Opinions on NEWER Sportsters?

I have the opportunity to trade my '02 Ford Taurus for an '04 1200 Custom Sporster. I don't know much about Harleys in general, but I like the less gussied-up ones and this one looks like something I would dig. I'm a relative neophyte, have owned bikes before but probably only have a thousand street miles on old Japanese small-bore bikes. The bike has 40k miles, has apparently been maintained pretty well (current owner has put 22k miles on in the last three years), and is stock except for Screamin Eagle pipes (those will probably be swapped for something quieter if I get it)

So, with that in mind-

1) Will this make a reliable commuter/nice day cruiser?

2) Is this going to be an unwieldy pig since I'm used to smaller stuff? (If it matters, I'm 6'2"/200 lbs right now).

3) Any big, expensive "gotcha" maintenance items to look for?

I have nothing to add other than I have a Sportster on my bucket list and IF I were in your shoes I would make the trade

New (86-up) Sportsters are a fantastic bike. The 1200 is fast. They are very reliable and get good gas mileage.

So, to answer your questions, Yes, No, No.

I would only add that you should check to see if it came as a 1200 or if someone put a kit in it. Look at the title or VIN. Not that the 1200 kits are bad, it's just that I think the 1200 kit in an 883 would detract from the value some versus a 1200 from the factory.

We'll start a gang.

A 1200 sporty is a fun bike to ride. Doing 80mph on a two lane mountain road is exhilarating. People keep telling me that the 1200 sporty is one of the faster harleys made, not because it has a huge engine but because it isn't hauling 300lbs of flab.

I loved the engines on my Buell's. I had the tube frame models so they were hot rodded sportster motors. Great fun. Torquey. They did pretty good on gas too. Mine was quoted as having 100 hp. It probably made about 80 ft lbs along with that. Low maintenance. No valve adjustments since the valves are hydraulic. Oil changes take 5 mins at max. They can even use an oil filter for a 5.0 mustang. Parts are everywhere. It is a heavy mill but was reliable as the day is long.

Also, Trask makes a turbo kit for them.

The non-intercooled kit looks cleaner.

Link to the sportster blow dryer.

Yes, no, no.

04 is the first year of rubber mounted engines. Super simple and easy to maintain, loads of fun. Do it

You know my opinion on Harleys and I think this is a very solid trade. DO IT.

DO IT!!!!!

Seems like even if you don't like it come spring a sportster will be worth much more than a 02 Taurus.

nocones wrote: Seems like even if you don't like it come spring a sportster will be worth much more than a 02 Taurus.

This is my thought as well. I'm pulling the trigger later this week.

Saw that guys ad. We need to pull that Tank and paint it. Barf.

singleslammer wrote: Saw that guys ad. We need to pull that Tank and paint it. Barf.

I think that's a different bike (older...). I saw it also.

A rubbermount Sporty weighs as much as a dyna. 1hd1 is a 1200 1hd4 is an 883

I'll echo, too. Yes, no, no. Do it.

4g63t wrote: A rubbermount Sporty weighs as much as a dyna. 1hd1 is a 1200 1hd4 is an 883

I don't have '04 specs, but the heaviest '13 Sporty is 86lbs. lighter than the lightest '13 Dyna.

EDIT: Just found '04 Dyna weight (for a Low Rider)

Well, it's in my garage as of last night.

Need to go get my motorcycle endorsement...probably do that on lunch today. Permit just requires a written test, and I need to update the address on my DL anyway.

It's a little crusty, and the guy I bought it from has no left hand, so he had set it up with a foot clutch and a jockey shift. (Totally not a joke). He says he has most of the parts to go back to the foot shift/hand clutch setup...after he brings me those, next step will be to get it back to stock. Has a nicely done but kinda goofy custom paint job with a subtle skull motif...I can live with it. Stock except for screamin' eagle II pipes (and they're quiet enough I think I can live with them). It IS a factory 1200 by the VIN.

Also, big bonus (for my tastes anyway)...it's not a Custom, it's a Roadster. Cast wheels, more upright riding position, dual discs up front, smaller front wheel, etc., etc. Much more my style. I'm excited. SWMBO is NOT.

Plans are to clean it up over the winter, get it looking and running nice, and then either a) ride the wheels off of it come spring or b) sell it for a tidy profit. I was in to the Taurus that I traded for it for a total of about $1,600 (another long story). Not a bad score. Pics to follow.

If you have any plans on selling it, DON'T RIDE IT.

Once you do, you will never sell it.

I would love a roadster.

This thread is Clem Approved (tm)

nice score. I would really like to find something like that on the cheap. my SWMBO however would be less than pleased. she doesn't like my XR250. She really would not like a Harley.

That's pretty easy to fix, cdowd.

Ha! I say it's neither cheap nor easy...but for me, it was worthwhile.

Awesome dude! Well done and nice trade. I'm jealous

Before you sell it this spring, ride it for a while. You might decide to sell it next spring, or the spring after.

As for the jockey shift, try it, you might like it. I've no experience with it myself, but I'd love to try it some time.

foxtrapper wrote: Before you sell it this spring, ride it for a while. You might decide to sell it next spring, or the spring after. As for the jockey shift, try it, you might like it. I've no experience with it myself, but I'd love to try it some time.

I'm brave enough to try and ride it, but no way do I want to deal with the jockey shift. I'm clumsy enough that motorcycles are kind of a bad idea for me as it is.

You want it? I'd trade the forward control setup that's on it with the foot clutch and the jockey shift for a nice set of stock mid controls.