First Harley - Sportster - on a whim

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Idaho

Idaho

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I've been browsing Craigslist on and off not sure what I wanted when I saw this one. 1/4 mile test ride on a cold day and I was hooked. Bought it for $3200.
Seems to be about right based on Kelly Blue book but I was somehow surprised I could pick up a Harley this nice for that. Its a 92 with under 8000 miles. Near perfect condition. Mufflers and tires recently replaced. I think its the "Hugger" version (not certain).
It's loud. Never was a fan of loud bikes or even Harleys for that matter but this one got to me for some reason. Don't know much about them. No rubber engine mounts in 92 so there is vibration. Somehow I like that too. Maybe I'll hate it later who knows.
I rode a small street bike years ago, then a Kawasaki 1000 for a short time. Neither really sunk their teeth into me. The Kawasaki scared the crap out of me once with a wicked weird steering shake. Almost lost it at about 70. Never trusted it after that.
Something about this machine kinda grabs me. Not sure how to describe it. Primal maybe. I plan to commute to work about 10 miles in the summer. I doubt I'll do any long road trips. For now its a pretty thing in the garage.
Anyway, tell me what you think I need to know about this beast.
 

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nice bike but as every Harley owner knows the 'sportsters" were designed for women riders to go putting around with their hubbys. Same as porsche boxster's were designed as low budget womens entry to sports cars. IMO you should trade up to full grown Harley.
 
Hemaniac said:
nice bike but as every Harley owner knows the 'sportsters" were designed for women riders to go putting around with their hubbys. Same as porsche boxster's were designed as low budget womens entry to sports cars. IMO you should trade up to full grown Harley.
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:protest:That's an unfortunate opinion cough*jerk*cough. How do you feel about a buell firebolt?
 
There's a reason I've never really been a Harley fan and its got nothing to do with the bikes. This guy demonstrates in a funny way that the biker dude stereotypes are not universal. Normal people do ride them.

http://fh1100-pilot.blogspot.com/2011/05/harley-davidson-sportster-girls-bike.html

Among the Harley community, the Sportster is generally and derogatorily called a “girl’s bike” because it’s the smallest of the three Harley engine families: Sportster; “Big Twin” and V-Rod. And indeed, a lot of the women who buy Harleys do ride Sportsters. In light of this, many guys who are insecure about the size of their ***** would never be caught dead on one. I don’t have that issue.
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to small....damn near everybody I know has only used the Sportster as a stepping stone to something bigger....
 
inkjunkie said:
to small....damn near everybody I know has only used the Sportster as a stepping stone to something bigger....
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same thought here, most upgrade after a season or so. Enjoy it for what it is, get some ride time in, save the upgrade $$ for when you decide to get a big twin.


Thought 92 would be belt drive? and your missing battery side cover and have you ever heard of a product called "Round-up"? lol just kidding.
 
I've ridden bikes all my life and I really like the sportster for around town and short trips. I think you will enjoy it. That looks like a good bike to get back out riding.
 
H20loo said:
I've ridden bikes all my life and I really like the sportster for around town and short trips. I think you will enjoy it. That looks like a good bike to get back out riding.
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I agree. I rode one for a few years and yes I did move up, but only one step to the Dynaglide. I love my bike! I am 60 years old and have always ridden Jap bikes. But when I took a friends 1200 Sportster for a ride.... I bought it. And it leave the Fat boys and other big twins in the dust. Enjoy it! It actually looks like my bikes little brother. Call me a girl if you want but I would ride the drap outta that thing! :blob:
 
cool.. sporty is a fun bike... is it a 883 or 1200?

and who cares what you ride as long as you ride..:)


i bought this lil toy a few months ago.. what a blast to ride..

6F491BC1-C398-49DD-86A0-346AAF3B1909.jpg
 
Dude, you got a sweet ride. I had one. Upgradable to death. I had an 02 883 hugger. When I sold it, it was 1204cc of mean. Big twin and bagger guys think they got one up on us. Just remember, we drive a-bodies. We're meant to put big engines in little packages. I don't know how tall you are but those mid-controls will certainly get on your nerves. Depending on your riding style, forward or rear sets are probably in your future. Chain drive another big plus. I had belt failures all the time.
Ignition, heads , carbs, exhaust and suspension all easy, all relatively affordable.
Oh Btw 4 cams no pushrod bowing, straight line.look up Axtell they. Make big bore kits.
 
