To all of you who repeatedly denounce Harley's as worthless, I have owned my '02 1200 Custom for about 3 years now, and not once has it needed even a slight tune up. Great running bike, fast as hell, and above all, RELIABLE. Also, when I did a complete powertrain rebuild, by choice for more performance, not necessity, it was probably the easiest of all the bikes I have ever worked on. To those who like to crack jokes about how the Harley is a shitty bike compared to theirs...ie, a CBR 600 RR, I seriously doubt you know half as much as you say. Judging a bike based on the ability to go 0 to 150 in about 30 seconds is the most ridiculous and heinous argument I have ever heard. A bike does not have to go that fast to be a good bike. Another point, most of the ones who brag about how fast their bike is, have ABSOLUTELY no judgement, or foresight for that matter. When you crash at 150 mph, which is almost inevitable, you will be lucky if you only kill yourself, and not someone else. In the event that you do survive, I will still be riding my reliable 1200 while your bike is in pieces on the highway and you are in the ICU. When I see someone post something along the lines of, I eat Harley's with my VMX1200, I immediately thing, that F250 you rear end at 150 will be eating YOU for about 200 yards down the highway when you plow into him. Just as an example, my father was rear ended in 1979 by a CB1000X doing about 150 while he was doing 30. You couldn't fit a slice of bread between the tail gate and the cab after the accident. The motorcycle rider hit a telephone pole 180 ft further down the road, and he was still 8 ft in the air upon impact. His feet were ripped off at the ankles by the foot pegs, and a piece of his skull 4 inches by 4 inches was missing, this was while wearing a helmet. So while you ride around trying to impress me with your so called "skill" on a rice burner, I shake my head in wonder that you aren't dead already. And sometimes, in my off days, I wish you were, to remove the jackasses that pose a risk not only for yourselves, but me as well. My point is this, the people who make stupid comments like the afore mentioned, have no credibility as a rider, only as complete morons who bought the bike not for the name, but for the image of being a badass that can go fast. In reality, you aren't as badass as you think, the telephone pole, the pavement, and the minivan will all testify to that.

Oh, and to the guy who thinks the V-Rod is a poor excuse for a watercooled bike...watch a real race... and you will see. The V-Rod dominates. Thank you for proving you too are a jackass.

I've been riding for over half a century. Started with a 650 BSA, and have owned Triumphs, BMWs and Hondas. I've had occasion to ride most of the HD line, and can testify that newer models aren't nearly as useless as those of the mid Twentieth Century. If you like basic 1930's technology, lots of vibration and paying dearly for the label, Sportsters are great.

I give the Sportster a '0' rating because of complete lack of service from HD and it's dealers in the USA. Follows is my letter to the company where they did NOT fix the bike under warranty and I was forced to sell it...really nice people! This is just a heads up for those of you who purchase one of these bikes. I am SURE others have had a good experience, this is what you will get if you do NOT have a good example:
To: Harley Davidson Customer Service From: David J. xxxxx
3700 W. Juneau Avenue PMB xxx
Milwaukee, WI 53208 xxxxxxxxxxx
414-343-4056 Deming, NM 88030
575-xxx-xxxx


