Harley Sportster 883 Custom

New GZ250 · 05-17-2010, 08:38 PM

Just made an appointment for a test ride, should be interesting especially since my wife has made no comments on my appointment. Have to assume if you do not hear a yes it is a no. (Learnt that a long time ago) I just feel I need a bit more power between my legs! Well I can dream, can't I?

Easy Rider · 05-17-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New GZ250

Just made an appointment for a test ride,

Don't let the stars get in your eyes......and blind you. :biggrin:

I've heard that they will shake your guts out......even the new "better" ones.

There are lots of other ways to "upgrade".

If you haven't noticed, several of us here have "moved on" and none of them are Harleys.
(Sarris doesn't count!! :shocked: )

blaine · 05-17-2010, 09:41 PM

My brother has a 2001"883 sportster" that I have rode many times.I find it to be very uncomfortable.Many vibrations at road speed.My brother only rides about a hour at a time before stopping.He admits he only rides it because its a "HARLEY".But to each his own.

Sarris · 05-17-2010, 09:50 PM

I bought a new 2006 Sportster 883cc and had it immediately converted to 1250cc with a Weisco kit.

First, unless you weigh substantially less than say.....175 lbs (I do not) you will find it an uncomfortable miserable motorcycle to ride. It has shitty suspension (I installed Prog Susp lowered shocks, but it didn't help) a small gas tank and an even shittier seat and is a tall skinny bike that folks under 5'-8" or so will have to tip toe at stops.

That being said, about $5k will really fix most of the "inherent" problems, and they are fast as hell. Your test ride will immediately confirm whether you are the "Sportster" type. For a couple thou more, I'd recommend a Dyna Super Glide . It's a herd more bike and infinitely more comfy. I sold my Sporster after only six months.

Here's some photos on site. The Sarris Bikes

But hey, you may like it.. Good luck on your test ride.

:2tup:

JWR · 05-17-2010, 09:50 PM

Enjoy, all bikes are different.

Some better than others.

GZ Jess · 05-17-2010, 10:50 PM

My husband has a Dyna Super Glide and it is pretty comfortable. I am shorter and can still flat foot it and love the power but the weight was just to much for me to learn on. That is how I ended up with my GZ250, which I am very happy with so far. I think a lot of people are turned off of HD by the Sportsters so if you don't like the feel of it try a Dyna next. Good luck!

burkbuilds · 05-17-2010, 10:57 PM

Pulled up behind a guy on a Harley at a traffic light last week and couldn't believe how badly his bike was visibly shaking. I don't see how he was able to hang onto the handle bars. All I could think was, "man, if I paid that kind of money for a motorcycle and it shook that badly somebody at the dealership was gonna be getting an earful from me!"

GZ Jess · 05-17-2010, 11:11 PM

It is funny though, the first time I sat on my bike and started it I couldn't tell it was running. Between it being so smooth and quiet I just couldn't tell! I understand why some people don't like the rumble of the HD and I am appreciating the quiet smooth ride of my new bike but I like the thrill of the loud pipes too! I may just have to have two bikes!

burkbuilds · 05-17-2010, 11:14 PM

Just get some headphones and make a long recording of loud pipes on a bike and play it while you ride.

oakies · 05-19-2010, 08:54 PM

My opinion..Go for it. Ive had 5 Sportsters over the years. Still have my 04 that I got new along with my 06 Wide Glide and my GZ. Yea, theres beter riding bikes, faster bikes,etc. But in my opinion..The Sportster is a FUN bike to ride. Thats why I kept it even after I got the Wide Glide.

05-17-2010, 08:38 PM	#1
New GZ250 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 297	Harley Sportster 883 Custom Just made an appointment for a test ride, should be interesting especially since my wife has made no comments on my appointment. Have to assume if you do not hear a yes it is a no. (Learnt that a long time ago) I just feel I need a bit more power between my legs! Well I can dream, can't I? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-17-2010, 09:41 PM	#3
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom My brother has a 2001"883 sportster" that I have rode many times.I find it to be very uncomfortable.Many vibrations at road speed.My brother only rides about a hour at a time before stopping.He admits he only rides it because its a "HARLEY".But to each his own. __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-17-2010, 09:50 PM	#4
Sarris Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Port Richey, Florida USA Posts: 1,348	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom I bought a new 2006 Sportster 883cc and had it immediately converted to 1250cc with a Weisco kit. First, unless you weigh substantially less than say.....175 lbs (I do not) you will find it an uncomfortable miserable motorcycle to ride. It has shitty suspension (I installed Prog Susp lowered shocks, but it didn't help) a small gas tank and an even shittier seat and is a tall skinny bike that folks under 5'-8" or so will have to tip toe at stops. That being said, about $5k will really fix most of the "inherent" problems, and they are fast as hell. Your test ride will immediately confirm whether you are the "Sportster" type. For a couple thou more, I'd recommend a Dyna Super Glide . It's a herd more bike and infinitely more comfy. I sold my Sporster after only six months. Here's some photos on site. The Sarris Bikes But hey, you may like it.. Good luck on your test ride. :2tup: __________________ Prudent riders live longer than moron riders.
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05-17-2010, 09:50 PM	#5
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom Enjoy, all bikes are different. Some better than others. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-17-2010, 10:50 PM	#6
GZ Jess Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 100	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom My husband has a Dyna Super Glide and it is pretty comfortable. I am shorter and can still flat foot it and love the power but the weight was just to much for me to learn on. That is how I ended up with my GZ250, which I am very happy with so far. I think a lot of people are turned off of HD by the Sportsters so if you don't like the feel of it try a Dyna next. Good luck!
	0

05-17-2010, 10:57 PM	#7
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom Pulled up behind a guy on a Harley at a traffic light last week and couldn't believe how badly his bike was visibly shaking. I don't see how he was able to hang onto the handle bars. All I could think was, "man, if I paid that kind of money for a motorcycle and it shook that badly somebody at the dealership was gonna be getting an earful from me!"
	0

05-17-2010, 11:11 PM	#8
GZ Jess Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 100	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom It is funny though, the first time I sat on my bike and started it I couldn't tell it was running. Between it being so smooth and quiet I just couldn't tell! I understand why some people don't like the rumble of the HD and I am appreciating the quiet smooth ride of my new bike but I like the thrill of the loud pipes too! I may just have to have two bikes!
	0

05-17-2010, 11:14 PM	#9
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom Just get some headphones and make a long recording of loud pipes on a bike and play it while you ride.
	0

05-19-2010, 08:54 PM	#10
oakies Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 26	Re: Harley Sportster 883 Custom My opinion..Go for it. Ive had 5 Sportsters over the years. Still have my 04 that I got new along with my 06 Wide Glide and my GZ. Yea, theres beter riding bikes, faster bikes,etc. But in my opinion..The Sportster is a FUN bike to ride. Thats why I kept it even after I got the Wide Glide.
	0