Idaho said:
I've been browsing Craigslist on and off not sure what I wanted when I saw this one. 1/4 mile test ride on a cold day and I was hooked. Bought it for $3200.
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GOOD FOR YOU! Congrats. Enjoy the hell out of it. :thumbup:
 
I agree with the above comment...they are a blast to ride around town! Kinda like when I need to run an errand, I can take the big van, my work truck, or the brides Sebring!! The car carves off probably 10 minutes of lumbering around corners and slow takeoffs!! That's what a sporty is good for too, you jump on it and go, and that little bike should go go go!!

I had a 72 sporty that I completely built from motor swap meet parts! It was a fun bike, but the bride and I rode it to the fair one night about an hour away! Neither one of us wanted to ride back home, man our butts were sore! There's something to be said for the bike bikes and their comfortable rides!

I think you'll have fun with it!! Geof
 
Hemaniac said:
nice bike but as every Harley owner knows the 'sportsters" were designed for women riders to go putting around with their hubbys. Same as porsche boxster's were designed as low budget womens entry to sports cars. IMO you should trade up to full grown Harley.
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I have to correct you on your knowledge being 100% dead wrong. The notion that it is a women's/girls bike is 100% dead wrong.

The Sportster was developed in a time when "Running the time" catch phrase was, pardon the expression, in vogue with street bike racers running café racers. Since Harley only had cruisers at the time and the new thing was fast little bikes, Harley D got into the game with there Sporty. Small, low, light.

Now most women are smaller than most men. Giving a 700+ lbs. Bike to a 5'4" lady isn't what I'd call a smart move, though I do know a few ladies that purchase and ride big bikes.
The Sporty is a natural bike for many things.

1st bike
Racer
Shorter in height people
Maybe even one that doubts there ability and/or strength to ride a full size heavy weight bike.

In 2003, I went out and purchased a XL1200C. IIRC, it weighed in at a whopping 495lbs.
Of all the bikes I have owned, it still is a top favorite of mine due to the light weigh and excellent power it had.

Some can not see riding it for long distances. This I sort of agree apon. I added the HD tour seat (It worked out cheaper and more comfortable than the compitiions out there) and have tKe. It on multiple days long runs across the country. The tour seat was a golden addition and made riding in the saddle 14 hours a day a snap. Not a soar to complain about!
 
Idaho

I strongly suggest the following items to add to the bike IF there already not done for power concerns that had absolutely zero effect on mileage for myself.
I road the bike in and out of NYC for years. HOV traffic allowable. Average speed was 60 mph.

These basic bolt on's added much missing power and i still got 50 MPG's. Upgrade the;

Air cleaner
Ignition in full
Exhaust I used Vance & Hines short shots. Not loud at all. But noticeably better.
Jet the carb to run right with the better breathing.

I do think that once it is all set up and ironed out, you will enjoy the bike. It is a good cruiser. My bike had the foward controls. I'm 5'8" and found the fit fine.
 
here are the sportys we had..

mine was the yellow one and jamie had the black one both 1200's. hers was a custom and lowered like 2" or something... mine was faster but damn hers rode so much nicer then mine for some reason...
 

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Wish I could ride a Sporty, I'd probably own one. Problem is, it's too darn small!! Every time I have ridden one my hips cramp up so bad I can hardly get off the thing.

That looks like a nice bike for the money.
 
Here's my sporty from days gone by, probably circa 1989! Built entirely from parts from the motorcycle swap meets! Just wanted to see if I could do it!! Traded it for a 64 Belvedere, then traded that for the GTX I own today!! As you can see I must be just finishing up the wiring!! Geof
 

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inkjunkie said:
to small....damn near everybody I know has only used the Sportster as a stepping stone to something bigger....
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Could be a stepping stone. Time will tell.

GeorgeH
Thought 92 would be belt drive? and your missing battery side cover and have you ever heard of a product called "Round-up"? lol just kidding.
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from wikipedia:
1991 Belt drive replaces chain drive on 883 Deluxe and all 1200 models.
1993 Belt drive made standard on all Sportsters.

I buy Roundup in bulk. Pics are from the sellers yard O:) I'll be looking for a cover.

