the 1200 Low is gone... what now?

[pjvenda]

Hi everyone, first post here :]

While I don't have a sportster *yet* I very much intend to acquire one within a few months - depending on my financial status and built-up skills. You see, I've been a biker for 5 months only on a Virago 535 but I already took the chance of trying out an 883R via the Judgement Days promo. My intention has always been to build up experience on the Virago and then get (money and) a harley.

After some time of "window shopping" I finally decided the 1200 Low is exactly right for me. What appealed to me on this particular model was the low seating height, the pull-back handlebars and the big tank. Sadly this model is no longer available in the 2010 lineup, which makes me have to look for alternatives.

Maybe this is a weird question or I am being dumb, but people with experience in sportsters surely have a different insight into the matter.

If I stick to the idea of buying new, which Sportster would you suggest I should buy to then kit up/down into a 1200L? While the 1200C may seem the obvious choice, I am not fond of that front end (tyre and headlight - I reckon I could live with the speedo and handlebars, maybe).

To go for a Nightster, I would have to replace the tank, handlebars and lower it - I like the dark colours although the wife doesn't... To go for an 883L, I would have to do the 1200 conversion and replace the tank. To go for a custom, I would have to replace the front end...

Suggestions? Advices? Flames?

Thanks in advance,
Pedro.

[muddypaws]

Originally Posted by pjvenda

Hi everyone, first post here :]

While I don't have a sportster *yet* I very much intend to acquire one within a few months - depending on my financial status and built-up skills. You see, I've been a biker for 5 months only on a Virago 535 but I already took the chance of trying out an 883R via the Judgement Days promo. My intention has always been to build up experience on the Virago and then get (money and) a harley.

After some time of "window shopping" I finally decided the 1200 Low is exactly right for me. What appealed to me on this particular model was the low seating height, the pull-back handlebars and the big tank. Sadly this model is no longer available in the 2010 lineup, which makes me have to look for alternatives.

Maybe this is a weird question or I am being dumb, but people with experience in sportsters surely have a different insight into the matter.

If I stick to the idea of buying new, which Sportster would you suggest I should buy to then kit up/down into a 1200L? While the 1200C may seem the obvious choice, I am not fond of that front end (tyre and headlight - I reckon I could live with the speedo and handlebars, maybe).

To go for a Nightster, I would have to replace the tank, handlebars and lower it - I like the dark colours although the wife doesn't... To go for an 883L, I would have to do the 1200 conversion and replace the tank. To go for a custom, I would have to replace the front end...

Suggestions? Advices? Flames?

Thanks in advance,
Pedro.

Hi Pedro,
I plumped for an 883 Low as my first Harley as I wanted to be able to put both feet firmly on the ground and have mid controls but have to say that after nearly a year I've found it's probably a bit too low for me (I'm 5'4") and find my hips ache after a long hike (tho that could be old age!) and having the small tank is a bind sometimes. Like you I fancied the 1200 Low as it's just a fraction higher and was gutted to discover they've been removed from the 2010 range. I've since tried out the Nightster and the 1200 Custom and like you I'm still undecided. I guess it's a question of priorities - basically I'd say go for the bike that you feel the most comfortable with in terms of riding and then move on from there with mods as necessary or swap up to another later on if £'s allow. I don't think there's ever an absolute choice - there's always something else to go for and often your riding priorities change as your confidence grows.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide, and enjoy!

[ACE]

Don't stick to buying new, Being a second owner usually means that somebody has run it in for you, had the stage 1 done for you. Put a few knick nacks on that you can sell if you don't want them. Most have only done 5,000 miles at the most in dry weather. You will save on the purchase price. Long live HOG they run quite a few of the Riders club bikes in for them.

[pebble35]

Originally Posted by ACE

Don't stick to buying new, Being a second owner usually means that somebody has run it in for you, had the stage 1 done for you. Put a few knick nacks on that you can sell if you don't want them. Most have only done 5,000 miles at the most in dry weather. You will save on the purchase price. Long live HOG they run quite a few of the Riders club bikes in for them.

I agree - we just sold a very nice 12 month old 1200 Low with just over 1,000 miles on the clock, about £1,500 of sensible extras and it went for a good chunk less than a new one would have cost.

If you want to go with a used bike give your local dealers a call and let them know what you are looking for. Lots of people will be looking to move up to the 2010 models soon and if the dealers can find a good home quickly for a px there may be a deal to be done.

[The Dude]

First off, I'd say that you've ridden a motorcycle for six months, as opposed to "being a biker" for six months.
"Biker" is state of mind, what's inside you and how you deal with others etc...
Personal point of view mind!
Have a look on internet for good 2nd hand ones. Quite a few people sell them as a sideline from home. There's 2 or 3 of them near me.
The dealers ,may have a few left, but they will be more interested in selling the new models first!
If last year;s model is what you want, then source one. Good luck with it to!!

TD

[pjvenda]

And I thought I had email updates enabled on this thing... aparently not.

Right, first of all thanks for all the nice suggestions. I am inclined to get a 2007/2008 1200L with plans to fiddle with the exhaust, suspension and seat (if not done yet). Which I reckon I can get with 3000-5000 mi for about or less than £6000, as research on biketrader revealed. Naturally I intend to test ride both low and custom, because of handlebars and foot controls. Then I'll buy the most confortable for me.

I have been looking at an awful lot of sportsters for sale (6-10?) at HD Oxford yesterday, and cash in hand, I would have gone for a test ride. I even sat on a (not for sale) 883L that had been lowered an extra inch and it was lower than my Virago [good to know I am not the only short skinny guy around!].

Originally Posted by The Dude

First off, I'd say that you've ridden a motorcycle for six months, as opposed to "being a biker" for six months.
"Biker" is state of mind, what's inside you and how you deal with others etc...

Thanks for the correction, I agree 100%. Both petrolheads and playboys buy Ferraris, but for totally different reasons. Still I consider myself a biker. Inexperienced but a biker nonetheless.

Cheers everyone!
Pedro.

[Kiwi]

why buy new?

there are so many bikes around less than 3 years old with minimal mileage at considerably lower than new prices

the "improvemnts" made each year are usually limited to noise / polution compliance, new tank decals and removing nice parts of some models that reappear in the accessories catalogues.

[robxtreme]

hey pedro !
Are you from oxford, they have got some nice sporty's at oxford harley. Dose it have to be a new 2010 model, whats the reason behind that? i think you should also look out on the internet if you want to get the right one with lots of xtras at a reasonable price. I got xl883 low from a dealer up north, because it had a lot of xtras like 1200cc upgrade, stage 1 air kit, different wheels & forks. If you are around latr you could go for a ride out to foxs dinner or H cafe as its known now. There are quite a few 'bikers' there on monday nights or throughout the week for that matter, appologies if you are aready a regular there.

[pjvenda]

Originally Posted by robxtreme

hey pedro !
Are you from oxford, they have got some nice sporty's at oxford harley. Dose it have to be a new 2010 model, whats the reason behind that? i think you should also look out on the internet if you want to get the right one with lots of xtras at a reasonable price. I got xl883 low from a dealer up north, because it had a lot of xtras like 1200cc upgrade, stage 1 air kit, different wheels & forks. If you are around latr you could go for a ride out to foxs dinner or H cafe as its known now. There are quite a few 'bikers' there on monday nights or throughout the week for that matter, appologies if you are aready a regular there.

(back from hols)

Yea, it does not have to be new and I know both the Oxford dealer and Fox's (or H) - I've been there a few times, but I'm hardly a "regular". Nonetheless, thanks for the info!

Cheers,
Pedro.

[SalTheWop]

You can buy mine if ya like ?