Well guys

 

finally got myself a new sporty. Put a deposit on one at least. I pick it up next week.

 

It's a 2002 1200S with 31,800kms on the clock. I looked at two at the bike shop. And even though the other was a 1999 1200S, had 19000kms on the clock, and was two grand cheaper, I went for the more expensive one because overall it was in much better conditions. It looked as though it had been looked after much better, and the engine seemed a lot 'tighter' (quieter/smoother)

 

cheers, al

 

 

 

 

Nice one, looks to have quite a few extras, ie the backrest and adjustable gas shocks.

welcome... congrats.... enjoy

Congrats Allyoop; I'm a big fan of the 1200S. Hope you get lots of enjoyment from it.
I just got a set of those Showa shocks for my bike... I'm hoping they'll improve the ride somewhat. Just waiting on some lowering blocks now.

Rode the sporty home today.

Had to go to Wollongong to pick it up

It poured down most of the time I was there. Funny thing was though, it was fine ALL the way back to Sydney. I must've looked pretty weird riding in my rubber overboots, bright yellow raincoat and wet weather pants.

Anyway, the bike seemed to have plenty of grunt, and though I didn't go over 120, I don't think it would've been a problem.

I'll have to get used to the indicator buttons. I need to learn to press the right hand button without twising the throttle too! As to the left side, I keep pressing the horn by mistake, which can be a bit embarrassing during a slow turn with people are on the footpath!

I'm getting more used to the riding position, after riding my low rigid trumpy.

The trumpy's controls are on the opposite side so a couple of times I used the gear peddle as a brake and eded up changing gear without using the clutch! which is definitely one habit I want to break QUICKLY.

I need to recognise/remember which gear I'm in, especially when slowing down at lights, etc. A few times I thought I was in third, but when I changed down, found I was in first. Ugh!

Couldn't get over how noisy it is. Going through tunnels is deafening. I thought my trumpy was loud. But the sporty is way louder.

I've already put a @#$%^& scratch on my pristine tank. Gotta get a tank bra!

It IS nice to ride. But I must admit I'm a bit paranoid about it. I know the different noises my trumpy makes, but the sporty is a whole different kettle of fish. I'm constantly listening out for new noises. There seem to be a variety that come and go.

But, as the wife says, Don't worry about it, if there's a problem, just get it fixed. Great lady!

I guess the longer I ride it without any problems the more relaxed I'll get with it.

I'll post some pics soon.

cheers, al

Took her out again today and didn't use the gear change once as the brake. Just tried to use the brake a couple of times to change gear!

 Oh well I'm improving.

Getting more used to it. Great to ride. Good to have the extra horses, after the old bonnie!

cheers, al

Al,
I had a similar experience when I first picked up my Sporty, it was at night, it rained and being a bike that I wasn't used to it was a pretty bad experience. Took a good couple of months for me to feel pretty comfortable on it, but now that I'm used to it I love it. The noise of the Harley engine if you're not used to it is freaky. I remember when I first rode my bike never having ridden a Harley before I thought the engine sounded like it was going to explode due to excessive mechanical noise. But once again, once you get used to it you realise it's normal. A good synthetic oil helps heaps with the engine noise as well.

That's annoying about your old bike having the controls on the opposite side, I assumed every bike was set up the same.

Thanks for the reassurance.

I dropped in to see some friends as I was out and about today. They have been around Harleys and Triumphs since the 70s. She (wife) now rides an FXR, while hubby's got a 1990 something Triumph Thunderbird.

I was relieved to hear them say that Harlry gears are quite 'clunky', as  I was a bit worried about it cause I hadn't experienced it with the bonnie.

Helps me relax and enjoy it more.

She's so much less work to ride than the bonnie. I'm now looking forward to heading up Wyong next weekend.

 

cheers, al

 

Cool.

 

In that case, I won't give it a second thought!

 

cheers, al

Your lucky have-in those twin front rotors, wish I had em on my 95 Sporty XLH.  

I have the standard mufflers with the centers punched out & am quite happy with the noise level, not too loud, not too quite.

 

Yeah, they're good to have Kev. Although I have to be careful using them or I end up 'dipping' the front end. A couple of time I had someone on the back crash into me because I applied them too heavily.. But I'd rather have them than not.

Took her out for a good ride on the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. The more I ride it thr more I like it. It was good to be able to pull up the hills with two up, and open her up on long flat stretches.

I need to take the lower footrest bits off though cause I keep scraping them in the corners!

 

cheers, al

 

Here's a recent pic of my new sporty.

 

 

 

I like it. I like it a lot.

cheers, al

G'day Allyoop !

Thats a beaut bike - I'm pretty sure I used to own it , It was a one of a kind ( to me )and has some unusual parts on it , I traded it to Mat Mladin in approx 2004 - its got a little extra in the motor . Did you get the dyno sheets ? I bought it new from Frasers at Homebush .

I'm excited to see it again still looking great . Enjoy - I'm a bit jealous !

   

 

 

     

You never know rextheute. It does look the same.

I didn't get the dyno sheets, but it is a grunty bike.

The problem is I never ride it these days. I'm too busy.

When I finally get around to it I plan to get it checked out and then put it up for sale.

I've just started a new job so that might not be for a while.

Anyway, thanks for your post

CONGRATULATIONS.

 

 

SPORTSTER:

SOUND, LOOK and FEEL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Alyoop

nice bike, think 2000 was last year with the trap door to allow the gear box to come out while engine together, the new ones need the cases split to get to gear box.

a mate of mine took his one owner 2000 1200s to robbo's to sell, it was bone stock and imaculate low k's, looked better than brand new as he polished all the alloy bits just about every week.

don't know if it's still at robbo's or if it's sold but. if i was buying one that's the bike i'd buy as bone stock even has stock pipes & muff's. he was not riding it enough, but it was always garadged and had about ten sheets covering it.

Thanks Hugger

It is a nice look'n bike

grunty too

Thanks Krash

I must get on to it soon. It's wasted

sitting in the garage

 

cheers, al