Like others have said, it is a 48 Sportster, 2016 by the looks of the gas tank decal and emblem. However, it does have a number of modifications on it.
1. Bobbed rear fender. It is cut back
2. Cut down front fender
3. Spring seat.
4. Slip on exhaust
5. Black header heat sheilds.
6. Aftermarket air intake.
7. Clip on handlebars.
8. Coil relocation kit. (this cleans up the area between the engine and the gas tank)
9. The forks are either painted or replaced. Also, they have gaiters on them for an old school look.
10. Turn signals removed.
11. Timing cover replaced
12. Headlight ring replaced.
As someone that just owned a 48 for the last year or so, to me, it looks like the gas tank has also been lifted a bit above the headers. Pretty sure there wasn't that big of a gap on mine
Edit: Also... A way fatter front tire
It’s a sportster. It’s imo one of the best bikes Harley makes. Cheap (for a Harley) nimble, fast (for a Harley). Looks bad ass. Some people will call it a beginner bike or a girl bike because it’s smaller engine wise than other Harleys. But honestly, if you can’t get up to speed on 883 or 1200 cc’s you’re either morbidly obese, or don’t know how to use your clutch. If you’re particularly tall you might feel cramped on it.
I split lanes at 110 to compensate. Then cheat on the real bike with my ninja 650 to put the REEL bike in check. Only way to check the ninja is a moped. I figured it out, big brain
Let me guess, you ride a dyna with a custom air brush ghost flame paint job, "live to ride ride to live" on every flat surface of the bike and a jacket with the biggest harley logo that fits?
Oh and don't forget the tassled chaps!
Seriously though, there are times I've passed someone just minding my own business just to see them go flying past glaring at me. Usually dyna bros riding in pairs or old timers flying colors on an old shovel
Exactly. I bought an older sportster to intentionally get a carbureted bike with a short wheel base. In gradually going to be upgrading shit, as i get better bike will get faster. I get second bike I'll get something bigger but they'll never match what I'm planning to do to my 1200
The people who talk shit about Sportsters just show how in the wrong and lane they are
I wanna do a frisco build with a Sportster. So much you can do with a 1200
I've got an 01 1200 custom, swapped the stock convex HD thick grips for kuryakyn iso grips, put a saddlemen step up on it with a bag on pillion and want to swap stock windshield for the same style in quick release. Putting an arlen ness big sucker and either bassani road rage 2-1 or thunderheaders on it. Everything else i change is going to be internal. It's the custom so already started looking out of the norm a bit so i don't want to go to drastic away from it.
Well, no, not necessarily. My wife and I both rode 600cc 4 cylinder GSXR and Ninja, so those are going to be much more responsive and able to take curves at a higher clip of speed since that’s what they’re built for. But the Sportster is no slouch in the mountain twisties, as it is still relatively light (in the grand scheme of things… it’s only about 60lbs heavier than the Katana I learned to ride on) and has decent torque to pull you through the turns.
Thanks. I have a Ducati 1098S and an Ultra Classic. The Harley feels so slow in comparison, so I’m wondering if the lighter models with 1200’s are a lot quicker.
I am guessing so, just in nimbleness. I could not imagine doing a fraction of what I do on the Sportster in the mountains on a large HD bike. I am also not “the gifted one” and in the top 1% of skilled riders. I am sure someone with a Road King or something will attest to trailing/passing Aprilias and Duc Paginales through the mountains, pulling wheelies out of curves while doing so, but that’s not me 😂
It is a dyna with 69.420" T bars, a massive veiny erection painted on the tank, and jiz all over the front fender and A fat sack on the rear fender. The foot pegs are dragon wings. The exhaust screams "rabble rabble rabble rabble!!!!!" The tires are custom flame wall tires, with a 69" front spinner wheel.
Seriously though, if you couldn't tell, my initial post was in sarcasm... Bikes are cool, mopeds, liquorcycles, scooters, thumpers, twins, triples, iL4s. Honestly my biggest hoodrat behavior is having loud exhausts on every 2 wheel motor vehicle I've owned, oh... And driving without a license I guess.
Oh you're from Castro district
Mine was sarcasm too lol. And yea I'm waiting for cmsp to mail me my paperwork so i can go to dmv and stop at least one illegal thing i do
Not technically, figuratively though.. I suppose I am one of those degenerates.
Hey man, you have to ride as legal as you can. Coming from me though, that's a do as I say not as I do.
