I love my Sportster, and when I pick up another bike to add to the collection the Sportster will stay exactly where it is. Sportsters aren't frowned upon in the HD community, not the guys that are real HD fans anyways (not the 50 year old guy that never rode a bike but bought a brand new street glide and all the shirts and bandanas to go with it). Anyone that is a true enthiusiast knows how important the Sportster is to Harley Davidson as a whole.
@@e.l.9589 he's a poser if he said that, not a real Harley guy. Ride whatever you want, but if someone elses opinion on a bike makes your mind up for you then you are a poser too.
He isn't knocking the bike, Jon's followers are mostly stunters and show ponies. We want bikes that we can show off on. Honestly I almost bought a Sportser for Wheelies but decided to go with the Dyna instead. Again, jon doesn't knock it but he dies give great points to his Followers with same interest.
I have been riding my 1996 XLH 883 since it was new , 23+ years now . I have owned 11 metric cruisers , 1 Triumph , 1 Ironhorse , and 11 Harley-Davidson's in all , of which 3 were Sportsters . My much loved 883 , a "48" 1200 , and , my XL1200 Custom . My other 8 H-D's have all been "Big Twins" , including a new M-8 model . To this day , I have never thought of selling , or parting with my old Sporty in any way , I love these bikes , and it is not a starter bike , it is like a family member , all machines serve a purpose , some for different things , love them all , ride safe , and live large .
The Sportster has a bigger aftermarket than the dyna. The motor has 4 different cams rather than the 2 of the twin cam or 1 of all the other big twins,. They are cheaper. You can buy great performance packages from hammer performance making them outperform big twins EASILY. In order to not scrape you just buy taller shocks, just like a dyna. Sportsters rule, fuck what enyone says.
At least where I live in ca, all the newest aftermarket parts were made for dynas and baggers first, then sportsters maybe. If you're building a chopper/bobber, sure there's more aftermarket, but it seems performance parts always favor the big twins, especially engine building.
@@bigslowbro Engine building is easier with the big twins, due to them simply having more space. So naturally engine building favors big twin bikes. What you're talking about is new aftermarket parts, and there I will agree with you, but that is only because the sportster aftermarket is already so saturated, and has no real necessity in newer stuff. As you said the chop/bob aftermarket is gigantic for sportsters, and yes that does contribute largely to the overall size of the sportster aftermarket. But all in all I still think that sportsters are the best blank canvases for mods.
The 883 is but the 1200 is pretty quick.My iron 1200 will smoke my fathers 2017 street glide all the way up to 120 then after that the street glide wins because of its 6th gear that the sportster doesn't have.
I have owned a 2019 Iron 883 for 9 months. I did not buy it for long rides or the comfort. I bought it to jump on when I have 30 minutes to ride and just want to feel the wind. I also have an Ultra Limited for longer rides.
I think you made all good points. I’m still a big Sportster fan. It doesn’t check all the boxes for most of us but there is no denying that it is a super fun bike
Everyone told me not to get a sportster iron 883 for my first bike, but I didn't listen and got a 2017 iron 883 about a month ago. I don't regret it whatsoever, have already made it my own with tons of parts, and I just love it. I am 6'3 and in no way feel cramped or uncomfortable, I love how easy it is to whip around on it. I see a 1275cc conversion in the future for sure
Been riding for over 40yrs, and I've had 3 sportsters, loved every one! The first one was and my first bike was a 1974 XLCH 1000cc, lots of fun to ride. My last sporty was a 1995 Sporty S 1200cc, and had more balls than the 1983 shovelhead Tour Glide and the 1990 EVO 1340cc Heritage Softtail I have now. So I guess you love them or you don't. SPORTSTERS ARE BADASS!!!
Same here. I had an '88, an '01 (both 883's), and currently have a 2012 Seventy Two 1200 and a 2015 Fatboy. The Sporty is just so gorgeous and such a piece of Harley history that I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it when I got the Fatboy. Around town, the Sporty is great, but for rides on the freeway for over an hour (mostly every ride in my area of CA, the Fatboy is like a recliner on wheels and comfortable for hours on end.
My current bike is a 96 883....my previous bike was a 1600cc roadstar .....and I just love my little sportster it's fine for me perfect for zipping around town,at 50,yrs old I don't need to go 200 mph .........
Just got one, I always owned superbikes previously so I wasn't sure if it would be for me, but man I love this thing! Makes me feel like a hero on every bend.
Everything you said is completely correct. And it is all Harleys fault! The Sportster first went on the market in 1957. It was based on the KR frame and a new OHV unit construction motor. That original "iron head" Sportster carried on pretty much unchanged until 1982 when AMF replaced the iron and steel frame with a new, much improved all steel frame. 2 years later, Harley finished the job with the new EVO engine for the Sportster. That was followed with 5 speed tranny, belt drive and...... The Hugger Sportster! Made especially for girls and short men. Harley basically chopped 3" off the rear suspension and lowered the forks to match. This is where the Sportster suddenly became a "girls bike". The tall Sportsters, which had plenty of cornering clearance and could really handle were about 480 lbs. The 1200 version was Harleys best performer for a time and I suspect was eating into big twin sales of the day. Then Harley went with the rubber mount frame, destroying the bikes great handling. Then added fuel injection porking the Sportster up about another 100 lbs. Finally they ended production of the tall Sportster leaving the Hugger (for small riders) as the last remaining Sportster. My 2002 Sportster has gone from 883 to 1250cc. About 475 lbs and around 90 hp. And it can handle turns like a sportbike and with a 30" seat height is comfortable for taller riders. Harley could build this Sportster now but an awful lot of Harley riders would opt for a $10k Sportster over a $20k big twin.
No such thing as too much in parts if that is what you want. I've had my 2005 1200 for 2 years now. Tried talking myself out of a lot of parts. Most recently, the digital speedo and tachometer. I have no regrets that I have any one of them now. I am currently deciding what rear shocks I want to replace with, then MAYBE I will be done with the big stuff 😂
High revving, 1 power stroke per cycle motor. There is only 1 choice out there. Once you get it, you get to fine tune it. It’s designed to exit corners fast and enter corners fast and go back to top speed fast. This is what ‘sports’ means.
I own a iron 1200, i have rode plenty of dynas from 110s and 103s to the old early models and i just enjoy the sportster the most. the only bike that out runs my iron is the 110, even the new 107s get left in the dust. The top end leaves some to be desired but i never find myself pushing more than 100 on it anyway. Its not designed for freeways but it handles it with ease. I am in the process of stunting my bike and i couldn't ask for a more well rounded bike. It wheelies straight out the factory. Long hauls aren't awful, around town is perfect. Fast and nimble, great price point and super easy to modify. And extremely easy to get more power out of it. Its not designed for long hauls but its easy to modify to make it suitable. Personally there is nothing wrong with a sportster, they are designed to be multipurpose and they excel at that. I see them as a open canvas like you said, its up to you how you wanna use your bike.
LOL I have a 6'6" 325lb buddie who LOVES his 1200 Sportster with forward controls. I'm 5'7" 225lbs and love mine too. I also rode it 2-up across 12 states no issues. Spend 1,000 on better suspension, bags, seat, make a sissy bar, do a stage 1 and it's better and cheaper than a touring bike. Through nearly 10 years experience, mostly bike snobs choose to dislike these bikes.
OK you got me with the title. But then I watched the whole video and I think you do an accurate job of what the bike is. It’s just that the Sportster doesn’t suck for me because I’m a chill rider and this bike blows my hair back just fine. It’s never let me down and for all the reasons you mentioned about not really caring as long as you’re having fun and I’m definitely having fun with my Sportster. And my bank account loves it too. Respect to all the riders that know a hell of a lot more than I do about motorcycles. But I think we would all agree a good day on two wheels is a good day even if your bike isn’t going to win approval from Bike Enthusiasts. Us low income riders are allowed to have fun too. And the Sportster allows us to do that.
So weird… you scrap and the back springs are lowered to the max.. my 1200 which is basically same frame and build but sits at factory stance I can turn around on a normal road like clockwork without scrapping. 1200 nightster guy
I like that theyre raw, relatively affordable used, and pretty easy to keep running if you can wrench of them yourself. I had a shadow 750 for years and it was a phenomenal bike and i would recommend it to anyone, but the sportster tickles that itch just a little better
I love the sportster but my 2018 was spending more time in harley garage than on the road for warranty work. Things were just braking like craaazy! Switches, sensors, bearings, breaks. Finally I gave up on it and got myself the Bolt R spec and it was so much better. Nothing failed, more responsive on throttle, better handling and overally the bike had better feel to it. And I've been trying to make sportster better with stage one and other upgrades but it just wasn't getting close to being as good as the Bolt
The thing to remember about the Sportster is that it hasn't changed that much in over 50 years. So yes, it's noisy, unrefined, low on power and handles badly. So does a 1957 Chevy or 1964 Mustang. If you want a classic bike, that just happens to have been made recently, than it might be a good choice. But don't compare it to a modern bike, because it isn't. It's an anachronism, which has lots of character, but not modern performance, handling or comfort.
The fun of owning a motorcycle is making it your own. If you don’t like something change it. If when you get off it and walk away you don’t turn around and look at it, you’re on the wrong bike to start with.
Most people get the 883 for the look, or as a first bike. I would suggest at least the iron 1200 to get the bigger engine. I have a sportster 1200 that I absolutely LOVE. the sounds, the smells, the rumble, the solid *click* in shifting... its top shelf. But so many ways to build it out and make it yours. A 1200 that is staged out (google it) is plenty fast, and a torque monster. I get compliments on my bike from all side, baggers, sport bike riders, hippies, hipsters, everyone likes a good looking bike.
