Why the Sportster endures Harley Sportster & Buell Discuss Why the Sportster endures in the Motorcycles forums; The Sportster is the most versatile bike around. You can chop it, bob it, turn it into a cool cafe racer, drag bike, dirt bike, cruiser, tourer and pretty much ...

[Joyride]

The Sportster is the most versatile bike around. You can chop it, bob it, turn it into a cool cafe racer, drag bike, dirt bike, cruiser, tourer and pretty much into whatever you want. The tank is classic and iconic. The motor was ahead of it's time with a single piece case, 4-cams, and capable of massive HP gains. The Sporty was never a beginner bike for me. It's exactly what I want.

[Lowrider103]

I love the bike and yes it was my first Harley. I will have another one day great machine.

[Buzz Kanter]

I rode the XR1200 Harley Sportster for several days at Daytona Bike Week this year and thought it was one of the most fun new bikes I have ridden in quite a while.

[BlueBob]

Would love to get my hands on a new XR1200 and give it a ride. I've heard nothing but positive reviews.

I actually started on a Honda 50Rz, but my first grown up bike was a Sporty. Miss the bike every day. Reliable and feisty powerplant, gorgeous lines, and a blast to ride. Quick off the line and agile. And if you ask me, that 1200 engine is the best sounding motor the MoCo is currently putting out.

[Twinpeaks]

Funny how it endured, it really got the "business" from hard core guys when it was first introduced as a response to the faster Triumphs of that era. It was thee speed demon in it's day - for a while anyway! LOL! In fact I'm sure you Sporty owners still get some $hit.

Until the Revolution in 2002, it was the MoCo's best engine design for speed and reliability, albeit still based on old tech. I've always subscribed to the smaller piston, smaller stroke, higher rev's mentality. It offered similarities to it's big brother but faster revving and quicker. The bike was lighter and nimble relative to the panheads and shovels.
oh yea, just my opinion but an old Ironhead with with some serious motor work and straight pipes might be the baddest sounding motorcycle on the planet!!

[83XLX]

It's a simple, honest , fun bike. Back in the 60's, it was the baddest bike you could buy. There's a huge aftermarket for them, and they can be turned into whatever you want them to be. They're one of the last "standard" bikes made, but sadly, the more standard model Sportsters may be disappearing from the H-D lineup. As I say, I never wanted a Harley, but I always wanted a Sportster.

[crosport]

You can buy 3 sportsters for the price of one bagger and have 3 times the fun.That to me says it all!

[Dawg]

Sportsters are often underrated by Big Twin owners, but they have often embarrassed their bigger cousins on the road and especially in the curves. The Sportster 1200 engine is the fastest stock engine they make and they sound cool with a good set of pipes or mufflers on them. Light and nimble, they make twisty roads a breeze to negotiate, are easy to park and manuever, without throwing your back out, or getting knots in your legs. I don't take long trips on my Sporty, just mainly around town and the surrounding area, so why should I spend more bucks on a bigger bike I don't need? Sportsters are the best bang for the buck, Harley-wise, and I suspect that's why they're the oldest Harley model still in continuous production.