 HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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The Dark Custom Series is the Harley-Davidson answer to the problem of its aging baby boomers clientele. This blacked out line already proved that it tends to attract youngest riders. It already includes the Cross Bones, the Nightster, the Street Bob, the Fat Bob and the Night Train. And now a new model named the the Dark Sportster Iron 883. Of course it’s got a a combination of gritty, old-school garage features, such as front fork gaiters, a drag-style handlebar, a side-mounted license plate holder, and of course is painted black from fender to fender. The Iron 883 starts at $7899(US). Basically it's an 883 version of the very successful Nightster, but obviously with the smaller engine it will be much cheaper, and it's the most blacked out model Harley now has for sale. Quite a mean looking little beastie  
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Interesting that this one had mid mount controls. The Nightster has the pegs and pedals more forward but not as far as ours. Something that I find interesting is that the differences between the 883 and 1200 piglets are much less than the difference in price. Mechanically, the difference is in the bore. Early on, they used the same barrel castings, making the 1200 some 6 pounds lighter when they finished boring them out. There are some differences in trim levels, but not anything serious.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Learned Hand
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MCN reports £5375 in the UK. 
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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The marketing campaign for the "Dark Series" is ridiculous, but the bikes aren't half bad looking. I'm pretty sure you get some tough-looking temporary tattoos and a fake club colors vest with your purchase, so everyone knows are tough.
Al
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Nice looking Bike,but not as tough looking in black as my Dyna is........ 
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I don't like all black look either.
hmmm, That price tag looks familiar.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Oil Expert
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Not a bad looking ride, and at $7899 they should sell quite a few of them. Yeah it is a Harley, but if I could not get a Speedmaster or America, the Iron 883 would be under me before any of the tupperware bikes...including Triumphs.
2018 FLHCS
2014 Surly Straggler - 16,000 miles and counting!
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Nice looking Bike,but not as tough looking in black as my Dyna is........
 Yep, a sweet bike it be ! But look out for the cafe'd Bonnie-A big bore 
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Looks cool. It's bark is worse than it's bite, though. 
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Beautiful bike, WAY too small for me though.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Looks cool. It's bark is worse than it's bite, though.
John, the torque line on a 883 is linear at 55. It has the same thump as a Speedmaster, maybe a bit less top end as the horses will develop later. The stroke would put it out of the hole with good power though. I figure its a 100 MPH bike. This class of bike including ours is not fast.
Speedmaster turns in 1/4 mile time in high 14s and 883 low 15s. The Intruder and Vulcan are in the 13s. So the Japanese are kicking Harley and Triumph butt.
You are right, it certainly looks like it should be fast. Kinda like its a dog at the end of its chain barking but can't get anywhere.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: May 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Not bad for a chick bike...needs spokes.
06 America 904
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
...needs spokes.
definitely
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Is it black to hide all the electrical tape used to keep the bits & pieces from falling off?
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Built for those who no nothing about motorbikes. Not bad looking but that's where it ends.
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Built for those who no nothing about motorbikes. Not bad looking but that's where it ends.
How are they being tricked? Is it a bad bike?
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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They are tiny to sit on. I sat on a female friends Nightster and it seemed like everything was on a 7/10" scale. No way I could ride it regularly comfortably, and I'm only 5' 10" Quote:
Beautiful bike, WAY too small for me though.
Al
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
Quote:
Built for those who no nothing about motorbikes. Not bad looking but that's where it ends.
How are they being tricked? Is it a bad bike?
They are not bad, it's just that they could be better. It is certain that the 1200 Nightster will top 110 MPH easily enough, so the 883 shouldn't have any problem doing a tonne up. This one looks a little short in the hind end, they should have made the swingarm or frame an inch or two longer.
The only real problem with them is the silly pushbutton popup oil dipstick. Those are bloody awkward to work.
The rubber mounted engine is not much to my liking either. Engine and pipes are on a rubber mounted sub frame that bounces all over at low engine speeds and at idle it reaches the travel limits of the mounting and shakes the bike worse than a Velocette 500 thumper. To its credit, at speed it's as smooth as our counter-balanced bikes.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I am only 5'8, the bike fits me very well. It is not as fast as my Triumph but at speed it is smoother. It will do 100. At a stop light it dances all over the street, so to speak.