I was a fortunate kid to have been gifted an 883 hugger when I was 17 years old in the 90s. My uncle ran a chopper customs and repair shop which was my first job and after toiling for him for 4 years he told me to test ride the Sportster I just finished working on for most of the week. When I got back he gave me a birthday card with the title in the envelope. Words couldn't say how much of a gift that bike was to me. On the downside, the bike was an AMF year bike and had left me stranded in the middle of the desert one time and one evening broke down when I was getting my girlfriend home before her parents discovered she snuck out. My friends used to tease me all the time for the many times they came with a pickup truck to bring it home for repairs. My most cherished gift was also a curse in many ways. I never trusted the bike and spent a lot of time wrenching on it to keep it going. Your observations were spot on.
I love my one too !! Have had a lot and different type of motorbikes. The previous one was ZX-10R. The Sportster makes me feel like I am on a real gangster. I know is not gonna go fast but if I want a fast bike I can get a fast one. Definitely not gonna sell it. Prefer to keep it in the lounge and look at it if not able to ride one day.
The Sportster is Harley's lifeline bike that has consistently sold well throughout most of it's history. It's versatile, practical, and maintains the elegance of the bikes of the 40s (especially the Sportster 48) and 50s. No it's not a touring bike, it's not a minivan on two wheels, and it has a large modding community for those who want to get into the 'hot rod' side of it.
The older ones used to come with a lot more suspension on them. I've never scraped a peg on my 99. I think they are 13 in shocks. Its lighter by about 80 lbs too. The stock buckhorns are the only bars I've ever used that my throttle hand never gets fatigued ever. They had to change the bikes to what sold and not what works the best.
The tall Sportster was Harleys best bike. I believe Harley destroyed the Sportster by lowering it and making it a "girls bike". Realize a tall frame 1200 would smoke a big twin and sell for half the price.
I rode a Wide Glide for 5 years as a bloke of 5’7” it was just too much of a stretch. But my current ride is a sportster custom. My first ride to bring it home was a 6 hour haul, loved every minute!
If your Sportster scrapes on turns it’s probably because the rear suspension is 11 inches or less. You will definitely scrape the wear pegs or the kickstand assembly.
What sucks the most is 883 cc < 54 ci. For almost the same weight you can have a sportster with 1200 cc > 73 ci and 30 % more power. What's great about the 883 is it still looks, feels, and sounds like a Harley!
@@rickbradshaw2148 883 because I'm a Harley guy. I'll ride any motorcycle though, just very particular about what I'll buy. As long as I can only have 1 bike and I can still handle the weight it'll be a Harley!
First bike was a 09 883. Loved it but it was time to upgrade. Got me a streetbob back in 2017 and haven’t regretted that decision since. Would love to build another sporty for a bar hopper and bob it out. Good little fun bikes but they all have there pros and cons for sure. After all they are harleys lol.
Dude, come on, you can't even compare an 883 to a 1200. It is literally night and day difference in performance. Next unscrew those peg scrapers off of that thing. We took a new Sportster Roadster and with very minimal changes made it a canyon shredder. And if all else fails get on my KTM SD 1290 and go shred that. I usually like your vids but not this one so much. I like to see people get Sportsters 883 or 1200 and make them their own and have fun...and that doesn't suck
@@maxwellbricks7202 Progressive Suspension front and back. BUT, I would play with the spring wrench on the rear stock shocks before buying anything. Set them to your weight, just that change makes a huge difference. You may find that you don't need rear shocks but maybe Progressive springs in the front. We also changed the bars and put on Magnum Shielding Sterling Chromate II brake lines and dual disc crossover on it. They not only work great but they are very trick looking in black. We also changed the brake pads to EBC Sintered pads...excellent upgrade. Let me know if you have any more questions, this bike rips the canyons
Not sure what the difference in power is between the 883 and the 1200 , but I have a 1200 custom and it has plenty of power. It feels more at home sitting on 110kph then it does at 50 or 60 , mine has forward controls so you can lean it over pretty far befor scraping. Plus imo probably the nicest looking harley
I bought mine brand new in 2001 and still ride it every year. I have a metric touring bike but those little cafe bikes and stuff getting popular and so I cruise my little sporty around town to relieve stress save on gas commuting to work. To me it’s priceless
First point. This bike is not meant for speed . 2) you friend might by another fz07 in 5 years, but you can gift this bike to your grand children after you .
I had an original $3995 1986 883 4spd. chain final drive, and I had a blast on it. I put a 1200 kit in it in 1989 and rode it until 1995 putting 20k fun miles on it. I even took a couple of small 1000 mile road trips on it, until I sold it and kept my HD Ultra as my only mc. I wish I would have kept it.
Ever heard of lap times? Lap after lap after lap of NO braking? Racing is about GOING ROUND AND ROUND in circles. It’s NOT about taking off from traffic lights. You tune a bike that is IN THEORY, in motion. Lack of power actually means LACK OF BRAKING MOMENTS. No traffic lights driving. Carry momentum through corners. Ever heard of ‘rolling starts’?
The Roadster fixed most the issues i had when i was looking at Sportsters. It was a left over 2019, so i paid 883 money for it. It has the 1200, inverted forks, dual front discs, and a higher ride height with the emulsion rear shocks. I still scrape pegs, but im REAL leaned over when i do. Some LED lights, and i was good to go!
I learned to ride on an AMF sportster back in the late 1970's. It was my brother's bike, we had a blast on that thing! I recently picked up a 2008 Nightster, going to keep it for a project bike. I need a larger Harley so I can cruise in comfort. Looking at a few right now. Everyone has to start somewhere, a sportster is a good starting point for newer riders that want to transition to Harley's. They don't suck, they are just a different ride. Plus they are a great platform for learning to turn wrenches on a Harley. Stay safe people! :)
Hey, great commentary video! Thanks for sharing! But, I've had alot of different types (brands) of motorcycles. Muscle bikes, kawazakis, dirt bikes, yamaha's, my last bike was a Yamaha V-max, (and that is one hell of a muscle bike, not for beginners!) now I bought my first Sportster 1200 Nightster with low miles! I have done all the work to it myself, like changing the oils, and the aftermarket parts I have added. Working on it has been a learning process, as I install parts. I've had it for about five years now, and there are literally millions of aftermarket parts for it. So far, I've changed the handlebars to drag-bars, changed the lights to LED, got some Nightrider X14IED'S to change the lean fuel mix condition it had, some Pulstar Plasma Core spark plugs, a K&N air filter, 14" rear gas shocks to raise the rear end about four inches, Progressive fork springs to raise the front end about four inches, to keep the bike from dragging parts around every corner, and also now I can go over curbs, speed bumps without damaging anything underneath the bike! My 1200 Nightster has alot of torque and easily runs highway speeds! I love it, and have realized how valuable it is, in the Harley Davidson motorcycle family! I do proper maintenance on it, cause I want it to last! I ride it everywhere I go! I love the bike so I can; Ride to live, and Live to Ride! 👍 (It is kinda heavy, but I'm used to heavy weight bikes, and it handles fine! I recommend a Sportster 1200 for first timers, because the 1200 weighs about the same as an 883, but has alot more power and torque. You have to take it easy on it till you learn some important riding techniques like counter-steering and such!!..lol..!!)
As a 2001 1200s pepped up sporty (505/515 fueling cams, s&s lifters, full CVPerformance cv40 carb rebuild and jetted for my bike 205/48 I’m at sea level Florida, 2 into 1 custom exhaust, saddleman tuck and roll with diamond stitching. My rev limiter set at 7k and I can drift and wheelie all day. My 2002 dyna fx winks at my sporty every day.
My ride is an 883, it wasn't perfect for me as im 6ft plus..so i did some modifications and im super liking and happy about what i did to it. It is one motorcycle where you can modify it into anything... from bobber to off-road riding. Admit it, most of the youtubers started out on an iron883 or nightster ;)
Dude I get the impression you have no idea of what you are talking about I am part of the harley community and I realy like sportsters and know several other riders that like them just fine so speak for yourself not the " community "
Sportsters Rule 🤙 Hi, I'm John, a 62 year old kid. I have three Harleys; 2018 Heritage Classic 114 Red Denim Oxide, a 2003 Harley Davidson Springer FXSTS black, and last year I purchased a 2003 883 xlr, one owner with 3,462 miles. It's orange with blacked out engine, the bike at the time was 16 yrs. old. After putting on about 550 miles I upgraded it to a 《still swing arm》 Norcal style chopper. I normally ride the Heritage and Springer then for a change I'll hop on the Sportster that is now a 1200 cc with low to mid range feulin reaper cam, 6 over tubes, lowered rear, king n queen seat, black steel rims with spokes, 8 inch black Chubby handlebars, black tape wrapped drag pipes and Atlas front/ rear tires. I love taking that Sportster out and rip up the roads. It's barely mean but it is and it's a lot of fun. I hope to post videos of all three bikes this year. Sportsters rule ~ Don't like it, don't look at it 😎
For tall dudes you can get a raised seat and forward controls. For more speed you can do the S&S 1250cc upgrade with cams and porting. You can also get much better piggy back rear shocks that more than double your rear-end travel and increase the lean angle.
