Posted on 03/15/2005 1:11:57 PM PST by martin_fierro
You are wise!
;-)
Thrill? Please explain.
I dropped my bike making a u-turn on the way home from the shop -- no traffic involved, and speed of about... 1. But I had gotten pretty good at making youies in the class and forgot that the weight and handling would be different on my new bike. It was pretty disheartening, but it didn't get scratched.
That's exactly what happened to me, except I was onthe street and I trained on a Buell 500, and I didn't hurt my knee though I did get some road rash on my elbow. But it WAS my new (to me) Vulcan 750. :)
I'd like to have a sportster, but that's mostly because that's what I could afford. Fat Boy Softtail if I had my druthers. OR a Dyna Low Rider... like 'em both. Road King is really cool, but my goodness that's a lot of bike.
Livin' on the edge my friend, it's livin' on the edge. It's exhilirating, and I really haven't had any problem.
I'm just a little squirt, so a Dyna Low Rider is as big as I can go!
Now I agree that there is something about thrills. But as a steady diet for driving? I don't think so.
I have a '91 Sporty with short shocks on it. It sits reeeal low. Look into shorter rear shocks.
Also, there is quite a weight difference. Your Sporty will be easier to 'muscle' around than the Dyna. The handling on the Sporty is quicker, but if you're looking for slower turning, look into a 'rake' kit.
Sporties are fun. The 1200's are berrry quick. I think you will enjoy making your Sporty your own. Plus you are already used to the way it rides. Stay with it.
"I've owned three Harleys, twenty plus bikes of other makes, in 56 years of riding and they are all good!"
Amen to 'they're all good'. Just depends on what you like. Pretty soon, like Goldilocks, your butt finds the seat that really feels right, at least for a while.
I quit driving in traffic since my motorcycle had a front wheel blowout on the southwest freeway just outside loop 610
in Houston, Texas. I didn't wreck or lose it but it was hairy (no fun at all).
Some AHole took me from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds and I got completely turned off.
Now, I respect all motorcycle drivers. They are certainly a cool breed. It is part of our American Heritage.
I would love to ride again. With a sane person. Somebody reasonable. It looks like so much fun. And, Im an older man. Ahhhhh, the reves under the cycle, the sound, the quick speed, the muniverability. Darn, that all sounds great. Guess Im not that old.
The Sportster is a great bike, and the 883 standard is a great bargain IMO. I've had a bunch of Harleys since 1965, all big twins until a few years ago, Superglides, Electra Glides, a Low Rider. Now I have a Sportster and I love it. But then, I don't do any long distance touring on it either. It's great for the kind of riding I do and that's the key: The right bike for the type of riding you plan to do. Electra Glides are great tourers. Superglides (Dynas) are versatile and good for commuting or light touring. The Sportster is perfect for commuting and weekend rides, especially the new ones with the rubber mounted engine. Personaly, I have little use for Softails or V-Rods (Except the new Street Rod which is really hot!) but they are all great bikes. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a really bad motorcycle being made today (Urals and Indian Enfields excepted of course)
My best advice to a person new to motorcycles is to buy one that is dual purpose. And only ride it to a place that allows off road riding.
Depending on your height/weight....wait a little longer till you can afford a big twin....one of the reason sport-tays are cheaper is people have a tendency to trade them pretty quickly and move up to a BT when they can.
If you're under 5'5" and under 125 lbs, the Sportster ain't bad around town, but nasty anything over 150 miles/day.
HD does use the Sporty as an entry level scooter, knowing you'll trade up.
Go for it my friend.
I am 65!
A Ford Expedition ran a red light and the motorcycle hit it. You already know who won.
Before Clinton got out of office he visited the Harley Plant in York, PA. Origionally, I was the lone protester against him. When they couldn't get into the plant for their normal shift, they turned nasty (they were losing money).
The truckers passing by across RT 30 in front of the Harley Plant, honked hard and loud. They saw my sign: It read:
Harley, an American Traditiion
Bill Clinton, an American Disgrace
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