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Harley Davidson Sportster

reviewed by fitman

Here's Her "new" 2001 883 Hugger...$3200 on Fleabay...:


fitman
08/03/2009

Harley Davidson Sportster 3

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.

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GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
(Edited 111 days ago)
36 years of riding virtually every bike line out there. So what?

1) Why did virtually every Japanese manufacturer copy the Evo V-Twin if it's 30's technology.

2) Depending on the year, there was either some vibration or minimal. The Suzuki I had was far worse than my 93. Early Sporties bolted the engine to the frame. Not good for vibration.
All the models from 99 (I believe, might be earlier) through the present have some sort of dampener, be it rubber mounts or springs

3) the 2009 Sportie lowrider cost 10,000. Might not be the cheapest bike but it's hardly "paying dearly" for one.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
I don't know whether or not "every Japanese manufacturer" copied EVOs, but I'm pretty sure Sportsters haven't featured the EVO engine - at least until fairly recently.

I fault Japanese firms for making bikes that look like chopper wannabees, but again we're dealing with buyers with poor taste. (The Honda GB500s and 650 Hawks didn't sell.)


fitman commented 111 days ago.
I'm far from a Harley expert, but I've been told EVOs were so well balanced when first introduced that buyers hated 'em, so the vibration was engineered back in.


GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
The Evolution engine (popularly known as Evo or Blockhead) is an air-cooled, 45 degree, V-twin motorcycle engine manufactured since 1984 by the Harley Davidson Motor Company. It was made in the 1340cc (80 cubic inch) displacement for Harley-Davidson Big Twin bikes, replacing the obsolete Shovelhead engine, until 1999 when it was replaced by the Twin Cam 88s. It was made in the 1100cc displacement and is still made in the 883cc and 1200cc displacements since 1986 for the Harley-Davidson Sportster, where it also replaced the Ironhead Sportster engine

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Save $3,000 and own a better bike:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2009/honda/shadow /05/index.html

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Like I said, I'm not an expert, so I stand corrected.

However, I rode a 1200cc Sportster in 1995, and my inexpert opinion was: It sucked.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Harley filed a couple of lawsuits against Japanese manufactuers for copying the V-Twin (essentially the EVO) not sure what the outcome was or if it's still in the courts.

Can't speak for the vibration aspect, though I always thought it odd that the engine was bolted to the frame. Vibration wasn't bad on mine like I said, but any vibration is bound to loosen bolts, unless you use locktite. Not good for removal unless you've got air tools, which I don't.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
To each his own. Could have been you just had a shitty bike.

Nice bike and looks somewhat like a Softtail Custom, but you can't be serious. It's 745 vs 1200. Overbore it to 1200, if it's possible since I don't know the thinkness of the cylinder walls, to 1200 will cost you a couple of grand using quality parts, so basically it's a wash.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
My bike's only 500cc.

It keeps right up with the bigger bikes until about 75/80 mph, and tops off at over 100.

Anything bigger is a waste as far as I'm concerned.

Power/weight ratio is much more important than engine size.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
If the 1200 Sportster was a "shitty bike", it's Harley's fault 'cause they supplied it for test rides.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
The only reference to a lawsuit I've found is about Harley trying to patent the sound of a V-Twin exhaust.

I can see why the H-D folks were pissed at Japan for turning out HOG wannabees, but like I said, Americans won't buy good looking bikes in sufficient numbers to warrant making them.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
My first bike was a 650 that would run rings around Harleys. It's the power/weight thing.

Two of my friends - back in the day - had 750 Nortons that would do over 150 mph and handled better than 99% of modern bikes.


GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Like I said on the Harley, to each his own. Sometimes test bikes are used so frequently they get beaten to death. Yours may have been new, which makes my previous comment moot, unless they was a jet, ignition, tune-up issue, assuming we're talking strictly engine.

Agreed on the P/W, which is why I'd be suspect of the Shadow. Looks heavy. I could hit 125 pretty easy on my 93. At 85 is was still smooth.

My experience with bikes under 900 cc's is that at cruising speed the vibration is hard to take. Unless yours has some serious dampening or the engine set up for hard riding, I'd be hard pressed to want to cruise for long on it.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
My little Honda is almost as smooth and solid at 80mph as my BMW R100RS was at 125mph.

I recently rode it a couple of hundred miles down I-95 and back and felt no discomfort (and I'm nearly 70yo).

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
I'd have to look at the V-Twin issue again.

P/W is nice, but the real determiner is rear wheel horse and for that you need a dyno. Most HP ratings don't mean dick without it.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Everything about the Sportster I rode seemed cheap, and it didn't handle very well either.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Can't argue with that then. Sounds like you hit the pick of the litter.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
BTW, riding in Florida isn't a lot of fun... no twisties. Tires wear out in the center before they're barely scuffed in on the shoulders.