You and the 883 don’t get along but it is not your bike! You would be better suited to ride a Japanese Motor Cycle. The 883 was born before you were, Honda builds some stuff you would like or maybe you should ride around in a cage, automobile. The 1200 has the torque your missing. Pickup a used 2007 or better Screaming Eagle 1200 Custom and you wouldn’t think it sucks. At over 100 mph it is just fine!
I believe this Sportster is definitely iconic but stock will always have issues but you’ll know whether it’s an issue regarding oil, air leak, or too rich! Customizations I believe are key such taking off as much as you can to reconsolidate wiring or changing the whole look with an adjustable suspension, handlebar set, and fender manipulation! Touring wise for the 2015 and older you have to improve suspension which is worth the extra 3-4K in work compared to newer (another 3k for performance to current stock levels)
Just bought an 883 Iron and love it but... I wanted the 1200, which was nowhere as sexy looking. Anyways, it's fun and in time I'll upgrade in time to get it the way I want it, because nobody will build a bike like I want except me haha
I've had two 883's and now a 1200. The 1200 is great for more power, but just be ready to stop for gas more often. I got about 120 miles to my 2.25 gallon tanks on my 883's, but only get around 85 miles on the 1200.
I own an 03, Anniversary 1200 Custom Sporty with 75K miles on it with never a wrench to the motor. With hydraulic lifters, unless you're the kind of person who can tear up a crowbar, they are extremely dependable. I rode my Sporty from Key West Florida to Homer Alaska and back home to Phoenix Arizona. 4 weeks, 13,500 miles. I've had 2, 1000 mile days on it with several 5, 6, 7 and 8 hundred mile days on it. Youre right, they are not really made for long road trips, but I'd do it again and they feel snd sound like no other bike. Sportys have boatloads of character. Something few bikes today have. All are fast and furious, smooth quiet and lots of plastic. Sportys are classic, made of iron, bikes with character. They are extremely dependable, happier as at slower cruising speeds, ie: less than 70mph, cheap to own, and dont need all the service checks HD says to do. Just keep the oil clean, change filters, check this and that once in a while yourself, don't be a wrecking machine rider, and just ride the bike. Youll get a hundred thousand trouble free miles on a Sporty.
Bought my first bike at age 45 and it was an 883.......bought a Road Glide Special 6 months later. My Iron is a 2015 and I have just over 6000 km on it. Traded my RGS last May for a Road Glide Ultra. From May to October I put 10000 km on it. Still have my sporty and am adding some stuff to make it better for me.
Had one back in 81...which I chopped.....but the early Sportster always had problem with it's high center of gravity.....what I did back then with a 75, was to change the shock absorber mounts to the underside of the swingarm, and raise the fender a bit......this lowers it enough to handle more like a big twin.
As I told your wife few weeks ago, this is a great "entry level" bike,however ,for myself, a great," exit level," as I have ridden many large behemoth motorcycles thru the years and had enough of managing the size and weight. Just purchased a 2020 iron 883 and absolutely love the look,feel, and manageability on the road. (Im 5'7" 160 lbs )Plenty power for cruising for what most would use it for. Normal turns are not a scraping issue.!,and yes,it has the sound and skake of your tradition American motorcycle, which I find actually enjoyable, not the sewing machine sound of a metric,which I never liked.Should have done this years sooner. And,yes, this is my first Harley and a "keeper" as it will be my last .
I'm in a MC and tried riding an 883 and it can't hang at all, especially on the interstate on long rides, you have to keep it pegged wide open for long stretches, they just can't keep up with the big twins
It is what it is.... it’s not 30,000 but it’s a good bike.... if you complain about it... compared to what?... it’s a great bike for what it is and compared to any other brand that is a apples to apples comparison it’s one of the best
I hear ya man. I've been ridin steady since last June 2021 or so. I grew up on the back of Harleys since I was a kid I rode on the back of my grandma's harley. We've always been into Harleys and I hear exactly what your pitching. But for me, being 23, I got my 1991 harley sportster xl883 back in June or so, and I've ridden newer Harleys, Yamahas, Hondas, all kinds of street bikes and cruisers, and I gotta say I would trade it for nothin right now. It's old school. Granted having the new tech and being able to mod the crap out of new bikes is cool and all, but nothing can beat the good old nostalgic carburetor, choke, turn the gas on, the warm up, ugh. It makes me proud I may be young but I love my old sporty.
All you have to do is put on a stage 1 kit and then redo this video. I love mine but can't ride right now due to the back brakes are broken after I tried to evade a full ice cooler, and a dead battery and the gas tank needs cleaning on the inside. Jeff Cagle
You’re scraping the feelers, take a video of you scraping the pegs without and then you can say there’s no lean angle. Love sporties, love all harleys!
my Victory Kingpin is broken, rented a sportster to ride for a few weeks while my bike is getting fixed. Riding the sporty has made me realize just how much I love my Bike. That's all i'll say.
They are great bikes if your world revolves around HD. For the rest of the riders out there better options exist. I don't dislike the Sportster but don't like it enough to own one.
The beauty of the Sportster is that you can make it into whatever you want. Since 1957 H-D has been continually making it better. It is a blank canvas with all of the aftermarket parts you could ever want. It is simple enough that most DIY people can do their own work. It is bulletproof and this is verified by riders who have put several 100K miles on it. Scraping is not an issue if you buy the right model. Personally, I do NOT like the Iron or Low models. If you don't like the power, you can turn it into a monster. This little purebred can turn into a carnivorous mongrel if you want. AND they are not expensive unless you are silly enough to buy one off the showroom floor; this model turns over so fast by people who want to trade up for the "bigger is better" models and this is great for the buyer's market. I bought mine with less than 10K miles on it for $2000, so price is not an option. I'm disappointed that you used one model to judge an entire line of different models and many, many generations. My XL883 has never scraped and has never failed to start and run perfectly. It is now 16 years old with many miles on it and it still looks pretty much the same as it did when I bought it but it performs a lot better. I'm not offended but I am disappointed in your opinion.
My first bike was a sportster they are really great bikes. They’re made for fun and they’re good as a first bike because they’re easy to handle and they’ll get you ready for the bigger more badass bikes like a Harley Street Glide. Can’t ever talk down on a sportster because cmon now it was featured in the Wild One with Marlon Brando!
with the way new bikes are being loaded down with high tech I appreciate my 03 883 more with every season. It's not a girls bike, it's not a beginner's bike, it's a basic bike and once you rap your mind around that and don't try to make it something it's not, you see it for what it is, a great bike.
True, and when I started riding in the 70's, there was no such thing as Dynas and Softails. If you wanted a Harley, you either rode a bagger or an XL. That whole "girls bike" thing started with the poser crowd, not real motorcycle riders.
Bigger bikes take longer to get up to speed and longer to slow down to a stop. The corners don’t change. The road doesn’t get longer. The earth doesn’t get any bigger.
@@RocsAquatic all objects are only comparable to the 1 object that was made before it. Those other bikes you mentioned are not comparable to any HD. They’re only comparable to the last year model. You stop dismissing details to understand the object and you start exploiting the difference between bikes. You tune the bike to the extreme limits of your product. All bikes are valid to buy. You’ll use some more than others based on what you prefer. Faster and better brakes means nothing. There is no context to the more speed feature. Speed limits aren’t changing. Roads don’t change either. If you add more power, all your settings on the bike must be changed.
@@dreyn7780 bro what is you talking about it's not Comparable a Low rider s is made by HD . And i wasn't really trying to compare the two I just said is has better breaks and has more power than my sportster which is Facts. No big deal bro
bought my sportster in 2012 and the only time it was in the shop was for two new tires that I didn't want to mess with everything else I do myself,.totally love the bike and I'll never sell it!
I just got a sportster 883, mainly because i love the looks and im 5'4 and weight 120lbs. This is my second bike and coming from a rebel500 the 883 feels like a dog. I dont really care about speed, i care mostly about looks and how the bike fits me, but this bike tops at 75mph and here in texas thats the slow lane. I have a 95' so its carbed, i was wondering how your 883 FI bikes perform on the highway? Is it still as slow or should I just upgrade to a 1200
I bought a 2020 Harley Davidson Iron 883. If you check out my Instagram you'll see how I have mine set up. I put forward controls on it and ran the pipes above it. Does not scrape that way. Plus, for more power & torque do the upgrades. I have a Cobra intake and Vance & Hines short shots and it helped.
Darby I'm with ya I slapped the Big bore kit on 💪 and the tuner kit😊 Progressive 13 shocks Mustang solo Minimal shield Low and fun Better power - 45 horse to 85!! and a a lot more comfirtable
I like my 1993 Sportster 1200. It sets of car alarms when I ride by, also sets off rattlesnakes on the backroads. I hear the rattlers over the noise from the bike. Needs new tires before I road trip it.
I agree on the 750! I would consider one down the road. But the Bolt is still my favorite. Time will tell! Also, can you do a comparison on the 883 VS the 1200? Or maybe 883 VS the Bolt? What can you do about the scrape? I know it's going to happen, what can you do to keep things from wearing out?
Other than the garbage click bait title it's spot on. The iron 883 is a great bike and your personal canvas to make it your own. Been a sporty fan for over 4 decades with 110k on my first one-an old ironhead. If you are looking to go 150 mph you need to find another thread. I wish I had a different sporty for every day of the week. My Lowrider just collected dust in the garage-cleaning the fuel system and new battery every year because of non use.