To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter in reference to 2007 883 Sportster VIN: 1HD4CN2137K423311 which is in your database for problems related to a factory conversion to 1200 spec. I want to tell your company about the complete lack of concern for the problem that this bike has had since it's conversion in late March. As your records show, I brought this bike into Barnett HD in Las Cruces New Mexico in late March of 2008 for a factory 883 to 1200 conversion using the HD complete conversion kit(the bike already had SE SP mufflers on it). The bike was done in around 4 days and I picked it up a week later. Upon first starting it at the dealership, it poured smoke, and I thought it was just the lube from assembly, so I went on my way for a trip to Roswell NM a few hours away. After being on the road for an hour or so, I saw lots of oil coming from the rear head onto the outside of the rear pipe and the oil tank. As I was near Roswell, I went into the HD dealer there. They thought it was a pinched rocker cover gasket, and I paid them to replace it, as I thought this was just a little problem. I went to my hotel in Roswell, and the bike was not operated for 2 days. When I started it 2 days later, it poured smoke(white, choking smoke), and the rear rocker cover again was leaking a lot of oil, so I rode it to the HD dealer where the work was done(Las Cruces) and even thought it was a Sunday, they replaced the rear rocker cover gasket, test rode it, and saw it leaking again. This started the hell with this conversion. That bike stayed at that dealer for 2 months, got a new set of chrome rocker covers(which DID fix the rocker cover leak for good) and a new rear head which was supposed to fix the smoke issue. It did not, after sitting for 3 days it again poured smoke when started, and the dealer picked up the bike to fix it, and it came back a week later. I was instructed to ride it and let it break in, and then see if the problem had gone away. At this time I started a log(copies included) to make sure what was going on with the oil issue. The first check of how much oil it used(as an 883 it NEVER used any oil), showed 767mi per quart, and as this was just a prelim measurement I decided to change the oil for new HD regular(not Syn3) oil, new filter, ride the bike after changing to get all the bubbles out, then put the oil level at the middle of the oil dip stick(I put a hash mark on it) so that it was not over full and blowing oil out the breathers. I ALWAYS measured the oil in my driveway after the bike was fully warm, ALWAYS put in a little oil, rode a few miles, etc. until it was back at the hash mark again...very consistent measuring, and I used a graduated beaker to measure the oil going in. The bike NEVER leaked oil, and I constantly checked for any leaks. Also, after sitting for a few days, it still smoked a lot, and had bursts of smoke at around 3500rpm. All this after the bike was gone for over 2 months, was in the shop 3 times including the initial conversion, and I had called your company to see what could be done. I next contacted Barnett HD in Las Cruces NM on 8-22-2008, and said I was going to drop it off on 9-27-2008 for a month while I was on vacation for them to finally fix the smoke issue and fix the bike to factory spec(less than 1 quart of oil usage per 1,000mi riding). I also had them re-gear the primary drive to 1200 spec(it already had a 30 tooth countershaft sprocket). When I called the dealer on 10-24-2008 at 0910hrs I was told the almost incredible news: 1. The bike was ready, 2. there was no problem, and 3. I was to ride it and have THEM add oil to show there was nothing wrong with it(they did not believe me as to the oil issue, even though they had my mileage book, nice people). I arrived at 0900hrs 10-25-2008 to pick-up and ride the bike home(I live 55mi away), started it in their parking lot outside the service bay, and it poured white smoke. So I shut it off, went inside, brought out the service manager for that day, and started it again to 'prove' to him that it does indeed pour smoke. His comment?? 'That's obviously where the oil is going, from the front cylinder'. The bike had sat for a few weeks before I started it. I left the bike, called your company to discuss what was going on here(total time

Powerful, agile (for a Harley), great sound. American icon.

This guy is a complete A-hole. He must be an import Japannese or a Barin washed American. Either it adds up to A-hole !!!!!!

Hi just bot this 2001 XL883 Hugger for the wife...I've had em all...ricers to hogs...so no embarrasing crap about any. If I want to go fast, I have my GS1100EZ, want to cruise and look good, the FLHRI Road King awaits...This Sporty is a neat little harley, take it from me if you think the NEWER Sportys are bad, you should have rode the "iron lung" ones from the early 70s!! (I had a 74 XLH...no kick starter believe it or not...and them damn things sure needed it!!) I got so tired of puttin bendix' in the damn starter I just push started it for the last year I owned it. (had to look for a good place to park so I could take off back then, specially if yer comin out of a bar...LOLOL) So this one's cool....what I like about them is it dont cost hardly anything to own one! I paid 3200 for this '01 with 15K new tires, looks brand new! Can't buy a japper in this shape for that...unreal...yes, by all means try one if you're just getting into riding...heck, you can't LOSE at these giveaway prices!! GO FER IT

I have one

I just bought my 9th harley, a 2008 883 sportser for my wife, rides great lots of power lots of people here make comments about harleys not being fast. I am 60 years old and still riding my 2003 heritage softail with the 88b motor.My queston is how fast do you really want to go in traffic? I raced motorcycles for 8 years (flat trackers) Harley ruled and I believe they still do.If you guys want to go fast go racing . No oncoming traffic. No soccer moms. wouldnt that be a little safer than saying you ate someones Harley for lunch out on the street?Bythe way if a Harley looks so bad why i it that its the most copied engine in the world.I havent seen any Zundapp look alikes lately have you?cant tell you how many times ive heard "looks just like a Harley" look at the tank it says budda all over it.It aint a Harley.And for all you bush leaugers would be racers and crotch rocket riders a piece of good advice. cars and trucks coming at you are hard ,real hard, go racing arace tracks.It takes ball I know but there is no oncoming traffic, no traffic lights or stop signs and no cops.Ride safe on the street, take it from an old man.There are old riders and bold riders but there are very few old bold riders.----------OINK--------------