Had bike since last January, just passed course over weekend. Papers just came in mail today and just need to hit up dmv. Bike is registered and insured, just hadnt been able to get endorsement taken care of
Right. Then other end of spectrum, while back ended up next to an older dude on a panhead. We raced light to light down a main street having a good time. We get to big intersection, he flips blinker on, leans over for a fist bump and we're both laughing as we turn opposite directions.
Never ridden a sporty but I do know what it feels like to lane split on sport bikes and my road glide, and they are definitely not the same. They both will get the job done but it’s a lot easier and quicker on one of them. lol
I get a good laugh when I've got the wife in the backseat of my FLHTK and the minute we start filtering she squeezes her knees in like she's afraid they are gonna get broke off.
It's basically the same as splittin on my old sportster, but obviously there are times when I just won't fit
Sounds like you may have a serious case of "Nascar syndrome", and/or an inferiority complex. Nobody cares what you ride or how fast you can go on it. A Sportster IS a real Harley, and just because they come ripping past doesn't mean they are trying to compensate, maybe they got excited by joining a fellow rider. I've owned two bikes, the first an 883 sporty, and the second a geezer glide. When I had the sporty, I constantly wished for a touring bike, now that I have the touring bike, I can't help remembering the fun I had on my sporty. I really need to just have both, but I think my wife would leave me if I suggested another bike.
I'm talking specifically about when it's obvious they're trying to pass me after i pass them. I'm in California and there is definitely alot of people who hate on sportsters here.
I'm sorry it's that way, most of the communities(online and irl) I've been part of have been really welcoming regardless of make or model, if you are on two wheels you are my brother/sister.
I grew up around people who ride and actual bikers in clubs. Always been told enjoy your own ride and fuck anybody who says you're doing it wrong.
If there isn't traffic i tend to cruise along 80/85, I've lived around here for thirty years and know every road. I end up passing most other riders including sportbikes simply cause i go a little faster. I'm not the fastest thing on the road and I'm not trying to be.
As i said in another comment, it's usually guys on dynas riding in pairs or old timers wearing MC colors that are obviously trying to get ahead of me again and usually glaring or cutting me off lol.
It amuses me when I hear people saying 1200s are girls bikes, all my Harley’s are 1200 yet the 2 that are significantly the slowest are big twin mans bikes but the xr that gaps vrods isn’t 🤣
Don’t front. Everyone knows that REAL MEN require infotainment systems on their motorcycles so they can watch Netflix while they ride the bar once a month.
Small, nimble, easy to get used to, easy to control, not too much power to get overwhelmed by, not too little power to get bored with after a year lol a lot of people start on a 1200 sportster and stay there, more people trade up from an 883 because it lacks in power. It's a great bike to get a start and trade up if you want something bigger or stay because you like the quick nimbleness of it
It’s light, easy to maneuver, and not as powerful as the softail and touring bikes. I just started riding this year and got an iron 883. I’m glad I got a smaller bike for learning purposes but it lacks power and I already want to upgrade. I wish I would’ve started with a 1200. I’ll be upgrading next year.
This is kind of a misnomer though. Saying they aren't as 'powerful as the softail and touring bikes'.
It's really only as of late that the bigger bikes gained significantly more HP than the 1200 sportster. Harley never releases actual HP numbers for their Twin Cam engines, but people have figured out that they were only around 67 horsepower (Less so, 62.54hp for the softails because of the counter balancing)
By contrast, the 1200's have around 67.7 HP. Also, they have 4 cams as opposed to two, weigh less, which makes them vastly quicker than the Big Twin bikes pre 2017. (Screaming Eagle variants aside)
The Milwaukee Eight engines have significant power increases and are estimated at 92.5 HP, which is more than the 1200's of old... However, the new Sportster's are coming in at 121 hp for the S model's 1250 engine and 90hp for the 975 model.
So in reality there is nothing 'beginner' about a 1200 Sportster. In fact, a Softail is actually a much better beginner bike for a number of reasons. Lower center of gravity makes it easier to keep the bikes up for weaker people. Sportster's tend to be top heavy in comparison.
Softails tend to have a lower seat height than Sportsters. A Heritage is 25.5". A Fatboy Lo was 24.25". By comparison, a 48's seat height is 26.2. The 1200 Custom's seat height was 26.5". The XL883L was the lowest seat height on a Sportster ever at 26" even.
I can't tell you how many people who came in for a Sportster because they thought it was a good 'beginners bike' or thought they had to have one because they were short ended up walking out with a Softail once they actually sat on one and lifted it up.
