Hi all, 

Sporster custom.  Possibly an option for me as I'm in the market for a sporster.

Any advice regarding pros and cons of this model. It's got about 10k on the clock.

I believe that this model has a carby, not efi.  Should that concern me?

Pros...

Cons...

Your wisdom is appreciated!

Dave

Dave alot of people pref the older ones mate. Thats what I was looking at a while ago, how much $$$?
You should be able to get it for a good price, then spend a bit on a few custom nick nacks to make it your own....
As far as I know they are are good gear mate.

 Thanks Bunyip,

Asking price is 9.5k. Does this sound realistic? Bit high? Bit Low?

The bike is said to be in great condition.

Honestlry mate, prob a bit high....depends whats on it....a few months ago there were a few floating from 7500 -9000 with all sorts of extras....I would make sure, depending on your size, it already has forward controls, decent pipes and anything that your not going to spend money on. It actually seems quite high. Have you checked ebay etc? There are a couple of great ones there. I bought a 2004 883 with a shitload of extras 40k on clock and service history for 7250. This included big tanks plus original, a few sets of pipes saddlebags, spare seats.....it was a good deal, shopped around for a while.

I think its too much, a mate of mine just bought a 2010 Iron fir a few hundred more. Its a 16 yr old bike, don't care how much work has been done its a 16yr old bike. Bunyips on the money, $7k is a realistic price, however I would keep shopping!

 Thanks Bunyip,

I'll troll eBay etc... And get a feel for what's out there.  

Great point - Extras are something I didn't think to much about, but make a world or difference to the deal.

 the custom model & the later  nighster have very short fork's damper travel & are a bit too hard on the dumps @ speed  on a shitty road , good on a smooth hwy but not on dumps  depend's how you ride 'em ,    i ride  my bike's & pussy as hard as they will let me  without beening bump-off,  

That price is way to much for that model , i just paid 8.5k for my 06 883 custom

Where do you live Dave? I am always having a look for sportys, not to buy, just a bit OCD. As soon as I bought mine I should have stopped looking, but...you know how it goes.....

 Hi Bunyip,

I'm in Victoria.

I have been considering a number of Sportster options.  To give you an idea of my mindset, here are some of my thoughts... This is probably familiar territory for you an many otehr HD Forum members.

• New Iron 883 - Does it have enough go.  I know I can get the 1200 conversion, but by the time I incur that cost, may as well think about a 48...
• New 48 - Tank size really bothers me, and add $500 -$1000 for a new tank.
• Second hand Iron or 48 - By the time I consider stamp duty and rego etc... they are not far off the new price.  New I get 2 years warranty, but no extras (pipes, etc...)
• A number of te secondhand bikes (2010 & 2011 models) I have enquired about, dont have the original spares.  i.e: pipes... in the event I have a roadworthy issue, I would need these to get back on the road again.  Not that the owners aren't capable, but it would be good if the mods were HD installed to help maintain whats left of the warranty.
• I guess that the Nighster is the Irons big brother.  I like the nightster and it's 1200 - but they aren't available new.
• Don't get me wrong here, I am willing to fork out for a bike and understand that the HD's retain their value, some what.  I do believe that on bikesales, many of the prices are a little top heavy - and lets face it, these bikes aren't moving like hot cakes.
• I haven't engaged in fair dinkum negotiation yet, but most of the preliminary enquires I have made for bikes arounf the $16K mark come back with "no room to move mate" or "mate, it owes me $16K, so I've gotta sell it for $16K.  I'm not one to push my luck and get disrespectful over pricing.

I hope to test ride an Ironin the next week to get a feel for their ability and this may make shopping easier.  

For those who own an Iron, can I ask this question?  I know that the Iron is not a race/ sports bike - accept that.  95kg rider on the freeway.  Will the Iron easily do 120, 130, 140 etc...?  What is it capable of?  Should I consider a 1200 if this is a concern?  I want to be able to comfortably pull out of traffic, overtake and get back in (Without winding up a rubber band and crossing my fingers)

Does any of this garble sound familiar?

