Harley Sportsters

[Sketchy Snr]

Do you consider Sportsters as an entry level bike, seems Harley Davidson do as they are promoting below. What are your thoughts not so much about HD but about sportsters being entry level?


Remember when a guarantee used to mean something? We still believe in your hard earned dollars working for you. So here's our guarantee: The price you pay for a new Sportster motorcycle is what you'll get back when you trade in.* Guaranteed.

So walk into a dealership and buy a new '09 Sportster® now through August 31st, 2009. Ride it for up to a year. Keep your Sportster in good condition. Then trade it in within one year of purchase for a new Dyna®, Softail®, VRSC™ or Touring model and get back the price you paid. That's right – valued as if it was brand spankin' new.

SCREW IT, LET'S RIDE.







2009 MOTORCYCLES || CUSTOMIZING || FINANCING || RIDER'S EDGE || FIND A DEALER


*Other important conditions apply. View Full Terms & Conditions

[Shadows]

Being the smallest of the range they could be called entry level. They also get called girls' bikes, or Skirtsters.

Compared to the rest they are also lighter, more nimble, in most cases quicker, and at the moment I find them more fun to ride than the big blocks, so I couldn't give a fuck what they get called.

In fact I couldn't give a fuck so much, now I have two of them.

[Headbanger]

My first road bike was a Sportster.....

If I was rich I'd get one for my son to go to High School on, so that gives me 10 years to get that sorted.

[AllanB]

Apart from the truly gutless 883 Sporty I think in many ways they are the better bike. As noted above, lighter smaller and handle pretty well.

What they need to do now is pop that new 1200 engine into the whole range of Sportsters :Punk:

[Shadows]

Apart from the truly gutless 883 Sporty I think in many ways they are the better bike. As noted above, lighter smaller and handle pretty well.

I forgot about 883s. Yes, stock they are kind of gutless when compared with another bike 1½ times in capacity, but for a few $$ an 883 can become a respectably performing bike in it's own right.

[Big Dave]

Check out the '10 XR1200X on the H-D site. Soooper.

[KiwiRat]

Check out the '10 XR1200X on the H-D site. Soooper.

I'm with BD. The big blocks can call it a beginner's bike when they catch up at the next gas station.

[Headbanger]

Or ride right past that service station while the Sportster rider fills up up his cute little tank.

I'd be willing to "race" one from Wellington to Auckland.

[sinfull]

Or ride right past that service station while the Sportster rider fills up up his cute little tank.

I'd be willing to "race" one from Wellington to Auckland.
But how about upper hutt to featherston lol
Don't think i'd ever buy another sporty but, for what it's worth i enjoyed my 90 1200 ! Lived out lake ferry road in the Rapa and was doing the rimitakas near every day so opted for the sporty over a big block !

If the guarantee of the same coin is a written one from the shop ya cant go past that deal to try one if your looking at buying a new Harley (just so you can say ya owned one lol)

[Headbanger]

But how about upper hutt to featherston lol
Don't think i'd ever buy another sporty but, for what it's worth i enjoyed my 90 1200 ! Lived out lake ferry road in the Rapa and was doing the rimitakas near every day so opted for the sporty over a big block !


I would, Just for the thrill of it.

My bike is set up like an over sized sporter anyway so she cuts through corners alright, Course I'd still be beaten but I can dig it.

[sinfull]

I would, Just for the thrill of it.

My bike is set up like an over sized sporter anyway so she cuts through corners alright, Course I'd still be beaten but I can dig it.
What model ya got ? You on a FXR/FXD

[Big Dave]

I'm an enthusiast, but c'mon, BEARS is a category for bikes that wouldn't win a race without the category.

They are about the pure enjoyment and the dance on the inside - nada da race-a.

[Headbanger]

1997 FXDS Convertible.

Throw away the convertible junk and your left with the "sports".

I believe an exercise in failed marketing.

I specifically wanted that model due to the dual front discs, and I was under the impression at the time they had a different rake and ground clearance then the rest of the range, though I have since reading conflicting information (one article said they updated the rake on the entire Dyna range).

[MadDuck]

I forgot about 883s. Yes, stock they are kind of gutless when compared with another bike 1½ times in capacity, but for a few $$ an 883 can become a respectably performing bike in it's own right.

I have over taken many an 883 without much effort.


Or ride right past that service station while the Sportster rider fills up up his cute little tank.