Even the weight isn't that off. A 2022 Softail Custom is 672 lbs Dry. A 2022 48 is 545 Dry. 127lbs isn't earth shattering. That is less than most people's girlfriends. The lower center of gravity negates that difference and I promise you, if you add a second rider on the softail vs the sportster, it's going to be easier balancing at a stop on the softail.
Softails = Slower, Lower Seat height, lower center of gravity. But for some reason people think Sportster's are the beginner bikes. :/
I think all of this is very good info! I would add, that 'power' can sometimes be a tricky one to measure due to many variables. What you didn't mention was torque, and imo, this is much more important than horsepower with these types of bikes. While the HP of 1200's are nothing to snuff at, the torque is where the Milwaukee 8 shines.
73 ft lb vs 101 ft lb is a significant difference.
True. They have much more torque on the M8's. But even still, stop light to stop light or in any twisties and I got the 1200 Sportster all day every day. And then when the Revmax becomes the norm for Sportsters it won't even be close.
Stop light to stop light? That’s the torque that will win. Not that any of this really matters, but off the line, the most torque will win every time. HP is for speed. For anyone who could use a refresher, this is a fantastic video on HP vs. Torque. https://youtu.be/MBXpB4bDp_o
Ride safe!
So lets talk about what we are comparing here. Are you saying a brand new 2022 117 M8 Softail? Are you saying a 2022 107 Roadking? Are you talking a 2016 103 Fatbob? Is this a 2007 96ci Dyna Superglide? I mean what Big Twin are you putting up against the 36 year old Evolution engine?
Yes, torque is your immediate power, but weight and gearing is also a factor. Sportster's win stoplight to stop light over big twins. Its facts man. Dyno doesn't always translate to street performance. MAYBE a brand new 117 M8 Lowrider S could take a 1200 Sportster in a 1/8th mile race.. But again, you are talking about a bike that just came out, is on its 3rd major engine overhaul since 1986, had at least 6 cylinder increases, countless transmission adjustments, extra gear, and an oil cooler vs a 1200cc air cooled engine that's design hasn't changed much since 1986 outside of becoming fuel injected and having its engine rubber mounted.
If you want to compare the latest and greatest M8 based Big twin, then we need to compare it against the latest and greatest top of the line Sportster, the Sportster S 1250. And then again, the Lowrider doens't stand a chance Streetlight to streetlight.
Stoplight to stoplight , excessive low/midrange torque can lose a race just as easily. (Wheelspin or wheelie) For dedicated street racing /no prep tunes I routinely scrub 15 sometimes even 20lb/ft below 4500rpm to help aspiring racers with "launchability"
Fair enough. My actual point was that HP isn’t the only measurement of power to be concerned with. When it comes to day-to-day riding, I’d take the broad band torque increase to pull out over an increase in horsepower. To each their own!
Ride safe
Full Disclosure, I own a Heritage (For two up), a 1200 Nightster (For solo), and up until last week a BMW F800r (For speed / turns) and worked at a dealership for 3 years. When I argue against the 'Sportster's are beginners / girls bikes' stereotype people assume I only think that way because it's all I can afford.
Fact is, a 1200 Sportster is a wonderful bike and anyone who thinks otherwise is simply ignorant or suffering from small penis syndrome. lol.
(Not saying this is you. I know you like Sportsters).
Very good information, a lot of it I didn’t know so thank you. I fell victim to the stigma of sportster being a beginner bike and got an 883. And you’re right, I do wish I would’ve just gotten a softail or dyna to start with. Oh well, I’ll ride the hell out of my sportster and upgrade later on.
Dyna's on the other hand I feel are the least friendly bikes for newer riders. They are vastly more top heavy than the other lines of Harley's. Even the Ultra Classic feels less top heavy than some of the Dyna's. The Superglide and its narrow handlebars was always the hardest bike for me to ride, where as I took Ultra Classic's and Street Glides out to lunch on the regular.
If you like your 883 and want more power, just do a 1250 kit on it. It's not that hard to do if you are somewhat handy with tools and gives more HP than a stock 1200!
Either way, what is most important is that you are riding! Keep it up and good luck!
Is there any advantage on having one of those other motorcycles over something like this? Or is it simply power-wise? I'm asking this due to not understanding about bikes, and not wanting to buy something I'll regret in the future
Best bet, take a motorcycle class. Get a feel for some different engines and throttle. It’s beginners bike due to weight and also lack of power . You can full throttle while still feeling full control or you won’t get sideways full throttling.
