Is bigger better?
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Massachusetts
Is bigger better?
Bought my first Harley this year: 1200 Sportster. Love it. And every Big twin rider I meet asks "when you getting a bigger bike?" My question is why? Aside from no storage space (hate bags on a sportster) I'm not a big fan of windshields...thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,473
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
Only you can answer that. Depends on what you plan on doing for motorcycling. If you plan on touring then yes you probably should consider getting a bigger bike. If you are only scooting around then it doesn't matter. When I was learning to ride, I was under the impression that everyone started out on a sportster and moved up. A buddy told me not to even consider a sportster as you would be wishing you had bigger the next year and you would take a hit on the trade, so I started out with a big twin.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,581
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From: Rolla
Nothing wrong with a Sportster. I had one and like it.
If your riding solo and have no need for the storage a touring bike gives you, a Sportster will do just fine.
If you have a need to ride 2-up and carry more stuff, then you will be wishing you had a bigger bike.
So, it is all about your "needs". Buy the bike that fits those needs.
If your riding solo and have no need for the storage a touring bike gives you, a Sportster will do just fine.
If you have a need to ride 2-up and carry more stuff, then you will be wishing you had a bigger bike.
So, it is all about your "needs". Buy the bike that fits those needs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Does everybody who buys a Sportster, have to start a thread saying everybody is picking on me? I used to feel sorry for them and say how nice the Sportster is, but c'mon there is another Poor Sportster thread that was started yesterday and is already 8 pages. 
Enough already.
Flame away.
Enough already.
Flame away.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 289
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One of the best weeks of my life involved buying and transporting my Sporty to my gal's house a few states away. It was a used 2009, 7,000 or so, Vance and Hines shorty's, loud as hell, detachable windshield. I spent a bunch of money trying to get it to feel and fit right. As much as I loved that 883, I could never get it to fit me. And then, I finally got the courage and need to ride the 5 1/2 hour trek home. Bad move.
At the last rest stop before exiting the turnpike, I couldn't hear. I couldn't think. I was dizzy, I had a headache the size of a migraine. I felt like I had been put in the spin cycle and then dumped in the dryer set on air dry.
I walked in to the Harley dealer the following Tuesday, pointed to the cop bike I had been looking at on line, took it for a test drive, and drove it home. End of story. Loved everything about my Sporty, she just wouldn't fit and wasn't a tourer. I miss not having her around to spin around on, but, when you get on the highway, which I do fairly frequently because the Road King IS my main transportation, there just isn't any comparison. I've added the largest shield I can find too, that is, a 24" Clearview recurve. I have fork air deflectors, the half moon blocker under the tree and I'm very content and extremely happy and pleased. If I could afford 3 bikes, I'd have a Sporty, my Road King and a Goldwing.
At the last rest stop before exiting the turnpike, I couldn't hear. I couldn't think. I was dizzy, I had a headache the size of a migraine. I felt like I had been put in the spin cycle and then dumped in the dryer set on air dry.
I walked in to the Harley dealer the following Tuesday, pointed to the cop bike I had been looking at on line, took it for a test drive, and drove it home. End of story. Loved everything about my Sporty, she just wouldn't fit and wasn't a tourer. I miss not having her around to spin around on, but, when you get on the highway, which I do fairly frequently because the Road King IS my main transportation, there just isn't any comparison. I've added the largest shield I can find too, that is, a 24" Clearview recurve. I have fork air deflectors, the half moon blocker under the tree and I'm very content and extremely happy and pleased. If I could afford 3 bikes, I'd have a Sporty, my Road King and a Goldwing.
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 59
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From: Massachusetts
Does everybody who buys a Sportster, have to start a thread saying everybody is picking on me? I used to feel sorry for them and say how nice the Sportster is, but c'mon there is another Poor Sportster thread that was started yesterday and is already 8 pages.
Enough already.
Flame away.
Enough already.
Flame away.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 0
From: U.S.A.
Does everybody who buys a Sportster, have to start a thread saying everybody is picking on me? I used to feel sorry for them and say how nice the Sportster is, but c'mon there is another Poor Sportster thread that was started yesterday and is already 8 pages.
Enough already.
Flame away.
Enough already.
Flame away.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
a sportster is a different machine...better power to weight, 4 cams, more rigid drivetrain ( one piece motor and tranny), better braking lean angle etc.
just more...sporty.
and if you check out the 60's chopper photos, you'll see more sportys than big twins
still today, just about any sporty will leave a big twin in the dust.
But alot of riders have different wants and needs incl. longer range ( bigger tank) carrying capacity radio etc.
the key is to have more than one bike...one size does not fit all
mike
just more...sporty.
and if you check out the 60's chopper photos, you'll see more sportys than big twins
still today, just about any sporty will leave a big twin in the dust.
But alot of riders have different wants and needs incl. longer range ( bigger tank) carrying capacity radio etc.
the key is to have more than one bike...one size does not fit all
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Aug 5, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Guilty as charged!
Remember OP, Jim Bronson was the coolest Harley rider ever and he rode a Sportster. Ride your own ride.