H20loo I've ridden bikes all my life and I really like the sportster for around town and short trips. I think you will enjoy it. That looks like a good bike to get back out riding.
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Thanks. I think it will do for a 10 mile commute.

dartnabout
I agree. I rode one for a few years and yes I did move up, but only one step to the Dynaglide. I love my bike! I am 60 years old and have always ridden Jap bikes. But when I took a friends 1200 Sportster for a ride.... I bought it. And it leave the Fat boys and other big twins in the dust. Enjoy it! It actually looks like my bikes little brother. Call me a girl if you want but I would ride the drap outta that thing!
Click to expand...
Frankie
GOOD FOR YOU! Congrats. Enjoy the hell out of it.
Click to expand...

cosgig I agree with the above comment...they are a blast to ride around town! Kinda like when I need to run an errand, I can take the big van, my work truck, or the brides Sebring!! The car carves off probably 10 minutes of lumbering around corners and slow takeoffs!! That's what a sporty is good for too, you jump on it and go, and that little bike should go go go!!

I had a 72 sporty that I completely built from motor swap meet parts! It was a fun bike, but the bride and I rode it to the fair one night about an hour away! Neither one of us wanted to ride back home, man our butts were sore! There's something to be said for the bike bikes and their comfortable rides!

I think you'll have fun with it!! Geof
Click to expand...

daredevil
Yep started there myself. With a jug kit and an andrews cam you could blister some bigger hogs.
Click to expand...

Motopsycho cool
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Thanks. Not saying I won't move up but reading on other forums, there's quite a few guys my size (5' 10") who have owned multiple bigger bikes and settled on an 883.


rumblefish360
I strongly suggest the following items to add to the bike IF there already not done for power concerns that had absolutely zero effect on mileage for myself.
I road the bike in and out of NYC for years. HOV traffic allowable. Average speed was 60 mph.

These basic bolt on's added much missing power and i still got 50 MPG's. Upgrade the;

Air cleaner
Ignition in full
Exhaust I used Vance & Hines short shots. Not loud at all. But noticeably better.
Jet the carb to run right with the better breathing.

I do think that once it is all set up and ironed out, you will enjoy the bike. It is a good cruiser. My bike had the foward controls. I'm 5'8" and found the fit fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. It did have a recent tune by a reputable shop. I'm also getting some advice from a friend who works in the local Harley shop. He lives right next door.

abodyjoe here are the sportys we had..
mine was the yellow one and jamie had the black one both 1200's. hers was a custom and lowered like 2" or something... mine was faster but damn hers rode so much nicer then mine for some reason...
Click to expand...
abodyjoe cool.. sporty is a fun bike... is it a 883 or 1200?
and who cares what you ride as long as you ride..
i bought this lil toy a few months ago.. what a blast to ride..
Click to expand...

Nice. What is that green beast? Looks cool.

GEO - :D:D Nice jab. What's really funny is that exact bike in gold color was the first bike my sister and I shared. I didn't care that it was a girl bike. I was just dang happy to have a bike. We rode the crap out of it. BTW, one of those in good shape now goes for $700 - 800!!

Bad Sport Wish I could ride a Sporty, I'd probably own one. Problem is, it's too darn small!! Every time I have ridden one my hips cramp up so bad I can hardly get off the thing.
That looks like a nice bike for the money.
Click to expand...

I'm over the hill but still quite limber. If its not comfy, I doubt I'll lose much selling it.

Thanks for the lively discussion. I'm going out to the garage to fire it up. Love the sound. Wish spring were not so far off.
 
rumblefish360 said:
I have to correct you on your knowledge being 100% dead wrong. The notion that it is a women's/girls bike is 100% dead wrong.
Click to expand...

there's a hardcore 'biker' in town who pulled up to a buddy who was showing off his sportster and said "nice bike. Cool that your wife let you borrow it".
:dontknow:
 
Idaho said:
I'm over the hill but still quite limber. If its not comfy, I doubt I'll lose much selling it.
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Well I see above you're 5'10", I'm sure you fit on it fine.

Me being 6' 2" 250, it's a tad cramped for me, lol.

Like I said, it looks like a nice bike for the money.
 
95teetee said:
there's a hardcore 'biker' in town who pulled up to a buddy who was showing off his sportster and said "nice bike. Cool that your wife let you borrow it".
:dontknow:
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And your point is......
 
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