Simple - I wanted a bike that I could plant both my feet on the ground when I was stopped. Under $15k to fit my budget, and short enough to fit across my garage so I could fit my other project and the new bike in there.
After looking around, the Sportser was the only one that I liked(especially the throttle response) and filled the criteria. So $15K made a new bike possible. However the 2009/2010 models did not have any colour/ mechanical combinations I liked. In the end a very good condition 2007 XL883c burgandy(I think it is too dark to call it red) / charcoal bike was found at Blacktown HD , which is now mine. It is still pretty much stock bar a removable medium size sissy bar and luggage rack and Ikon progressive heavy duty suspension units at the rear. The rear shocks were just not up to holding up a pair of 90Kg riders any more. For our 'trundling around' style of riding/cruising, the 883 is fine. It does feel the long steep hills but it never feels like it is working hard. What would I change/add - I like the idea of the LED fuel gauge ( but the trip meter is pretty consistant showing 220-230Kms before the warning light comes on) and I would love to get rid of that plain ugly front mounting bolt for the fuel tank - any ideas any one?
Mate,
I just love sportys. I was the same re budget, used to walk past a HD dealership on the way home from school. 883 were 8500 ride away. I always thought that was all I could ever afford. I do like the big boys too, but the sportys always seemed realistic for me. As time went by, the sporty stuck in my head, and they are almost 2nd to none for the ability to customize. Also, I do most of my riding in the city, and dont really even ride more than a few hours on weekends ( 1.5 hours each way to a cafe or pub)...it suits me and I love it. One day I would like to own a big twin, but think I will always own sporty aswell....
It hadta be a Harley after falling in love with the rumble and cruisy feel of Harleys on a random 'I've never ridden a HD - why not try' test ride.
Which model? Anything old school. If HD replicated the WLA's I'd have one on order by lunchtime. Love 'em! That being said I'd have a 40's model Beemer if they replicated those - I'm thankful HD still make 'classic' looking bikes and haven't totally commited to rocket ships as BMW have done.
But I got a '98 Springer cozza the old school style - but with modern reliability. Colour doesn't matter to me and it's just co-incidence both my two Harleys to date have been black ones. That's coz they're second hand units.
And that's about all the thought I put into it. Love Harleys, love old school bikes.
Well like a few others here the size was important, (glad I'm not the only one with ducks disease) and dollars too. I purchased an 07 1200Custom just on a week ago and I love it. I haden't ridden for about 12 years so I feel a bit more confident on the sporty. I hope to keep it forever..
On topic, my story is similar to others above. Been into bikes and riding for thirty years now. Started with Jap bikes, then moved onto a Ducati. Eventually had to accept the advance of the years, and the pains in the wrists, shoulders, back and other parts further South left after even a short ride on the Duke. Have always liked Harleys, but not the beach ball rear tyre, chrome and Easter egg painted kind. It's an abused term nowadays, but I have always had more old school taste in Harleys. Then, along comes the TV ad for the Iron, and well, love at first sight. I did not realize it, but the Harleys I had always liked were Sportsters. Then I test rode a sportster and it was all over. One new Iron ordered straight away. Had it for nearly two years now, and still brings a huge smile even when I ride it down to the shops to get bread and milk.....have not modded it to the extent of some, but have it just the way I want it now. Too good. TC
seen a springer when i was a young lad and had to have one before i kick the bucket...once kids were grown up, then started looking for a 97 Heritage Springer....finally found one, pride and joy, then it was gone...so brought a Cross Bones. love the old school look and as Issac said, if harley produced a wla springer, i would be there money in hand.
Hey Spearking, your avatar is a tad small but that looks like a mortar. Is it? Neighbour issues??
Walked into Trivets to buy a neck warmer and couldn't keep my eyes of this six year old fatboy on the floor. The rest is history. They could at least have tossed in the neck warmer!
Righto - it's Australia Day Eve and I have Imbibed just enough to kick back, and this looks like just the thread to do it. . . .