Or her one :mellow:. The 1200 has more a roadster (?) size tank anyways....

Dont know about entry level though. Wouldnt most of the HD inclined fellas by-pass the smaller sporty?

[Headbanger]

Just about everyone I rode with when I was 20 had a sportster, Half the price of a big block. And we all went into massive debt just to get those bikes.

Might see if I can find a photo, I loved my Sportster.

[Headbanger]

And there she is, The one with the orange stripe and set of Kerkers. Bought her when I was 18. Totally fucked it.And sold it when I was 20.

[peasea]

Or ride right past that service station while the Sportster rider fills up up his cute little tank.

I'd be willing to "race" one from Wellington to Auckland.

That'd be fun.:soon:

[peasea]

Do you consider Sportsters as an entry level bike, seems Harley Davidson do as they are promoting below. What are your thoughts not so much about HD but about sportsters being entry level?


Remember when a guarantee used to mean something? We still believe in your hard earned dollars working for you. So here's our guarantee: The price you pay for a new Sportster motorcycle is what you'll get back when you trade in.* Guaranteed.

So walk into a dealership and buy a new '09 Sportster® now through August 31st, 2009. Ride it for up to a year. Keep your Sportster in good condition. Then trade it in within one year of purchase for a new Dyna®, Softail®, VRSC™ or Touring model and get back the price you paid. That's right – valued as if it was brand spankin' new.

SCREW IT, LET'S RIDE.







2009 MOTORCYCLES || CUSTOMIZING || FINANCING || RIDER'S EDGE || FIND A DEALER


*Other important conditions apply. View Full Terms & Conditions

My missus is on her second one. Iused to bag them until I took her first one for a fang. Twaz an 883 with a 1200 kit, went well enough, nicely tuned, Harris, SE airbox, Hagons etc. She now has an '07 1200 but that's not got the ground clearance of her '96. Day one we both caught both sides. I like it; it's peppy, more nimble than my W/g and very good looking. I think they are under-rated actually.

[oldguy]

I do like the look of the XR1200 been thinking about a demo.

Thanks BD for pic hehe

[doc]

In my expert opinion, go for it.Dont touch the old iron head shit. Mind you they use to be the only hardley you could get in NZ anyway. 883's are a great bulletproof engine. You want to see how much linning that is ground out to make it a 1200. The only time you notice the lack of grunt is when you want to keep up with the bigger stuff , generally passing traffic. But those on the bigger hardleys usually have the same brakes and another 100lbs of momentum so you sneek up on them all the time. Definitly are a more fun ride than those that aspire to have the bigger equipment. They get a bit uncomfortable on the long trips ,and you can't fit as much gear on with out looking like a sherpa. The only time I wish I had a big one is when we're all stopped and bullshitting bout how great the ride was,you forget about that next corner. . You get over the politics of Hardleys and they are great machines. Ferk such a long post I'm going to go and have a lie down that was so tiring. :done:][/SIZE]

[Molly]

Wife had an '06 883 which I used to love riding (the Sportster not the, oh, erm. OK, well the wife too but that's not what this is about). Anyway, Sportsters are stonkin' and the XR (esp. the blacked-out one for 2010) is great value at around $16k. The valve geometry is better suited to performance tuning too.

Only criticism of the wife's Sportie was that the suspension lacked adjustability. May be better on the new XR though.

[Gareth51]

[QUOTE=MadDuck;1129325911]I have over taken many an 883 without much effort.



QUOTE]

But you're just a mad duck when it comes to speed:laugh:

[Big Dave]

<tenchars> </tenchars>

[rosie631]

The sporties are cool. I have owned two. Looked at getting another one this time round but I want to do some long trips so went for another big one. Sporty would leave me for dead through the bends tho.

[Sketchy Snr]

I do like the look of the XR1200 been thinking about a demo.

Thanks BD for pic hehe

I also would like to add one of these to my garage. Love to take one for a demo too.

[Sketchy Snr]

Thanks for all your comments, i have loved the sportys mainly because of my size but i see a lot of smaller people riding big blocks now as well as a fair few women. There is still that feeling the riders on the big blocks look down on you though as if ahh you havn't growen up yet and now i get the feeling that H D are now pushing the same as a sales ploy. Sportsters have been around since 1958 ( i think from memory ) and i believe they are bike in there own right and the comments i have read on here proves that as guys and gals remember there sportster days with pride that entry level maybe for some but real bikes for others. As you can see i like black ones and now i dont have to stop at all the gas stations. I was at manfeild on saturday and there was a guy there racing one it was great to see the set up he had, was he as fast as the jappas, hell no but i bet he was having fun.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'd be willing to "race" one from Wellington to Auckland.