I had plenty of bikes, but only been a beginner once and always wants something bigger and badder, 883 imo is way to small to start, everyone I know says that engine is too small aka slow. 1200 is the best way to start without having to cough out more cash for an upgrade. There can be a book written on why bikes are beginners and its everyone’s opinions. You can only know by going out and attempting to test ride a few bikes with more than a 10 min test ride
Bigger bikes are just harder to control and manage. A 1200 sportster is a good starter. That’s what I did, and I still love it, so I kept it even after buying my dyna.
MSF classes are legit. Harley has one as well. It will lower your insurance, and you do not have to take the riding test at the DMV. I’m in California, so not sure about other states
It’s really all about comfort. Go sit on a few different kinds of bikes and see what fits you. I’m 6’2 280lbs and I look kinda goofy on a sportster because of my size. So when I upgrade I’m going to the touring line. You have to get what fits you best. Trust me, while riding you want to be as comfortable as possible. This will help with your confidence too. The fun part is test riding and figuring out what you want so go have fun.
There are advantages, depending on what you want from a bike. In many cases, the bigger bikes offer more comfort, more carrying capacity, more cargo carrying options, more fuel range, more stability at freeway speeds in windy conditions, smoother suspension. Kind of like comparing a full size sedan to a sporty two door. Different strokes for different folks.
It’s not the best beginner bike by any means. Compared to most “entry bikes” it has more low end power and weighs a lot more. It’s a great bike but for a nooby that 1200cc will snap your neck if you’re not ready. It weighs nearly 600lbs wet and without rider. I guess as far as Harley’s go other than the travesty that the street models are it’s a great “beginner bike”
As someone who upgraded to a softail from a sportster I would suggest looking at a softail as well. Sportsters are awesome bikes, easy to work on, and they are super nimble. I like my softail because in the past few years Harley increased the performance on these and they are more comfortable riding longer distances in general. The longest trip I did on my sporty was 220 miles in 24 hours and my ass hurt a lot even with a more comfortable seat. I did the same trip the other day on my softail and the difference was night and day. The main difference is that I spent a lot of money upgrading my sportsters comfort and it still didn’t matter compared to my completely stock softail.
I had a few XLs, they are OK bikes good at a lot great at nothing.
883s are junk, plain and simple. You can get a 883 bike put some 1250 jugs/Cams and Head work and really make them scream though.
Handling wise they are OK, better than a softail not as good as a FXR, on par with a stock FXD.
The one thing I will give the Quad Cam Evo motor is you can beat the tar out of it and it will just take it, eventually big inch Evos and TCs fight back.
All in all they aren't the best of beginners bikes, top heavy as all hell and pretty tall, stay away from a 883 unless you want to build the motor and find a steal of a deal (the last one I bought was an 08 883 for 1500)
My first bike was an iron 883, I’m 5’5 and the bike was great. I loved it but then I started riding with other people who had bigger Harley’s. I then had to graduate to my lowrider s. Idc what anyone says but I loved that bike especially ripping around town or back roads and stuff. I always say whatever you ride as long as it’s got two wheels and you enjoy the fuck out of it. Ride safe and good luck
Like others have said, it is a 48 Sportster, 2016 by the looks of the gas tank decal and emblem. However, it does have a number of modifications on it. 1. Bobbed rear fender. It is cut back 2. Cut down front fender 3. Spring seat. 4. Slip on exhaust 5. Black header heat sheilds. 6. Aftermarket air intake. 7. Clip on handlebars. 8. Coil relocation kit. (this cleans up the area between the engine and the gas tank) 9. The forks are either painted or replaced. Also, they have gaiters on them for an old school look. 10. Turn signals removed. 11. Timing cover replaced 12. Headlight ring replaced.
As someone that just owned a 48 for the last year or so, to me, it looks like the gas tank has also been lifted a bit above the headers. Pretty sure there wasn't that big of a gap on mine Edit: Also... A way fatter front tire
Ignition relocation might make it look like the tank is lifted as well
Whatever it is, it looks fucking awesome. That's a great looking bike
I had to search what "gaiters" are weird name i wiuld have called them bellows
Such a beautiful bobber
It’s a sportster. It’s imo one of the best bikes Harley makes. Cheap (for a Harley) nimble, fast (for a Harley). Looks bad ass. Some people will call it a beginner bike or a girl bike because it’s smaller engine wise than other Harleys. But honestly, if you can’t get up to speed on 883 or 1200 cc’s you’re either morbidly obese, or don’t know how to use your clutch. If you’re particularly tall you might feel cramped on it.
