Restricting a sportster

[Way]

My GF is busy doing her DAS but is worried about the weight of the schools CB500 when it comes to pushing the bike round for the U turn. Worst case senario is she wil sit her test on the 125. Which brings me to the question, will a sportster run ok with a restrictor kit fitted?

[BaZa ®]

Lots of people have run their sportys with the kit on so no problem.

I'll ask Mrs. T to come in on the thread she rode for a while with one fitted.

What year sporty have you got her because I am not sure if there is a restrictor kit for efi models?

Maybe Phil can let us know.

[Strawhead]

The Pendleton Girl currently runs an 883 with a restrictor kit that she had fitted, goes plenty well enough

[Mrs T]

I ran my 2001Sportster around for nealry 2 years on a restrictor.
Did lose a bit in acceleration (only know this after having restrictor removed), and was good for about 70MPH at the top.
I encountered no problems at all with it being restricted.
I just needed to watch out when the restrictor had been removed as it now does upwards of 90MPH, allegedly

[Way]

Thanks guys.


Havent bought it yet but will probably be getting a second hand one for her first bike so should be carbed and ok to restrict if we need to.

Still hoping the DAS wont be a prob and she will get full license.

[Mrs T]

Wel it just so happens my Sportster is for sale.
pm Telboy for details

[telboy]

Originally Posted by Mrs T

Wel it just so happens my Sportster is for sale.
pm Telboy for details

not any more it aint sold on saturday and gone to a good home in norfolk

[Monkeybrain]

2007 883L for sale here still.

[Wow]

I would advise against restricting a carburetted sportster. Believe the EFI ones just have a thingy so the throttle doesn't go any further. In my experience the bike ran rough and was clearly struggling when it was restricted, more of a problem from sept-march then in summer. So it does depend a bit on the riding you're doing, all-year or not. It got better when I added the FST stuff.

I rode my bike 1200 miles to somewhere in the middle of france and back and it clearly had problems going fast, I was on full throttle going slightly uphill on some motorways. But also my neck was strained, the wind was constantly trying to blow my legs of the forward pegs, all I was doing was hanging on to the bike (handlebars and footpegs) this was before I had done any mods.

On jap bikes you hardly notice the difference that it's restricted as they still do 100 mph (so I understand). People knowing me know I'm not a daredevil at all. But it gives you some idea to compare with.

If I would have to do it again I would not have gone for a harley as a first bike (ok i rode another bike for the first 6 months but i mainly see my sportster as my first bike). The adjustments I had to make, legs too short so forward pegs were not ideal but there's no-one who can advise you on it, you have to find these things out for yourself. New handlebars (bent towards me), lower shocks, change the padding in the seat. All v expense and hard to do/decide on your own. Funnily enough I never had a problem with it being heavy and difficult to move around as you adapt and don't go pushing it around (walking) like a light bike. You ride it and with feet finally touching the floor after all the adjustments I can paddle my bike backwards as opposed to most of my friends on jap bikes (and tippy toes etc).

But mostly it's not all that easy to ride when you're new to riding a bike but you do it because you want to persevere. And people tell me once you can ride a sportster you can ride anything.

So the wise words from a girl who had to go through it all on her own I would not recommend getting a harley as a first bike but get something lighter that turns easily. Not saying get a 250 or 400 at all. You need a confidence inspiring bike, not a bike that is hard work. I love my bike and I know people will not take this advice if they want a harley I was the same. But I was misled thinking all harleys are low. And think seriously about getting forward pegs when you're new. The wind will only try to push your feet off, and so will gravity. Keeping one foot on the rear-brake (as you were taught) is v hard work if you then only have one (short) leg left to keep up 250 kg of bike. But then most wives/gfs are not on this forum it seems it's the men asking about the bikes, so I might have wasted my time but hey ho.

[45Brit]

they DON'T have restrictors??.......

I would agree about the Sporty not really being a good first bike for new riders, too tall and awkward. I also would agree that NO Sporty should have forward pegs at all, too awkward and simply the wrong configuration for the machine.

I know someone who has one and it's ok for running around on, but it's a lot of money for a run-about. He doesn't rate it as a touring bike, too uncomfortable. I had a bit of a monster Sporty in the early 80s which I bought from a yank airman at Alconbury, a real filling-loosener which was best described as a traffic light dragster, but that's a bit off the issue here