 

thanks,

Dave

 

Dave, if I had the coin I would have got a 1200. The one I bought just came at the right time, and I was eyeing off a hotted up 1200 but as you said, the bloke wouldnt budge on price, and the 883 guy was in a bit of financial strife and it was advertised at 8500, got it for 7 and a bit. Had the cash cash in a shoebox in my car, pulled it out in front of his wife, and clipped him under the ear and gave me the keys etc!
There are a few good nightsters out there with low km around 13k mark.
883 will have the power you talk about. Again, you can pump them up with a/c pipes etc.
Your best off setting a max limit to spend. Isolate 1 or 2 models you love. Work out what extras you want on it, pipes, bars etc. And then start playing hardball. Its no diff than looking for a new hilux. If you want a canopy or bullbar, find one that already has it. The cost of pipes, bars, seats etc can be heart breaking. Get em already on if you can. Even things like colour, it costs a small fortune for a decent job, so dont buy a yellow one if you dont like yellow! Also, you might struggle to find ones that have been done by HD. The dealership in ACT charges $140 ph labour. So, most blokes try to do it themselves, or find a cheaper mechanic down the pub etc. I dunno mate, theres lots out there, test drive somethng at the dealer, read as much on this forum and others as possible, you will learn heaps, then try your hardest to enjoy the process!! Not every day you get to buy a Harley....

Like Bunyip said. Work out the sporty you want then wait for the right one to come up & grab it. I searched Bikesales, Gumtree etc 2-3 times a day for several months until I saw exactly what I wanted & snapped it up for the right price with low kms & balance of warranty. I chose the Iron purely for it's classic lines & dark theme. I'm 87kg & the bike can sit comfy on the freeway at 110 all day with plenty of power for overtaking. I have a big bore kit planned for it when the coin permits but that was the original intention. Pipes, a/c & tuner will do for now. I have no regrets.

Slap.

I would wait for 72 to be released,looks shit hot to me.

im only new, but went through similar conundrum.... in the end, the fact that I was asking the question "will the 883 be enough" meant that I would only be satisfied with the 1200. I'm not sure what year that bike is, but go to bikesales, look up harley in all states, private sale, then filter from "lowest price". There's a couple of 89 1200 that a fellow imported from the usa and he's had them listed for months and months... Ebay- I found it a bit of a nightmare. I "bought" a 883 2003 with low kms and some nice accessories. When I won the auction, the seller told me it was a repairable write off... um... no thanks. He "graciously" cancelled the auction.
He also has a 2007 EFi 883 with pipes that's only travelled 400kilometres from new! It's on ebay at 9000 but he said he would take 8500... that seems not bad really.

For a little more, I picked up a 1200 Roadster 2005. It's carby which is kinda cool. Has twin front discs, and a tachometer... plus the owner had spend THOUSANDS on it... nearly double the purchase price!

There is a bike out there..... I'm pretty sure whatever you buy, you will enjoy. Get to know it and learn from the experience. AFter a few months, if you don't really gel with it, nothing wrong it selling it to someone else and if you do lose a few hundred dollars, think of it as "rent" money.... Let's face it, you cannot lose much with a Harley.

Try these...

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Motorbikes-ATVs/AdNumber=TP005070322

 

 

Good call. Just make sure if you get something imported it is already registered. Lots of blokes are importing, not realising how much needs to be done to get is AUS complianced. Import approved means nothing, make sure it is registered, or talk to Choppaweeza on this site as he does it for a living, and has a fantastic reputation.

Good call. Just make sure if you get something imported it is already registered. Lots of blokes are importing, not realising how much needs to be done to get is AUS complianced. Import approved means nothing, make sure it is registered, or talk to Choppaweeza on this site as he does it for a living, and has a fantastic reputation.

Good call. Just make sure if you get something imported it is already registered. Lots of blokes are importing, not realising how much needs to be done to get is AUS complianced. Import approved means nothing, make sure it is registered, or talk to Choppaweeza on this site as he does it for a living, and has a fantastic reputation.