You're on.

[Headbanger]

You're on.

Sweet.

When?

And I'm not fussed who wins.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sweet.

When?

And I'm not fussed who wins.

Hehehe...soon as I've had my wrist operation done from trying to ride an XR1200 off with the streeing still locked! Real sporty expert me!

[Headbanger]

Hehehe...soon as I've had my wrist operation done from trying to ride an XR1200 off with the streeing still locked! Real sporty expert me!

:no:

That really should be front page news.....

[Sketchy Snr]

Sweet.

When?

And I'm not fussed who wins.

See sportsters enthusiasm alive and well :2guns: Good shit.

[Shadows]

Only criticism of the wife's Sportie was that the suspension lacked adjustability. May be better on the new XR though.

The standard suspension on the XR is non adjustable.

[usa-vtwin]

mainly because of affordability at this stage, however I love this bike. Rosie can attest it leaves her for dead in the bendies lol...gets lots of looks, sounds the part, and traffic light acceleration wont shame me against big blocks. For the outlay I'm very happy..I do want a big block, but good things take time. I'm just enjoying the wind..forward controls open the bike up.

[MadDuck]

Soon as I've had my wrist operation done from trying to ride an XR1200 off with the streeing still locked! Real sporty expert me!


That really should be front page news.....

Cant believe it didnt at least make KB front page! :shutup:

I will watch with interest as this race gets closer.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Cant believe it didnt at least make KB front page! :shutup:

I will watch with interest as this race gets closer.

Hehehe...actually...I did put up a thread about it at the time!

[buellbabe]

Yep! I consider the Sportster an entry level HD and my reasoning is the price... many years ago I bought my first HD, an 883 sporty. I totally loved that bike, it was fabulous off-road and handled everything it got thrown at LOL. Yes I wanted more top end so eventually traded on a 1200 then inherited a Sportster Sport...those things went like cut-cats and I had heaps of fun on it down the drag strip LOL.
So yep that little Sporty was a stepping stone to bigger and more pricey models... (of course I saw the light and went to Buell but thats another thread LOL!).

YO! Oldguy, I also like the look of the XR1200. In fact I have demo-ed one...its got ground clearance for Africa Yeeeeeeeeeee HAAAAAAAAAA but mate! SO seriously lacking in grunt compared to the Buell...Trust me, you will be itching to get back on the Bolt after riding it.

[Big Dave]

>>its got ground clearance for Africa <<

You reckon? I found that it's not bad for a Harley - but the ground clearance is its biggest 'fault'. Wrong word - but the rest of the package's capability exceeds lean angle.

I do agree it's not as fast as a bolt - it's significantly more comfortable though.

[buellbabe]

Yep I DO reckon but I am comparing it to last years Nightster which is as low as the 1200L.

As far as being more comfortable? Well I'm a bit smaller than you LOL. I find the Firebolt a supremely comforable bike to ride (in fact I have toured the Sth Is on one). I find the upright sitting position on most HDs really uncomfortable after a while...

Each to their own...

Oh BTW even my tired old X1 pisses all over it for grunt and top-end ass hauling!

[boomer]

mRosie can attest it leaves her for dead in the bendies lol...


fookin oxymoron if ever i heard one..

[martybabe]

Pic 1. is a real entry level Harley

pic 2. is a real nice piece of kit called the XR1200X with different suspension to the XR1200 and it is adjustable now, at least at the back.

I just might put my money on one of those black beauties, 90 horses, ground clearance, suspension and brakes, nom nom nom.

[Molly]

There is still that feeling the riders on the big blocks look down on you though as if ahh you havn't growen up yet.

You'll always get wankers that want to play some sort of cock measuring contest with their possessions. Harley SE owner at a RT open day a few months ago just stood by his bike telling people how much he'd paid for it. 46.... 46 .... 46 .... 46 (meaning $46,000) that's all he was saying. In the end I thought he must be referring to his IQ.

A stripped-down, black Sportie is one mean looking bike and at at least near 900cc it's always going to be a substantial ride. Go for it!

[Shadows]

>>its got ground clearance for Africa <<

You reckon? I found that it's not bad for a Harley - but the ground clearance is its biggest 'fault'. Wrong word - but the rest of the package's capability exceeds lean angle.

