A few observations from a noob
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
I am guessing that your wife or girlfriend hasn't spent a week or more on the back of your sporty. Great motorcycle, one of the all time desirable bike as far as I am concerned. But two people, clothes for a week or more, several hundered miles day, I will take my Ultra thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 287
From: Texas
Everything has been supersized in this country. Trucks, SUV's, and boats come to mind. A 20 foot ski boat was big back in the 80's. Now they're 26ft and cost $85k +.
The mentality has marched towards bigger is better for the most part.
I'm like you though. I find my 883 plenty big, and a lot bigger than the 250 Ninja I had back in college, and I thought that was a sweet bike at the time.
I'd love to have a street glide or ultra for long multi-day trips, but for the riding I do, man my bike fits me perfect.
The mentality has marched towards bigger is better for the most part.
I'm like you though. I find my 883 plenty big, and a lot bigger than the 250 Ninja I had back in college, and I thought that was a sweet bike at the time.
I'd love to have a street glide or ultra for long multi-day trips, but for the riding I do, man my bike fits me perfect.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: NC, USA
I suspect it was because I learned to ride on a Honda Mini Trail, later a Hodaka Ace 90, and later various models of dirtbikes throughout my life that I find the Sportster the perfect Harley for me. As has been mentioned by others, it just feels right. Tossable, quick, nimble...
Lord knows... not that I haven't tried. The wife talked me into a Heritage 2 years ago because it would be more "comfortable". That lasted about 6 months because I felt like I was trying steer a steamroller in quicksand. And forget about leaning into the twisties!
Behemoth bikes are great for hauling loads of *** and gear in straight lines for many miles. Just not my thing. They make trucks for that $hit.
Lord knows... not that I haven't tried. The wife talked me into a Heritage 2 years ago because it would be more "comfortable". That lasted about 6 months because I felt like I was trying steer a steamroller in quicksand. And forget about leaning into the twisties!
Behemoth bikes are great for hauling loads of *** and gear in straight lines for many miles. Just not my thing. They make trucks for that $hit.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,680
Likes: 2,279
From: South Carolina
For around town and riding to work and back you can't beat a Sportster. If I ever have the time and money to go on some fun trips I wouldn't mind having something bigger - but maybe a nice SUV might be more practical for that after all.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
The 883 or 1200 is not a small bike in the big picture of all motorcycles on the road but it is merely the smallest that Harley Davidson sells, well this stood true up until recently when the 500 and 750 were introduced but I suspect it will take many years for the 500 to be on the market before it takes the title away from the 883 being the smallest.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I saw one of the new 500s last week. These really look like beautiful bikes. I am guessing that HD will sell as many of them as they can make.
Anyway, fun thread. It seems to me that what I'm getting is that the really big bikes are great for long freeway trips with the babe and the luggage on the back, and I can see that. That is not the kind of cruising that I do, but I can see where for a cross-country multi-day trip the extra size and "glide ride" might be something that you want.
My Sportster has all the power and guts that I need, and it still has that "motorcycle feel" that I love. The first time I rode a M/C at age 17 it just clicked and I knew that that was for me, and I still feel that way.
Anyway, fun thread. It seems to me that what I'm getting is that the really big bikes are great for long freeway trips with the babe and the luggage on the back, and I can see that. That is not the kind of cruising that I do, but I can see where for a cross-country multi-day trip the extra size and "glide ride" might be something that you want.
My Sportster has all the power and guts that I need, and it still has that "motorcycle feel" that I love. The first time I rode a M/C at age 17 it just clicked and I knew that that was for me, and I still feel that way.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I have to totally agree on that, I mean you can two up on the sporty but I prefer to ride solo on it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 253
From: Northern Los Angeles area.
).Here is my own situation: I've been very happy with my sportster and I always thought I'd never look at another bike. Then one day I saw the 2014 dyna low rider, and I thought that that was the perfect bike. I love everything about that bike! (Although I don't care for its weight). I assure you that if I were to get one, it would be DESPITE its bigger size.
The only reason I am not doing anything about it is that I can't afford it.