I use to start up their bikes for them all the time ,seen some of the get flipped over the bar and some would f up their legs, cud they didn't follow through with the kick, bring up to TDC and go for it. Now anyone can push a button. And talk big. Some of them wouldn't let me off till I took it down the road.then I'd get on my sporster and drive off. Oh and I have helped a fue get out from under their bike. One guy was under it for 3 hours. Love my 883, put iridum plugs on it for more punch.
This biggest drawback point, except the price, is that it is difficult to find neutral gear. When I firstly gave it a test ride, I immediately gave up this bike and X48 which was also in the sport ester line. Hard to find neutral gear, it is nightmare for me riding in traffic jam.
Great video. I feel like you made it clear multiple times that you love sportsters, you're just pointing out things that some people don't. I've got a '94 883 that I'm gonna end up putting a 1275 hoonigan kit on just cuz, but I LOVE it as an 883 man. Great bike FOR ME cuz I don't care what people think or say, I love bobber and choppers, which are just incredibly easy to do with sportys. Some people's preference differ, but Iove em
It's a Harley, it's too slow, it's not comfortable, it costs too much, and it scrapes really easy. The old ones, the engine was a stressed frame member, so they were light, and super quick handling, which was somewhat spoiled by jack hammer vibration, and a rock hard seat. The exhaust sounded like a machine gun, which a lot of people liked, but on a long ride, the vibration, and the noise, and the overly hard seat got very old very quickly. Then about 2003 they went to rubber engine mounts which did a nice job of insulating out the vibration, but then they couldn't use the engine as a frame member anymore, so they had to beef up the frame. The bike got heavier and lost the super quick handling. A lot of people feel that rubber mounting the engine ruined the bike, but given the vibration of the older bike, those people are definitely of the masochistic inclination. Now without the jack hammer vibration, and with the newer quiet exhaust they are a nice inoffensive bike that gets the job done, and to give them their due, they are an awesome looking motorcycle, which means almost nothing to me. I'd never buy one.
I used to ride/wrench and custom chop the big'uns, until an incomplete spinal cord injury had me sell my wide-glide 15 years ago, due to stopping/balancing any big-twin became almost impossible. So, knowing my next will likely be my last (and at age 65), my son-in-law stumbled upon a neighbor/wife selling her clean, low miles 1999 1200 custom (with leather bags) for only 1k, which has retired, fixed-income me grabbing once the next stimulus check comes in. Chick/starter bike? Screw that... I'm just happy af to be back on any Harley again.
My son bought a brand new 2016 1200 custom. Bike was geared super hi! Sweet spot was about 70 or 75. If you were running 55 or 60 you needed to be in 4th gear. Or it was lugging terribly! Unlike the 883 it was super Torquay and I liked it. Personally I have an old 95 Heritage Softail.
Nostalgia, look, feel, has enuff power to turn me on, not a crotch rocket, bullet proof, extremely low maintenance, good gas mileage, not too uncomfortable, best for short rides, shadow is cheaper, comparable performance to shadow, not a shadow.
3 years strong riding my sportster and wish i could upgrade right now. I bought it used for cheap ( 05 XL883C) and id go on long distance rides with baggers and it would suck. I cant keep up with them. Especially if they decide to hop on interstate. Mine can cruise at 70 but it sounds like its gonna blow up 😂 all in all. Save up a couple grand and get you a softail or dyna 1200 are the same as 883 just higher top end speed. Same size frames and what not. Not good for me being 6ft tall
The sportster evo engine is super reliable it's been for years I own a 19 iron 883 and with all the mods I can do to it makes it my own bike. You can even upgrade the suspention for less of the scrape city and put a 1250cc in it for highway rides but still you are right on the fact that it isnt built for the freeway.
The 883 never made sense to me.. I got my 1200 and absolutely love it but the more I ride, learn, read, and see.. I want more! Saving up beans for a 6 speed dyna... I fish for that gear everytime I take out my bike -.- don't make me feel buyers remorse a full year later lmao.
I got a 1989 one today for 2000 with only 6100 miles and perfect everything no issues at all and I like it but I prefer cruisers then sport bikes so that might be why but it’s a nice bike
You change the front pulley (belt drive remember). the 883 has a 27 tooth pulley and the 1200 has a 29. That makes the more powerful 1200 cruise at highway speeds a little easier. Go with a 30 tooth and it really smooths out your 883 on the road. Sportsters from '06 on can use a 31 tooth but nothing larger will fit.
I've owned 16 motorcycles since 1967, mostly Japanese bikes, three Harley Big Twins, but I've always loved the Sportsters. A Sportster should not be compared to a modern day sport bike. When the Sportster was created in 1957 it was considered a sporty bike, but that was a long time ago. I've always enjoyed smaller bikes, one of my favorite to ride was a Honda VLX (600cc) but it was not comfortable for my wife on back. The advantage of a Sportster is the more relaxed rpm when compared to a modern day Japanese bike. When the engine is more relaxed, so am I. I would never own a modern day sport bike or what they call a standard bike these days. To me they are super ugly with the rear end sticking up in the air like some sort of insect, some even have what looks like a STINGER hanging out the back! Their engines look like some sort of industrial pump. Yes, I'm OLD, but I'll stick to a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle even if it is heavier and slower. I knew a man once that bought a 1957 Sportster off a drag strip in Southern California in the mid 60's. He made them change the carb from a Weber to a smaller unit, then drove it across the country to West Virginia. Later he got a speeding ticket for going over 143 MPH ON A 1957 SPORTSTER??? I'll say one thing, he had guts... no brains.... but guts... ha ha ha Ride safely and enjoy every journey.
The first Sportster I rode was a new '65 XLCH. It was over-weight and under-powered. It had a bad suspension, it handled poorly and the brakes were crap. I bought new a '65 Triumph Bonneville instead. The Bonnie was less expensive and did everything better. Last summer I road my second Sportster. Same story 50 years later. The Sportster was over weight and under powered. Handling and braking was better, but not 50 years better. Once again I bought a new Bonneville instead (T120 Black). More power, less wieght, better handling and braking. Sportster vs Bonnie; things never seem to change.
I have owned a Heritage Softail, a CVO Fatboy and a Dyna Glide. My ex had a 1200 Sportster. If I were to ever buy a HD again...I would buy the 1200. Funnest bike of them all.
The only one person that can tell you what is good for you is you I have own a big HD to a Hayabusa and everything else I have been riding over 40 years
It was my first bike, 2016..was a great bike but thrown around for highway..simple awesome bike..traded mine in 6 months later for a Dyna Lowrider..miss it tho
I looked at a 883 but couldn’t justify the price even used. I went with a 390 Duke which is close to the HP and only 340 pounds. ABS and a great TFT display and was $5500 brand new. It’s a hooligan and gets way more attention from others than a Sportster that you see everywhere.
![Quando Rondo - Life Goes On [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eIf3fhMXAow/mqdefault.jpg)
I love my Sportster, and when I pick up another bike to add to the collection the Sportster will stay exactly where it is. Sportsters aren't frowned upon in the HD community, not the guys that are real HD fans anyways (not the 50 year old guy that never rode a bike but bought a brand new street glide and all the shirts and bandanas to go with it). Anyone that is a true enthiusiast knows how important the Sportster is to Harley Davidson as a whole.
Harley guy told me they call them Skirtster, because it's for girls. I went with a Honda after that.
@@e.l.9589 he's a poser if he said that, not a real Harley guy. Ride whatever you want, but if someone elses opinion on a bike makes your mind up for you then you are a poser too.
@@jonnymac8925 so true ride what you like not what someone else likes .
@@e.l.9589 That is a manbaby, not a Harley guy.
@@e.l.9589 I'll bet he rode something with a windshield, heated seats, heated handlebars, saddlebags for his accessories, and a radio.
how someone can talk for 10mins non stop and say very little is amazing.
He isn't knocking the bike, Jon's followers are mostly stunters and show ponies. We want bikes that we can show off on. Honestly I almost bought a Sportser for Wheelies but decided to go with the Dyna instead. Again, jon doesn't knock it but he dies give great points to his Followers with same interest.
That’s what RUclips mostly is
Yet you come back for more?
I have been riding my 1996 XLH 883 since it was new , 23+ years now . I have owned 11 metric cruisers , 1 Triumph , 1 Ironhorse , and 11 Harley-Davidson's in all , of which 3 were Sportsters . My much loved 883 , a "48" 1200 , and , my XL1200 Custom . My other 8 H-D's have all been "Big Twins" , including a new M-8 model . To this day , I have never thought of selling , or parting with my old Sporty in any way , I love these bikes , and it is not a starter bike , it is like a family member , all machines serve a purpose , some for different things , love them all , ride safe , and live large .
The Sportster has a bigger aftermarket than the dyna. The motor has 4 different cams rather than the 2 of the twin cam or 1 of all the other big twins,. They are cheaper. You can buy great performance packages from hammer performance making them outperform big twins EASILY. In order to not scrape you just buy taller shocks, just like a dyna. Sportsters rule, fuck what enyone says.
At least where I live in ca, all the newest aftermarket parts were made for dynas and baggers first, then sportsters maybe. If you're building a chopper/bobber, sure there's more aftermarket, but it seems performance parts always favor the big twins, especially engine building.
@@bigslowbro Engine building is easier with the big twins, due to them simply having more space. So naturally engine building favors big twin bikes. What you're talking about is new aftermarket parts, and there I will agree with you, but that is only because the sportster aftermarket is already so saturated, and has no real necessity in newer stuff. As you said the chop/bob aftermarket is gigantic for sportsters, and yes that does contribute largely to the overall size of the sportster aftermarket. But all in all I still think that sportsters are the best blank canvases for mods.