Right on there. Just like my Sport the XR starts to wear down hard bits before it wears the edges of the tyres.

Good enough, though.

[Sketchy Snr]

I like the look of this. Sorry Buellbabe this is just pure class:drool:

[crusa]

Being the smallest of the range they could be called entry level. They also get called girls' bikes, or Skirtsters.

Compared to the rest they are also lighter, more nimble, in most cases quicker, and at the moment I find them more fun to ride than the big blocks, so I couldn't give a fuck what they get called.

In fact I couldn't give a fuck so much, now I have two of them.

My wifes 08 sportster is a good bike to ride,more nimble than mine heaps of power has got the pipes done and tuned by triplezee has about 75hp at the back,

[Kiwibacon]

My first Harley was a 1200R Roadster Sportster, mag wheels twin discs.
I fitted it with a free breathing kit, dyna jet kit, progressive front springs, and rear sport shocks and short fat pipes.
While the fuel range is not as great as the bigger HDs, it handled better, excellerated better, outbraked and was a blast to ride.... I wish i still had it.
one more thing.... it was one of the most reliable bikes i have ever ridden.
Value for money they are great
Well done HD.
For two up riding you cant go past a big block HD, one up, sportys cant be beat in my view. I would ride one any day and be happy.
I ride a lowrider now, and thats a different story.....

[Sketchy Snr]

My first Harley was a 1200R Roadster Sportster, mag wheels twin discs.
I fitted it with a free breathing kit, dyna jet kit, progressive front springs, and rear sport shocks and short fat pipes.
While the fuel range is not as great as the bigger HDs, it handled better, excellerated better, outbraked and was a blast to ride.... I wish i still had it.
one more thing.... it was one of the most reliable bikes i have ever ridden.
Value for money they are great
Well done HD.
For two up riding you cant go past a big block HD, one up, sportys cant be beat in my view. I would ride one any day and be happy.
I ride a lowrider now, and thats a different story.....

If i was to buy a big block the Lowrider would be my pick. Isn't interesting a lot of wish i still had my old Sportster comments coming through. Wouldn't it be great to have one of each so when the mood takes you could choose. thanks for your comment.

[peasea]

If i was to buy a big block the Lowrider would be my pick. Isn't interesting a lot of wish i still had my old Sportster comments coming through. Wouldn't it be great to have one of each so when the mood takes you could choose. thanks for your comment.

My missus has a hankering for a Dyna Lowrider, not a bad pick.

[Sketchy Snr]

My missus has a hankering for a Dyna Lowrider, not a bad pick.

She has good taste :cool:

[peasea]

She has good taste :cool:

Quite right, she's gonna marry ME!

[Sketchy Snr]

Have to take ya word for that :2thumbsup

[buellbabe]

..Isn't interesting a lot of wish i still had my old Sportster comments coming through. Wouldn't it be great to have one of each so when the mood takes you could choose. thanks for your comment.

FARK YEAH!
Thats how I feel about my old 883...had so much fun on that bike and never wanted to part with it but it was a case of trading in to move up the ladder...

And the Dyna? yes an excellent choice, always been a fav of mine (my dog is named Dyna). In fact next week I am gonna be demo-ing a Dyna Streetbob...(and a Buell 1125CR LOL).:woohoo:

[SilverGrin]

FARK YEAH!
Thats how I feel about my old 883...had so much fun on that bike and never wanted to part with it but it was a case of trading in to move up the ladder...

And the Dyna? yes an excellent choice, always been a fav of mine (my dog is named Dyna). In fact next week I am gonna be demo-ing a Dyna Streetbob...(and a Buell 1125CR LOL).:woohoo:

:rockon:

Your choices are impeccable.

[lezel62]

I ride a Custom 1200 and yep am a Girl but find the bike perfect for my size just over 5ft big block just far too heavy for me to manage - have no trouble keeping up with the boys - love my bike

[Sketchy Snr]

FARK YEAH!
Thats how I feel about my old 883...had so much fun on that bike and never wanted to part with it but it was a case of trading in to move up the ladder...

And the Dyna? yes an excellent choice, always been a fav of mine (my dog is named Dyna). In fact next week I am gonna be demo-ing a Dyna Streetbob...(and a Buell 1125CR LOL).:woohoo:

Good stuff Gal, nice taste:yes: I think the street bobs are going to be big sellers in NZ personally.

