I really want a H-D for my first big bike, but a few friends are trying to dissuade me. What's your view?

Question

Hi from England. You may have noticed I've already asked a couple of related questions, but please bear with me as I am a complete beginner.

I have done my CBT and currently run a 125. I have my full test in a few weeks and have put down a deposit on a brand new 08 H-D Sportster 883. I will use the bike to ride to work during the week (4 miles each way) and longer leisure trips at the weekend.

I am 22 and live in Dorset.

Several of my friends are trying to dissuade me from getting a new H-D at all, by saying that they aren't novice-friendly, extremely heavy, and if I come off with the bike on top of me I'll never be able to move. They also say that H-Ds are useless in the UK as they're made for US roads.

What would those of you with experience of the bikes say? Any serious help welcome.

Answer 1

I'm not sure why they would care. Years ago, I knew a Harley rider who wrecked his bike in the first two weeks. He laughed about it, because at the time he basically got a "freebie," which is one completely financially pain-free crash. They replaced his bike, leathers, helmet with all brand new parts, and his rates didn't change. I don't know how they operate these days, though.

A Harley is no different to ride from any cruiser. If that's what you wanna ride, go for it. With the conversion rate, they must be selling pretty cheap over there.

Answer 2

Unlike the big-twin Harleys the Sportster 883 and 1200 (same exact bike, the 883 just has a smaller piston and cylinder bore) is a lighter bike with a  higher center of gravity and slightly different motor configuration. It is a bike that almost all of the Harley riders I know started with. And a bike that many women riders stay with because of it's lighter weight and easier handling due to the higher gravity.

I really can't think of any cruiser style big bike that would be noticeably lighter or easier to pick up if dropped.. And the Sportster (except the Hugger model which is lowered for those with shorter legs has enough front fork and rear shock travel to accommodate the not-so pristine of roads.. (BTW, I cycled from London to Bristol, on to Lulworth Cove, Up to Shaftesbury, and then to Salsbury (maybe I got the last two backwards, I forget) and I can say from my experience that the roads in the UK are about the same as here on the east coast of the US. Only the national interstate highways are as pristine as your friends imply. Most day to day riding is done in the same conditions you will experience, so if you like the way the bike rides, looks, sounds, etc, there's no reason you shouldn't get it.

Additionally, the 883 sportster can be turned into a 1200 by installing   piston kit and having a machine shop bore out the cylinders. (Yes, the 883 cylinder walls are incredibly thick!). I worked in a motorcycle shop from 17 to 19 years old and we did this to an 883 that had 120,000 miles on it! Believe it or not, this was the first time that the heads had been off the bike in all that time.

You'll also have the best chance of retaining the sale cost or even making money on the bike over any other manufacturer.

Perrsonally, I dislike sportsters. I ride a 77 Triumph 750 and 72 Norton 750 both of which will eat up any stock sportster and, more importantly, out handle it. To me Sportsters sit up too high, which is most annoying if you have a wiggly passenger, and their stock gas tanks are irritatingly small.

I also had a Triumph Sprint ST which I absolutely loved for 4 years until  it was stolen (yeah, I live in NYC). I drool whenever I see the new model Bonnevilles around town.. Before you make up your mind on the harley, take a look at one of these. As far as weight and slow-speed handling, it's going to be very similar, but when it comes to power and handling, you're talking about modern engineering, opposed to the sportster which has remained largely unchanged since the Ironhead days,

Answer 3

I have owned 2 Sportsters over the years. I lived in England for the better part of my childhood. I return to my homeland about every 18 to 24 months so I am familiar with not only the roads and driving conditions but also with the machine in question. ok so here goes. Remember, just my opinion  The "Sporty"  was originally the "hot rod" of the Motor Companys line up and is with some argument to this day. Somewhere along the line the Sporty became a "girls" bike in the U.S. I have no insight as to where the Sporty was to be marketed and to what audience. Here we go with a couple of things that I do know about. The sporty had a stylish yet small capacity fuel tank until recent years leading to the term"sporty stops."  Fit and finish are great. They are top heavy but this can be addressed with suspension and saddle mods. Reliability is great. Never had one leave me stranded. Service? Living in the Uk, only you can determine the answer to that question. I have made a few trips to HD dealerships and they have been nothing more than great to visit. That said, I wouldn't worry about quality service. Remember however to not be shy about asking for HD  credentials for repairing or even servicing your machine should you decide to buy one.

Answer 4

883 is a good choice,i have been riding harleys for 35 years and they are a good ride.883 is quick and easy to handle if you use your head

i hope this will help you

dan

Answer 5

My only question to you is how tall are you ?

I'm 6'2' and ride a Hyosung GV650, my friend is 5'8', and rides a Sportster. I got on his bike and it felt like a toy (no disrespect to Harley riders ), and I found it very heavy. We had a drag race and both had to bottle it at 105 mph as we ran out of road and 5-0 was up front. I'd rather be doing 105 on mine I can tell you, but then thats just my own preference.

Any bike you choose to get that's a step up in size will take some getting used to, but if you take it steady you will be ok. Personally, if I was to buy a HD knowing our roads, I would go for the Street Rod as it s less likely to scrape the pegs around tight bends.

At the end of the day its your choice, and there's enough HD's out there to prove they're not as bad as folk make out.

Answer 6

do your friends pick out your girlfriends ?do they tell you what to have for lunch ?

buy/ride whatever you want,its your decision.

i have a sporty 1200 ,ride on all kinds of roads in western canada,no problems whatsoever.

if you come off of ANY bike and it lands on you,chances are that you wont get up on your own anyways.

not heavy at all,they balance very well.....how many of these friends have even ridden a harley ?

Answer 7

I've got two former bikers in the family. If you go from a 125 to an HD you will find the extra power hard to handle at first and you run the risk of having a spill and damaging your bike (or yourself) because you've applied too much power too quickly.

It's quite a common problem when making a sudden jump in power. You're back wheel will run away from you, and you will end up going over sideways.

And yes, an HD is impractical for British roads. HDs are suited for to going mid-long distances in well spaced traffic. Highways, freeways or empty suburban roads.

UK traffic is very tightly packed, you really need a fast nippy bike that can weave through traffic and which can make fast pullouts at junctions. You need a lot of weight/strength to maneuver a big bike at 30mph and even more below.

Answer 8

The 883 in America is a Chick Bike ! But Its still a HOG !

Answer 9

How many of your friends have owned Harleys? Sounds like the typical jealousy bull**** to me.

Answer 10

I think I've previously offered advice to you, but at the end of the day, if you want one, buy one - it's that simple.

Just enjoy yourself.

Answer 11

get what you want to ride.. your the one buying and riding it right.. i ride a sportster 2000 883 with over 72,000 miles hadnt had much problems with anything yet

Answer 12

My first Harley was a 1982 Sportster 1000. I think that you are making the right choice for your first bike. Not to big, yet with plenty of power. Ask them were they are getting thier facts from. How can they tell you all about the bike. When they never rode one. Kind of funny how people can tell you stuff, that they know nothing about. I have been riding Harleys for 26 years. And will for the rest of my LIFE!!!!!!! . Learn on it. Then when you get better,sell that one buy another one. But much bigger. BUY THE BIKE AND INJOY IT!!!

I say "P***k" what your friends say. Ride safe and be Free!!!