I've put over 60k on a 96. Brother of mine put over 103k on an 07 by 2010. No BS. He only had minor stuff nothing like catastrophic failures stated. Yea the TC has flaws but not anywhere near as bad as that article claims.

I do agree The 1200 engine is superior in my opinion.

 

Nice article, the Sportsters are great bikes...but I don't agree with all of it. I bought a pre-'04 1200C because I wanted the trapdoor tranny, not the unified. Also, I will never consider fat 16" tires for the front tire of this bike. I like the looks of the 21"ers and have no problems with the handling...but then, I don't do a lot of highway miles on my sportster, usually riding the FXST (which also has a front 21") for that.

 

"In model year 2004 the transmission and engine were combined into one case, like the Twin-Cam engines."

What? This so wrong. They've been combined since 1957, UNLIKE the TwinCams.

"Take a look at S&S big power 132ci X-Wedge V-Twin engine that puts out 135 horsepower. You can see this huge engine on the Confederate Hellcat X132 motorcycle that costs $54,450. If you look at this bike and engine you will see a Sportster. Bigger, yes, but look at the design and Sportster it is. Examine the location of the cams, the pushrod tubes are straight like the Sportster. The cams are driven by positive-geared belt... no chain here!"

Wrong again. The X-Wedge has 3 cams, the Sporty has 4 gear drive cams.

 

I enjoyed reading it...though not sure I agree with the multiple statements: "Don't test ride a 883cc Sportster it is underpowered compared to the 1200cc." "You will tire of the 883's lack of power."

So don't bother riding an 883 because you won't be happy with it? I can't say I bought a sportster for the performance, but I am happy with what it is. If I was looking for a fast bike, I would have went with another sportbike. I feel pretty content with the 883, and have no issues keeping up with larger bikes. Maybe I'm a minority in that respect.

Honestly, the iron was the only bike I have ever saw and instantly decided that I had to buy.

 

I did disagree with his thought about the 883, I owned one many years ago and from what I remember I had a Blast on that bike, 1995 Hugger bought it new, in fact it was that bike that kept the Sportster alive in my memory years later when I bought the forty eight. And Yes, there are problems with the big twins but thankfully not everyone experience those problems..

 

Sorry, couldn't help it....