@@CMYKPOn
Well said, Sir!
Sportsters rule, indeed!
Sportsters are for women.
The 883 is but the 1200 is pretty quick.My iron 1200 will smoke my fathers 2017 street glide all the way up to 120 then after that the street glide wins because of its 6th gear that the sportster doesn't have.
I have owned a 2019 Iron 883 for 9 months. I did not buy it for long rides or the comfort. I bought it to jump on when I have 30 minutes to ride and just want to feel the wind. I also have an Ultra Limited for longer rides.
I think you made all good points. I’m still a big Sportster fan. It doesn’t check all the boxes for most of us but there is no denying that it is a super fun bike
2 bangs for 1 forward motion stroke.
You hear bang bang but don’t move very far.
I am a minimalist and this does it for me.
They've been making them 63 years, I think that speaks for itself. F.T.W.
@Viking Mike Q Owned one for 4 months. Amazing. Guess you LACK both stamina And Imagination. Good luck with that.
Had my 97 sportster for 3 years and i freaking love it
@Viking Mike Q so you knew it was a bad motorcycle and you bought it anyway???? Good review.
2020 iron 1200 owner and I just love it.
@dicax oh come on now bro, you are not "smoking sport bikes". I own a sportster too and it is not quick lmao. Ps I also own a Ninja.
Everyone told me not to get a sportster iron 883 for my first bike, but I didn't listen and got a 2017 iron 883 about a month ago. I don't regret it whatsoever, have already made it my own with tons of parts, and I just love it. I am 6'3 and in no way feel cramped or uncomfortable, I love how easy it is to whip around on it. I see a 1275cc conversion in the future for sure
You should have gotten an Iron 1200...
A Softail with forward controls would be something you could look into...
@@MrPAULONEAL Softail Standard is the Harley that catches my eye if I ever get one. These sportsters look great to me tho 👌🏽
Been riding for over 40yrs, and I've had 3 sportsters, loved every one! The first one was and my first bike was a 1974 XLCH 1000cc, lots of fun to ride. My last sporty was a 1995 Sporty S 1200cc, and had more balls than the 1983 shovelhead Tour Glide and the 1990 EVO 1340cc Heritage Softtail I have now. So I guess you love them or you don't. SPORTSTERS ARE BADASS!!!
Same here. I had an '88, an '01 (both 883's), and currently have a 2012 Seventy Two 1200 and a 2015 Fatboy. The Sporty is just so gorgeous and such a piece of Harley history that I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it when I got the Fatboy. Around town, the Sporty is great, but for rides on the freeway for over an hour (mostly every ride in my area of CA, the Fatboy is like a recliner on wheels and comfortable for hours on end.
Exactly my stage 1 xl1200 with woods performance cams completely eats baggers like it’s nothing
@@MrTPF1 put a badlands seat on the Sporty and forward controls and it will be as comfortable
I’m a 1/4 of an inch shy of 6 foot and I never had any issue on the Sportster.
I'm 6'3 and ride a 2017 iron 883 daily, no issues.
Wha Jon is saying is you can but uncomfortable for any distance. How far are you riding 200 or 300 miles a day ??
@@specialed5098 You can't ride that far on a Sportster without stopping for gas at least 3 times...
i'm a hair under 6 ft. mine is great, but mine also has forward controls which i think makes the bike fit any height.
6'2 ride my iron883 with mid controls comfortably. Did switch out the seat for a mustang tho, makes a world of difference.
My current bike is a 96 883....my previous bike was a 1600cc roadstar .....and I just love my little sportster it's fine for me perfect for zipping around town,at 50,yrs old I don't need to go 200 mph .........
Just got one, I always owned superbikes previously so I wasn't sure if it would be for me, but man I love this thing! Makes me feel like a hero on every bend.
Hells yeah!
Everything you said is completely correct. And it is all Harleys fault! The Sportster first went on the market in 1957. It was based on the KR frame and a new OHV unit construction motor. That original "iron head" Sportster carried on pretty much unchanged until 1982 when AMF replaced the iron and steel frame with a new, much improved all steel frame. 2 years later, Harley finished the job with the new EVO engine for the Sportster. That was followed with 5 speed tranny, belt drive and...... The Hugger Sportster! Made especially for girls and short men. Harley basically chopped 3" off the rear suspension and lowered the forks to match. This is where the Sportster suddenly became a "girls bike". The tall Sportsters, which had plenty of cornering clearance and could really handle were about 480 lbs. The 1200 version was Harleys best performer for a time and I suspect was eating into big twin sales of the day. Then Harley went with the rubber mount frame, destroying the bikes great handling. Then added fuel injection porking the Sportster up about another 100 lbs. Finally they ended production of the tall Sportster leaving the Hugger (for small riders) as the last remaining Sportster. My 2002 Sportster has gone from 883 to 1250cc. About 475 lbs and around 90 hp. And it can handle turns like a sportbike and with a 30" seat height is comfortable for taller riders. Harley could build this Sportster now but an awful lot of Harley riders would opt for a $10k Sportster over a $20k big twin.
I love my sportster, and yes I have spent too much in parts. I have made it my own. After all that is where the fun is.
No such thing as too much in parts if that is what you want. I've had my 2005 1200 for 2 years now. Tried talking myself out of a lot of parts. Most recently, the digital speedo and tachometer. I have no regrets that I have any one of them now. I am currently deciding what rear shocks I want to replace with, then MAYBE I will be done with the big stuff 😂
High revving, 1 power stroke per cycle motor. There is only 1 choice out there.
Once you get it, you get to fine tune it.
It’s designed to exit corners fast and enter corners fast and go back to top speed fast.
This is what ‘sports’ means.
@@SportyRider it’s called ‘tuning’. You’re tuning the ride performance.
You’re tuning the appearance. It’s a respectable profession.
I own a iron 1200, i have rode plenty of dynas from 110s and 103s to the old early models and i just enjoy the sportster the most. the only bike that out runs my iron is the 110, even the new 107s get left in the dust. The top end leaves some to be desired but i never find myself pushing more than 100 on it anyway. Its not designed for freeways but it handles it with ease. I am in the process of stunting my bike and i couldn't ask for a more well rounded bike. It wheelies straight out the factory. Long hauls aren't awful, around town is perfect. Fast and nimble, great price point and super easy to modify. And extremely easy to get more power out of it. Its not designed for long hauls but its easy to modify to make it suitable. Personally there is nothing wrong with a sportster, they are designed to be multipurpose and they excel at that. I see them as a open canvas like you said, its up to you how you wanna use your bike.
LOL I have a 6'6" 325lb buddie who LOVES his 1200 Sportster with forward controls. I'm 5'7" 225lbs and love mine too. I also rode it 2-up across 12 states no issues. Spend 1,000 on better suspension, bags, seat, make a sissy bar, do a stage 1 and it's better and cheaper than a touring bike. Through nearly 10 years experience, mostly bike snobs choose to dislike these bikes.
OK you got me with the title. But then I watched the whole video and I think you do an accurate job of what the bike is. It’s just that the Sportster doesn’t suck for me because I’m a chill rider and this bike blows my hair back just fine. It’s never let me down and for all the reasons you mentioned about not really caring as long as you’re having fun and I’m definitely having fun with my Sportster. And my bank account loves it too. Respect to all the riders that know a hell of a lot more than I do about motorcycles. But I think we would all agree a good day on two wheels is a good day even if your bike isn’t going to win approval from Bike Enthusiasts. Us low income riders are allowed to have fun too. And the Sportster allows us to do that.
So weird… you scrap and the back springs are lowered to the max.. my 1200 which is basically same frame and build but sits at factory stance I can turn around on a normal road like clockwork without scrapping. 1200 nightster guy
I like that theyre raw, relatively affordable used, and pretty easy to keep running if you can wrench of them yourself. I had a shadow 750 for years and it was a phenomenal bike and i would recommend it to anyone, but the sportster tickles that itch just a little better
I love the sportster but my 2018 was spending more time in harley garage than on the road for warranty work. Things were just braking like craaazy! Switches, sensors, bearings, breaks. Finally I gave up on it and got myself the Bolt R spec and it was so much better. Nothing failed, more responsive on throttle, better handling and overally the bike had better feel to it. And I've been trying to make sportster better with stage one and other upgrades but it just wasn't getting close to being as good as the Bolt
My 08 has never been in the shop
The thing to remember about the Sportster is that it hasn't changed that much in over 50 years. So yes, it's noisy, unrefined, low on power and handles badly. So does a 1957 Chevy or 1964 Mustang. If you want a classic bike, that just happens to have been made recently, than it might be a good choice. But don't compare it to a modern bike, because it isn't. It's an anachronism, which has lots of character, but not modern performance, handling or comfort.
The fun of owning a motorcycle is making it your own. If you don’t like something change it. If when you get off it and walk away you don’t turn around and look at it, you’re on the wrong bike to start with.
Iron is the best looking bike HD ever put out imo 😄
The Breakout is the sexiest bike they make.
The Fatboy, 48, and softail slim all look way better
@Mr. Happy Agreed! I like this one too!
@@princevalium25 No.
Most people get the 883 for the look, or as a first bike. I would suggest at least the iron 1200 to get the bigger engine. I have a sportster 1200 that I absolutely LOVE. the sounds, the smells, the rumble, the solid *click* in shifting... its top shelf. But so many ways to build it out and make it yours. A 1200 that is staged out (google it) is plenty fast, and a torque monster. I get compliments on my bike from all side, baggers, sport bike riders, hippies, hipsters, everyone likes a good looking bike.