I miss northern California.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Opposite of my experience. I could and did ride for 3 or 4 miles on a straight with my hands of the bars and just an occasional flick of the throttle to keep it at speed. Didn't move an inch.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Lots of twisties in mass, but the drivers are fucking crazy. You take your life in your hands every time you mount the bike.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
I suggest moving to Vermont.

;-)

fitman commented 111 days ago.
They don't know how to drive here in FLA either.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
Better still, go to Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia area. Nothing straight About those roads.
:-)

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Ya, I lived in Florida a few times. Better than mass, but not by much. At least there though they're not trying to kill you on purpose.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Yeah, southern Indiana too. I've ridden all around that area back in the mid '80s.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
By the way, Jim, Your experience with Suzuki's has been a lot different from mine. Vibration has been minimal on the Models I have ridden.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Actually was thinking of that strip of road in NC near the border. Can't remember it's name, but it's one hell of a ride, supposedly.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
Dragon tail?

fitman commented 111 days ago.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Sometimes it just comes down to personal taste, Gris. The bike looked nice, which is why I bought it, but the balance sucked and the vibration was pretty hard to take, especially for a 1350cc bike. I think it also was a six speed, which made it even more of a mystery.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
You talkin' about the NC road, Gris. Don't think that's the one, but to be honest I really don't remember.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
I'll give ya That taste has a Lot to do with it. Have ya ridden the Bandit? Pretty smooth Ride in my experience.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Six speeds is what my little Honda has. I think of it as five with overdrive.


Gris commented 111 days ago.
Dragons tail is an eleven Mile stretch from Tennessee to North Carolina. In that 11 miles there are over 318 turns.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
I know that area extremely well, I have ridden it more times than I can count and have even Met myself on one of the Rides. Gotta little road rash.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
But aside From the Dragon, the entire Area is perfect for Riding. It is nothing but Mountains and Curves.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Nice song. Fits Florida perfectly.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Bingo Fit, it's Deals Gap. Lots and lots of twisties and pretty long IIRC from what I've read.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
It was written by the Reverend Billy C. Wirtz who lives a few miles from my house.

Florida is particularly dangerous because Granny is sharing the road with impatient speed demons and various nitwits text messaging as they cruise along.

If you're wondering where the traffic cops are, I can testify they're no better drivers than the civilians.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Dragon's huh. Sounds like a nice ride. 318 turns. I'd like to try that in the fall when the leaves are all over the wet road.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
Fit--Fla Drivers sound eerily reminiscent of Ga drivers. Maybe it's a Southern thing.
Jim--It's an Awesome ride, worth checking out. But Make sure you do it Early enough in the year before the Roads ice.
;-)

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Tampa was pretty good for driving. Cops were invisible. Jacksonville on the other hand had idiots behind the wheel. Old folks weren't the problem, jackasses in their souped up honda's and subaru's were the main problem. Cops ALL over the place. Stuart was just plain dead and Clearwater had too many tourists. Heavy handed cops too.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
I've never ridden in North Carolina, but I've been through the state in an automobile and didn't feel particularly welcome.

My gf lived there for a while, but couldn't get along with the natives and moved back to FLA about twenty years ago.

My father was offered a well paying job there back in the late '50s, but declined after checking out the "culture". (we stayed in northern New England).

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Yeh, Gris, that's what I was thinking. People forget that NC can get pretty damn cold.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
Yeah they Seem to have their Own little world around there. I have a lot of Family in the hillbilly part of Tennessee. It is like being in another Country sometimes.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
Re: Icy roads. That higher elevation is nothing to Fuck with.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
NC's not too bad, but like any state it has it's share of assholes. SC just plain blows. I try not to stop there, even for gas.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Stuart area has:


GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
That's for damn sure on the elevation/ice.

Gris commented 111 days ago.
Just keep your Eyes open and your Mouth shut. You'll be okay.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
Why do I suddenly think of DELIVERANCE?

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Don't remember ever hitting Port Salerno. Jensen Beach wasn't too bad. Like I said though, Stuart was just dead, well at least it was 14 years ago.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
(Edited 111 days ago)
Wasn't that bad of a song. Not too big of a fan of violins in a band, though. Sounds a bit too country for my taste.

GoinDownSlow commented 111 days ago.
Got's to go. If you're still here, you gentlemen have a good night. See you later.

fitman commented 111 days ago.

fitman commented 111 days ago.
G'night, all.

FranksWildYears commented 104 days ago.
Just wait. We'll get to you soon enough.

fitman commented 104 days ago.
BRING IT ON!

;-)

FranksWildYears commented 104 days ago.
He's probably still reading Jim's first comment.

GoinDownSlow commented 104 days ago.
Good luck with that, whatever it is your talking about...

Someone at RIA needs to figure out a way to order these comments so it doesn't read like we're at a fucking ADD conference.


fitman commented 104 days ago.
OK, Jim: For the three comments prior to your last one, Frank and I were goofing on Sam.I.Am's fanaticising.
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