Hogs for beginners

[jim.cox]

Thanks everyone for your pearls of wisdom. I can't wait to get started. I started out on a Vespa. I loved it, so time to move up to a real bike. I'm 34 and 5'8". I felt the other Harleys were a bit big for me. Can't wait to join the cruises as well.

hmm...

Five eight and already showing Cruiser tendencies -

Welcome to KB Terry, you should fit in real well around here :)

[Shadows]

I will be getting my first bike soon, probably a GN250. Within a year or so I would love to own a Harley 1200 Sportster. My question is am I being too ambitious? Is a 1200cc Harley too much of a progression from a 250cc Suzuki. I am not even sure how different a 1200 would feel let alone being on a bike that is a lot heavier.

If you are about to ask me why a Harley, its because of the look and sound of them. They are also great to sit on (in the showroom)

Im going to hijack the thread.
I havent ridden a sportster. But i would give serious thought to owning one, given that I cant convince the missus on spending 20k+ for a fatboy.
But I have concerns.
What about important stuff like lane-splitting on a Sporty ?
The width wouldnt be an issue, but would the power, or lack of, compared to a 600+ jappa ?
( I should probably goand have a ride on one)

You'll be sweet. A 1200 Sporty has shitloads of big bike grunt but at the same time less horsepower than a plastic bike half its size. That doesn't actually matter much unless you want to fang around at license losing speeds and means the bike won't tend to spit you off suddenly if you get too happy with the throttle, as big torque is far more usable, controllable and less peaky than big HP. They'll easily do 160k unmodified, they get there pretty quickly too, and it doesn't take much (but a fair few $$) to get one doing well over 200 if that's what you want. That's plenty.
Common practise is to get a freer flowing air cleaner, bigger jets and open up the exhaust to get a bit more poke out of them which might cost you the better part of a grand. Buying a low mileage second hand one privately would be my advice as they depreciate the most in their first year from new, after that they hold their value unbelievably well, and the jetting etc. above will have already been done on most of them.
The "C" and "H" designations are a bit low to the ground and each will scrape various parts of their anatomy on some corners. Best to get the basic model or an "R" or an "S" in my opinion. The "S" is the hot rod so to speak so would need the least amount of coaxing performance wise, and they seem to pop up on Trademe all the time too.

[The Lone Rider]

I say don't just go for a harley.

I'd own one, maybe, but they are not the alpha and omega of cruisers.

Must say I like my cruiser that can hit 9000 revs before even going to the red zone. Talk about some take off speed on gear changes.

[98tls]

I will be getting my first bike soon, probably a GN250. Within a year or so I would love to own a Harley 1200 Sportster. My question is am I being too ambitious? Is a 1200cc Harley too much of a progression from a 250cc Suzuki.

No,sounds perfect.........enjoy.

[PuppetMaster]

You'll be sweet. A 1200 Sporty has shitloads of big bike grunt but at the same time less horsepower than a plastic bike half its size. That doesn't actually matter much unless you want to fang around at license losing speeds

Cheers dude.
80% of my riding is comuting, so top end speed isnt a big concern.

[martybabe]

Cheers dude.
80% of my riding is commuting, so top end speed isnt a big concern.

Forgive the brevity,theres so much to say so I'm gonna fire it off in chunks.Sporties are quick in perspective,you aint gonna worry a busa but in the real world they are quick.Unlike any other manufacturer u can buy endless shiney bits and engine mods,so if it aint quick enuf for u,upgrade it,still to slow upgrade again,engine brakes suspension,seats. you by a blank canvas and turn it into your perfect bike. A well tuned sporty is an awesome little cycle. when your done you can say that bike there is mine,there aint another one like it,its cool its got character and it kicks ass.you aint never gonna say that about a GN whatwasit.

From martybabe,managing director,Propaganda dept.,Harley-Davidson

[scumdog]

A Sporty won't be too hard to pick-up the riding technique on and learn how to use.

CB last did any amount of riding in 1983 and that was on a Kawa 175 but she got onto the 1200 'S' and went to the Magpie Rally and back without too much bother (about 650km plus and on a variety of road types and surfaces), even managed to grab the saddle-bags as the wind blew them off - AND bring the bike to a stop OK.

[AllanB]

Go for it - in many ways the sporster is the nicest of the HD's - flag the 883 as it is seriously under powered for the weight. 1200 is sweet. The weight is the only real factor to consider but the seat is nice and low so your feet are well planted. Unless you are a midget.

[Ange!]

Nothing wrong with Sporties and HDs in general, if that's what floats your boat then go for it.

And, yes, by reputation, an 883 or 1200 is not a particularly powerful or unforgiving machine to ride. It'd be an easy upgrade from a learner 250.

Still, don't form too many preconceptions. Do your time on your learner bike and then get as much saddle time as you can in as many different bikes as possible before you plonk down your cash on your first 'proper' motorcycle. You might be surprised at where your tastes end up leading you.

yep from 04 performance cams, high-compression, high-flow cylinder heads. Add on screamin eagle pipes and air cleaner - yep they can getup and go !!

[fireball]

mmm cruisers!

just go with what you feel is right i was on bloody sports bikes for the past 4 years and found my lil marauder not long ago, never thought i would be riding one of those.. now im looking to what i can go to next, you never know where the bike life will take you

see you on the road!

[Biggles2000]

I recon you will find that the Sporty is an easier bike ride than the GN. It will be more stable, have better lights, go a bit faster and stop better. The Sporty has been built now for 50 years and was argueably the worlds first super bike. Sportys are a nice ride. What you are proposing sounds fine to me. Don't forget to join your local HoG chapter, they will organise runs and socials and you won't have to put up with d1ck he@ds on jap bikes.

[Divot]

Go for it.

If the sporty is what you want DO IT!

Dont listern to the people who have nothing better to do that knock HD.

I had a 883 for 4 1/2 years and in that time did 40,000 MILES on it. Once around the South Island and all over the North Island. Used it for touring and for comuting ( yes even lane spliting ). You will love the experiance of a Harley, not only the bike but if you get involved with Your local HOG Chapter you will meet many great people that become your best friends.

They harley may not be the sports bike that many people on here like to brag that they own and go like a bat out of hell but when you get use to riding your sporty you might be supprised.

I tosed up between Honda and Suzuki when looking for a bike but ended up buying a Harley and I have really enjoyed the last five years of owning a Harley and are looking forward the arrival of my new Harley in Feb.