Expert Help Please!

Hello!

I am new to the Harley world and having just sold my Ducati 748 neck breaker I have decided after riding a few that the Harley Sportster is the one I want. But which one!

I want a 1200 and I like the custom but my better half has sat on the sundowner seat with a backrest and now won't even consider anything else! I have seen a 04 model sportster R that has this seat already fitted and I like the sportster R but I wanted the forward controls of the custom, they can adapt the R to forward controls but I want to make sure I am not making a mistake by doing so, what do you guys think? They want £6400 for the 04 54 5000 miles in black with the forward control adaptation, is this fair?

[zipps]

I have a 01 xl53c.from new.Iam just under 6ft tall an this bike fits me just fine.the balance is just right.I have not had to adjust a thing,beautiful.I do beleive that a lower seat hight is an option,but I would have a test ride first it will be a lot different to the Duke,a lot different.Ido find that my 56 t110 with sit up and beg.cramps me up after a few miles.Iwould not go back to mid position foot rests...good luck.

[zipps]

p.s. price seems a bit steep.

Thanks for that Zipps! Any other comments? How easy is it to swap seats? If I wanted to take the big seat off and the back rest off and put a solo seat on is it a ten minute job or a lot longer?

[kiwidave]

everything is possible. Really.

An 04 and up Sportster will be best if your wife is coming along too. On these, engine is rubber mounted for more comfort. Loads of aftermarket seats coming in now.

Prices are high on used ones because many people are selling their pre-04 Sportsters to get the new and improved one.

Mind you, someone on this site recently bought a rubber mounted Big Twin in mint cond for that money, though it was 16yrs old.

But if you want newish. You wont go wrong - I think those new Sportsters look awesome.

Thanks! Funds allowing I am gonna go for it. I know it is probably a bit pricey but it is from a Harley Dealer so at least I will get a bit of protection!

I bought my Black 1200R stage 1 05 reg ,from a Harley Dealer in the South in April , it had done 3000 miles and was advertised at a similar price with 1 years warranty ... but got a couple of hundred off. the base price then agreed a Sundowner seat and back rest fitted within the deal for another £400 .I even got the original pipes thrown in , in case of future MOT issues..
Later i decided to buy a small HD quick release screen to reduce wind pressure on motorways

I really like the bike and preferred it to a Custom with forward controls ..you have to get your feet down quite a bit in the UK, I also preferred it over the 1200 Low .......So go for a 1200R and try to get a few quid off

you could get an 883 and do a 1200 conversion and have some money left over for what it would cost to buy a 1200, and it will run better!
like kiwidave said, you can do anything you want to a harley, there are parts out there to cover any kind of configuration! just have a good bank manager!
not sure if the price is good or not though, you can get a new street bob for £2500 more. have a good look round before you buy, you may find one for less, or if not, try and haggle for extras to be thrown in.
dan

[Tim]

I have a 04 883 custom and i love it...........great for zipping around towns...........with practice its easy to change a seat in a couple of minutes and you will find most guys have at least two seats.............put a single seat on and have fun...............

[Folkie]

Originally Posted by olly

I really like the bike and preferred it to a Custom with forward controls ..you have to get your feet down quite a bit in the UK

It's not hard to get your feet down with forward controls, and if you have to walk the bike at all (when parking, say), or just when waiting at traffic lights, the pegs don't get in the way.

Just noticed that was your first post: welcome!