2005 harley sportster

[imkindafkedup]

I know we're not the biggest Harley fans here but I have the opportunity to pick one of these up in deal. Anyone have first hand experience? Pros/cons? I don't use the sport bike to commute, i was hoping this may get me out on the road more. Feel free to post all the Harley bashing in one of the many other Harley bashing threads please.

[idratherberidin]

It's pronounced Sportsther. Do you even fit on it?

[j4eric]

Who is Antone?......when I had a cruiser it had the opposite effect, I rode less...just my 2cents

[imkindafkedup]

Antone says my fingers are too fat for my phone. I would think a cruiser would be a more comfortable commuter. Why do you think a cruiser made you ride less?

[j4eric]

Antone says my fingers are too fat for my phone. I would think a cruiser would be a more comfortable commuter. Why do you think a cruiser made you ride less?

To sum it up it was boring...if you think a cruiser will be more comfortable ergo wise ....yes....but that's about it...everything else will be the Same....too hot, too cold, wet, same amount of concentration etc.....I just used to cage it rather than ride the cruiser....the sport bike gave it the thrill for me, so I ride that more.

[Chippertheripper]

I had one for a short time, older though.
They are what they are...big, heavy, slow, comfy (maybe), and don't expect it to stop worth a damn.
It could be a fun toy if you don't try and push its limits.

[Sheppo]

It is what it is... fun bike, still either an 883cc or 1000cc or 1200cc vtwin with tons of torque. Great candidate for a cafe style ride. If the price is right, pick it up and enjoy it.

[Garandman]

I bought a 2005 Roadster March '11. The Roadster has twin front disks, a tach, and full-length shock absorbers: the Sporty Sportster.

The bike was well made and feels like it would run forever. Belt drive works great. Paint and Chrome are industry best. Dealers stock nearly everything. Started easily, sounds neat, got 44-48 mpg, good on highway for a naked bike. Sportster community is almost normal, unlike the Big Twin Lifestyle dudes.

The wheels are unbelievably heavy and there isn't much to replace them with. The stock suspension is a joke - 39mm damper rod Showa forks, rear suspension travel is 3". I put on a fork brace aftermarket shocks and Metzler tires. That helped some but there is no getting around the immensely wide engine cases.

People think HD's are expensive but Sportsters are cheap and cater to people who want an HD sticker. I paid something like $3800 for it and sold it for about the same minus the upgrade parts.

The HD Lifestyle biker culture is too stupid for words. They talk about freedom and independence, but they all wear jeans, black tshirts, and beanie helmets. My personal belief is that the cruiser culture significantly sets back the interests of motorcyclists in the USA. You can choose to reinforce the stereotype or not. I didn't, but in the end the bike wasn't sufficiently entertaining to keep.