Well after owning a big twin, I down graded or should I say up-graded to Sporty 883. Soon to be a xb1203 top end. I liked the big twin on long rides, But for most of my riding, I love the Sporty. And after my upgrade I'll be faster than most of big twin in this area. As far as a story on the 50th upgrades can you keep it on a budget for those of us who don't have alot of cash.
Since you don't want choppers how about a bored and stroked sporty. 1340cc should do it with d.o.t. knobbies, taller shocks/forks, flat tracker tail/seat, dual stoppers up front.
I have owned 2 sporties and one big twin (still have 1 sporty and 1 fatboy)and if I had to chose between the two I would keep the sporty (all though my bride prefers the Fatty). More reliable, less maintanence, less expensive and a heck of a lot more fun.
My sporty will tear up my fatboy any day. And the are both stock except for pipes and air boxes.
I think the Motor Company itself has come pretty close to Buzz's "modern-day Sportster concept" with its XR 1200, but that bike celebrates the flattracker, not the streetbike. Perhaps they're right in believing that an American consumer might want something a little closer in spirit to the Sportster's ancestors.
Back in its day, (late 50s) the Sportster was launched with the intention to put the then-new OHV British postwar competition back on the trailer. An honest bike. State-of-the-art engine performance thanks largely to bigger displacement. (A recent issue of Motorcyclist commented that an early Sportster was the fastest bike they'd ever tested!) Not much clutter, little excess weight. (At least on the later XLCH models...) State-of-the-art telescopic suspension up front, and proper swingarm with twin shocks out back. The form was dictated by function, and its function was to kick ass.
I see the new bike duplicating these lofty goals. Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi and the Big Four have lately been releasing "nostalgic" and "retro" models that are somewhat tarted-up, under-performing poseur bikes for the well-to-do Boomers. In most of these examples, their engines are seriously De-tuned compared to their companies' other current offerings. HD on the other hand has the innovative Mr. Buell to provide real juice for its resurrected XL. If the Factory predictions for the XR 1200 engine can be realized, 85 at the rear wheel ought to be enough to contend. That engine should form the basis for the hot-rod Sportster I envision. No, it won't run with the Liter-class crotch rockets, but should be plenty fast. If only it was cost-feasible to "add lightness" as Colin Chapman used to say. Say maybe a 450-lb wet weight?
No need for the uncomfortable rearsets or windscreens and fairings. Proper sit-up posture to engage in the streetfight while sitting up and taking the wind blast like a man. Current hardware including lightweight rims -maybe Buell's ZTL front inside-out brake rotor? Inverted, fully adjustable forks for sure. Although one must keep up appearances with proper dual shocks and a swingarm, nothing says the shocks have to be junk. Maybe raid an old 1200S parts bin or the Dyna Sport units that were so well-regarded. Keep the peanut-style tank somehow despite the downdraft FI. It's gotta have an eyebrow. For gosh' sake paint the thing Orange. And call it an XLCH 50.
Wheelman-111
Ready to trade an S-model for such a CH.
It would be fun around town. Something tells me if you want to go a few hundred miles your ass and back are going to rebel. Would mind having one if the price was right.
Wheelman, I note you are a fan of Mr. Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (ever wonder where the ACBC in the Lotus logo came from? He and Erik Buell both feel a machine is more capable, handll better and be less likely to break if it is lighter, rather then just bigger engined.
I'd like to see a Sporty that can be a "mini-bagger" for those long rides (especially with the wife), but stripped down to it's basic Sportster self in a short time for those regular rides, but up the performance and keep it in a decent budget.
I think all these bike shows on TV have made too many people think that unless you have a big twin, some monster motor, raked out chopper, custom paint, ape hangers, rear tire that looks more at home on top fuel dragster and made in some custom shop in the middle of nowhere that it's not a real bike.
It's bad enough that many big twin owners think that Sporties aren't "real bike". Every Harley board I have ever been on has this discussion, and just when you think it dies it comes back again, usually in time for riding season. But if you look at the things that are being said over and over about Sporties it makes you wonder why people bag on them so bad.
- They're HD's oldest continuous line.
- They're always one of the top sellers.
- They're quicker than the big twins, and much more nimble.
- Can't beat the deal. What other bike can you get for a $100@month payment?
- Classic and aggressive styling.
- Easy to upgrade and customize, and do it on a smaller budget.
- Just plain fun.
Even the people (usually guy, never women) that I hear bagging on Sportsters start talking about how their first bike was Sporty, how much they miss that bike; it sure was fun; etc. etc.
I wonder why I don't see more products made for them. Don't they think we Sporty owners would like a cool shift linkage or fatter tire kit?
It's ironic how a model with such a storied history has somehow, somehwere picked up the label it bears for the Sporty critics. But the devout loyalty of the Sportster supporters is what makes the bike so special. I'm quite happy to go for a spin on my 883C irrespective of what anyone thinks about my kid's size H-D.
Hey Buzz, You can compare my 59XLCH sportster with new upgrades. It's in the bike photos under the caption { old and the new } Feb 15/06, It's to bad you did't go with a 07 model,.Cause i got the 50th anniversary model in orange {had to have it!} The fuel injection with the SE kit is the cats meow!!.No spittin,coughing,stalling A very long time comming for the sporty models. And i know i'm gonna hear it from you carb boy's, but i also have a 05 1200 roadster with SE carb kit SE pipes, and its still farts,spits,stalls,ect,ect Ya gotta ride one to compare. It's like night and day. And majicbringer if you read this in the bike photos i got the 05 roadster in there also with the custom hard bags from harley it's the closest thing to a sporty bagger i've seen they fit snug and tight even though this pic does no justice.Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!!! Till next time Sealizard
Some people need to live up to an image or notion of what they suppose a biker should be. Some people like to ride! I guess the posers look like they are having fun as they grow smaller in the rear view mirror of my Sportster.
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