[calex59]

I remember the K models. I can tell I am getting old when I read people calling sportsters "chick" bikes. What a crock. Back in the day the biggest bike, except for the Harley 74, was a 650, 500 being average. I rode Harleys, all of them 74 pan heads(bored out to 80) for years and if I had the money I would buy another one now. Sportsters were considered "the" bike to own when I was young, after the K model came the 883 and every MAN wanted one, at least the ones I knew. I consider a 900cc machine to be too big for a beginner to start out on.

Speaking of squirely handling bikes, I put a 61 cu inch knucklehead in an old Indian scout frame, for those of you who might know what that was, and it was one he** of a bike. Never dropped it, either on purpose or by accident. Can't say the same for a couple of my old 74s though. Most of my buddies rode 650 BSA or Triumphs, no one would have dared tell them they were riding "chick" bikes in a derogatory tone, I can tell you that!

[Niteflyr]

Most of my buddies rode 650 BSA or Triumphs, no one would have dared tell them they were riding "chick" bikes in a derogatory tone, I can tell you that!

Yeah we must be from the same era. :o)

I didn't find out about the "chick bike" thing until after I bought a new Sporty in 2001. Seemed to be a thing among other Harley riders and no one else. Why some would be derogatory to other riders is beyond me because as you say (and even today) 900cc is not a toy....and back then they were huge. Maybe it was something rival biker gangs used to intimidate each other. Now the wannabe's have picked up on the insult. It never bothered me but I did move up to a big twin as I wanted to do long distance with two up or I wouldn't have sold the Sporty.