I am contemplating buying an '87 Sportster but wanted to know if that 4 speed transmission is an issue. I know the newer ones are 5 sps. I dont ride much and never any distance, so I figured the 4 gears w/b fine for me. Comments? penick@nettally.com please.....

biker joe is a moron ive had my harley 1987 sportster for 5 years, bought from the original owner and I have never had any problems and only needed normal servicing. maybe you should work out a little so you can lift a real bike! live 2 ride ride 2 live.

  I have over 45,000 miles on my 1995 Sportster.  Yes it was under powered so I bored it out to a 1200.  It runs out of gear, causing loose bolts.  The seat is almost as wide as a 2x6 and twice as hard.  Even with all these issues I still can't get rid of it.  Alot of people have either whined or commented about Harley riders and how can we put up with under powered, vibrating, leaking (mostly a myth/bygone era, 3 Harley's and not one single leak) bikes and I can tell you a big reaon why.  Harley-Davidson has embraced a lifestyle, the feeling of freedom, brotherhood, and fun that the Japanese companies won't or can't copy.  I frequently ride with 50 other bikers, our group has Harley's, Yamaha's, Honda's, BMW's, Tiumphs, you name it, we have it.  So I have heard all of the rhetoric.  "Oh, my bike's faster", "You should have bought my bike, it's just like a Harley but cheaper", "How much oil do you use?".  Why is this?  If someone really thinks his or her bike is better why don't they just keep their mouth shut.  I think the reason is a lack of identity.  How many Yamaha riders visit a Yamaha dealership to buy a T-shirt?   How many Honda riders groups are in a given city (Columbus, Ohio has three Harley Owners Goups)?  I feel sorry for people like the Vmax chick who find it necessary to write a review on a bike she has never owned.  All of you Jap bikers should go to your local dealer and insist on them supporting you, make you feel like you are part of something bigger.  Maybe then you will have something better to do than cry about your big brothers on American Iron.

I have a few vintage Hondas and they're great. But, my '88 sportster is
my favorite ride. Lots of power and lots of fun. It's a pretty versatile bike, great for short or long trips.

I don't know about the newer (post-Evo) models,most of my experience is with earlier "vintage" bikes.I'm also aware of some folks trying to say the Sporties are "too small"-and I say "Bull!" Sure,you had to do some aftermarket customizing to make these kitties purr-but it was well worth the scraped knuckles and half of you paycheck for a month or so.A sportster 1200,chopped down to the bare essentials,is a beautiful sight and a most noble and nimble ride.It is also light enough to push out of harms way should you run into any trouble,which is a decided advantage over many heavier bikes that weigh at least an extra 100 lbs.LOW END TORQUE RULES!

Thanks for all the valuable input! I have been browsing ebay for an upgrade to my kawasaki 450ltd (which I LOVE...just ready for something with more balls on the interstate). I learned to ride last spring, put over 3000 on my bike and there seems to be a lot of sportsters on ebay....wondering why so many if it's a great bike. All of your input was much appreciated...think I'll stick with looking for an upgrade to my kawasaki! Vulcan maybe?