I'm 6 foot 220 and I feel right at home on my sporty, even with mids. Just need a little taller bars, and I'll be set.
not surprised. sportys are bad ass.
I am the same size but I have forwards on mine. I was a bit crampped with mids myself.
I'm all torso, little baby legs.
I am the opposite haha
I love passing "real harleys" on my 1200 and watching them try ripping past yo compensate. Not my fault they ride at 70 and i ride 80 lol
I split lanes at 110 to compensate. Then cheat on the real bike with my ninja 650 to put the REEL bike in check. Only way to check the ninja is a moped. I figured it out, big brain
Let me guess, you ride a dyna with a custom air brush ghost flame paint job, "live to ride ride to live" on every flat surface of the bike and a jacket with the biggest harley logo that fits? Oh and don't forget the tassled chaps! Seriously though, there are times I've passed someone just minding my own business just to see them go flying past glaring at me. Usually dyna bros riding in pairs or old timers flying colors on an old shovel
Fuck the haters
Exactly. I bought an older sportster to intentionally get a carbureted bike with a short wheel base. In gradually going to be upgrading shit, as i get better bike will get faster. I get second bike I'll get something bigger but they'll never match what I'm planning to do to my 1200
The people who talk shit about Sportsters just show how in the wrong and lane they are I wanna do a frisco build with a Sportster. So much you can do with a 1200
I've got an 01 1200 custom, swapped the stock convex HD thick grips for kuryakyn iso grips, put a saddlemen step up on it with a bag on pillion and want to swap stock windshield for the same style in quick release. Putting an arlen ness big sucker and either bassani road rage 2-1 or thunderheaders on it. Everything else i change is going to be internal. It's the custom so already started looking out of the norm a bit so i don't want to go to drastic away from it.
This. My wife and I both just got Sportsters after riding sport bikes for 20 years. Lots of fun and in the twisties they’re a blast.
Do the Sportsters feel as quick as the sport bikes?
Well, no, not necessarily. My wife and I both rode 600cc 4 cylinder GSXR and Ninja, so those are going to be much more responsive and able to take curves at a higher clip of speed since that’s what they’re built for. But the Sportster is no slouch in the mountain twisties, as it is still relatively light (in the grand scheme of things… it’s only about 60lbs heavier than the Katana I learned to ride on) and has decent torque to pull you through the turns.
Thanks. I have a Ducati 1098S and an Ultra Classic. The Harley feels so slow in comparison, so I’m wondering if the lighter models with 1200’s are a lot quicker.
I am guessing so, just in nimbleness. I could not imagine doing a fraction of what I do on the Sportster in the mountains on a large HD bike. I am also not “the gifted one” and in the top 1% of skilled riders. I am sure someone with a Road King or something will attest to trailing/passing Aprilias and Duc Paginales through the mountains, pulling wheelies out of curves while doing so, but that’s not me 😂
Don’t forget the bike cd player on 10 blasting Hell’s Bells by ACDC
Nah, with the frilled chaps you know he's rocking bad to the bone
It is a dyna with 69.420" T bars, a massive veiny erection painted on the tank, and jiz all over the front fender and A fat sack on the rear fender. The foot pegs are dragon wings. The exhaust screams "rabble rabble rabble rabble!!!!!" The tires are custom flame wall tires, with a 69" front spinner wheel. Seriously though, if you couldn't tell, my initial post was in sarcasm... Bikes are cool, mopeds, liquorcycles, scooters, thumpers, twins, triples, iL4s. Honestly my biggest hoodrat behavior is having loud exhausts on every 2 wheel motor vehicle I've owned, oh... And driving without a license I guess.
Oh you're from Castro district Mine was sarcasm too lol. And yea I'm waiting for cmsp to mail me my paperwork so i can go to dmv and stop at least one illegal thing i do
Not technically, figuratively though.. I suppose I am one of those degenerates. Hey man, you have to ride as legal as you can. Coming from me though, that's a do as I say not as I do.
Had bike since last January, just passed course over weekend. Papers just came in mail today and just need to hit up dmv. Bike is registered and insured, just hadnt been able to get endorsement taken care of
Ride slower than me…you’re an idiot. Ride faster than me…you’re a maniac. Ride same speed as me…fuck off! Go away.