[Sketchy Snr]

I ride a Custom 1200 and yep am a Girl but find the bike perfect for my size just over 5ft big block just far too heavy for me to manage - have no trouble keeping up with the boys - love my bike

Go the 1200 Customs:2thumbsup

[doc]

I like the look of this. Sorry Buellbabe this is just pure class:drool:

There was one of these at this years cold duck and it had only done 3000km and the side of the tyres were worn out and had heaps of tread in the middle .Legend was he just loved the Rimitaka's. Can't find the pics , but will

[Shaun]

Do you consider Sportsters as an entry level bike, seems Harley Davidson do as they are promoting below. What are your thoughts not so much about HD but about sportsters being entry level?


Remember when a guarantee used to mean something? We still believe in your hard earned dollars working for you. So here's our guarantee: The price you pay for a new Sportster motorcycle is what you'll get back when you trade in.* Guaranteed.

So walk into a dealership and buy a new '09 Sportster® now through August 31st, 2009. Ride it for up to a year. Keep your Sportster in good condition. Then trade it in within one year of purchase for a new Dyna®, Softail®, VRSC™ or Touring model and get back the price you paid. That's right – valued as if it was brand spankin' new.

SCREW IT, LET'S RIDE.







2009 MOTORCYCLES || CUSTOMIZING || FINANCING || RIDER'S EDGE || FIND A DEALER


*Other important conditions apply. View Full Terms & Conditions


Will they gaurantee you your money back, after you remove the fork internals that you had fitted to make the front end work a lot better? Just as bad a std SV fork wet up they are, and just as easy and cheap to make 100% better!


Screw it just ride, just do not try to go around a corner to quick though:Punk:

[popelli]

My first harley was an 80XLS

possibly one of the better bikes I have owned, never ever had so much fun on any other bike

rode it around the south island twice

sold it over 20 years ago and still regret selling it, the FXR that replaced it by way of comparison was plastic and japanese

looked up the rego number on some internet site and the bike is still on the road

[peasea]

My first harley was an 80XLS

possibly one of the better bikes I have owned, never ever had so much fun on any other bike

rode it around the south island twice

sold it over 20 years ago and still regret selling it, the FXR that replaced it by way of comparison was plastic and japanese

looked up the rego number on some internet site and the bike is still on the road

Ahhhh, first love, ain't you sweet?

[MadDuck]

Screw it just ride, just do not try to go around a corner to quick though:Punk:

So you think that was funny? Or were you just trolling ?

Edit: them HD riders that sponsored your ride at IOM..damn wankers

[buellbabe]

Will they gaurantee you your money back, after you remove the fork internals that you had fitted to make the front end work a lot better? Just as bad a std SV fork wet up they are, and just as easy and cheap to make 100% better!


Screw it just ride, just do not try to go around a corner to quick though:Punk:


Hmmm the only Sporty that I have ever encountered any front end handling issues with was the Custom but even the strange front end wallow it had certainly didn't effect its ability to go around corners at very respectable speeds LOL.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the Dyna streetbob that AJ and I demo-ed last Friday. I won the coin toss and got the Buell for the first half of the ride and we had only gotten as far as Dairy Flat (hadn't even hit #16) and AJ was on the ph to AMPS asking where the toolkit was cos the suspension needed some MAJOR adjustment.

Oh dear no tool kit. How it has been a demo an clocked up 1100kms with NO-ONE ELSE scraping the bottom pipe is amazing to me! Cos we both scraped it...footpeg on the left and pipe on the right...what a piece of poo it was to ride. I was GUTTED cos I had been really looking forward to riding it but without going any further off topic (will do a proper right up soon) I can say that riding it from Waipu (our swap-over point) back down the coast was one of the worst rides of my life. First HD EVER that I haven't been able to throw around and really enjoy.

:no:

[peasea]

Hmmm the only Sporty that I have ever encountered any front end handling issues with was the Custom but even the strange front end wallow it had certainly didn't effect its ability to go around corners at very respectable speeds LOL.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the Dyna streetbob that AJ and I demo-ed last Friday. I won the coin toss and got the Buell for the first half of the ride and we had only gotten as far as Dairy Flat (hadn't even hit #16) and AJ was on the ph to AMPS asking where the toolkit was cos the suspension needed some MAJOR adjustment.

