honda shadow rs compared to sporster
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
I had a thing for the girl in the "take on me" video (still do...she's aged quite well)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
I don't know a lot about the 70's sporty's but obviously I know more than you.
First off we have clearly been discussing a stock 883 Sportster.
I believe the first year for this model was in 1986. I could be wrong, perhaps someone more knowledgable could chime in.
The 1986 883 Sportster stock, was a 46 horsepower behemoth! lol
And it weighed in at a svelte 490 pounds. lol
Top speed, (according to my little internet search) was 92.6mph! Whew! HOLD ON!
This would give it a horsepower to weight ratio of approx 1HP - 10.65 pounds.
1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special was a 43 horsepower behemoth! By your definition. lol
It weighed in at around 350 pounds.
Top speed, (according to a little internet search) was 108.7mph
A horsepower to weight ratio of about 1HP - 8.13 pounds.
Probably why I remember embarrassing quite a few 650's and 750's back in the day and pissing off a few Harley riders.
Now if you excuse me, I'm going to take your suggestion and fool around on google, as I take a trip down memory lane on some other fine metrics I have owned.
Lee
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
I don't know a lot about the 70's sporty's but obviously I know more than you.
First off we have clearly been discussing a stock 883 Sportster.
I believe the first year for this model was in 1986. I could be wrong, perhaps someone more knowledgable could chime in.
The 1986 883 Sportster stock, was a 46 horsepower behemoth! lol
And it weighed in at a svelte 490 pounds. lol
Top speed, (according to my little internet search) was 92.6mph! Whew! HOLD ON!
This would give it a horsepower to weight ratio of approx 1HP - 10.65 pounds.
1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special was a 43 horsepower behemoth! By your definition. lol
It weighed in at around 350 pounds.
Top speed, (according to a little internet search) was 108.7mph
A horsepower to weight ratio of about 1HP - 8.13 pounds.
Probably why I remember embarrassing quite a few 650's and 750's back in the day and pissing off a few Harley riders.
Now if you excuse me, I'm going to take your suggestion and fool around on google, as I take a trip down memory lane on some other fine metrics I have owned.
Lee
First off we have clearly been discussing a stock 883 Sportster.
I believe the first year for this model was in 1986. I could be wrong, perhaps someone more knowledgable could chime in.
The 1986 883 Sportster stock, was a 46 horsepower behemoth! lol
And it weighed in at a svelte 490 pounds. lol
Top speed, (according to my little internet search) was 92.6mph! Whew! HOLD ON!
This would give it a horsepower to weight ratio of approx 1HP - 10.65 pounds.
1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special was a 43 horsepower behemoth! By your definition. lol
It weighed in at around 350 pounds.
Top speed, (according to a little internet search) was 108.7mph
A horsepower to weight ratio of about 1HP - 8.13 pounds.
Probably why I remember embarrassing quite a few 650's and 750's back in the day and pissing off a few Harley riders.
Now if you excuse me, I'm going to take your suggestion and fool around on google, as I take a trip down memory lane on some other fine metrics I have owned.
Lee
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
Not sure what your point is. The metrics are well known to be faster than Harleys. But that's not the point of riding a Harley. 45 degree air cooled V twins just were not designed for maximum power. Every metric I've owned has been faster than my Deuce, but none more enjoyable to ride.
I was being told the old 883 sportsters were "fast beasts." lol
And that I needed to return to metrics...
By the way I agree with you 100%. I had my fill of speed from the jap bikes. That's why I'm riding a air cooled Vtwin today. There is definitely nothing more enjoyable rolling down the highway.
Last edited by Red9; Mar 13, 2010 at 07:46 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
I 'GET it now'....
Ooooh I wanna play! I sold my 2003 Honda VTX1800C in November and started my search for a HD...Found one in Michigan (which sucked as i'm in NY) but bought it anyhow as I paid EXACTLY what it cost on Ebay-including shipping to my local HD dealer here. NO doc fees,adm.fees, etc... rode it for first time Thursday.(09'FXDF by the way). OMG!! This bike has more character in one plug wire than that lurching,surging,bucking VTX had ANYWHERE! It is SO refined and smooth that i'm regretting all the aftermarket shi* I bought for it now! Would my 'X' eat it alive? HELL YEAH!! If you wanna ride a soulless utensil like a Maytag washer...Why try and look-sound-and be a wannabe?? Get the real deal!! I'm still smiling only after a 70 mile spin!!!! DAMN RAIN!!!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
Thats the spirt
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
A 650 and a 750 were never big bikes. It's just that they were the biggest bikes the Japs made back then.
The 45 was considered the small Harley. Just as todays full sized cars are not big cars. Just the biggest that they make now.
The article reads as a Honda pre written filler piece that is sent to newspapers and magazines by the Honda PR department to get free publicity. Then newspaper then just touches it up enough to make it appear as they wrote this piece.
As other's have asked why buy an imitation when you can have an original?
The 45 was considered the small Harley. Just as todays full sized cars are not big cars. Just the biggest that they make now.
The article reads as a Honda pre written filler piece that is sent to newspapers and magazines by the Honda PR department to get free publicity. Then newspaper then just touches it up enough to make it appear as they wrote this piece.
As other's have asked why buy an imitation when you can have an original?
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Well I thought i could buy something better-faster-more reliable! Once I got off my Fatty ALL that went away... Amazing comfort-handling-and the 'biggie': CHARACTER! It's not fast but either am I now...BUT in 6th gear and around 70 I grinned like a Fat kid in a room full of cupcakes..My bike was a fine 'appliance' for riding but lacks the soul and character of 5 minutes on my Bob...I know i'll never go back now.....