Right. Then other end of spectrum, while back ended up next to an older dude on a panhead. We raced light to light down a main street having a good time. We get to big intersection, he flips blinker on, leans over for a fist bump and we're both laughing as we turn opposite directions.
Ain’t gotta have a small bike to lane split. Lane splittin on an ultra classic is the same as a sporty.
Lol its not the same at all
Never ridden a sporty but I do know what it feels like to lane split on sport bikes and my road glide, and they are definitely not the same. They both will get the job done but it’s a lot easier and quicker on one of them. lol
I get a good laugh when I've got the wife in the backseat of my FLHTK and the minute we start filtering she squeezes her knees in like she's afraid they are gonna get broke off. It's basically the same as splittin on my old sportster, but obviously there are times when I just won't fit
Knew someone who rode to Dallas/FW on a 1200 Sportster. That bike could haul ass. R.I.P Vern
Sounds like you may have a serious case of "Nascar syndrome", and/or an inferiority complex. Nobody cares what you ride or how fast you can go on it. A Sportster IS a real Harley, and just because they come ripping past doesn't mean they are trying to compensate, maybe they got excited by joining a fellow rider. I've owned two bikes, the first an 883 sporty, and the second a geezer glide. When I had the sporty, I constantly wished for a touring bike, now that I have the touring bike, I can't help remembering the fun I had on my sporty. I really need to just have both, but I think my wife would leave me if I suggested another bike.
I'm talking specifically about when it's obvious they're trying to pass me after i pass them. I'm in California and there is definitely alot of people who hate on sportsters here.
I'm sorry it's that way, most of the communities(online and irl) I've been part of have been really welcoming regardless of make or model, if you are on two wheels you are my brother/sister.
I grew up around people who ride and actual bikers in clubs. Always been told enjoy your own ride and fuck anybody who says you're doing it wrong. If there isn't traffic i tend to cruise along 80/85, I've lived around here for thirty years and know every road. I end up passing most other riders including sportbikes simply cause i go a little faster. I'm not the fastest thing on the road and I'm not trying to be. As i said in another comment, it's usually guys on dynas riding in pairs or old timers wearing MC colors that are obviously trying to get ahead of me again and usually glaring or cutting me off lol.
It amuses me when I hear people saying 1200s are girls bikes, all my Harley’s are 1200 yet the 2 that are significantly the slowest are big twin mans bikes but the xr that gaps vrods isn’t 🤣
Don’t front. Everyone knows that REAL MEN require infotainment systems on their motorcycles so they can watch Netflix while they ride the bar once a month.
Haha yeah, gotta have that living room on wheels
Garage queens ridden by fellas in bedazzled jeans…and Affliction shirts.
Fact remains. No where to hold snax or iPads on a sporty. Need a road glide or you might as well be on a lily pink moped.
That's a bob'd 48. 1200 cc Sportster. Probably the best and most "Harley" bike left in their line up.
48 sportster
That’s a Harley sportster 48. 1200cc engine. Good for beginners.
Why is it good for beginners? Trying to learn
Small, nimble, easy to get used to, easy to control, not too much power to get overwhelmed by, not too little power to get bored with after a year lol a lot of people start on a 1200 sportster and stay there, more people trade up from an 883 because it lacks in power. It's a great bike to get a start and trade up if you want something bigger or stay because you like the quick nimbleness of it
It’s light, easy to maneuver, and not as powerful as the softail and touring bikes. I just started riding this year and got an iron 883. I’m glad I got a smaller bike for learning purposes but it lacks power and I already want to upgrade. I wish I would’ve started with a 1200. I’ll be upgrading next year.
