Author Topic: Sold Out for a Sportster (Read 4766 times)

banditII · « **on:** May 04, 2007, 08:28:49 AM »

Well, I sold my beloved Bandit to a guy in Arkansas. Got an 07 yellow / black 1200R Sportster. Partly for my own saftety without going into a long story. I like this H.D. a lot. You can do a medium pace in the twisties. The standard riding postion allows me to hang off and make better time without getting too crazy. Had all the Stage I screaming eagle equipment put on which gives about 70hp and 75 lbs of torque. But what really supprised me is that it's the most comfortable bike I've owned. The bike shakes at idle, but above idle it smooths out the faster you go, so 80mph on the freeway is doable all day. Thank the Lord for rubber engine mounts.

Warren

B6mick · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2007, 09:49:54 AM »

And after 10 top end rebuilds in the next 3 years you'll soon be back on a bandit.

Sorry just carn't help myself, ya see I'm a ex H.D. rider, but good luck anyway.

JamieK · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2007, 10:25:09 AM »

Congrats...the new HDs are pretty reliable and I've always had a soft spot for the Sporty's...I don't consider that a sell out at all...enjoy the new ride

03banditrdr · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2007, 01:15:47 PM »

95% of all harleys are still on the roads, the other 5% made it home!!!

Bob Holland · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2007, 04:20:39 PM »

Quote from: "banditII"

Well, I sold my beloved Bandit to a guy in Arkansas. Got an 07 yellow / black 1200R Sportster. Partly for my own saftety without going into a long story. I like this H.D. a lot. You can do a medium pace in the twisties. The standard riding postion allows me to hang off and make better time without getting too crazy. Had all the Stage I screaming eagle equipment put on which gives about 70hp and 75 lbs of torque. But what really supprised me is that it's the most comfortable bike I've owned. The bike shakes at idle, but above idle it smooths out the faster you go, so 80mph on the freeway is doable all day. Thank the Lord for rubber engine mounts.
Warren

Enjoy the ride, just don't get to the point that you refuse to wave.

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2007, 04:46:34 PM »

Congratulations on a very cultural bike with the largest cult following. If I were rich I would have one as part of a bigger collection, but I am not so like you I have to pick my harts desire.
Being an experienced B12 owner I know you won't be revving your engine next to a B12 at a head to head stop light or freeway on-ramp.

banditII · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2007, 08:16:21 PM »

I feel like I'm the only harley rider out there that wears a full face helmet and a Aerostich roadcrafter suit. With the bike and equipment I added, the total about equaled what I could have bought a FJR on heavy discount, but I was looking for a more vintage riding experience and I'm happy so far. So I'll just wave the bandit riders around and enjoy that long stroke chug chug of an engine that is addictive to me. Biggest draw back is the tiny 3.3 gallon fuel tank, but I like the look. The bike feels impossibly skinny, like a slightly oversized XR750 dirt tracker. But Harley riders are still in my way on the road it seems. Some things just never change.

wizud · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2007, 02:40:40 AM »

Ah yes, Harley Davidson. How to convert hydrocarbon into motion without the side effect of horsepower

Just kidding man, enjoy the ride!

smooth operator · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2007, 05:30:10 AM »

Don't matter what you ride, as long as its the ride you enjoy the ride.

Dan

aussiebandit · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2007, 07:27:47 AM »

Congrats bloke, enjoy the bike, enjoy the washing and most of all enjoy doing what most HD owners enjoy, sitting in the garage with a beer looking at it....

gnip · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2007, 11:11:42 AM »

I too was looking at the sportster roadster. It seems like HD took care of the handling issues they had with the sportster "sport" edition. I just don't understand why they don't give you better value and cam it up a bit. The engine on a performance model should well, perform, set itself apart from the 8 other Sporty models in the 07 line up. If they took one of Eric Buells power plants and put it in there it would be a very hot bike. I've ridden a few Buells and like them for a one person ride but had to consider the wife and the price...Bandit has it all.

Glad to hear that one H&D rider besides my dad wears a helmet. I may catch some flak but, they should be MANDATORY!!!!

Sven · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2007, 01:44:47 PM »

I like the looks of the Sportster, but don't have any interest in having one (unless I would win one!). The only HD I would be tempted by would be something in the V-Rod family, like the Night Rod editions. But the HD culture is too conformist, much like the Gixxer culture, and the list of bikes I *could* buy is so long, I don't see me ever owning a Harley.

But I hope you enjoy yours, and let us know how it goes.

ZenMan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2007, 02:20:26 PM »

I for one congratulate anyone who buys a Harley and actually rides the crap out of it... all while still wearing a full-face helmet and sensible gear.

It's a refreshing change from all the do-rag headed, leather-vest and chap wearing, tattoo-festooned posers who only ride to the bar and drink beer all day while their "bikes" are lined up outside in a row.

Good for you... I hope you can help change that pathetic image in a positive way.

SHREDDER · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2007, 03:24:24 PM »

I'm just curious how much did you pay for the Sportster?

banditII · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2007, 08:22:59 PM »

The bike, the S.E. exhaust, Air cleaner, F.I. re-map, windscreen, and leather Look hard bags all totaled up to $12,100 including the installation of it all. The windscreen is pretty neat as you can take it off in seconds and leaves no docking hardware on the bike, install it in seconds too. I do recommend the Stage one S.E. equipment and it has plenty of power for me. Now keep in mind I'm coming off of the bandit, yes, but also a hayabusa and more recently a ZX-9. I've done track days and have a corner carving background. For anyone looking for a bike to slow down on and still have fun, I recommend the sportster R model. It's fun going slower, but i can still smoke a lot of folks in the corners though that goes against what I got the bike for. I'm going to increase the rear pre-load in the shock and maybe get a little more cornering clearance. I'll always love my Bandit's. Had two of them, took me to lots of places. Hard to beat a Bandit is a great all round bike. Had I continued though I would fear for my safety as I needed to do more and more to get that extra thrill.