Oh dear no tool kit. How it has been a demo an clocked up 1100kms with NO-ONE ELSE scraping the bottom pipe is amazing to me! Cos we both scraped it...footpeg on the left and pipe on the right...what a piece of poo it was to ride. I was GUTTED cos I had been really looking forward to riding it but without going any further off topic (will do a proper right up soon) I can say that riding it from Waipu (our swap-over point) back down the coast was one of the worst rides of my life. First HD EVER that I haven't been able to throw around and really enjoy.

:no:

We have a 1200C in the shed and on the first outing both the other half and I scraped both sides! Nice looking bike, goes ok (a bit rough on light throttle, an EFI issue...not as bad as it was though) but that ground clearance....what's up with that? Otherwise we're happy with it and I think the only thing we'd trade it on would be a Dyna Lowrider.

Bummer about your Street Bob experience.

[doc]

We have a 1200C in the shed and on the first outing both the other half and I scraped both sides!


Hmmm the only Sporty that I have ever encountered any front end handling issues with was the Custom

No customs are Harleys. Sporties have a 19in front wheel and real length shocks on the rear. Cmon you know what I mean. :jerry:

[Sketchy Snr]

Hmmm the only Sporty that I have ever encountered any front end handling issues with was the Custom but even the strange front end wallow it had certainly didn't effect its ability to go around corners at very respectable speeds LOL.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the Dyna streetbob that AJ and I demo-ed last Friday. I won the coin toss and got the Buell for the first half of the ride and we had only gotten as far as Dairy Flat (hadn't even hit #16) and AJ was on the ph to AMPS asking where the toolkit was cos the suspension needed some MAJOR adjustment.

Oh dear no tool kit. How it has been a demo an clocked up 1100kms with NO-ONE ELSE scraping the bottom pipe is amazing to me! Cos we both scraped it...footpeg on the left and pipe on the right...what a piece of poo it was to ride. I was GUTTED cos I had been really looking forward to riding it but without going any further off topic (will do a proper right up soon) I can say that riding it from Waipu (our swap-over point) back down the coast was one of the worst rides of my life. First HD EVER that I haven't been able to throw around and really enjoy.

:no:

Just a personal opinion here but i believe the streetbob is a entry level bike more so than a Sportster aimed at those who want a " Harley " have more money and think they are doing allright by bypassing the Sportster. I was nearly talked into doing this exact thing because the price is/wasn't to bad at the time of release,still as i say each to there own.

[buellbabe]

You hit the nail on the head with the comment about the wheel size on the Custom. Its a 21" and thats just wrong on a sportster!

As for scraping? hey you should have seen the pipes on my 883 Hugger. They were flat...BOTH bottom AND top pipe...so scraping has never bothered me, its just part of the ride. But what did bother me was that when the Streetbob scraped it was also bottoming out AND the end of the lower pipe had a tendency to dig into the tarmac which caused a couple of nasty tank slaps LOL.

I remember one time I had a mate on the back of my beloved 883 and we were being followed by another bike...the rider following reckoned there were enough sparks coming off my pipes to start a bonfire YEEEEEEEEHA!

Go the Sporty!!!!!!

[SilverGrin]

I get round corners OK on my StreetBob at a decent clip.
Occasionally I scrape both sides too, but usually only if I've misjudged something, or there's an unexpected dip in the road.
I do have a set of Vance & Hines 2 into 1 pipes that slightly raise the lean angle on the right though, but not a lot.

I suspect the setup on the demo you rode was not right. I'd gladly let you take mine for a blatt if you feel inclined.

[buellbabe]

Mate I don't suspect the setup wasn't right...I KNOW it! There is NO WAY it should have been bottoming out like it was... it was bordering on being dangerous.

Thats why I was so gutted cos I was expecting to really enjoy it just like every other Harley I have had the pleasure of riding. We told AMPS our thoughts and they were gonna do something about it...

[peasea]

Mate I don't suspect the setup wasn't right...I KNOW it! There is NO WAY it should have been bottoming out like it was... it was bordering on being dangerous.

Thats why I was so gutted cos I was expecting to really enjoy it just like every other Harley I have had the pleasure of riding. We told AMPS our thoughts and they were gonna do something about it...

Like what? Lighten your wallet further to improve the handling?

In my experience the best thing you can do is take the bike apart yourself, buy some good brakes, suspension components, rubber and get tinkering.
A) You will get to know your bike better and
B) You'll do your own wallet a favour.

(Provided, of course, you don't buy your bits from a dealer that only wants to lighten your wallet....)