A Girls Bike? NOT

[magrat]

A chicks bike huh........too funny! I have an 08 Nightster stage 1, with vance and hines short shots/forward controls and apes. I got it because I wanted a vintage looking bobber/bar hopper. If I had wanted a bigger harley, I would have got one....to me its like going from a sports car to a mini van! This bike turns heads everywhere I go. I work in the ship yard, and when I pull up into motorcycle parking, everybody wants to know about the bike, and wants to know when we are going riding. Most of the folks there have the big twins/baggers/etc. You can see a twinkle in their eye when they look at mine....almost like they really want one too. I'm 5'8 150lbs, so this bike might as well be a chopper for me......very comfortable...I ride it every day.

....Just my 2 cents. I just joined this forum today.

Luke

[FunkyNova66]

Welcome Luke. Nice bike man and this is coming from someone who owned a 1200C and now owns a crossbones. I still like the sportster and don't care want anyone says. Most people who talk sh1t are the ones who don't have sh1t.

Dave

[gator9999]

I bought my first harley 2 weeks ago and this is the coolest thing I've ever owned, I used to ride enduro trails with mybrother in law and nephews until he broke his leg last summer, hell of an experience, shook my nerve but not his. So I traded my 01 yamaha tw200, and 03 ttr-250 + a $1000 to a local used bike dealer for a sportster, a hell of a deal in my mind.
Its a 99 1200S Sportster, I've ridden a couple of sportys and a wide glide and Ive never ridden something like this. stage 3 out of the factory with adjustable showa suspension and dual disk brakes

girls bike my arse

[sjrod04]

Hey Magrat,

You look familiar. You from the northern Md/south Penn area. What dealer did you buy it from. Its a great ride and it takes a real enthusuast to know an instant classic when you see it. Dont be too mad at the guys, they need them sofas to make it with their bad backs and big bellys. I hear HD is coming out wit a real mans bike aFATLHCUU its the big ultra ultra a 3/4 ton model with power steering and a buffet bar bag.150cu.in motor 6sp with 2 in reverse. Auto pilot also for those necessary snack naps.

[magrat]

I am actually in VA right now, due to the military. I used to spend quite a bit of time up in PA around the reading/pottsville area. That was pretty funny about the 3/4 ton model!! I'm gonna have to remember that one!

[jopman64]

Originally Posted by wyodude

I think this is the unspoken issue. I wonder how many folks choose sportsters because its what they can afford? Hey, not everybody can drop $20K, no shame in that.

wyo

I admit that I bought the 1200R becuase it was less expensive, I could have bought a big metric thing for what I paid for the Sportster. I intended this to be a bike to start out with and move up to something else. Not so much anymore though, the thing is quick, nimble and more fun to ride than anything I have ever had before. Might buy a dresser one day, but the Sporty stays with me.

[HockeyFan]

I've had my Custom XL for a year now, 7300 miles, added chrome and I never get a chick bike or snear from anyone. All I do get, while sitting at a light is "Nice Bike" or "Wish I had one of those", etc...

It was interesting to read the comments at the beginning of this thread (2002) and see how maybe it's just the attitude of other riders that has changed...or maybe they (the Twinners) still think the same but now it's just bad manners or non-PC to comment as they did 6 years ago.

Is it the attitude? or is it the additional features of the new Sporty's that have gotten the respect of older riders. I saw a post recently on another forum that today's Sporty's STILL vibrate... HUH? WHAT? Have you gotten on one? Some people are still ignorant and don't get the facts for themselves...but for those of us who know, the Sporty is a damn fine bike (at least I'll always think so but I'm partial LOL). This was the bike I chose (a) because it's my FIRST and (b) it's easily affordable!

Granted the pic is older - add a pair of cut Cycle Shacks, a Sundowner seat and more chrome in other areas...and that's what it is today. I'll have to post a new pic soon.

[smoke245]

Guess I will be at the tail end of this thread. I too just became a 1200 XL custom owner last November and have found the Sporty to be nothing short of a blast to ride. Sure I see bigger baggers that look great, but for the price you just cannot beat the value the Sporty offers a middle aged man with a wife 2 kids 2 dogs and a large mortgage. I am 5' 9" and 150 lbs. I find when I hit the trottle, I have to literaly hold on. Such power. And yes I paid the harley taxes and added my personal touches of chrome and things that make the bike my own. This is a true corvette of motorcycles. Ride on!!!

