Have I bought the right bike???????

[T Bear Jackson]

I'm sure this one has been asked before but I seem to be in the bike choice dilemma. Bought a new XL1200C (stage one, v loud) about six weeks ago after running various japs for about 30 years. Originally fancied a Buell but the missus put her foot down once she saw the Sporty;) Now all's peachy, bike run in, first service etc but.... Now I'm getting the distinct impression that the Sporty is seen as "starter bike" yet I'm not a starter biker so get the niggling feeling that maybe I should have gone for a big twin from the off. Thing is I'm having a whale of a time on the Sporty so can't really see the need to trade up, unless of course I'm missing something? Just wondering if anyone else has had this 'orrible feeling, or am I just paranoid?

[Stuarty]

If yer havin a whale of a time then it seems to me that you did the right thing

[Frog]

If you are having fun, you are on the right bike.

I do not consider the Sportster to be a 'starter bike', and you do not trade up by getting a big twin. In fact if you move to a Road King you have to trade in your boots and get pipe and slippers.

I did have a Sportster until this year, and for various reasons changed to a Heritage, mind you had an FXE as a first Harley many years ago.

I see it more as a sideways move to a bit more 'sit in' than 'sit on' with a slightly longer range. Which is what suits me at present.

I enjoyed the Sportster immensely, but was usually traveling at illegal speed when on it

the sporty is a good bike in its own right and a lot of fun can be had, but its not a big twin, and if you really want a big twin then it will never quite be good enough.
i got a sporty as my first HD and enjoyed it for a year but i really wanted a softail, with a bigger engine for more pull. when i could afford it, i changed for a softail standard and am now completely happy with my bike choice. it is much more comfy, overtakes at motorway speeds without having to drop a couple of gears and it has a lot more room for luggage when going away.
enjoy the sporty for what it is and you will be very happy, but if you want a big twin then go to your dealer and try a couple out to see if you prefer them.
dan

[snowflake]

I went the other way....in that I had a series of chops and have now gone stock (2001 FXD......slowly evolving), and am pleased as punch.
For a harley it actually goes round corners, stops (ish) and is a hell of a ride.
Some folk say that a Dyna is a big sportster....Its a personal thing....but if you have itchy feet you could do a lot worse than get down to your local Stealership/Indie and test ride a Dyna (FXDX would be my recommendation....).
TTFN
SF

[Alan B]

If you're enjoying the bike that's all that matters. I've had my sporty from new in 1999, wouldn't swap it for anything. This big twin things are a nuisance on a ride out, every time you get to a twisty bit they keep stopping to get round the corner and the sporties have to brake to avoid them. That'll stir things a bit
Alan B

[phssthpok]

......would agree with most of the above; I own a "big twin" but love riding a mates 1200c whenever I can prise it out of his hands. He regards my Fatboy as an armchair of a motorbike and wouldn't change his Sportster for any of the "big twins".

[T Bear Jackson]

Originally Posted by Alan B

If you're enjoying the bike that's all that matters. I've had my sporty from new in 1999, wouldn't swap it for anything. This big twin things are a nuisance on a ride out, every time you get to a twisty bit they keep stopping to get round the corner and the sporties have to brake to avoid them. That'll stir things a bit
Alan B

Ya might have a point there, the Sporty does seem to handle although being a custom it's held back a little by the limited ground clearance, and a lot by the undersprung/underdamped shocks ,especially two up. BTW the nipper's running stage one with V+H slip ons, goes like stink and sounds bloomin brill

Starter bike!!!

Its a girls bike by all accounts;)
Road kings are for old men!!
Fatboys and softails..Hmmm!
Deuce ...beanflickers and carpet munchers
etc etc
Dont get dragged into this mire ,T Bear.

I ride a girls bike,but I've got a huge

[dantheman]

Originally Posted by Roddy_the_Dog

I ride a girls bike,but I've got a huge

shite stirrin stick