As a potential Sportster buyer I reckon this is the best place to get some opinions from riders who know what they're talking about when it comes to these bikes.

I've had various bikes over the years from a Yamaha DT250, BSA Lightning, Suzuki Volusia, V-Strom 1000, FJR 1300 etc. I'm at the stage where I would like a Sportster but after reading heaps of various forums there seems to be an opinion that if you're over 5'10'' and 100kg ... don't bother because they are physically too small.

Well, old age and too many beers puts me in the big fat bastard category, 5,11' and 115kg so does that rule me out? I don't feel the need for speed anymore. I just want a bike to cruise around the place and take on an occassional weekend solo trip.

Because there's no local HD dealer where I live I'm open to your suggestions ... I am seriously thinking about a standard Sportster, I'm not too keen on forward controls after the Volusia.

My other interest is a Triumph Bonneville but the Sportster has the points at the moment. What do you think ... other than to lose weight!

 

lose weight

 

 

 

 

but on a serious note , ive riden my missus 07 883  and im 6 4" and 120kg , seemd fine to me, felt zzipyyyyy as a sporty would ,im sure a 1200 custom with forwards would be even better

Hi Pete, I'm 5'11 & 90kg. I've had many brit bikes before and i had a few problems with my 93sporty when I bought it (secondhand) a while ago. After all the brit riding positions over the years I really did not want forward controlls and the legs spred style of the harley. So I had the seating position raised and set back 1'' , the ham can air filter shrunk to something more effictive, and finally the rear brake lever modified so my foot is comfortable. The mods are perfect for me, and make a totally enjoyable motorcycle fantastic!

Peter,

I'm 5 9" and 95kg and I think the size of the sporty is great for me. I personally felt squashed with the mid controls and stuck forwards on but that's up to personal preference. You should see if anyone in your area is selling one and go check it out.

Matt, thanks for the input.

Can you give me some info about the mods you made please?

Peterj

G'day, I'm 5'10" (used to be told I was 5'11".....dunno what happened there......thought it was just the old fella that shrunk in the cold) and at my heaviest weighed in at 106.5kgs. I lost a tonne of weight (ok, it was 10kgs) but put around 98%of it back on after my accident and am now hovering around 103-105kgs depending on my beer and Beef Rendang intake.

 

Yes, I'm getting to a point here.

 

I have forward controls and at times I think either I need a bit more length to the bike or my seat neats to be moved back roughly 2 inches either way. I believe his is just rider preference for comfort than necessity. I have no problems riding the sporty or giving her a good run through the twisties. I've only ever had my mate Doc say to me "you need to get back on a FXR bro.......your arse is too big for the sporty Bwaaaa ha ha ha ha ha haaaa"

I enjoy the ride with my sporty and I'm a daily commuter to work as well as a weekend rider. I reckon the guys are right, see if you can find one to tout somewhere, somehow.

 

Cheers,

              Mega!

Hi peterj, here is a pic of the big sucker stage 1 and my seat. Hope it helps. (thanks to sportytrace's 10 steps!)

 

Thanks for all the input and suggestions, I appreciate it.

Maybe the Custom is the way to go after all. I like the look better and the bigger fuel tank appeals. I'd probably learn to live with the forward controls... I hope! I plan to visit a dealer in a week or so and check them out.

Thrus
I live in the far west of NSW and closest dealer is in Mildura, Thanks anyway.

I considered getting the custom but what put me off in the end was the powder coated engine covers I prefer the polished ones on the standard. It's not difficult to get the same riding position as the custom on the standard, ie forward controls and pull back risers will do it. The tank was a bit of a dilemma, I prefer the look of the peanut tank but I like the bigger size of the custom tank, but in the end when I weighed everything up I went for the standard.

All in all the custom is great value for the extras that you do get. The harley forward controls alone make up half the price difference between the standard and the custom and on top of that you get the double seat, bigger tank, passenger pegs etc.

Crap, I see what you mean, you couldn't tell from the first photo. I'd be complaining to them about that.

Yeah, that sucks it's clear to see that it's a different colour.

The dealers should have enough sense to know if colour codes change on the same models from year to year, the ones I've dealt with are pretty clueless. On two occassions now I've been given parts for an '03 sporty instead of an '04.

Hi thurs7er, tell me what was cost to fit the western bars, what else had to be changed, bloody nice bike you have.

Thurs7er

What is the difference between the two sets of bars, I like the mid westerns, are they available in Aus.

I found the mid westerns on the net, do the cables give any trouble when turning.

Thurs7er, I messed up therem does the steering turn ok with med western bars and the std cables?

What about a 19 inch front wheel.  I read somewhere the bike handles better and the front tyre wear is much much better.

I am sure I read that the 19 ins tyre doubled the tyre life and the bike handled better?.