Well I have read all of the reviews/comments here and this is my conclusion. Every bike has pros and cons. I started riding at 7 on a mini bike and at age 40 I can say I have been on about every bike out there. I can say that simply due to the fact that I have friends that own dealerships and I belong to several clubs and have the chance to ride different bikes there as well. To say something SUCKS is a serious lack of knowledge. I own a ZX12 that I adore, but to go by ratings and reviews on other boards, then I should say my 12 SUCKS but I can't. Sure it has been in the shop several times, but when I want to go fast I ride the 12. I also own a 93 Sporty which I also love when I want to cruise around town. I have just taken a coast to coast trip, from Long Beach, Ca. to Miami Fl on the Sporty and loved every minute of my ride. My wife enjoyed it as well so that should tell you that you CAN have a rider and enjoy your trip, even on a Sporty at distance. Honestly, while we were on our trip, each and everytime we stopped we were told how great my Sporty looks. This is from other riders or just people passing by. The other riders, rode all different types of bikes. So here is the deal. Get off your horse and stop telling people their bikes SUCK just becuase you ride something different. Grow up! To my wife and I, every bike is beautiful and every rider is a friend no matter what they ride. We WAVE to everyone. The people you should share your anger with are the idiots who drive cars, who put OUR lives at risk for not paying attention and help your fellow riders with support, advice, sound opinions. There is my two cents Salty Pirate 93 Sporty (Chrome to the bone) 01 ZX12 (my baby) 71 Wife (grumpy in the morning) 02 daughter (LOVES the NINJA)

I got my 2001 883 Hugger new in 2001. It was a great 'beginner' bike and great for a girl with the low seat. The engine was under powered and actually dangerous if you needed to accelerate quickly. Now that the engine has rubber mounts, I am sure it vibrates less. Mine had my whole body shaking after 50 miles. It was not a bike I would like to spend all day on! The transmission was typically HD clunky. The brakes were scary. The stock fuel tank was way too small. I had a few small problems (leaks) that were fixed by the dealership. I kept the bike a year and went on to a V-Rod.

"OK" is all I can say. I had an '87 1100 Sporty (1200cc/high-compression courtesy of Wiseco), with big carb, hot cams, Supertrapp exhaust and Metzeler tires. Fun enough, I suppose, for around-town cruising and running errands. Underwhelming power & brakes. Clutch WAY too tough, combined with a clunky transmission (although reliable & 'solid' shifting). Fuel tank way too small - Purely a dubious "style" thing. Engine had a cool feel - Torquey, but not enough real power. They run out of rpm's just when a proper engine starts breathing well. I will admit that, despite a lot of fairly hard, high-rpm thrashing, it never leaked oil. I wanted real performance, so I moved on to a Ducati; a V-Twin that actually functioned well. I can appreciate some of the Harley mystique, but the rabid loyalty of most HD fans is beyond my comprehension. I gotta think, after my own personal experience with "the Motor Company", that by-and-large, "they" (hardcore HD fans) just don't "get it". I don't get them - How can anybody really feel that strongly about something that just doesn't work well? Same folks that go in for NASCAR I guess; it would seem that illustrates the matter adequately. I think it's a joke to spout off about Harleys' "power", etc. It is to laugh...! Harley's are OK as a toy/2nd bike, but really can't (shouldn't) be taken seriously. The "Big Twins" are just that - Bigger (& WAY heavier..), but not necessarily any better. The V-Rod might be the exception (with engine by Porsche...). I think it says a lot that the once venerable Harley Davidson had to be bailed out by the US government in the mid-80's, including unfair tariffs on all Japanese bikes over 700cc... Still, I suppose if you are intent on owning a "cruiser", you ought to at least get "the real thing"; that was my justification at the time.

Not very reliable but fun to ride. The styling isn't that great either.

I bought an '05 Sportster Custom 1200 and loved it for a while. As I began to realize that I wanted to ride longer distances, I found the bike simply inadequate. A great bike for around town and for the fun of being quick off the line, but for long rides it comes up short. I traded fpr a Honda VTX 1300 R and am quite satisfied by the upgrade. I did get good value for the Harley trade and am happy about that. My biggest complaint was about using a quart of oil per 1,000 miles which several dealers told me is "normal." I find that a bit hard to accept in a new bike, so I was not reluctant to let it go.

I rate the harley sportster as good, not great. Why? I love sporsters, and have owned 3. But...I think Harley should put more into the sporster line than they have. Why is there no big inch factory model? An 88 inch, or 95+ inch model? Why no fuel injection? Why isnt the sportster harleys "hot rod"? The sportster engine certainly has potential. The brakes are getting better. The rubber mounted engine is an improvement, for sure, (althought removing the trap door on the tranny was a mistake). And that seat...too hard. So, although I love the sporty, i cannot give it the top rating until the motor company puts more into it. I am sure there are a lot of guys like me that would willing to pay more for a true hotrod sporty.

