I'm not a Harley guy

[Aaron D.]

Actually, I have discovered that chaps make a lot of sense..

Anyway, someday I should get a Sportster just for fun.

[savagehenry]

thx and no girlie bike/HD bashing jokes needed..

They are fast enough, and and anything that almost killed the Allman Bros Band ( both Duane Allman and  Barry Oakley  died on Sportsters) can't be JUST for girls, Just my own humble opinion...

[oldbike54]

They are fast enough, and and anything that almost killed the Allman Bros Band ( both Duane Allman and  Barry Oakley  died on Sportsters) can't be JUST for girls, Just my own humble opinion...

 Barry was on a 1967 Triumph .

 Dusty

[cruzziguzzi]

They are fast enough...

And if the 883 is not fast enough, the better part of a 50% increase in displacement is a credit card, basic tools and a couple-three hours away.




Todd.

[Vince in Milwaukee]

Heck, I just got a tax return for close to $900 and it's almost gone on miscelaneous  expenses.  There are a lot worse ways to spend $1,000.  I wouldn't think twice about picking this bike up; it should be in your garage like yesterday!   

[twowings]

I look at the Sportster like I looked at a Ford Ranger....all the good stuff with the fat stripped away....

[tazio]

..but for sportsters, I'll always make an exception!
and please do one of you're cool vidoes with it

[rboe]

Oh! I'll second the video and ride! 

[Shorty]

If your plans are to flip the Sportster, no biggie. I owned an early 90s Hugger 883. Hi FI Blue.  Loved the looks, hated everything else about it. Did not like the handling, lack of top end power. HATED the vibration. BUT, a Sporty for a grand? There be coin in your future, matey.

[Muzz]

   Other than vibration on longer rides, the pre rubber mount Evo Sportster isn't bad at all. And it will go around corners  surprisingly fast. And replacing a restrictive air filter and  the usual shorty pipes with a properly designed two into one exhaust really wakes up the engine. And contrary to popular belief you can ride a Harley in the same gear as any other bike 

My son is a dedicated Sporty man (don't blame me, I only work here) he will only own Sportys. his first bike was a 4 speed 883 converted to a 1200 with an Andrews third gear fitted. Reckons it is still one of the best bikes he has ever owned.

His present 1200 Sporty is a 2002, and it has had the mods done to it by the previous owner as Charlie has said, as well as having the ignition tweaked and the Thunderjet carb set up on a dyno. As we finished our 470 mile ride today by accident we got mixed up with a group of 4-5 big block Harleys. Both of us were surprised at how they held us up badly in the tighter twisties. His current ride goes like stink, sounds good too as it doe not go potato potato with the two in to one on it.

[Cool Runnings]

The Hugger is designed for someone about 5' 4" tall.

[cruzziguzzi]

The Hugger is designed for someone about 5' 4" tall.

Boy that's right.

However, I have over half a foot on that target height and am quite comfortable with it.

Where it does fall short (NPI) is in suspension travel. I'm still lucky enough to not give a whit for the most part about comfort but that lack of travel really let's you know about it in braking. As soon as that stiff, short travel, rear is unloaded by braking - traction back there simply disappears. Bad enough going straight but on a curve it is exceptionally unsettling. Also, I'm a guy who does a lot of maneuvering with my knees and rear brake... In this case, a Hugger takes a lot of getting used to if ridden aggressively and I don't interpret Sportsters as wanting to be ridden any other way.


Todd.

[BillinPA]

$1000 Sporty from a guy you trust ..........no brainer for me.  I think the sportster line is a very underappreciated bike. Tons of hop-up support, can easily be  a blank canvas for any style you choose.  My dad had an 883 in the early ninetys, it was a  nice bike, I used to be able to rip off some nice wheelies on it!!!

[fotoguzzi]

It comes with the original saddle and some flatter handlebars both of which I'll put on when I get it home next Sunday..
then I'll ditch the windscreen and crash bar..maybe get a bigger tank and solo saddle..
Drives like a tractor but I can adjust my riding style and see if I like it..
what I do like? Tubeless rims, Belt drive, 5 speed, simplicity..

[cruzziguzzi]

So, there it is.

Things to be ready for:

Fairly "wooden" front brake.
Easily locked up rear brake.
Mine - about 120 miles between fill-ups.
If it doesn't nearly surprise you with how quickly it starts - something's outa tune.
Think about earplugs, even if only on the right side.
Careful with a pressure washer around the pushrod tubes.
Rethink the tool bag rubbing on the sliders.
Factory Harley batteries look real good in the box displayed bare - without the chrome cover.
If you go with a replacement, larger tank, be sure to find out if it requires relocating the coil - usually they do.