[DHENRY]

IMHO, the 1200 Custom could be the best American motorcycle ever.
It's fast, manuverable, great-handling and good-looking.
An excellent dollar-value, the Sporty doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.
Recent changes like the rubber-mounted Evo engine make it more rider-friendly.
And, on top of everything else, it has Harley-Davidson's legendary best-in-class paint and chrome.
What a bike!
DHENRY

[lostinal]

American ,cheap,reliable,fun,and proven.
Why would you even care what some over paid yuppie thought about your Sportty
Chill and be proud of what you got or be a (want-a-be) because eveyone and his brother is buying a new bike and putting fringe here studs there .Is it about riding
or who has the prettest underwear! There I go again Lost.
Sportty good bike!

[mikebee]

A few other things Misguided. The sportster is Harley's longest running model line. In fact, it is the oldest motorcycle model in continuous production (since 1957) anywhere in the world -- must be doing something right. Certainly all of those sporty's over the last 51 years haven't been sold to ladies! I am no newbie to roadbikes -- been riding them for over 20 years. I could afford a big twin but when I went shopping for a Harley I only had one in mind. The Sportster 1200 Sport that you mentioned in your post. Mine is a 2000. I love the bare bones look of a sporty -- guess I'm a minimalist -- and the 1200s
is more true to the roots of the sportster as a bass ass street fighting machine than any other. I love the new nightster too. I think a Harely is a Harley, they've all got the great history behind them but no current model has the pedigree of a sporty. I respect anybody who gets out in the wind on two wheels, rode many Hondas myself. I say, to each his own. I think I'm going to keep the sporty for around town, embarrassing "bigger" bikes between stoplights, and get a bagger for the long trips. I love the looks of the new Street Glide (anybody own one that can tell me how you like it?) Getting to the age where I want to be comfy, and the wife ain't too enthused with the sporty on long trips. Anyway, I enjoyed your post on the toughness of a sporty but can't we all just get along?

[hotmama_21220]

I am a newbie...just graduated Rider's Edge in July. I asked around about what bike I should get and had mentioned the 883. Several people told me that I shouldn't get the 883 because it isn't a kind bike for a newbie. Especially a newbie is only 5'2" tall, 130 lbs. Suggestions from my father and brother were for me to get a Yamaha VStar 250 or a Honda Rebel. My husband had suggested the Suzuki S40. Mind you my father was a long time Harley Rider, who currently owns a 1500 Suzuki LC. My brother currently owns a Suzuki C90 and my husband owns a Suzuki C50T. All three bikes compare in looks to the larger Road King Classic. I took it upon myself to find a bike that was me, and not listen to the opinions of others. I bought my 883 a few weeks ago. Since then, my father and brother kid my husband and tell him, he has the "girl's bike" since technically my have more cc's then him. I have even caught him sneaking out on it a couple of times. My husband is 6'3" tall & 205 lbs, so he looks too small for the bike, but he has already said that when I move up to a different bike (if ever) that he wants it, and he wants to put forward controls on it. Being a newbie and having nothing else to compare the Sportster to, I have fell in love with it. I took it on a 130 mile trip yesterday and was just as comfortable coming home as when I left. I did a run with over 1000 other bikes, and not one person ever put my bike down. I did note that most of the women riders were on the larger bikes and most "hard core" riders were on 1200's.

[brado]

When I hear that kinda crap, it's usually some clown who's just got his bike broke in after 3 years of profiling, (look at me), & bar hoppin. "aughite, let's get to the twisties, & see who's lookin in the rear view mirror."

[Steeltoe]

I think there's a lot of truth to the notion that
a lighter bike is just more fun. I don't want to
ride an Electrabarge. Agile, nimble, and quick my
Sporty be. My '08 1200R is the bike that spoke to
me and excited me the most while bike shopping.
I thought about a Superglide or Fat Bob, but decided to against it. My Sporty just seems right.

The 883/1200 Low is the model I believe to be targeted at females.

Anyways, who cares what some idiots think?
I am sorry if they don't like my bike, but, I didn't
buy it for them.

[aussierider]

Most chicks I see riding a Harley are on Dynas. Maybe things have changed over the years and dynas are the new chicks bike. Have only seen a few on sporties.