Anybody with a Harley 1200 Sportster?

[LittleWolf]

Hi all,

Anybody here owns a Harley 1200 Sportster? I was interested in buying one in the next couple of months and was curious about how it fares?

Initially, I was thinking of going for a standard bike, a Kawasaki ZRX1200 or a Yamaha FZ1. (The Bandito 1200 was also on the list but, I liked the ZRX the best). Then I saw the 1200 Sportster Sport, when a friend bought a 1200 Custom and gave me a Harley brochure. Being in the almost same price range, I am a bit undecided. I do know that the Harley is going to be "rougher" and probably a bit less reliable than the ZRX, but then the allure of owning a Harley is beckoning ..

Any inputs from bike fans? I haven't ridden the 1200 Sport yet though.

Linky:

1200 Sportster Sport


TIA,
j

 

[FiLeZz]

I only have a ducati 900ss 1999 Yellow

 

[RedRooster]

Oh man, I'd be all over the ZRX if it was a toss up. As you said, the reliabilty and rideability would just be so much better, and well, I don't think ANYONE should consider a Harley. But that's just MHO.

 

[LittleWolf]

Yeah, me too liked the ZRX quite a bit and I was pretty much set on it, but the Harley name is alluring....


-j

 

[veryape]

Harleys are awesome, I used to own a 1967Harley Sprint, which was funny looking and tiny, but it was a Harley. I'd definitely get one if I were you, especially if you are American and want to help with the economy. They are a hell of a lot more reliable then the older models used to be, and you can go to Harley shows, conventions and all that cool stuff that comes along with owning a Harley Davidson. Even my Sprint got a ton of stares and questions asked because of it's rareness. It was worth a good deal after restoration BTW, even though it looked funny.

 

[burnedout]

I purchased a new 1988, H-D 1200 Sportster. Still have the scoot, although, she needs work. Mine is chain drive, 4 speed.

Have owned 4 Harley-Davidsons. A '78 Sportster, an '81 FXRS, an '88 FXR that I purchased from a dude who totalled it and the '88 Sportster I have now.

If you can afford it, by all means, get the Harley-Davidson. They hold their value better, have a better dealer support network here in the USA, and command much more respect on the road.

So what if some yahoo can outrun you on a damn rice rocket? Big deal. How many rice rockets are still on the road 10, 20, 30 years after they were manufactured?

Believe me, if you get the Harley-Davidson, you'll know that there are motorcycles and Harleys.

 

[Johnlee]

Chicks dig harleys.

But I dig my Ducati.

That Sportster is a nice looking bike. You gonna do any custom stuff on it? I'd prolly chrome those pipes first chance I got. After awhile you'll probably get the urge.

Good luck man.

 

[RedRooster]

Bikes are only built for two reasons. Going fast or cruising. If I want to go fast I'll get a super sport. If I want to cruise, I'm sure not going to get a loud, buzzy, air-cooled twin to plop around on and give me hemmeroids for the rest of my days. Ever wonder why Harley riders are big fellas and walk like they just got off riding a jackhammer? Granted, they're looked up as American icons, but for folks who've ridden both a Harley and say a comparitively priced BMW, there's certain people who'll go with comfort every time. Others, of course, will go with "the look".
I actually kind of respect Harley riders though, mostly for the fact that they're man enough to not admit that their arse hurts when they catch up with me at the next gas stop, while they refill their crankcase. j/k

 

91 1200 Sportster,5 speed with belt drive.
Great bike

These bikes have tons of torque,but if you are thinking about getting one make sure you get the large peanut tank and not the stock one.(Filling up every 90 miles is a major pain in the buttocks)

 

[Jmman]

I have a 2000 Sportster 1200 with tons of high performance parts......awesome bike that will hold it's value forever.....go for it.....

 

[bjc112]

how tall are you, how much do you weigh..

you may want a bigger more powerful bike, my parents wrecked becasue the lil Virago didn't cut it... and he lost control and the bike tossed him.. .

now they have a 1600 Yamahaa Roadstar Silverado... and man is it sweet... i'm not saying u need a huge bike, but u might wanna check something out a little bigger, especially if you are riding 2+

Good Luck

 

[trmiv]

The 1200 evolution engine vibrates like crazy, so make sure you keep those bolts tight. I have a 2000 Buell Cyclone M2 which has a very hopped up version of the 1200 sportster engine, and the bike shakes like crazy under idle. It smooths out quite a bit at around 40 mph though. Awesome bike though (my Buell), very raw and fun to ride. I say go for the Sportster, you'll love it.



<< I actually kind of respect Harley riders though, mostly for the fact that they're man enough to not admit that their arse hurts when they catch up with me at the next gas stop, while they refill their crankcase. >>



The new Big Twins, are smooth as silk. My dad has a 2000 standard softtail with the Twin Cam 88B engine in it. It is counterbalanced so it doesn't vibrate much at all. When his bike and my bike are side by side idling, you can't even tell his is running (besides the fact that it is loud), because the bike doesn't shake at all. He says it's really comfortable to ride.

I'm curious what the new V-Rod is like, it certainly has a ton of horsepower. Little weird to see a water-cooled harley, but I am interested to see how it rides.

 

[The Stigenator]

cannot connect to the website.

I like HD's only problem i have is that there is too much "shake rattle and roll".

However HD's do look cool and do get the women. However some how when i do think of hd's I think of huge guys in leather who dont seem care one bit about cleanliness. Maybe its just me, but that is teh image that first pops out.

TGG

 

[Tripleshot]

If it's not a Harley,It's not a motorcycle.












All other choices are wannabes.

Nuff said.