Too, this has been a good forum for me:   http://xlforum.net/vbportal/modules/Jig/index.php  not nearly the gay=pirate crowd one might think. Lots of folks over there looking to ride more than style on their Sports.

I'm bettin' you'll like it - most especially taking the price into account.



Todd.

[Kev m]

Looks good.

It's carrying a lot of oil over to the breathers. Could be normal, could have a little too much blowby.

Sometimes a lot of highway rpm can do it or sometimes the umbrella valves are shot, or maybe the air cleaner just needs to be cleaned or replaced!

Some people install an oil catch can on the breather bolts.

[jetmechmarty]

I had an 883R, 2002.
It was reliable, vibrated and was slow.
It was very relaxing to ride.
It looked good but the seating position hurt my back.
One day someone asked me if I would consider selling it; it was sold that day.
No regrets

I had a ride on one of these just recently.  With those three brakes, it stopped really well.  It went through the turns at a very brisk pace and it had me grinning.  I think it was an '07 and had fuel injection.  The biggest surprise was that it fit me and was comfortable.  I'm over 6'4" and every big Harley I ever parked my butt on was way too small.  The seating position is right for me.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, that's a thousand dollar motorcycle all day, Brad.

[Scud]

Hey - that's a great deal. Unbolt and sell about 80 pounds of extras and turn into a $750 motorcycle that weighs less.

A buddy of mine has a newer 1200 Sportster and really likes it.

I'm not a "Harley Guy" either, but my wife's been hinting about learning to ride and wants a Triumph. Maybe we should go looking at some older 883s. I do like tractors...

[Stormtruck2]

I'd cough up a $1,000 for it in a heart beat. 

[Cool Runnings]

I'd cough up a $1,000 for it in a heart beat.

Have another hit, fresh air............ 

Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fresh Air

[HDGoose]

As you probably know there is a glut of HD's for sale...Sporties are selling pretty cheap.  That said, if it was local to me I would have already bought it :-)

I just bought a ultra clean (probably didn't look that good from the dealer) 2002 Ultra Classic for $8350. The used bike market, especially for the 5 speed models, is flooded. Any Harley over 5 years old is competing with hundeds (thousands?) of bikes "just like it".

Used Harleys currently on cycletrader:
2006 - 2016 (41,725)
1996 - 2006 (5,556)
1986 - 1996 (438)

Craigslist still has more.

[Cool Runnings]

I just bought a ultra clean (probably didn't look that good from the dealer) 2002 Ultra Classic for $8350. The used bike market, especially for the 5 speed models, is flooded. Any Harley over 5 years old is competing with hundeds (thousands?) of bikes "just like it".

Used Harleys currently on cycletrader:
2006 - 2016 (41,725)
1996 - 2006 (5,556)
1986 - 1996 (438)

Craigslist still has more.

Ton's of twin-cam 88's at very good prices now. Just make sure the cam-chain thingy has been done.

[kidsmoke]

Nice Find FG.

Now just imagine the possibilities.

[arveno]

Well, that's a thousand dollar motorcycle all day, Brad.

 :1: :1: :1:

[stick]

   My GF and I rented 883's in Florida for 24hrs.  We did about a 250 mile "loop" over to Daytona, and back to Orlando.   After spending an entire day on these, I grew to hate the seat (fairly quickly).   

Glad we rented them, because neither of us would want to own one.   (She has 2 bikes at home: a Road Star 1600, and a Ninja 500)

But for $1000, it better be in ur garage by now!    I say " flip it". 


Stick

We also rented bikes last year in Las Vegas.  I wanted to try a HD Road Glide.  Already rented...   ended up with a Street Glide.  She rented an Indian Chief.   She thought she was gonna love it, and ended up hating that one, too.  We did swap for a spell, and she LOVED the Street Glide!    I had an Ultra Classic for 1 year, about 3 years ago.  I did not like the rear suspension on the Glide, vs. the Ultra Classic ride.

I can see one in my future (big Harley Tourer), when I feel like slowing down.  So far, that's way in the future!  Still like my Italian girls.

[Rough Edge racing]

 This is my Sportster...One fast ass tractor engine..

     

[N.Y.zee10]

Tractor motor with Pro Series race kit.

[fotoguzzi]

Tractor motor with Pro Series race kit.

nice, I might try to trade up to one of those once the title clears in my name

[LowRyter]

$1k.  no brainer