Projected Life of Sportster

  • miketl
    miketl
    4 years ago
    G'Day All,
    I know each bike is unique and how long it lasts has as many variables as there are riders and where they ride.  However, keeping all such things in the background, I'm wondering how many more adventures I can expect from my ride.  I have a 2012 SuperLow883 bought November 2011, with 53km on the odometer. Had a Screaming Eagle stage 1 kit installed at 36,567km and then a Screaming Eagle 1200 kit at 71,418.  Have now reached 110,746 and all is going fine apart from a bit of engine chatter. As far as performance is concerned I can't fault the trusty bike giving 23km/ltr on highway runs at 110kph and 25km/ltr at a more sedate 90/100kph.  Would like to keep riding for another 10yrs (provided health continues) as I'm now 73yrs young.  Would appreciate your comments as I prefer Sportsters with the EVO motor rather than what they may become with the water cooled Street 1200.  Do I look for a newer second hand Sporty with low kms or trust my present one?  Thanks.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    4 years ago
    Good on ya mate. 
    To me there’s something special about keeping the same bike for the long long haul. If she pops, so be it, everything’s fixable and it’s a great feeling breathing life back into your trusty ride and in the end, having something pretty special rather than a run of the mill newby. 
     For one, I respect the older bikes and love seeing them on the road.
    (Old riders too 😎)
  • miketl
    miketl
    4 years ago
    Thanks Ratbob, yeah that's similar to how I think too.
  • miketl
    miketl
    4 years ago
    Thanks Chester, don't know too much about being an example, but would like to keep the old girl going.  Something about "first love" eh!
  • miketl
    miketl
    4 years ago
    Thanks for your input, Rick.  Had thought of having two bikes, but the Minister of Finance has different ideas. . . but then happy wife - happy life.
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ratbob on 09 Nov 2020 09:05 AMedited: 09 Nov 2020 09:06 AM

    Good on ya mate. 

    To me there’s something special about keeping the same bike for the long long haul. If she pops, so be it, everything’s fixable and it’s a great feeling breathing life back into your trusty ride and in the end, having something pretty special rather than a run of the mill newby. 
     For one, I respect the older bikes and love seeing them on the road.
    (Old riders too 😎)

    "To me there’s something special about keeping the same bike for the long long haul."
    Funny how attached one can get to a few bits of metal and rubber...and smoke.
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    4 years ago
    great post
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    4 years ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 10 Nov 2020 04:09 AM

    great post

    Yeah, bloody excellent.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Good one.  The look on the old boys dial when he is sitting on the bike is priceless.
  • Airhead
    Airhead
    4 years ago
    Keep it and keep riding it.  Eventually do the top end, then the bottom end and gearbox together maybe.  If it isn't kept outside the electrics should last a while - there are plenty of twenty year old Harleys going fine.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Just keep riding & find out m8!
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    4 years ago
    A well maintained bike will last a lot longer than a person.
    Look at all the nice Knuckles, Pans and Shovels out there still being ridden long after the original buyers are dust.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 13 Nov 2020 11:55 AM

    A well maintained bike will last a lot longer than a person.
    Look at all the nice Knuckles, Pans and Shovels out there still being ridden long after the original buyers are dust.

    And probably last longer than the Harley Factory if Biden & Harris get in.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    4 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 13 Nov 2020 11:55 AM

    A well maintained bike will last a lot longer than a person.
    Look at all the nice Knuckles, Pans and Shovels out there still being ridden long after the original buyers are dust.

    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 13 Nov 2020 09:26 PM

    And probably last longer than the Harley Factory if Biden & Harris get in.

    Why do you say that Krash, do they have something against Harley ?
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 13 Nov 2020 11:55 AM

    A well maintained bike will last a lot longer than a person.
    Look at all the nice Knuckles, Pans and Shovels out there still being ridden long after the original buyers are dust.

    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 13 Nov 2020 09:26 PM

    And probably last longer than the Harley Factory if Biden & Harris get in.

    Quoting Ratbob on 13 Nov 2020 11:12 PM

    Why do you say that Krash, do they have something against Harley ?

    To me it sounded like, they would to away with gas ( petrol ). Ishtar be wrong hope so.
    But I don’t think the election is over yet, just media trying to say it is. Just have to wait till next year & see.
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    4 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 13 Nov 2020 09:26 PM

    And probably last longer than the Harley Factory if Biden & Harris get in.

    Quoting Ratbob on 13 Nov 2020 11:12 PM

    Why do you say that Krash, do they have something against Harley ?

    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 14 Nov 2020 09:26 AM

    To me it sounded like, they would to away with gas ( petrol ). Ishtar be wrong hope so.

    But I don’t think the election is over yet, just media trying to say it is. Just have to wait till next year & see.

    Ishtar?.
    Thought you made some sort of typo spelling mistake Krash.
    Seems not.

  • Jay-Dee
    Jay-Dee
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ratbob on 13 Nov 2020 11:12 PM

    Why do you say that Krash, do they have something against Harley ?

    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 14 Nov 2020 09:26 AM

    To me it sounded like, they would to away with gas ( petrol ). Ishtar be wrong hope so.

    But I don’t think the election is over yet, just media trying to say it is. Just have to wait till next year & see.

    Quoting Far Canal on 14 Nov 2020 10:14 AM

    Ishtar?.
    Thought you made some sort of typo spelling mistake Krash.
    Seems not.

    You're not suggesting Pauline Hanson is a goddess with this post are you FC? 
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    4 years ago
    No I'm not suggesting that JayDee.
    More an expression of being confused about Ishtar.
    I guess I assumed everyone knows what Pauline is going to say next, however cannot for the life of me put an end time to a you tube link.
    So, the clue is in the first two words the red headed horn bag is about to say.

    https://youtu.be/pfNoto58fQM?t=3
  • Jay-Dee
    Jay-Dee
    4 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 14 Nov 2020 08:55 PM

    No I'm not suggesting that JayDee.
    More an expression of being confused about Ishtar.
    I guess I assumed everyone knows what Pauline is going to say next, however cannot for the life of me put an end time to a you tube link.
    So, the clue is in the first two words the red headed horn bag is about to say.

    https://youtu.be/pfNoto58fQM?t=3

    video
    I knew that mate, sorry I was just taking the piss.

    I'm sure there are some guys out there who think she's a goddess though.