Need some quick Sportster advice.

**JOES66FURY** · August 17, 2008, 01:53 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

I like sportys myself...nimble and quick, but its a small bike...how big a guy are you?...

**Monster** · August 17, 2008, 02:26 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

There are lots of issues to consider before buying a Sportster. As Joe said, one of them is your stature (and your wife's if she is going to ride, as opposed to being just a passenger).

You didn't mention the model XL, Hugger, etc. and that matters regarding the price.

Also, a brand new Sportster can be had for around $6K, so paying 76% of the new bike price for a 12-year old bike (even though it has low miliage, it is old technology) doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

An interesting point is that all H-D owners believe their bike is worth more than it really is (it is an emotional thing), especially if it has been customized a bit. There is virtually no add-on value for accessories or modifications in the used bike market.

That engine is bolted directly to the frame and therefore there is alot of vibration that makes a rider tired after a time in the saddle (but you said it was for around town, so that may not come into play).

There is also the power issue, not much power on the stock 883, but it is good for those who are graduating up from a smaller bike, or someone who has not ridden in awhile.

Provide some more details if you can.
Good luck.

**Huskinhano** · August 17, 2008, 04:16 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

Good points from both. I'm 6' 165 pounds, the wife is 5'2". Yeah I know it's a smaller entry level Harley but that's fine with me at this point since it's been a few years since I've ridden. I'm looking to get reacquainted again with riding. I'm not looking for a dresser or anything like at this time.

I went to take a quick look at it with the wife since we were at a Petco that was close by the guy's house. I don't know if it was an XL or Hugger...what are the differences? The bike was really, really clean. Not a mark or scratch on it any place. The guy is a retired bus mechanic who appears to have taken meticulous care of it. Yeah, the age and price ratio is in the back of my mind. I was thinking of offering $4k. I know I could get a new one for about $6K but that's more money then I want to spend at this point. That would also mean more sales tax I'd be paying along with insurance. I could also get the guy to write a bill of sale up for less money.

**tiresmoke!** · August 17, 2008, 04:26 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

6-footer?

If your height is in your legs, you'll get cramped as hell with the stock highway pegs.....forward controls would be a necessity for rides longer than 45 minutes.

I have a former co-worker/buddy that has a '97 883 Sportster...nice bike, but he's 6'2", looked like a Shriner on a minibike until he put the forward controls on it.

Other than that, Sportsters are nice bikes...unfairly labeled as a "chick bike".

$6K does seem a bit pricey for an old 883.....I'd try negotiating the owner down a bit.

**Monster** · August 17, 2008, 05:15 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

The Hugger was a model developed with the seat sitting about an inch closer to the ground, so those smaller in stature will be able to plant their feet on the ground at stop and was a few hundred bucks more expensive. As tiresmoke! said, at 6-foot, the mid-controls will cramp you after only about 30 minutes of riding. You will want to put forward controls on it for comfort. Your wife would fit the Hugger pretty well, but would have trouble on the standard XL model. Smaller width seats can also help get feet on the ground and are pretty easy to change.

Don't get caught up in the "learner" or "chick" bike crap. It is a nimble handling, fun bike (especially in town) and considering the power to weight ratio, is just fine for the light bike it is. It sounds like the previous owner put on some less restrictive free flowing mufflers and hopefully also got the Screamin' Eagle high-flow air filter kit (K&N). This combination will add around 10% horsepower and torque.

**JOES66FURY** · August 17, 2008, 05:22 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

If i remeber right the Hugger seat is about 36" from the ground, designed for short riders. WM is right, for the 2K more you should be able to get into a new 883...you could mod that 883 with Buell lighning heads

**Huskinhano** · August 17, 2008, 05:56 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

Originally posted by tiresmoke!

$6K does seem a bit pricey for an old 883.....I'd try negotiating the owner down a bit.

He's asking $4600 If I go for it, I'd offer $4000. What I like about the 883 is that it's a clean looking bike. I'll have to give the forward controls a serious thought if I get it or any other. I'll have to give a new one some thought but not really looking to spend more then about $4500 in general. I was more leaning to a nice used one.

I'm basically a string bean....but man can I eat! *LOL*

**JOES66FURY** · August 17, 2008, 06:01 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

I used to be that guy...now at 6 ft 4" and 250lbs...right at about 26 years old..all that eating caught up with me LOL......I cant eat like that anymore(fat bastard)...

If you buy it we want pics.....

**Screaming Detroit** · August 17, 2008, 06:05 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

I would check the price of the forward controls if you are trying to keep money in your pocket, My buddy just put them on his sportster I don't remember the exact price, but he said they were pricey

**Huskinhano** · August 17, 2008, 06:09 PM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

Originally posted by JOES66FURY

If you buy it we want pics.....

But of course.

**Monster** · August 18, 2008, 05:07 AM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

In these troubled times of economic strife, lots of toys (cars, bikes, boats, RV's, etc.) will be coming out of garages, barns and such and having For Sale signs attached to them in the front yard.

No need to rush.

**Huskinhano** · August 18, 2008, 06:34 AM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

I've thought about that as well. The reason I'm giving this one some thought is that it's very, very clean and very low milage and has some of the accessories that I'd want. I was on ebay checking out prices. I was finding a that older bike with more milage were going for more money and the bidding hasn't stopped. yeah, I realize ebay is one thing and finding on locally is another with pricing. I found new foward controls on ebay as well for a BIN price of about $200.

**VTJUNK** · August 18, 2008, 06:44 AM

Re: Need some quick Sportster advice.

I think the price is right. Around here any Harley that you can ride away on is more than that. Projects that are in boxes are $2500, and even the '70s-80s bikes that are in decent shape are more than that. But that's the Northeast, everyone is crazy.

I say buy it and if you decide later you don't want it, sell it. Sounds like you wouldn't lose anything.

Need some quick Sportster advice.

Need some quick Sportster advice.

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment