt
Shop around for rates, I found a loan at 2.99% for 60 mos. Don't count on the dealer to find you the best rate, they deal with a select group or HFS.
Yes, the new bikes are reliable and the Iron is a great platform. Up until last week when I traded the Nightster in on a switchback I put 20,000 trouble free miles in two years on it. I kept my '09 883 as a second bike because I prefer the gearing for the backroads around here. Kurt
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,112
Likes: 40
From: Boise Idaho
I would finance it with the $800 down and use the rest to do the stage one upgrade, air cleaner, mufflers and a tuner. That way it will run the way it should which will make it much more fun to ride.
The only thing I would point out is the small gas tank on that 48, you have to fill every 70 miles which can be a real PITA.
The only thing I would point out is the small gas tank on that 48, you have to fill every 70 miles which can be a real PITA.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: McVeytown PA
I have an 06 sportster and love it. It is my first bike I bought it last year and am always riding. I also haul my wife around with no problems. I am not saying I would go cross country on it, but we are planning on some travels this summer. Yea I am sure a bigger bike would be better for me and my wife, but I don't know any better lol since this is my first bike. Good luck man buy what you want you won't regret it.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
If I understand what your asking is you would rather have a new bike and you have the money for a good down payment but not an outright purchase. Nothing wrong with that.
Shop around for rates, I found a loan at 2.99% for 60 mos. Don't count on the dealer to find you the best rate, they deal with a select group or HFS.
Yes, the new bikes are reliable and the Iron is a great platform. Up until last week when I traded the Nightster in on a switchback I put 20,000 trouble free miles in two years on it. I kept my '09 883 as a second bike because I prefer the gearing for the backroads around here. Kurt
Shop around for rates, I found a loan at 2.99% for 60 mos. Don't count on the dealer to find you the best rate, they deal with a select group or HFS.
Yes, the new bikes are reliable and the Iron is a great platform. Up until last week when I traded the Nightster in on a switchback I put 20,000 trouble free miles in two years on it. I kept my '09 883 as a second bike because I prefer the gearing for the backroads around here. Kurt
I would finance it with the $800 down and use the rest to do the stage one upgrade, air cleaner, mufflers and a tuner. That way it will run the way it should which will make it much more fun to ride.
The only thing I would point out is the small gas tank on that 48, you have to fill every 70 miles which can be a real PITA.
The only thing I would point out is the small gas tank on that 48, you have to fill every 70 miles which can be a real PITA.
Last edited by MrElectric03; May 27, 2012 at 05:15 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2012
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From: Southern California
I have an 06 sportster and love it. It is my first bike I bought it last year and am always riding. I also haul my wife around with no problems. I am not saying I would go cross country on it, but we are planning on some travels this summer. Yea I am sure a bigger bike would be better for me and my wife, but I don't know any better lol since this is my first bike. Good luck man buy what you want you won't regret it.
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I am also new to Harleys, a returning rider after almost 30 years! Female mid 50s and I bought a new 1200C last week. Really loving it. I didn't want a peanut tank as somebody mentioned what a pain to get less than 100 miles between fills.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Actually ME, if you get a 1200C you won't have to do anything to it except ride it, it will be plenty powerful. You can easily get a 2.99% loan from the Dealer, I did, plus $500.00 off the price and a $250.00 gift certificate. Then make changes as you can afford them. Give yourself time to decide what is important to you, looks, function etc. Get a Sundowner seat, sissy bar and a windshield in the deal.
Last edited by 1200Cdriver; May 27, 2012 at 05:41 PM.