I know something about motorcycles. Have actually been riding for a few days now. I would not be afraid to recommend that bike to somebody to start on.
Actually I prefer the M-50, Honda Aero, Triumph America, then the 883. All are very good starter bikes that do not need to be traded up.
I picked the M-50 because of its drive-line, cooling, and cost as my first pick. Literally a new rider needs to know nothing about the bike other than ride it. They don't break, shake, short, or need chain lube.
But I digress, I thought there was some really bad engineering in this bike that nobody should ever go near.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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 Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I like it!! A lot. It does need spokes, though, with black rims. I couldn't consider one because tehy are too small. I've sat on a Nightster and, with my knee armour, could barely get my feet on the pegs. Also, that front brake looks wholly inadequate for something that (I imagine) weighs over 200kg plus rider. How do Harley's get away with air-cooling and we've gotta put up with a big radiator on the front? Quote:
But I digress, I thought there was some really bad engineering in this bike that nobody should ever go near.
Just outta curiosity, Ron, what are you referring to?
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
The Sportster with forward controls is too big for me. My stubby legs couldn't reach the rear brake lever. I need something bigger, like a Bonneville America. (it was the stupid massive air cleaner that I couldn't get my leg around) Oh, and Ron? A starter bike is exactly what HD thinks of it, hence the current promotion to ride one for "free" for two years, as long as you trade up to a larger model after that. Brilliant marketing ploy as we've come to expect from The Company.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Not to my taste, but it should sell well if the economy doesn't trounce it. HD must be diggin' the fact that people are willing to buy powder coat instead of chrome. 
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Built for those who no nothing about motorbikes. Not bad looking but that's where it ends.
How are they being tricked? Is it a bad bike?
They are not bad, it's just that they could be better. It is certain that the 1200 Nightster will top 110 MPH easily enough, so the 883 shouldn't have any problem doing a tonne up. This one looks a little short in the hind end, they should have made the swingarm or frame an inch or two longer.
The only real problem with them is the silly pushbutton popup oil dipstick. Those are bloody awkward to work.
The rubber mounted engine is not much to my liking either. Engine and pipes are on a rubber mounted sub frame that bounces all over at low engine speeds and at idle it reaches the travel limits of the mounting and shakes the bike worse than a Velocette 500 thumper. To its credit, at speed it's as smooth as our counter-balanced bikes.
All very good points, GB. And your last point about vibration and rubber-mounting leads me to ask something I've wondered for years now...With ALL the friggin' money H-D was pulling in from the mid-80s to just before this so-called "Great Recession", WHY didn't The Motor Company re-design the Sportster to include those counter-balancers which you mentioned, as THAT issue has always been THE major complaint about that particular H-D model line!
I mean, in the time since their last minor re-design of the Sportster motor, Triumph, a MUCH smaller company with a MUCH smaller budget, has introduced how many completely new models with how many completely new engines?
The answer of course here is...MANY!
(and so...WHAT the H*LL was H-D's problem here?...other than maybe the very same mentality that the U.S. auto makers held until recently when they'd rationalize something along the lines of "Hey, we sell every SUV that we make right now, so why change anything, huh?!"...yeah...and I think some folks are FINALLY starting to see how THAT mentality of NOT planning ahead EVENTUALLY bites one in the A$$!!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
They are tiny to sit on. I sat on a female friends Nightster and it seemed like everything was on a 7/10" scale. No way I could ride it regularly comfortably, and I'm only 5' 10"
Quote:
Beautiful bike, WAY too small for me though.
Ya know I moved a friends lowered Dyna at a gas station last summer and that felt very small to me too. Not to mention it vibrated so bad it could be a paint mixer.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
How do Harley's get away with air-cooling and we've gotta put up with a big radiator on the front?
Treaty of Ghent?
2018 FLHCS
2014 Surly Straggler - 16,000 miles and counting!
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Quote:
How do Harley's get away with air-cooling and we've gotta put up with a big radiator on the front?
