Hello from newbie

Hello peeps, nice site/good vibes { pardon the pun } goin' on, need some advice.
Been lookin' at sporties for a long time now, but cant work out why I see them for sale with such low mileage { one as low as 734 miles } on the clock and some which are only a few months old.......................So I have been thinkin' there must be somethin' wrong ???????
Are they SLOW ?
Are they underpowered ?
Are they unreliable ?
Do they handle badly ?

Must admit, I am glad I had a look on this site today, really like the 883L, but for the extra £800 ish the 883C is lookin' good too, so the advice you lot have been givin' out to others has been rubbin' off on me.

[Trouble 61]

Welcome to the site. I brought an 883L back in December after passing my test. It's a lovely bike but has taken some getting used to after a 125. Perhaps people buy it as an 883 is the smallest Harley (I believe) and then can't handle it? Dont get me wrong - it handles well and is a pokey little bike, but it is VERY different from a small Japanese 125. I have done 300 miles and have been told that it will take about 3000 to be fully competant and confident. There are others on this site - all of whom are far more knowledgeable ( ) than me who can offer tips and advice.
I would advise you to go and test ride one - then dare you to try to lose the smile off your face

Hi and welcome. You're right - and it's not just Sporties that you see with crazy low mileage!

I tend to think that a lot of HD bikes spend the long winter months being cossetted in a garage and not being ridden - this plus the fact that a lot of people buy into the HD thing and then the 'novelty' wears off, hence very low mileage bikes for sale. When I was looking around a couple of years ago I remember seeing lots of bikes - 3 and 4 years old - with not much more than a couple of thousand miles on them.

I eventually bought new - an 883c and I love it.

I'd say two things: Take a few test rides (then you can answer your questions yourself!) and shop around - there are always a lot of good bikes to choose from, don't rush at the first 'bargain' you see.

Good luck!

[Hawgste]

You'll proberly find that most of the sportys have been traded in for big twins ,and a few by people who just didn't like them
(takes all sorts ).Take a test ride, make sure its what you want Its you money .But the majorty would say go for it.;)
Hawgste

[Sportsterboy]

On my return to 2 wheels I brought a second hand Sporty some years ago my first Harley and thoroughly enjoyed it. But like all things in life I saw someting else catch my eye and went for a Triumph, but ended going back to a new Sporty then upgraded to a Heritage which I'm still running. The other bike I run is a SV which I use for general use, but I'm trading this for another sporty.
I love the big HD but I've always missed the rawness of the sporty and general good fun. It makes for a more involving ride.

.......................So I have been thinkin' there must be somethin' wrong ??????? Like any purchase if 2nd hand there always a risk.
Are they SLOW ? You can still loose your licence.
Are they underpowered ? For the size of the engine perhaps but you are missing the point.
Are they unreliable ? Can say never had any major problems, so long as regulry serviced, can do a lot yourself if you feel confident.
Do they handle badly ? They are not a sportsbike despite the name, but like any bike you learn there limitations.

To finish up if you buy 2nd hand then ensure service record if possible. Ensure its clean and read the forum for the numerous response. Depending on what you want for bike this bike will be fun.Where are you based I'm Surrey...

[BaZa®]

See 883c reviews here: http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en....asp?veh=22562

2006 Harley-Davidson® XL 883C Sportster®

I have been riding Jap bikes since I was 12/13 years old, now 41,my last bikes was an XVS1100 yam. at last count I have had more than 80 bikes, some good, some not so good.
Allways wanted a Harley { will still have to wait a little longer, But hopefully by this summer } Even our local Vicar has traded his sporty for a softtail standard {very nice/nice sound too} His rock band must be doing well...Yes I did say local Vicar, Good bloke too.
Sportsterboy---I am Based in Cambridgeshire, On the infamouse A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge.
After owning an XVS1100 for 4/5 years, going for a sporty would be wise choice I think ??But it will be a new one, As for mechanics, thats OK as I do all my own work on my bikes/cars.

[Gibbon]

Hi, I went from a history of japs & Italian bikes to my Sportster & dont regret it one bit.one thing though, if your last bike was an xs1100 you'd do well to go for a 1200 Sportster,surprisingly grunty considering the relatively low bhp, it must be a torque thing.

Hi

Went from a Firestorm to an 883 and can honestly say i havent enjoyed riding a bike as much in a long, long time.

Regards

Mark

[little_dave]

My lads bought me a sporty two years ago when I retired, with the option if I wanted to trade up to a "Big Twin" if I wanted. I bought my first bike in 1961 when I was 17 and of all the bikes I've had, the sporty has the greatest "grin" factor. I live in N. Ireland and last June Myself and another bloke, him on a Big Twin and me on the Sporty went to the rally down in the South of France in St Tropez. The "wee" (883) Sporty never missed a beat, as it was loaded down with all my gear. I have fitted lower shocks ( so that I can get both feet on the ground) (5' 2" height), fitted buckhorn bars and saddle bags,touring seat; handlebar fairing and the bike is great, on the twisties it out performs the BT, and it was only on the motorways that the BT left me for dead, we were cruising between 55 and 85 and she still gave me an average of 69mpg. It's a great bike, I think the reason is that there are so many on resale is because the owners of them believe all the hype about the BT's being the real Harleys and therefore they feel they must changefor the bigger ones or the Sporty is a "girlie" bike. It was a bit strange getting on it at first, because it's a brave weight and the torque is phenomenal compared with my other bike, a 250 MZ. So go for it you'll enjoy the Sporty, it's up to you whether you get the 883 or 1200, but to get a bit more oomph, you have to pay nearly 2 grand extra! And that two grand can go towards a fair bit of mods if you want.