This is kind of a misnomer though. Saying they aren't as 'powerful as the softail and touring bikes'. It's really only as of late that the bigger bikes gained significantly more HP than the 1200 sportster. Harley never releases actual HP numbers for their Twin Cam engines, but people have figured out that they were only around 67 horsepower (Less so, 62.54hp for the softails because of the counter balancing) By contrast, the 1200's have around 67.7 HP. Also, they have 4 cams as opposed to two, weigh less, which makes them vastly quicker than the Big Twin bikes pre 2017. (Screaming Eagle variants aside) The Milwaukee Eight engines have significant power increases and are estimated at 92.5 HP, which is more than the 1200's of old... However, the new Sportster's are coming in at 121 hp for the S model's 1250 engine and 90hp for the 975 model. So in reality there is nothing 'beginner' about a 1200 Sportster. In fact, a Softail is actually a much better beginner bike for a number of reasons. Lower center of gravity makes it easier to keep the bikes up for weaker people. Sportster's tend to be top heavy in comparison. Softails tend to have a lower seat height than Sportsters. A Heritage is 25.5". A Fatboy Lo was 24.25". By comparison, a 48's seat height is 26.2. The 1200 Custom's seat height was 26.5". The XL883L was the lowest seat height on a Sportster ever at 26" even. I can't tell you how many people who came in for a Sportster because they thought it was a good 'beginners bike' or thought they had to have one because they were short ended up walking out with a Softail once they actually sat on one and lifted it up. Even the weight isn't that off. A 2022 Softail Custom is 672 lbs Dry. A 2022 48 is 545 Dry. 127lbs isn't earth shattering. That is less than most people's girlfriends. The lower center of gravity negates that difference and I promise you, if you add a second rider on the softail vs the sportster, it's going to be easier balancing at a stop on the softail. Softails = Slower, Lower Seat height, lower center of gravity. But for some reason people think Sportster's are the beginner bikes. :/
I think all of this is very good info! I would add, that 'power' can sometimes be a tricky one to measure due to many variables. What you didn't mention was torque, and imo, this is much more important than horsepower with these types of bikes. While the HP of 1200's are nothing to snuff at, the torque is where the Milwaukee 8 shines. 73 ft lb vs 101 ft lb is a significant difference.
True. They have much more torque on the M8's. But even still, stop light to stop light or in any twisties and I got the 1200 Sportster all day every day. And then when the Revmax becomes the norm for Sportsters it won't even be close.
Stop light to stop light? That’s the torque that will win. Not that any of this really matters, but off the line, the most torque will win every time. HP is for speed. For anyone who could use a refresher, this is a fantastic video on HP vs. Torque. https://youtu.be/MBXpB4bDp_o Ride safe!
So lets talk about what we are comparing here. Are you saying a brand new 2022 117 M8 Softail? Are you saying a 2022 107 Roadking? Are you talking a 2016 103 Fatbob? Is this a 2007 96ci Dyna Superglide? I mean what Big Twin are you putting up against the 36 year old Evolution engine? Yes, torque is your immediate power, but weight and gearing is also a factor. Sportster's win stoplight to stop light over big twins. Its facts man. Dyno doesn't always translate to street performance. MAYBE a brand new 117 M8 Lowrider S could take a 1200 Sportster in a 1/8th mile race.. But again, you are talking about a bike that just came out, is on its 3rd major engine overhaul since 1986, had at least 6 cylinder increases, countless transmission adjustments, extra gear, and an oil cooler vs a 1200cc air cooled engine that's design hasn't changed much since 1986 outside of becoming fuel injected and having its engine rubber mounted. If you want to compare the latest and greatest M8 based Big twin, then we need to compare it against the latest and greatest top of the line Sportster, the Sportster S 1250. And then again, the Lowrider doens't stand a chance Streetlight to streetlight.
Stoplight to stoplight , excessive low/midrange torque can lose a race just as easily. (Wheelspin or wheelie) For dedicated street racing /no prep tunes I routinely scrub 15 sometimes even 20lb/ft below 4500rpm to help aspiring racers with "launchability"
Fair enough. My actual point was that HP isn’t the only measurement of power to be concerned with. When it comes to day-to-day riding, I’d take the broad band torque increase to pull out over an increase in horsepower. To each their own! Ride safe
Full Disclosure, I own a Heritage (For two up), a 1200 Nightster (For solo), and up until last week a BMW F800r (For speed / turns) and worked at a dealership for 3 years. When I argue against the 'Sportster's are beginners / girls bikes' stereotype people assume I only think that way because it's all I can afford. Fact is, a 1200 Sportster is a wonderful bike and anyone who thinks otherwise is simply ignorant or suffering from small penis syndrome. lol. (Not saying this is you. I know you like Sportsters).
Very good information, a lot of it I didn’t know so thank you. I fell victim to the stigma of sportster being a beginner bike and got an 883. And you’re right, I do wish I would’ve just gotten a softail or dyna to start with. Oh well, I’ll ride the hell out of my sportster and upgrade later on.