I've been riding for 12 years. Have owned a Honda Interceptor 500, Honda CBR 600, Honda CB500four, Yamaha XS750 special, Yamaha XS650, Suzuki GS550ES, Kawasaki Ninja 250, BMW K750 all nice bikes. I just recently was in the process of buying a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX10 when at the last minute I came across a 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Roadster in racing Orange. Immediately I fell in love with it, bought it on the spot. Had a stage 1 screaming eagle kit installed. All Ill say is I will never go back to the rice burners!!

Its almost thirty years since I sold my last bike (some Yamaha POS) and I'm thinking very hard about re-entering the market with one of these. Can you say mid-life crisis? I knew you could.

you can tell who the true riders are by reading some of these opinions,I too have rode many brands of bikes and I can prodely say, none hold a candel to a Harley.I own a 1986 sportster and it has over 60000 miles on it.it doesn't leak,starts when I need her to and If she could speek it would be in English.Advice to any one looking for a bike specially a new rider,buy yourself a sportster,the price is right they will hold a good trade in or resale value.and remember this when shoping for a bike,its been all the other junk/motorcycle companys imatating Harley not Harley imatating them.

Two Words...V-Max! F**k the V-rod! I eat them for lunch with my VMX12 Here's a news flash, Harley, get out of the liquid-cooled market while you still have a chance. Everybody who owns and rides liquid-cooled bikes laugh at you feeble attempt to enter this market. Do us all a favor and go back to AMF and make rubber balls! At least your company will be doing something constructive for the American public to enjoy...

I just purchased the 2004 sportster 1200c and it is a work of art. The new motor mounting system has taken away all of the unneccary vibration. The power is incredible and the bike looks great. Furthermore, when I sold my '93 sportster, I sold it for more than I paid for it. Can you rice burner owners say that?

Handling: Good Braking: Good Power: Ok Comfort: Bad Upkeep: Terrible Reliablility: Terrible Looks: Good Gas milage: Good Top speed: Ok Customer service: Bad I would buy a 1923 BMW before I bought another HARLEY!

Having been raised around all brands of motorcycles since age 12,(I'm 50 today),and having owned all brands of motorcycles, and being surrounded by Harleys and the like, I finally bought what I always wanted in high school, a brand new sportster, 2003. I chose the 883 Hugger due to my 5'5 height.Its great for bopping around town but, If you want to cruise with the big boys at speed, you will be disappointed, as I'am.Nor does accomadate a second rider well. Its performance power band is in the lower to mid range and doesnt have much left after 80 mph.At 90 your riding a high rpm vaccuum cleaner that you really dont want to see or feel 100!It takes bumps a little rough and noisy. I'm really missing my kawasaki.

Question: What's the difference between a Harley Davidson and a vacuum cleaner? Answer: You can only fit one dirtbag on a vacuum cleaner! Seriously, nothing says Look at me, I'm starved for attention! like the roar of a Harley. Guys who ride these things almost always have issues with their mothers, in addition to trying to compensate for being small in the pants.

I bought my 1200 Custom in 2001 and love it. I have had a 85 NightHawk, 86 Sabre 1100, 87 V65 Magna all great bikes. But none compare to my Harley. It is a great low torque fun bike to ride. If I was just getting my first Bike or a smaller Guy, I would get the Harley Low Rider for the lower center of gravity. But no other Harley can corner or keep up with a Sportster 1200.except mayber the New V-Rod. I can take the My Wife and Gear too. I think My Next Harley with a be a Wide Glide or Duece.

Harley's SUCK! This overpriced piece of crap is top heavy underpowered has almost no chrome and looks cheap. Buy a honda if you want to RIDE a bike. Buy a Harley if you want to have bike to repair...often.

I like Harley Davidson motorcycles, especially the ones that are sporty like. If I were to get one, I would get an orange one with black leather seat cover.

Nice ride and smooth on the road. Relaxing, can just lay back and enjoy. Comfortable, nice and cushioned.

Very strong bike that I like to ride. I am a bike lover and this is the bike you want if you want power.

unfortunately, these are like rectums (everyone has one)...if you are going to invest in a Harley, buy one that will not be depreciating like the sporsters.