Sportster vs M50

**scumdog** · 16th January 2010, 10:48

Originally Posted by 240

In my opinion I would go for the m50.
The main reason is that the brakes and suspension are likely to be far and away better the Japanese tend to do things right.
Nothing wrong with hd I have owned one and loved it,but going back to Japanese is like returning to a responsive modern car after owning a 1960s english car.

Each to their own but mrs Scumdog (normajeane on KB) rides a 1200 'S' Sporty, never complained about any excess vibration or in fact any other issue.

It had 40,000+ km and and so far the single biggest 'repair' was a new drive belt (stones wl punch holes through them - OK if in the middle of the belt but likely to cause it to tear if on the edge of it - oh, and some Suzukis use belts too).

Change oil-filter-tyres when they need it is about all the attention it needs.

Factory HD adjustable front and rear suspension + twin floating vented front discs means it handles reasonably well too.

**Jantar** · 16th January 2010, 11:21

I think its a pity that some riders see the only alternative to sports bikes as being cruisers. there is a whole range of bikes that fill in that middle ground and would probably make better commuters as well. However out of the M50 or a HD Sporty, I believe the Sporty would be the better bike for your purpose. (And I am a suzuki man from way back).

**nallac** · 16th January 2010, 18:20

I'd go the Sporty........you've always wanted a H-d, get one.

Fun bikes to ride, sooo much ya can modify/cutomise to your tastes.

Haven't ridden a M50 so can't coment on them.

**Shadows** · 16th January 2010, 19:00

Originally Posted by dilligaf_nz

I know I'm probably going to open a can of worms asking this question, but here goes anyway.

Originally Posted by dilligaf_nz

I am wanting to get back into riding having originally ridden two-stroke tearaways and then a Honda CB750 in my younger days (Last lot of riding was about 15 years ago).
I'm thinking of buying a cruiser (cause I figure if I buy a sports bike I'll wrap myself around some solid object in fairly short time) and I'm trying to decide between a M50 and a 1200 Harley Sportster.
My budget will be around the 12 grand mark and the bike will become my primary transport. I commute to work everyday (around 35km's each way) through Auckland motorway traffic.
The way I see it is I'll be able to get a new (2009) M50 for my money and I'm sure it will be OK on trips as well. However I have always wanted to own a Harley (blame a wayward step-brother for that influence) and I figure for my budget I will be looking at something second hand, and I have been told that the Harley will be harder to get through traffic and they are less reliable than Jap bikes. Also, I have heard that they are prone to running rough in wet weather.

Anybody got any advice or personal experiences they can share to help me make my decision?

Thanks.[[/

QUOTE]/QUOTE]

A Sporty will slot through traffic no trouble at all, they're narrow as. It's the big blocks that can struggle a bit. You'll build up a very strong left hand dealing with the clutch though.

If you get one less then 20 years old with the 5 speed box, reliability is excellent. Nay, superb. Anybody who tries to tell you otherwise is simply perpetuating the bullshit.

The only thing I'll state in the negative is that the brakes aren't the best - but in an emergency I've still managed to stop in time while others riding behind me on Jap bikes have not.

Keep an eye on your odometer because the range you get out of those little tanks isn't ideal for touring.

PS. Fuck this new forum format is shite.

**Shadows** · 16th January 2010, 19:05

Originally Posted by The Lone Rider

generally harleys are much much more expensive to keep on the road..

*cough* *cough* *cough* bullshit *cough*

**retro asian** · 16th January 2010, 19:06

Originally Posted by munster

The styling on the 2010 M50 doesn't cut it for me, I prefer the '05 - '09 model.

I like what they did with the back, but not a big fan of the M90/M109 front end.
I'd probably choose a newish sportster if I could afford it, in saying that I am very happy with my '04 VL800 (a slightly lesser bike than the M50).

The Harley looks better for filtering through traffic (as it's narrower)?? But I haven't ridden one.

**Headbanger** · 16th January 2010, 19:46

Suzuki cruisers look shit to me.

Superb brakes or not I wouldn't want one, If ya like the idea of a Harley then buy a Harley, They are fuckin awesome, everything you expect them to be and even more, I can't see the logic in buying a fugly nippon imitation of a Harley.

Didn't the yanks nuke those fuckers?

**Big Dave** · 16th January 2010, 21:24

Originally Posted by peasea

My brother-in-law in Cairns has an America, which was the darling of the garage until he bought a new 1600 T'bird.

I could very happily stick 4" fork extensions on a tbird and call it job done till I rode the wheels off it.

I feel the same way about the Dark Custom Street Bob.

They ar a bit over the OP budget though.

**Big Dave** · 16th January 2010, 21:27

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Suzuki cruisers look shit to me.

I think that's called a controversial post.

I had a M109 in silver that I really liked the look of - till I dropped it anyways. Then it made me want to give myself upper cuts / :-)

**shellfish** · 17th January 2010, 07:19

Here's my 2c.

Ive owned both sorts of bikes

I owned a 2007 1200 Sportster in the UK, and it was my daily commute. It ran really well, great for getting through the traffic on the motorway. Rubber mount engine meant that long trips were realitivly easy. IF you can do your own maintenance its a good buy - harley dealers charge like wounded bulls. Rust on older Sportsters are an issue, but the rubber mounted ones seemed about average with other bikes inmy opinion.
Once I got back to NZ, I went shopping for a similar bike and ended up with a 2006 Suzuki 1400 Intruder.
A similar bike.
To compare the two:
Sportster felt more rural - nothing beats the noise from a harley motor
The Intruder is more comfortable to ride - the curve in the seat stops the wind from trying to push you off the back of the seat.
Maintenance costs are similar
Custom parts more available for the Sportster.
I was always more weary of leaving the Sportster parked - they are magnets for theives

All that said, if you realy want to own a Harley the sportster is a fair bike (but some Harley riders look down their noses at you...)

From someone who has owned both, my pick would be the Suzuki, happy to leave it parked in Wellington, can do my own maintenance and its a slightly more comfortable ride.

Shellfish

**CookMySock** · 17th January 2010, 07:52

Originally Posted by shellfish

some Harley riders look down their noses at you...

Surely you jest?

Steve

**Shadows** · 17th January 2010, 09:02

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Surely you jest?

Steve

Hell no. Skirtsters, they call 'em. I don't give a fuck though because the proof of the pudding is in the eating of the big blocks out on the road...

**Shadows** · 17th January 2010, 09:04

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Suzuki cruisers look shit to me.

Superb brakes or not I wouldn't want one, If ya like the idea of a Harley then buy a Harley, They are fuckin awesome, everything you expect them to be and even more, I can't see the logic in buying a fugly nippon imitation of a Harley.

Didn't the yanks nuke those fuckers?

Thanks for speaking my mind for me!