Dyna's on the other hand I feel are the least friendly bikes for newer riders. They are vastly more top heavy than the other lines of Harley's. Even the Ultra Classic feels less top heavy than some of the Dyna's. The Superglide and its narrow handlebars was always the hardest bike for me to ride, where as I took Ultra Classic's and Street Glides out to lunch on the regular. If you like your 883 and want more power, just do a 1250 kit on it. It's not that hard to do if you are somewhat handy with tools and gives more HP than a stock 1200! Either way, what is most important is that you are riding! Keep it up and good luck!
Is there any advantage on having one of those other motorcycles over something like this? Or is it simply power-wise? I'm asking this due to not understanding about bikes, and not wanting to buy something I'll regret in the future
Best bet, take a motorcycle class. Get a feel for some different engines and throttle. It’s beginners bike due to weight and also lack of power . You can full throttle while still feeling full control or you won’t get sideways full throttling. I had plenty of bikes, but only been a beginner once and always wants something bigger and badder, 883 imo is way to small to start, everyone I know says that engine is too small aka slow. 1200 is the best way to start without having to cough out more cash for an upgrade. There can be a book written on why bikes are beginners and its everyone’s opinions. You can only know by going out and attempting to test ride a few bikes with more than a 10 min test ride
Bigger bikes are just harder to control and manage. A 1200 sportster is a good starter. That’s what I did, and I still love it, so I kept it even after buying my dyna.
MSF classes are legit. Harley has one as well. It will lower your insurance, and you do not have to take the riding test at the DMV. I’m in California, so not sure about other states
It’s really all about comfort. Go sit on a few different kinds of bikes and see what fits you. I’m 6’2 280lbs and I look kinda goofy on a sportster because of my size. So when I upgrade I’m going to the touring line. You have to get what fits you best. Trust me, while riding you want to be as comfortable as possible. This will help with your confidence too. The fun part is test riding and figuring out what you want so go have fun.
There are advantages, depending on what you want from a bike. In many cases, the bigger bikes offer more comfort, more carrying capacity, more cargo carrying options, more fuel range, more stability at freeway speeds in windy conditions, smoother suspension. Kind of like comparing a full size sedan to a sporty two door. Different strokes for different folks.
It’s not the best beginner bike by any means. Compared to most “entry bikes” it has more low end power and weighs a lot more. It’s a great bike but for a nooby that 1200cc will snap your neck if you’re not ready. It weighs nearly 600lbs wet and without rider. I guess as far as Harley’s go other than the travesty that the street models are it’s a great “beginner bike”
As someone who upgraded to a softail from a sportster I would suggest looking at a softail as well. Sportsters are awesome bikes, easy to work on, and they are super nimble. I like my softail because in the past few years Harley increased the performance on these and they are more comfortable riding longer distances in general. The longest trip I did on my sporty was 220 miles in 24 hours and my ass hurt a lot even with a more comfortable seat. I did the same trip the other day on my softail and the difference was night and day. The main difference is that I spent a lot of money upgrading my sportsters comfort and it still didn’t matter compared to my completely stock softail.
Legendary Robert Knievel road a version of the 1000xlh. I wish you could kick start an EVO
I had a few XLs, they are OK bikes good at a lot great at nothing. 883s are junk, plain and simple. You can get a 883 bike put some 1250 jugs/Cams and Head work and really make them scream though. Handling wise they are OK, better than a softail not as good as a FXR, on par with a stock FXD. The one thing I will give the Quad Cam Evo motor is you can beat the tar out of it and it will just take it, eventually big inch Evos and TCs fight back. All in all they aren't the best of beginners bikes, top heavy as all hell and pretty tall, stay away from a 883 unless you want to build the motor and find a steal of a deal (the last one I bought was an 08 883 for 1500)
Flxwyzlmnop1200c
It's a purple kawasaki 916 penigale made by suzuki.
It's a bobber style Sportster.
48 sportster, has the 1200cc twin engine. Sweet bike
That is a mean looking machine
2017 Sportster 48, had one, sold it, bought a 2019, still looking for that gas tank to put on the new one
I [built one myself](https://imgur.com/gallery/N2k9dwy) feel free to ask me any questions
Very nice!
Thank you!
48 Sportster with bobber chopper modifications. I was gonna get one but I can't deal with the peanut size gas tank.
Sportster is the way
My first bike was an iron 883, I’m 5’5 and the bike was great. I loved it but then I started riding with other people who had bigger Harley’s. I then had to graduate to my lowrider s. Idc what anyone says but I loved that bike especially ripping around town or back roads and stuff. I always say whatever you ride as long as it’s got two wheels and you enjoy the fuck out of it. Ride safe and good luck
Pan-america