I rode a dirt bike 25 years ago. With gas so high, I decided to get another bike so I feel like a beginner again. Anyway, I bought a 97 Sportster with 3800 miles. The handling of the bike in first gear makes me wonder if it is really in first. I have the gear shift in the lowest position. Half a notch up the neutral light come on. I tap it back down so that makes me believe it's in first gear. It's just that the bike does not want to go slow. When everyone is talking about more power, more speed, why am I wanting to go slow? Stop and Go Atlanta traffic, parking lots and teaching my son to ride are some reasons. At low speeds, the engine lugs unless I ride the clutch. It handles great when I get to 10+ mph but below that the engine lugs unless I ride the clutch. Is this normal?

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From the few I've ridden, that's just how they are. My 1200C is the same way. Sorry.

 

Thanks for the reply. No need to be sorry. At least I may not need a big repair job. Thanks once again.

 

You could check your primary chain tension, it it was loose it would cause this, however they all do it to a certain degree.

 

Thanks for the reply. I've got some service manuals on the way. I'll look that over.

HWG

 

Hi HW,

While I've never owned a Sportster, I thought I'd give you my .02 worth....while riding under 10mph, slow speed, I am in the friction zone and dragging my rear brake, especially while making tight slow speed turns. While doing the stop and go traffic, I am in the friction zone, I'd say my revs are about twice idle speed. I don't have any problems with my Road King nor with my last bike VTX1300 at slow speeds. Wish I could offer a solution.

 

You're going to have to use the friction zone to go slow on the sportster. Otherwise, it can't be done properly. This isn't a high revving bike that doesn't produce much power until 3K rpm. So it's crawling abilities aren't there.

 

Ok I will add my 2 cents here. Before I owned my sportster I owned a Suzuki Dr250Ser. I think the issue is there two different bikes. Dirt bikes / dual sports are made to go real slow without lugging the engine so you can pick your way along a trail or between tree's etc, etc. A Sportster is a street bike, It's probably not really ment to go 5-10 mph except for starting off and I think that is the difference you are seeing. I loved my Dr250 and hated to get rid of it But it was my leaner bike and it was time to move on. Dual Sports are such Kool and versitile motocycles. You probably could get it to run better at slow speeds by changing the gearing but it Will affect you in other area's.

LV

 

I was not sure what you were saying until I found your website. I've printed some of your practice guides and I will work on those. Great help. Thanks again!

 

Ok, Thanks much for the reply.