As a youngun, my oldest brother Urny was into bikes. He was 6 years older than me so I was about 10yo when he started to show an interest in bikes. My old man threatened to put an axe through it if he ever bought one inside the yard. I honestly believed he would have. Regardless, Urny bought home an RD 250 and managed to keep it. Then an A10 BSA, Matchless 500 Single ('50's model) and a procession of Jap Bikes. Over the years, Urny would buy and sell bikes on a whim, with no regard for what others thought, or what was "cool". For me, this was great cos I got to see lots of bikes up close and personal and in later years. ride 'em all.
Urny had mates who were into bikes, all Jappa's - but classics. Kwaka 9's, XS Yammies, Honda 4's etc. In '76. Urny bought a brand new Bonnie. My old man even went guarantor for the loan. That was such a revelation. I loved it from the moment I set eyes on it. But already, I was a Harley tragic. I vivdly remember seeing my first Sporty - black of course - in Margaret River as a 13yo in 1977. It was so "agricultural" and instead of nice neat "unit" motors, this was big and solid and clunky with bits poking out everywhere. I was immediately in love
Anyway, by '78 I was into "Easyriders" magazines and shortly after, Ozbike (still have them all, including Ozbike No. 1). I was a Harley fanatic already and argued black and blue with all the jap bike owners
Anway, long story short, I bought my first Harley in '82 - a '42 WLA. After that, I sold it and bought a r65ls (), sold it and bought a 1975xlch, sold that and bought a 1985xls. At that point, I decided to try to keep every bike I bought cos I regretted selling the WLA. 1990 bought a '79 t140. 1995 bought a 1978FLH. 2001 I got sick of trying to keep any i of 3 rattly, leaky old bikes on the road. Couldn't afford to splurge on a new bike (Miss A arrived in 2000) so - sadly - traded the T140 for a new Bonnie.
That brings me to the question ( I did warn you I had kicked back - why your bike.
In the last few years, some of my mates have finally seen their way clear to join the dark side. For a few months in late 2008, the boys were buying bikes. It just so happened, SWHD had a stock 2005 springer with 18,000km's on the clock in the window. I was smitten - reminded me of my old WLA if you got drunk, closed one eye, turned your back and looked between your legs. I tried to talk all of my mates into buying it. I had it as my screensaver at home. I visited the website every night to see if it was still there. None of them showed a bit of interest.
One night, the missus looked over my shoulder and said "can we afford it ?". I laughed and said "of course we can!" and thought nothing more of it. A couple of nights later, as I was "researching" 2005 Springers, she asked me again. I said "are you serious?". She said she was and the rest, as they say, is history.
Borrowed enough to but the bike and still ensure I could afford the pipes, seat, sissy bar and handlebars.
So there ya go - that's "why my bike".
Philthy
ps : while I was quite comfortably in my "happy place", the missus handed me an envelope that arrived in the mail today. Rear facing camera - 131/110. $300 & 3 points ! First one in 10 years ! Cunts
I had a CB250 and a Shovel for a while back in the 70's.
Gave it away for a few decades and then bought a old B&W R100s back in 96.
That was it.Generally rode every day and enjoyed it. Mostly city traffic.
I fell into a Suzuki vl1500 LC in 04 and have had it ever since.
Ride it every day.
I've done a bit of custom work to it, so it doesnt look typical Japanese cruiser style and its pretty loud.
Vance and Hines short shots with some fabricated manifold pipes.
Ive ridden the Bjesus out of this and its always ready to go in the morning.
Its survived a T Boneing with $7500 work of repair work I must say as well.
Later this year I hope to aquire a late 80's FXR which will be stretched a touch,
lowered a touch and have a set of 12 to 14 inch apes on it.Maybe cut the rear Fender a bit as well.
I'll keep the LC as It reminds me a lot of my 18 year old that passed away.
Two days before he went we came up from the Hawksbury doing 170.
He loved it.
Cheers
