What to buy?

I am seriously considering buying a Sportster. I have been riding for 25 years and have owned British, Japanese, Italian & German bikes. I currently own a Ducati 900 monster, a Guzzi Nevada and a Triumph TR6 (the fist tow will be sold to but the Harley). I ride all year round and live in London. I don’t own a car. I have a few questions:
Is a Sportster a realistic bike for all year round riding, including commuting?
I am thinking of a 883R new or nearly new (this is my budget). Should I get a stage 1 fitted when I get it? Would I be better off with an older/more mileage 1200?
All advice welcome.
Thanks

[magick]

Hiya

I think an 883 Sporty would be an ideal commuting bike - the only obvious problem is the rust factor

I owned a 1996 883 chop which I rode all year round and it never missed but did go very rusty

I now own a 2005 1200 standard Sporty - havent really ridden it yet - bad weather - and I dont intend this one getting in such a state

whatever you choose enjoy and come to lots of rallies to meet all the nutters

Magick

[little_dave]

Hi, T,
I have been riding bikes since 1961, my first bike a AJS 250, I got a sporty 883 about 3 years ago and so far it's one of the best bikes I've ever had, ( and I've had a few in my time), it's comparatively light ( for a Harley), and it's reliable and makes a great touring bike, great for rallies and rideouts as it can outperform the bigger bikes whenever there is a road that has any good bends on it. Last year Myself and a friend went from here (Limavady, N. I. ) to St. Tropez for a big Harley rally, we did about 2500 miles and I kept a record of all petrol, mileage etc, and she averaged about 70mph, cruising up to 85mph. She never missed a beat the whole time we were there. I have fitted aftermarket shorter shocks, crash bars, screen, stage 1 screaming eagle, panniers and a touring seat, (see photo below). Now as for as for commuting all year round, I have no knowledge of that as I recently retired ( early), but if you do you use it, then a few precautions, you would need to spray the body parts with some form of anti corrosion mixture or whatever, because the basic chroming and cadmium plating is not that good and it would need regular washing off of any salt you get on it. I'm sure that you would know all about that anyway, any bike needs a bit of tlc, in our climate. Hope this helps: Dave
Incidently, what part of London are you in, I was born in Walthamstow, brought up in Essex (Harold Park and Westcliff) and ended up here in N. Ireland!

[kiwidave]

Sportsters are an excellent choice for London.

I commuted on my FXEF there for about 8 years and it wasn't much fun in the traffic. I used to wish I had a Sporty!

*HUGE* bargains to be had on 1992-2003 Sportsters now that the 2004-up models have rubber mount engines and people are flocking for those.

With your history you will love the vibes of those - the MoCo is trying to get *everyone on the planet* onto a Harley so is trying to win over the nervous by knocking out all the character (LOL!!!) but screw that....

You could get a hardly-used mid 1990s 1200 for under £4000...........easy. They are very good bikes. Pre-1992 (91?) are 4speed, chain drive. A few issues on those ........nothing serious but no need to get one when the 5speed belt drive ones offer far greater value.

ive had my 883 for just over a year now and i have used it in all weathers, the finish is not that bad as long as you look after it and give it a clean once a week. i used acf50 to protect against the salt.
its a good bike with plenty of character, and will surprise you with the handling.
if i was looking again, id probably get a used 883 with a 1200 conversion and screaming eagle bits in place as they make a good difference.
enjoy it whatever you get.
dan

[Folkie]

Originally Posted by danpie

ive had my 883 for just over a year now and i have used it in all weathers, the finish is not that bad as long as you look after it and give it a clean once a week. i used acf50 to protect against the salt.
its a good bike with plenty of character, and will surprise you with the handling.
if i was looking again, id probably get a used 883 with a 1200 conversion and screaming eagle bits in place as they make a good difference.
enjoy it whatever you get.
dan

Hey Dan, what's acf50, where can I get it? Thanks.

its a bit like the scottoiler stuff but alot better.
the website is here www.worldwideaviation.co.uk
it was designed for aircraft and you just spray/wipe it on and it foms a barrier with the metal to stop water getting through. the website has links to suppliers.
a few others on this site use it with good reccomendations.
its not cheap at around £13 a tin, but it lasts ages.
dan

[Folkie]

Thanks Dan, I'll check it out.

Thanks for the advice
I am going to test ride a 883 & 1200 and pre and post 04 bikes to make a final decision (and sell the Ducati Monster).
This months Ride magazine has a useful feature on buying Sportsters.
TP

[Spice]

Take a look at the Classifieds on here matey
theres a lovely white 02 883 - 1200 conversion for sale
a snip at 4 G
and the owner is a kin good egg,

you could certainly do worse and spend a hell of a lot more.
take a look.
I`ll / he will even throw in some sportster saddlebags.
hows that for a bargain................