 

[Johnlee]

LOL @ Redrooster!

I say try to ride all the bikes in question. Without riding them, it's really hard to decide and you're definitely at a disadvantage.

I would personally go with the Kawasaki ZRX1200. That is one nice bike. I like the oldskewl green, reminiscent of the GPZs?

Harleys kick @ss tho. Tough decision. I just hate it when sides start bashing eachother. I find that Harley owners have sh1tty attitudes about other bikes. I think all bikes are cool.

 

[LittleWolf]

veryape


<< I'd definitely get one if I were you, especially if you are American and want to help with the economy. ... >>



It's funny that you mention that... Actually though I am in US, I am not an American citizen (atleast not yet ) , more like a Asian guy on a work-permit visa. And I do believe in buying something made in the country where I work and live i.e. USA. So if a HD meets my specs, I would be more than happy to buy that over a comparable Jap. bike.

Also, back where I come from, I have ridden plenty of Japanese bikes, so they don't specifically hold any major allure for me. I would rather buy a HD or maybe a Ducati, BMW or like European marquee. While the BMWs are really nice, IMO they are quite expensive and way over my budget of about 8-9K $. (I wanna get a new one rather than a used one) Maybe someday I shall get one. The Ducatis, I gather are more expensive to maintain and getting parts could be an issue.
And about HDs, as they say, there are bikes and then there are Harleys.

Anyhow, I am more in for a standard bike rather than a crotch-rocket or an outright old-man cruiser. So I settled on the ZRX, nice bike to ride around, while being comfy, can also get some serious performance if need be. The FZ1 is more an all-out performance standard.

I always thought the HDs were quite expensive. But when my a friend of mine at work bought a HD, he got me a brochure and I checked some of the prices out on the Sportster, I was quite attracted. From whatever I have heard/read so far, the Sport actually seems to be one of the best handling Harley in the current crop (maybe, bar the V-Rod) and it's got a decent performance and price-point.
I know strictly in performance sense, the ZRX can easily outclass the HD 1200 Sport (how about a 0-60 for ZRX at 2.8 sec to HD at about 6 sec ). )

But since I am not buying any of these to be a crotch-rocket, I am fine so long as HD doesn't get over-taken by an ol'grandma in her Buick or Tercel on the highway. Also, another thing of worry for me on the HD is the reliability and NVH (noise,vibration,harshness) level on the 1200 while cruising on the highway at say about 60-70mph. Anybody any inputs ?

About modifying, yeah getting the pipes and maybe a freerer inlet are quite tempting. But that would be probably atleast a few months after I buy the bike. I am not exactly loaded with money you see... . More like trying to have the best for my limited budget.


-j

 

[swayinOtis]

the sportster is considered by harley enthusiasts to be a girl's bike.

harley's are cool simply because they are the best sounding bike ever made.

 

[Tominator]

If you can afford the Harley, you will not be unhappy!

I love ALL motorcycles and have owned a bunch. Harleys have a certain 'class' not available from another marque.

 

[Johnlee]

I'm obviously biased but the purr of a ducati is an amazingly beautiful sound. I love starting it up. It trips people out cuz they are ready for a high-pitched, Jap.-sounding motorcycle engine. Setting of car alarms isn't too bad either.

Oh, and maybe one of you can answer this for me. WHY is the Sportster considered a girls bike? I had a friend (small in stature) who bought one years ago. He tricked it out soooo sweet. I mean, I had never seen one so nice..ever. Yet other Harley riders still gave him sh1t. To me, that's bullsh1t.

 

[trmiv]

<< I'm obviously biased but the purr of a ducati is an amazingly beautiful sound. I love starting it up. It trips people out cuz they are ready for a high-pitched, Jap.-sounding motorcycle engine. Setting of car alarms isn't too bad either.
. >>



I get that too when I start up my Buell. I have a Vance and Hines SSR2 exhaust on it, and a forcewinder K&N intake (none of that breadbox crap that comes stock), so it has a super deep, throaty sound to it. Whenever I start it, people turn their heads and see this sportbike, and are like "what the hell??" Then they see "Buell American Sportbikes" on the tank, and are even more "What the hell?" Most people don't even know there are any american sportbikes.

 

[The Stigenator]

i am not too worried about the sound on my bike, it apparently doesnt sound too good even with an V&H system. Though apparenlty the cobra's sound better. I know I would get the solid beat sound, but rather I would get a whine.

I am not looking to changing my exhaust, i like the way it looks, however i am going to add on a targa windshield.

 

[Jeffwo]

I owned a Sportster for years but it rode rough, compared to the "superglide" style bikes.

If I was getting another one I wouldn't buy a Sportster. I would buy a Harley but I would go for the
big bike.

Jeff

 

[bjc112]

<< I owned a Sportster for years but it rode rough, compared to the "superglide" style bikes.

If I was getting another one I wouldn't buy a Sportster. I would buy a Harley but I would go for the
big bike.

Jeff >>



Exactly, go a bigger bike you won't regret it...

don't get a bigger one becasue u think the sportster is girly though... me personally im gettin the honda vfr... and may-b when i see you on your new bike, i just blow by you

 

[Squisher]

When you buy a Harley you're not only buying a bike, you're joining a club.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

<< If it's not a Harley,It's not a motorcycle. All other choices are wannabes. Nuff said. >>




LOL If you want to start a flame war that makes the athiest/christian threads look like a love fest, you have found the way.

Personally I prefer a real bike like mine and not one of those there bowling balls


Really, If you like it ride the balls off it and have fun

Little Wolf, what kind of riding experience do you have? All these bikes eat squids LOL