Mid life Crisis and Sporty

[maid in cornwall]

Originally Posted by winty

inspiration needed!
I am about to commit a heresy but ........I am considering buying a Triumph Tiger 1050 and getting rid of my 1200 low?
Why ? well........its just ..... have you ridden a Tiger 1050....it goes like a fast jet, handles and brakes, lots and lots of passenger and rider comfort......
ok doesnt look as good as my 1200 low, but to be fair outperforms it in any measure of rideability....

Could be a mid life crisis, I am 50. Any of you guys had your doubts about your trusty steeds ...? or is it just me

Diversified a bit about the original thread
As the old saying goes' if it aint broke dont fix it!' So if your happy with it, stick with it. When the time is right you will find that perfect steed.
Swap ya for me Yam

[Hawkeye]

It's been siad many times before......you love em or hate em.

I was a motorcycle mechanic in Tunbridge wells back in 1972, rode all there was about at the time Leadwings, 900 Kawasaki's all the triple 2 strokes you name it i rode it at the time.

I took my mate iron head sportster to work one saturday to do the ignition time (points) and that was it. I kept stopping just to hear it pulling away. Sounds bloody stupid but it was a dream.

On the way home travelling along the Sevenoaks bypass i had it up to 100mph on the clock, it weaved over both lanes of the duel carraigway but i was sold.

It was my dream to own one. It took many years and finally in 2004 i got my Sportster. Had that for three years and i now have an FXR.

oh i am 59 by the way so maybe a late life crisis lol

[scooter333]

I ride a Sporty and for all the failings wouldnt swap it, A Harley is more than the sum of its parts and I think you'll regret it if you sell. Ive done the head down arse up thing (and survived surprise surprise and its not all that much fun) If I met you and you rode an MZ I'd still enjoy the crack,
your choice.

[Black Rain]

Motorcycle brand prejudice is a funny old thing. My neighbour and friend does'nt like harley's. He says it in a teasing sort of way but underneath i suspect he means it. He jokingly calls it a Harley Ferguson. The funny thing is that he rides a 50 year old BSA 650 twin and there is quite a lot in common between our two bikes and riding ethos. We went on a tour of Wales together last summer and had a brill time. We both like to potter along at 50 to 60 mph so that we enjoy the scenery and both bikes sound and go like a real motorbike should. I am 60 this year and like my Harley for its old world charm combined with discreeetly contained modern technology. I also own a Harley because perhaps contrary to the experiences of some on this site I have been impressed by its build quality, reliability, dealer support and THAT SOUND. PS most bikes of equal CC to a Harley will outperform them but that is not the point. I am sure I corrupt the well known American saying but it goes something like if you have to ask you don't understand.

[MiKKiM]

Originally Posted by maid in cornwall

Had a feeling it was 'that' club you were talking about. I would love a Harley but can't afford one, so would rather ride somthing I can afford than not ride at all.
I too have found some good people on here who dont judge you because of what you ride. Incidentally i originally joined the forum because it was such a laugh, humour is what lifes about, as well as riding motorcycles of course

Once upon a time I couldnt afford one. But keep plugging away. You will eventually Good luck in your quest. Its not the bike really, its the biking, and the people you meet.

[Kiwi]

why not keep your sporty and buy a second bike for 2 or 3 grand you can buy a decent bike that will out perform your sporty and have the best of both worlds

last year after having bought my last harley 12 years ago, I was getting bored with it, decided it was time for another bike I looked at what harley had to offer and to be honest they have made bugger all progress in the 22 years since my electraglide was built

for a lot less than the cost of changing my harley for a newer one I bought a 2003 ducati with 2650 miles on the clock

it satisfies the urge to go fast when I want and I still have my glide for distance work rallies etc

Have also found out as I expected that the social side of non harleys is also virtually non existant

[Sport Mike]

Well I have ridden Suzuki / Honda / Yamaha and most Brit bikes, so have done the speed thing.
A Harley was not my first choose, but if you want to enjoy the ride and have time to see and enjoy the scenery and the sound of a V twin plus that low down torque it’s a Harley.
It has wide low handlebars giving it a comfortable vintage like riding position, (have a look at my bike) the ride quality is good to, as I have changed the rear suspension to Hagon shocks, but when I need it, it will do over 100mph which is all I need now.
So I would not part with my Harley now.

[Hobbit]

i ride a sporty as its a pure bike, its raw, it needs to be ridden and respected, my BT is a stunningly comfortable bike but its not a sportym hence i ride the sporty everyday

[winty]

Thanks Guys, useful stuff.
Have started new thread with query about Hagon shocks as mentioned by Mike.

[Andy in Beds]

I've had my orange 883R for two years now and I love it.
Stick to the Sportster.

Maid in Cornwall. It doesn't really matter what you ride as long as you enjoy it.
I think any biker is a cut above other bl**dy road users!
Sadly, even with the 883, I've been snubbed by other (bigger) Harley riders--as recently as last weekend. Presumably because a Sportster doesn't fit their profile.
Says more about them than it does me.
Their loss in my 'onest, Guv.

Andy.