HD top ends typically need refreshing at 50-60K miles. From what I hear, ours last much longer.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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My friends Night Train is at about 50,000 and doesn't seem to need any work yet. It has been my experience that when they do need work it's the rear cyl. though. It doesn't cool as well being blocked by the front one. That isn't to say that the front one doesn't need it too just that the rear one usually seems to show more wear and start giving signs of wear first.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Just outta curiosity, Ron, what are you referring to?
The comment that they were built for those who knew nothing about motorcycles made me wonder if I had missed an article about them being built badly. I thought they were a pretty tough bike over the last 10 years. The last 5 years they have become pretty bullet proof. I don't own a little Harley so have no dog in the fight. Was just typing away rambling out loud.
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Dwight, you have hit on something but its tough for the motor company to move. Look at VRod, still not selling well. The purist seem to think if it doesn't dance around at red lights it is not true HD. They can calm them down for about 20 bucks with counter balance. They intentionally do not.
Very strange indeed. It could bite them in the butt some day. It is unlikely though. HD is not selling transportation to the mall or supermarket. Bikes are not like cars. If they were, Ducati would only be in museums. Ducati is a stand alone lesson of form over function. At one point they were selling at 100% over Honda while following Honda around on the track. Now that is lunacy! But, they are still here and actually winning a few lately.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I know what you're saying about "Harley Tradition" and the "faithful" or "purists" resisting change Ron, but I don't think the low sales figures of the V-Rod would be analogous to a balance-shafted Sporty. You see, whereas I believe the V-Rod's problem with the "faithful" is it's more modern water-cooled design and "dragbike" look, the newer counter-balanced Big Twins haven't seemed to turn off those folks all that much.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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You may be right. I do know they also have lost numbers and HD credit actually requires that somebody be able to draw breath. Maybe the next change will be that the owners don't have to do the mamba at every stop light  With the technology today it is pretty silly to say the least. The problem with the cars was that Japan won them over. Car owners have no loyalty compared to branded bikers. Now, you know the HD crowd. They are not lining up at the Honda dealership buying drive shafts and radiators. Honda has actually lost market share to HD since the late 80s. Why? I have no, absolutely no clue. It just is Back on topic, I don't see this blacked out little guy selling a lot. The standard colors will outsell it. But it gives them another choice. Not a big choice like the Triumph. Blue on blue or blue on white. 
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I don't know about it not selling because it's blacked out, quite a few guys like that look and here is an entry level bike that already is.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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You know, the more I look, the more I think it might be serve as a model for stripping, cutting and blackening even more a Speedmaster. Sure would fit better.
"Despite all the amputation, you could dance to a rock 'n roll station..."
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
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Quote:
I don't know about it not selling because it's blacked out
Just like the... what is that one bike.... oh yeah, the Speedmaster!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Except the headlight, forks, bars, controls and in this pic the tank it is getting there. 
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
All very good points, GB. And your last point about vibration and rubber-mounting leads me to ask something I've wondered for years now...With ALL the friggin' money H-D was pulling in from the mid-80s to just before this so-called "Great Recession", WHY didn't The Motor Company re-design the Sportster to include those counter-balancers which you mentioned, as THAT issue has always been THE major complaint about that particular H-D model line!
They do have the technology. The Softail line has counterbalanced engines that are about as smooth as the Triumph twins. That frame rear suspension doesn't work well with the rubber mounts because of the location of the swivel point of the swingarm. On the other lines, they use a very clever linkage system to make the engine move about a center selected so that the belt (or chain) tension is not effected.
I guess the rubber mount is considered to be a good compromise between the ideas that Harleys should shake at redlights and you should be able to ride more than 10 miles before your arms fall off.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Except the headlight, forks, bars, controls and in this pic the tank it is getting there.
Now that is quality - you can see it moreover you can feel it!
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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The price on it is real. Here is a local dealer advertising on Craigslist. craigslist ad
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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That's a pretty good price for a girls bike.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: HD launches the Dark Sportster Iron 883
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Honda has actually lost market share to HD since the late 80s.
Why?
Some people buy a motorcycle cuz it's cheaper than a testicle transplant. Those folks buy Harleys.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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