I was a fortunate kid to have been gifted an 883 hugger when I was 17 years old in the 90s. My uncle ran a chopper customs and repair shop which was my first job and after toiling for him for 4 years he told me to test ride the Sportster I just finished working on for most of the week. When I got back he gave me a birthday card with the title in the envelope. Words couldn't say how much of a gift that bike was to me.
On the downside, the bike was an AMF year bike and had left me stranded in the middle of the desert one time and one evening broke down when I was getting my girlfriend home before her parents discovered she snuck out. My friends used to tease me all the time for the many times they came with a pickup truck to bring it home for repairs. My most cherished gift was also a curse in many ways. I never trusted the bike and spent a lot of time wrenching on it to keep it going.
Your observations were spot on.
I love my Sportster!!
I love my one too !! Have had a lot and different type of motorbikes. The previous one was ZX-10R. The Sportster makes me feel like I am on a real gangster. I know is not gonna go fast but if I want a fast bike I can get a fast one. Definitely not gonna sell it. Prefer to keep it in the lounge and look at it if not able to ride one day.
The Sportster is Harley's lifeline bike that has consistently sold well throughout most of it's history. It's versatile, practical, and maintains the elegance of the bikes of the 40s (especially the Sportster 48) and 50s. No it's not a touring bike, it's not a minivan on two wheels, and it has a large modding community for those who want to get into the 'hot rod' side of it.
The older ones used to come with a lot more suspension on them. I've never scraped a peg on my 99. I think they are 13 in shocks. Its lighter by about 80 lbs too. The stock buckhorns are the only bars I've ever used that my throttle hand never gets fatigued ever. They had to change the bikes to what sold and not what works the best.
The tall Sportster was Harleys best bike. I believe Harley destroyed the Sportster by lowering it and making it a "girls bike". Realize a tall frame 1200 would smoke a big twin and sell for half the price.
I rode a Wide Glide for 5 years as a bloke of 5’7” it was just too much of a stretch.
But my current ride is a sportster custom.
My first ride to bring it home was a 6 hour haul, loved every minute!
Hells yeah! I really dig the sportsters! 💯🤙
If your Sportster scrapes on turns it’s probably because the rear suspension is 11 inches or less. You will definitely scrape the wear pegs or the kickstand assembly.
What sucks the most is 883 cc < 54 ci. For almost the same weight you can have a sportster with 1200 cc > 73 ci and 30 % more power. What's great about the 883 is it still looks, feels, and sounds like a Harley!
Grear points for sure!
883 vs Triumph T100? Which one do you like better?
883 is one of the best city and wheelie bike out there
Rick Bradshaw you can’t compare the two its like comparing apples to pears two way different bikes
@@rickbradshaw2148 883 because I'm a Harley guy. I'll ride any motorcycle though, just very particular about what I'll buy. As long as I can only have 1 bike and I can still handle the weight it'll be a Harley!
First bike was a 09 883. Loved it but it was time to upgrade. Got me a streetbob back in 2017 and haven’t regretted that decision since. Would love to build another sporty for a bar hopper and bob it out. Good little fun bikes but they all have there pros and cons for sure. After all they are harleys lol.
Dude, come on, you can't even compare an 883 to a 1200. It is literally night and day difference in performance. Next unscrew those peg scrapers off of that thing. We took a new Sportster Roadster and with very minimal changes made it a canyon shredder. And if all else fails get on my KTM SD 1290 and go shred that. I usually like your vids but not this one so much. I like to see people get Sportsters 883 or 1200 and make them their own and have fun...and that doesn't suck
MrTurnone what were your suspension mods?
@@maxwellbricks7202 Progressive Suspension front and back. BUT, I would play with the spring wrench on the rear stock shocks before buying anything. Set them to your weight, just that change makes a huge difference. You may find that you don't need rear shocks but maybe Progressive springs in the front. We also changed the bars and put on Magnum Shielding Sterling Chromate II brake lines and dual disc crossover on it. They not only work great but they are very trick looking in black. We also changed the brake pads to EBC Sintered pads...excellent upgrade. Let me know if you have any more questions, this bike rips the canyons
I agree - the 1200 vs 883 are night and day differences.
MrTurnone thank you. Appreciate the advice.
Not sure what the difference in power is between the 883 and the 1200 , but I have a 1200 custom and it has plenty of power. It feels more at home sitting on 110kph then it does at 50 or 60 , mine has forward controls so you can lean it over pretty far befor scraping. Plus imo probably the nicest looking harley
I bought mine brand new in 2001 and still ride it every year. I have a metric touring bike but those little cafe bikes and stuff getting popular and so I cruise my little sporty around town to relieve stress save on gas commuting to work. To me it’s priceless
First point. This bike is not meant for speed . 2) you friend might by another fz07 in 5 years, but you can gift this bike to your grand children after you .
Love mine for running around town plus it’s a good value on the used market. Just don’t take it too seriously and enjoy the ride.
🤙😎
I had an original $3995 1986 883 4spd. chain final drive, and I had a blast on it. I put a 1200 kit in it in 1989 and rode it until 1995 putting 20k fun miles on it. I even took a couple of small 1000 mile road trips on it, until I sold it and kept my HD Ultra as my only mc. I wish I would have kept it.
Had one. Love the looks. The back breaking suspension and the lack of power saw me trading it for a street bob.
Bunnyshooter 223 street bob’s are obviously better
Ever heard of lap times? Lap after lap after lap of NO braking? Racing is about GOING ROUND AND ROUND in circles.
It’s NOT about taking off from traffic lights.
You tune a bike that is IN THEORY, in motion.
Lack of power actually means LACK OF BRAKING MOMENTS. No traffic lights driving.
Carry momentum through corners.
Ever heard of ‘rolling starts’?
@@GoonRides street is not racing. You want the traffic light bike.
The Roadster fixed most the issues i had when i was looking at Sportsters. It was a left over 2019, so i paid 883 money for it. It has the 1200, inverted forks, dual front discs, and a higher ride height with the emulsion rear shocks. I still scrape pegs, but im REAL leaned over when i do. Some LED lights, and i was good to go!
Unscrew those scrapers before you eat it from them. You will gain more lean angle and yes it safe. Tested and approved
I learned to ride on an AMF sportster back in the late 1970's. It was my brother's bike, we had a blast on that thing! I recently picked up a 2008 Nightster, going to keep it for a project bike. I need a larger Harley so I can cruise in comfort. Looking at a few right now. Everyone has to start somewhere, a sportster is a good starting point for newer riders that want to transition to Harley's. They don't suck, they are just a different ride. Plus they are a great platform for learning to turn wrenches on a Harley. Stay safe people! :)
Hey, great commentary video! Thanks for sharing!
But, I've had alot of different types (brands) of motorcycles. Muscle bikes, kawazakis, dirt bikes, yamaha's, my last bike was a Yamaha V-max, (and that is one hell of a muscle bike, not for beginners!) now I bought my first Sportster 1200 Nightster with low miles!
I have done all the work to it myself, like changing the oils, and the aftermarket parts I have added. Working on it has been a learning process, as I install parts. I've had it for about five years now, and there are literally millions of aftermarket parts for it.
So far, I've changed the handlebars to drag-bars, changed the lights to LED, got some Nightrider X14IED'S to change the lean fuel mix condition it had, some Pulstar Plasma Core spark plugs, a K&N air filter, 14" rear gas shocks to raise the rear end about four inches, Progressive fork springs to raise the front end about four inches, to keep the bike from dragging parts around every corner, and also now I can go over curbs, speed bumps without damaging anything underneath the bike!
My 1200 Nightster has alot of torque and easily runs highway speeds!
I love it, and have realized how valuable it is, in the Harley Davidson motorcycle family!
I do proper maintenance on it, cause I want it to last!
I ride it everywhere I go!
I love the bike so I can; Ride to live, and Live to Ride! 👍
(It is kinda heavy, but I'm used to heavy weight bikes, and it handles fine!
I recommend a Sportster 1200 for first timers, because the 1200 weighs about the same as an 883, but has alot more power and torque. You have to take it easy on it till you learn some important riding techniques like counter-steering and such!!..lol..!!)
As a 2001 1200s pepped up sporty (505/515 fueling cams, s&s lifters, full CVPerformance cv40 carb rebuild and jetted for my bike 205/48 I’m at sea level Florida, 2 into 1 custom exhaust, saddleman tuck and roll with diamond stitching. My rev limiter set at 7k and I can drift and wheelie all day. My 2002 dyna fx winks at my sporty every day.
My ride is an 883, it wasn't perfect for me as im 6ft plus..so i did some modifications and im super liking and happy about what i did to it. It is one motorcycle where you can modify it into anything... from bobber to off-road riding. Admit it, most of the youtubers started out on an iron883 or nightster ;)
Dude I get the impression you have no idea of what you are talking about I am part of the harley community and I realy like sportsters and know several other riders that like them just fine so speak for yourself not the " community "
Sportsters Rule 🤙
Hi, I'm John, a 62 year old kid.
I have three Harleys;
2018 Heritage Classic 114 Red Denim Oxide,
a 2003 Harley Davidson Springer FXSTS black,
and last year I purchased a 2003 883 xlr, one owner with 3,462 miles. It's orange with blacked out engine, the bike at the time was 16 yrs. old.
After putting on about 550 miles I upgraded it to a 《still swing arm》 Norcal style chopper.
I normally ride the Heritage and Springer then for a change I'll hop on the Sportster that is now a 1200 cc with low to mid range feulin reaper cam, 6 over tubes, lowered rear, king n queen seat, black steel rims with spokes, 8 inch black Chubby handlebars, black tape wrapped drag pipes and Atlas front/ rear tires.
I love taking that Sportster out and rip up the roads. It's barely mean but it is and it's a lot of fun. I hope to post videos of all three bikes this year.
Sportsters rule ~
Don't like it, don't look at it 😎
For tall dudes you can get a raised seat and forward controls. For more speed you can do the S&S 1250cc upgrade with cams and porting. You can also get much better piggy back rear shocks that more than double your rear-end travel and increase the lean angle.
You and the 883 don’t get along but it is not your bike! You would be better suited to ride a Japanese Motor Cycle. The 883 was born before you were, Honda builds some stuff you would like or maybe you should ride around in a cage, automobile. The 1200 has the torque your missing. Pickup a used 2007 or better Screaming Eagle 1200 Custom and you wouldn’t think it sucks. At over 100 mph it is just fine!
I believe this Sportster is definitely iconic but stock will always have issues but you’ll know whether it’s an issue regarding oil, air leak, or too rich! Customizations I believe are key such taking off as much as you can to reconsolidate wiring or changing the whole look with an adjustable suspension, handlebar set, and fender manipulation!
Touring wise for the 2015 and older you have to improve suspension which is worth the extra 3-4K in work compared to newer (another 3k for performance to current stock levels)
Just bought an 883 Iron and love it but... I wanted the 1200, which was nowhere as sexy looking. Anyways, it's fun and in time I'll upgrade in time to get it the way I want it, because nobody will build a bike like I want except me haha
I've had two 883's and now a 1200. The 1200 is great for more power, but just be ready to stop for gas more often. I got about 120 miles to my 2.25 gallon tanks on my 883's, but only get around 85 miles on the 1200.
I own an 03, Anniversary 1200 Custom Sporty with 75K miles on it with never a wrench to the motor. With hydraulic lifters, unless you're the kind of person who can tear up a crowbar, they are extremely dependable. I rode my Sporty from Key West Florida to Homer Alaska and back home to Phoenix Arizona. 4 weeks, 13,500 miles. I've had 2, 1000 mile days on it with several 5, 6, 7 and 8 hundred mile days on it. Youre right, they are not really made for long road trips, but I'd do it again and they feel snd sound like no other bike. Sportys have boatloads of character. Something few bikes today have. All are fast and furious, smooth quiet and lots of plastic. Sportys are classic, made of iron, bikes with character. They are extremely dependable, happier as at slower cruising speeds, ie: less than 70mph, cheap to own, and dont need all the service checks HD says to do. Just keep the oil clean, change filters, check this and that once in a while yourself, don't be a wrecking machine rider, and just ride the bike. Youll get a hundred thousand trouble free miles on a Sporty.
Bought my first bike at age 45 and it was an 883.......bought a Road Glide Special 6 months later.
My Iron is a 2015 and I have just over 6000 km on it. Traded my RGS last May for a Road Glide Ultra. From May to October I put 10000 km on it. Still have my sporty and am adding some stuff to make it better for me.
Don't care about spec but my 79 sportster will haul butt. U better hold on. Not a poplar year but it will fly
Had one back in 81...which I chopped.....but the early Sportster always had problem with it's high center of gravity.....what I did back then with a 75, was to change the shock absorber mounts to the underside of the swingarm, and raise the fender a bit......this lowers it enough to handle more like a big twin.
As I told your wife few weeks ago, this is a great "entry level" bike,however ,for myself, a great," exit level," as I have ridden many large behemoth motorcycles thru the years and had enough of managing the size and weight. Just purchased a 2020 iron 883 and absolutely love the look,feel, and manageability on the road. (Im 5'7" 160 lbs )Plenty power for cruising for what most would use it for. Normal turns are not a scraping issue.!,and yes,it has the sound and skake of your tradition American motorcycle, which I find actually enjoyable, not the sewing machine sound of a metric,which I never liked.Should have done this years sooner. And,yes, this is my first Harley and a "keeper" as it will be my last .
I'm in a MC and tried riding an 883 and it can't hang at all, especially on the interstate on long rides, you have to keep it pegged wide open for long stretches, they just can't keep up with the big twins
It is what it is.... it’s not 30,000 but it’s a good bike.... if you complain about it... compared to what?... it’s a great bike for what it is and compared to any other brand that is a apples to apples comparison it’s one of the best
I hear ya man. I've been ridin steady since last June 2021 or so. I grew up on the back of Harleys since I was a kid I rode on the back of my grandma's harley. We've always been into Harleys and I hear exactly what your pitching. But for me, being 23, I got my 1991 harley sportster xl883 back in June or so, and I've ridden newer Harleys, Yamahas, Hondas, all kinds of street bikes and cruisers, and I gotta say I would trade it for nothin right now. It's old school. Granted having the new tech and being able to mod the crap out of new bikes is cool and all, but nothing can beat the good old nostalgic carburetor, choke, turn the gas on, the warm up, ugh. It makes me proud I may be young but I love my old sporty.
All you have to do is put on a stage 1 kit and then redo this video. I love mine but can't ride right now due to the back brakes are broken after I tried to evade a full ice cooler, and a dead battery and the gas tank needs cleaning on the inside. Jeff Cagle
You’re scraping the feelers, take a video of you scraping the pegs without and then you can say there’s no lean angle. Love sporties, love all harleys!
my Victory Kingpin is broken, rented a sportster to ride for a few weeks while my bike is getting fixed. Riding the sporty has made me realize just how much I love my Bike. That's all i'll say.
They are great bikes if your world revolves around HD. For the rest of the riders out there better options exist. I don't dislike the Sportster but don't like it enough to own one.
you have never rode one huh.....
@@USNVA-yn6cp
I have ridden several, actually.....
The beauty of the Sportster is that you can make it into whatever you want. Since 1957 H-D has been continually making it better. It is a blank canvas with all of the aftermarket parts you could ever want. It is simple enough that most DIY people can do their own work. It is bulletproof and this is verified by riders who have put several 100K miles on it. Scraping is not an issue if you buy the right model. Personally, I do NOT like the Iron or Low models. If you don't like the power, you can turn it into a monster. This little purebred can turn into a carnivorous mongrel if you want. AND they are not expensive unless you are silly enough to buy one off the showroom floor; this model turns over so fast by people who want to trade up for the "bigger is better" models and this is great for the buyer's market. I bought mine with less than 10K miles on it for $2000, so price is not an option.
I'm disappointed that you used one model to judge an entire line of different models and many, many generations.
My XL883 has never scraped and has never failed to start and run perfectly. It is now 16 years old with many miles on it and it still looks pretty much the same as it did when I bought it but it performs a lot better.
I'm not offended but I am disappointed in your opinion.
A lot of people are just biased. Just ride and enjoy what you ride.
My first bike was a sportster they are really great bikes. They’re made for fun and they’re good as a first bike because they’re easy to handle and they’ll get you ready for the bigger more badass bikes like a Harley Street Glide. Can’t ever talk down on a sportster because cmon now it was featured in the Wild One with Marlon Brando!
with the way new bikes are being loaded down with high tech I appreciate my 03 883 more with every season. It's not a girls bike, it's not a beginner's bike, it's a basic bike and once you rap your mind around that and don't try to make it something it's not, you see it for what it is, a great bike.
True, and when I started riding in the 70's, there was no such thing as Dynas and Softails. If you wanted a Harley, you either rode a bagger or an XL. That whole "girls bike" thing started with the poser crowd, not real motorcycle riders.
@@MrTPF1 well dang bro some of us just want to ride a dang motorcycle for the heck of it 🤣
I love mines had it for three years now. About to get a bigger bike in a few weeks for longer trips . And yes I'm keeping my 883 😆😆
Bigger bikes take longer to get up to speed and longer to slow down to a stop.
The corners don’t change. The road doesn’t get longer. The earth doesn’t get any bigger.
@@dreyn7780 Depends on the motorcycle he gets. Sport tourers and adv bike will accelerate much faster and stop sooner than any HD.
I'm getting a Low Rider S it's faster and has better brakes than my sportster.
@@RocsAquatic all objects are only comparable to the 1 object that was made before it. Those other bikes you mentioned are not comparable to any HD. They’re only comparable to the last year model.
You stop dismissing details to understand the object and you start exploiting the difference between bikes.
You tune the bike to the extreme limits of your product.
All bikes are valid to buy. You’ll use some more than others based on what you prefer.
Faster and better brakes means nothing.
There is no context to the more speed feature.
Speed limits aren’t changing. Roads don’t change either.
If you add more power, all your settings on the bike must be changed.
@@dreyn7780 bro what is you talking about it's not Comparable a Low rider s is made by HD . And i wasn't really trying to compare the two I just said is has better breaks and has more power than my sportster which is Facts. No big deal bro
bought my sportster in 2012 and the only time it was in the shop was for two new tires that I didn't want to mess with everything else I do myself,.totally love the bike and I'll never sell it!
You should look into the sportster 1200 custom. The later models the back tire gets wider and the lean angle is a lot better.
I just got a sportster 883, mainly because i love the looks and im 5'4 and weight 120lbs. This is my second bike and coming from a rebel500 the 883 feels like a dog. I dont really care about speed, i care mostly about looks and how the bike fits me, but this bike tops at 75mph and here in texas thats the slow lane. I have a 95' so its carbed, i was wondering how your 883 FI bikes perform on the highway? Is it still as slow or should I just upgrade to a 1200
I bought a 2020 Harley Davidson Iron 883. If you check out my Instagram you'll see how I have mine set up. I put forward controls on it and ran the pipes above it. Does not scrape that way. Plus, for more power & torque do the upgrades. I have a Cobra intake and Vance & Hines short shots and it helped.
Darby
I'm with ya
I slapped the Big bore kit on 💪
and the tuner kit😊
Progressive 13 shocks
Mustang solo
Minimal shield
Low and fun
Better power - 45 horse to 85!!
and a a lot more comfirtable
I like my 1993 Sportster 1200. It sets of car alarms when I ride by, also sets off rattlesnakes on the backroads. I hear the rattlers over the noise from the bike. Needs new tires before I road trip it.
I agree on the 750! I would consider one down the road. But the Bolt is still my favorite. Time will tell! Also, can you do a comparison on the 883 VS the 1200? Or maybe 883 VS the Bolt? What can you do about the scrape? I know it's going to happen, what can you do to keep things from wearing out?
I’ve never scraped on mine but I also put short pegs on it…
Other than the garbage click bait title it's spot on. The iron 883 is a great bike and your personal canvas to make it your own. Been a sporty fan for over 4 decades with 110k on my first one-an old ironhead. If you are looking to go 150 mph you need to find another thread. I wish I had a different sporty for every day of the week. My Lowrider just collected dust in the garage-cleaning the fuel system and new battery every year because of non use.
Had a sporty, then a dyna, then went back to sportster. But 1250’d it and set it up club style. Rips and it’s super comfortable!
I use to start up their bikes for them all the time ,seen some of the get flipped over the bar and some would f up their legs, cud they didn't follow through with the kick, bring up to TDC and go for it. Now anyone can push a button. And talk big. Some of them wouldn't let me off till I took it down the road.then I'd get on my sporster and drive off. Oh and I have helped a fue get out from under their bike. One guy was under it for 3 hours. Love my 883, put iridum plugs on it for more punch.
This biggest drawback point, except the price, is that it is difficult to find neutral gear. When I firstly gave it a test ride, I immediately gave up this bike and X48 which was also in the sport ester line. Hard to find neutral gear, it is nightmare for me riding in traffic jam.
Great video. I feel like you made it clear multiple times that you love sportsters, you're just pointing out things that some people don't. I've got a '94 883 that I'm gonna end up putting a 1275 hoonigan kit on just cuz, but I LOVE it as an 883 man. Great bike FOR ME cuz I don't care what people think or say, I love bobber and choppers, which are just incredibly easy to do with sportys. Some people's preference differ, but Iove em
Spot on, brotha! 💯🤙
It's a Harley, it's too slow, it's not comfortable, it costs too much, and it scrapes really easy. The old ones, the engine was a stressed frame member, so they were light, and super quick handling, which was somewhat spoiled by jack hammer vibration, and a rock hard seat. The exhaust sounded like a machine gun, which a lot of people liked, but on a long ride, the vibration, and the noise, and the overly hard seat got very old very quickly. Then about 2003 they went to rubber engine mounts which did a nice job of insulating out the vibration, but then they couldn't use the engine as a frame member anymore, so they had to beef up the frame. The bike got heavier and lost the super quick handling. A lot of people feel that rubber mounting the engine ruined the bike, but given the vibration of the older bike, those people are definitely of the masochistic inclination. Now without the jack hammer vibration, and with the newer quiet exhaust they are a nice inoffensive bike that gets the job done, and to give them their due, they are an awesome looking motorcycle, which means almost nothing to me. I'd never buy one.
I used to ride/wrench and custom chop the big'uns, until an incomplete spinal cord injury had me sell my wide-glide 15 years ago, due to stopping/balancing any big-twin became almost impossible. So, knowing my next will likely be my last (and at age 65), my son-in-law stumbled upon a neighbor/wife selling her clean, low miles 1999 1200 custom (with leather bags) for only 1k, which has retired, fixed-income me grabbing once the next stimulus check comes in. Chick/starter bike? Screw that... I'm just happy af to be back on any Harley again.
My son bought a brand new 2016 1200 custom. Bike was geared super hi! Sweet spot was about 70 or 75. If you were running 55 or 60 you needed to be in 4th gear. Or it was lugging terribly! Unlike the 883 it was super Torquay and I liked it. Personally I have an old 95 Heritage Softail.
Nostalgia, look, feel, has enuff power to turn me on, not a crotch rocket, bullet proof, extremely low maintenance, good gas mileage, not too uncomfortable, best for short rides, shadow is cheaper, comparable performance to shadow, not a shadow.
All great points.
3 years strong riding my sportster and wish i could upgrade right now. I bought it used for cheap ( 05 XL883C) and id go on long distance rides with baggers and it would suck. I cant keep up with them. Especially if they decide to hop on interstate. Mine can cruise at 70 but it sounds like its gonna blow up 😂 all in all. Save up a couple grand and get you a softail or dyna 1200 are the same as 883 just higher top end speed. Same size frames and what not. Not good for me being 6ft tall
The sportster evo engine is super reliable it's been for years I own a 19 iron 883 and with all the mods I can do to it makes it my own bike. You can even upgrade the suspention for less of the scrape city and put a 1250cc in it for highway rides but still you are right on the fact that it isnt built for the freeway.
The 883 never made sense to me.. I got my 1200 and absolutely love it but the more I ride, learn, read, and see.. I want more! Saving up beans for a 6 speed dyna... I fish for that gear everytime I take out my bike -.- don't make me feel buyers remorse a full year later lmao.
The new standard Softail is worth the extra money. M8 107. Get rid of the sportster!
I got a 1989 one today for 2000 with only 6100 miles and perfect everything no issues at all and I like it but I prefer cruisers then sport bikes so that might be why but it’s a nice bike
I have an 03 and I thought I would be scraping everywhere but I have tons of ground clearance haven't scraped once, I wonder what the difference is🤔
I had an 883 some years ago, had the 1250 kit on it , I liked it but was to small, I have a 1200c 2015 I really like this one
You could always put on a smaller sprocket on the drive wheel and that will raise your speed, be a bit harder to take off, but you'll go faster.
You change the front pulley (belt drive remember). the 883 has a 27 tooth pulley and the 1200 has a 29. That makes the more powerful 1200 cruise at highway speeds a little easier. Go with a 30 tooth and it really smooths out your 883 on the road. Sportsters from '06 on can use a 31 tooth but nothing larger will fit.
@@MrGibsonguy335, thanks, I'm working on my first bike and though what I said effectively is the same thing, your idea is probably easier.
I've owned 16 motorcycles since 1967, mostly Japanese bikes, three Harley Big Twins, but I've always loved the Sportsters. A Sportster should not be compared to a modern day sport bike. When the Sportster was created in 1957 it was considered a sporty bike, but that was a long time ago.
I've always enjoyed smaller bikes, one of my favorite to ride was a Honda VLX (600cc) but it was not comfortable for my wife on back.
The advantage of a Sportster is the more relaxed rpm when compared to a modern day Japanese bike. When the engine is more relaxed, so am I. I would never own a modern day sport bike or what they call a standard bike these days. To me they are super ugly with the rear end sticking up in the air like some sort of insect, some even have what looks like a STINGER hanging out the back! Their engines look like some sort of industrial pump.
Yes, I'm OLD, but I'll stick to a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle even if it is heavier and slower. I knew a man once that bought a 1957 Sportster off a drag strip in Southern California in the mid 60's. He made them change the carb from a Weber to a smaller unit, then drove it across the country to West Virginia. Later he got a speeding ticket for going over 143 MPH ON A 1957 SPORTSTER??? I'll say one thing, he had guts... no brains.... but guts... ha ha ha
Ride safely and enjoy every journey.
The first Sportster I rode was a new '65 XLCH. It was over-weight and under-powered. It had a bad suspension, it handled poorly and the brakes were crap. I bought new a '65 Triumph Bonneville instead. The Bonnie was less expensive and did everything better. Last summer I road my second Sportster. Same story 50 years later. The Sportster was over weight and under powered. Handling and braking was better, but not 50 years better. Once again I bought a new Bonneville instead (T120 Black). More power, less wieght, better handling and braking. Sportster vs Bonnie; things never seem to change.
I have owned a Heritage Softail, a CVO Fatboy and a Dyna Glide. My ex had a 1200 Sportster. If I were to ever buy a HD again...I would buy the 1200. Funnest bike of them all.
I hate when people say the sportsters are slow or small…no one buys a sportster to go fast or expects it to be big.
The only one person that can tell you what is good for you is you I have own a big HD to a Hayabusa and everything else I have been riding over 40 years
It really is all you actually need. How much hp do you need to do 60 mph. But fast it is not. My DL1000 smokes big Harleys
i've had them all and the sportster definitely does not suck. i think it's the most fun out of the range whether you ride 883 or 1200 carb or efi
It was my first bike, 2016..was a great bike but thrown around for highway..simple awesome bike..traded mine in 6 months later for a Dyna Lowrider..miss it tho
It is the only Harley I would ever own besides the old hand shifters.
I looked at a 883 but couldn’t justify the price even used. I went with a 390 Duke which is close to the HP and only 340 pounds. ABS and a great TFT display and was $5500 brand new. It’s a hooligan and gets way more attention from others than a Sportster that you see everywhere.