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

2007 Sporty Low Transmission Response

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2013 | 07:59 AM
  #1  
andijohn's Avatar
andijohn
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: wisconsin
Default 2007 Sporty Low Transmission Response

I am looking to buy a 2007 1200 sporty low but when I test drove it the response of the transmission did not seem to be favorable. Meaning after shifting gears and applying throttle, mid or greater it seem to bonce, forgive my discription. If I gave it little or just enough throttle than it rode smooth. I could not really open it up without the boncing effect, not a hesitation resposne. I ride a 03 Roadking and i can open it up without a problem. This cycle only has 5800 miles. Is this normal? Any ideas on what would cause this if not normal? Thanks for you help in advance!
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2013 | 08:18 AM
  #2  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Default

If you mean 'bounce', it may be that you are trying to ride at very low engine revs. Sportsters use higher engine revs than the big twins, so ride it in that smooth range and you will be fine! Once it is running smoothly open it up and enjoy. If you try to ride your RK at too low engine speeds it will do something similar.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2013 | 08:54 AM
  #3  
andijohn's Avatar
andijohn
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: wisconsin
Default

thanks for your response GrBrown,

if i understand your response, I should give more throttle? If this is correct, i did try giving more throttle after shifting gears but this created more bounce, the only way the cycle responded favorably was when I gave it just enough thottle after shiting gears, then I could open it up. So this is what you meant, correct that I should have given it high throttle afer shifting gears?
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2013 | 09:08 AM
  #4  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Default

I hope I have interpreted your original comments correctly! All engines have to run at a high enough crankshaft speed for them to run smoothly. It is different for every engine, so while a Sporty engine will happily idle at a similar speed to a big twin, as soon as we want to ride away on a Sporty, we have to use higher revs than with a big twin. If you are trying to use similar revs to your RK that probably explains the bouncing you refer to on the Sporty and why it runs smooth above that.

If I am right and you take a longer test ride, you will probably find it rides fine! Also talk things through with the owner (dealer?) as it is much easier to solve the sort of thing you found face to face!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jrotten65
The Dyno Room
8
Nov 20, 2016 10:06 PM
GordFXE80
Sportster Models
17
Aug 17, 2014 01:24 PM
SteveinNKC
Touring Models
3
Apr 11, 2011 10:11 PM
SCUD
Sportster Models
14
Aug 14, 2009 02:13 PM
Swamp Tiger
Dyna Glide Models
6
Apr 20, 2009 06:29 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:22 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE