Any Sportster Riders? | Page 3 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Any Sportster Riders?

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@woot That exhaust is crazy looking. I love it!
Looks like a Scambler perhaps a Spcramblerster?
 
A sportster isn't my idea of a great time either. But as Peter Fonda said in a movie a long time ago....."do you own thing in your own time man".
 
Jampy00 said:
@woot That exhaust is crazy looking. I love it!
Looks like a Scambler perhaps a Spcramblerster?
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It's by Danmoto. I currently have it off sanding/polishing all of the black coating off. They advertise being fully stainless and it appears to be true.
 
Wingboy said:
A sportster isn't my idea of a great time either. But as Peter Fonda said in a movie a long time ago....."do you own thing in your own time man".
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It's a fun second bike. I'd have a hard time making it my one and only. I didn't want to be continually tearing apart my main ride to add sketchy parts from amazon. This fills my desire to wrench/modify.
 
mimico_polak said:
@ReSTored are they that bad?
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Yes, read all the comments, then do a google search of "Sportster review" and read the articles. Virtually all will tell you the same thing. If you want a motorcycle that looks great sitting by the curb, buy a Sportster. If you actually intend to ride the thing anywhere other than to a gas station to refill it or to your local coffee hang out, then buy something else.
 
mimico_polak said:
Alrighty....well GTAM has once again saved me from what sounds like a bad decision. I’ll just see if I can rent one when Harley starts that up again before moving forward.
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Owning a Sportster is not a bad decision. Buying one without knowing the facts and if you like it is.
Nothing wrong with a short ride that is rough, raunchy and dirty. 🤪
 
mimico_polak said:
Alrighty....well GTAM has once again saved me from what sounds like a bad decision. I’ll just see if I can rent one when Harley starts that up again before moving forward.
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When Longley's was open in Peterborough you could test their used stock anytime. Not sure if this is everywhere. It is definitely the polar opposite to the other bikes you've owned.

I remember watching a gladius vs monster shootout years ago. On every scale they agreed the gladius was better but in the end they both chose the monster for it's personality.
 
GTAExotics rents them for $150/weekday and $400/weekend (3 day minimum).

can’t seem to get the Harley dealer rental site going maybe they’re down for COVID. Will call them when I get a chance.

EDIT: Harley website says their 2021 rental program is cancelled.
 
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mimico_polak said:
Alrighty....well GTAM has once again saved me from what sounds like a bad decision. I’ll just see if I can rent one when Harley starts that up again before moving forward.
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Not to get you confused or anything, but given the choice between a CB500x and a 1200 Sportster, I would take the Sportster. It's a bike that will last forever if you take care of it. If it breaks down parts are quickly available. Also, the vibration on a Harley beats the 'buzz' you get from a lot of offshore plastic bikes - the buzz that makes your hands go numb. It doesn't happen on a Harley because the V-twin vibration is a low frequency vibe. Sportsters like all Harleys are solid, with very little plastic.
 
Roadghost said:
Not to get you confused or anything, but given the choice between a CB500x and a 1200 Sportster, I would take the Sportster. It's a bike that will last forever if you take care of it. If it breaks down parts are quickly available. Also, the vibration on a Harley beats the 'buzz' you get from a lot of offshore plastic bikes - the buzz that makes your hands go numb. It doesn't happen on a Harley because the V-twin vibration is a low frequency vibe. Sportsters like all Harleys are solid, with very little plastic.
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Agree with the "buzz" comment, I switched to a v-twin from an i-4, for that very reason. However I did not stray from the Japanese connection. The i-4 was from Kawasaki and the v-twin was from Suzuki.
 
Went for a ride today and totally get the buzz around the 5000-5500rpm. I can’t repeat the noise here unfortunately but it it’s def noticeable. But then I pop up to 6,000rpm or upshift and issue resolved.

wish there was an audio option here.

so many bikes out there. Saw so many sportsters.
 
Roadghost said:
Not to get you confused or anything, but given the choice between a CB500x and a 1200 Sportster, I would take the Sportster. It's a bike that will last forever if you take care of it. If it breaks down parts are quickly available. Also, the vibration on a Harley beats the 'buzz' you get from a lot of offshore plastic bikes - the buzz that makes your hands go numb. It doesn't happen on a Harley because the V-twin vibration is a low frequency vibe. Sportsters like all Harleys are solid, with very little plastic.
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It depends what you are looking for in a bike. If he wants to cover a lot of miles in a day, the 500x is the better choice by miles. I've had a bike that was 100 km between fill-ups and 1000km days were punishing. If he wants to cruise around on a good looking bike that people recognize, the sporty is in the lead.
 
mimico_polak said:
so many bikes out there. Saw so many sportsters.
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I'm sure you know this, but you can always stop over at a Tims or whatever and chat some sportster owners up, get some info.
I know if it has the Evo engine it's quite liked by the HD crowd.
 
sburns said:
I'm sure you know this, but you can always stop over at a Tims or whatever and chat some sportster owners up, get some info.
I know if it has the Evo engine it's quite liked by the HD crowd.
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I’m doing it wrong....when I go for a ride I don’t stop until I get home...need to learn the Harley code.

I’ll show myself out in shame.

All kidding aside yes that’s actually a good idea. Never actually thought of just stopping to chat up Sportster riders. Thanks.
 
GreyGhost said:
It depends what you are looking for in a bike. If he wants to cover a lot of miles in a day, the 500x is the better choice by miles. I've had a bike that was 100 km between fill-ups and 1000km days were punishing. If he wants to cruise around on a good looking bike that people recognize, the sporty is in the lead.
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I agree, but there's no rule saying you have to get the peanut tank on a Sportster. The bigger tank will net you 200km, and there's a batwing fairing available for it that gives you much better protection that that silly strip of plastic on the CB500x. The ride gets a lot less tiring with better wind protection.
 
Roadghost said:
I agree, but there's no rule saying you have to get the peanut tank on a Sportster. The bigger tank will net you 200km, and there's a batwing fairing available for it that gives you much better protection that that silly strip of plastic on the CB500x. The ride gets a lot less tiring with better wind protection.
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dont forget the suspension upgrades he'll need

At this point he might as well buy a whole new actual purpose built bike instead of trying to tweak the bike to fit his needs
 
Roadghost said:
I agree, but there's no rule saying you have to get the peanut tank on a Sportster. The bigger tank will net you 200km, and there's a batwing fairing available for it that gives you much better protection that that silly strip of plastic on the CB500x. The ride gets a lot less tiring with better wind protection.
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200 km range still sucks if I want to go far. 400+ makes me happy. Honda 500's can do that.
 
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