 Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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For some time now my wife has been getting tired of her Honda Shadow 750's lack of power. 38 horsepower and about 45 lbft torque on a 560lb bike just doesnt cut it anymore and the shaft drive geared to a buzzing highway RPM gets old on long runs.
She test rode several bikes including my Triumph of course but settled on the Harley 1200C Sportster.
Got to give it to Harley this bike's torque makes it a blast to ride and relaxed low RPM 70mph cruise speeds are a welcome change compaired to her anemic Honda. The new Harley H-D1 customization program is outstanding, the buyer can chose from these factory build specs:
13 color combinations
5 wheel options
3 different bars
standard or forward controls
4 different seats
black or chrome engine cases
Then choose from hundreds of dealer installed accessories including 7 different saddlebags from factory color matched hard bags to throw-overs.
Fortunately the dealer I bought my Triumph from is also a Harley Davidson dealer!
Bike should arrive in 4 weeks.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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As I have often said, there's nothing wrong with HD, but there is something right with Triumph.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I agree, Ed. I've thought Sportsters were cool since the TV show "Then Came Bronson" was first aired...though I've ALSO thought that by this time H-D should have re-engineered the XL-series by placing a balance-shaft somewhere inside that beautiful motor. I mean it's not as if they haven't had the money to do this for a long long time, eh?! (...hope your wife likes her new Sportster, OB!) 
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Well, it makes sense, the Sportster IS a girl's bike afterall. 
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Well, it makes sense, the Sportster IS a girl's bike afterall.
Why do you say that? Could it be that both are top heavy. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
Well, it makes sense, the Sportster IS a girl's bike afterall.
Why do you say that? Could it be that both are top heavy.
AND fun to ride! 
Wish I could add one to my stable! 
Enjoy!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
...38 horsepower and about 45 lbft torque on a 560lb bike...geared to a buzzing highway RPM...
 , Sounds familiar, which bike were you talking about here?
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Quote:
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...38 horsepower and about 45 lbft torque on a 560lb bike...geared to a buzzing highway RPM...
, Sounds familiar, which bike were you talking about here?
Those stats are at the rear tire for the Honda Aero 750 with shaft drive.
The 1200 Sportster is no joke, it weighs exactly the same as an America/Speedmaster but it belts out 50% more torque!
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Quote:
Well, it makes sense, the Sportster IS a girl's bike afterall.
Well it's my girl's bike now...and I can tell you it's faster than my America. So much fun to ride she picked a custom color that she knew would keep me from riding her bike:
.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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So much fun to ride she picked a custom color that she knew would keep me from riding her bike.
Oooo, she's a clever one! Congrats to your wife... other than the colour it looks like a great ride!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Shoot man.. I kinda the Sportsters, especially now they've widened the range a bit. Still hate belt drive though...dunno why, just don't like it.
Then Came Bronson was the source of my fascination with bikes... I'm working on a 75 Sporty for a guy now, kinda reminds me of Bronsons. I keep trying to talk the guy into painting it red and putting the "all seeing eye" emblem on the tank though.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
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Congratulations on the new bike in the family. I think you are fortunate of having a partner that shares your hobby. I am amazed of all the colors and and combinations Harley offers. I kind of wish Triumph offered a few more color combos.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Don't know much about the new Sportster but the old ones had over complicated transmissions and the cams (4 of them) ran in the outer case that tended to crack.That is the only reason I don't like them. They are fun to ride like many other bikes. I suspect the new ones hold together much better like most other modern bikes.
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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Quote:
Shoot man.. I kinda the Sportsters, especially now they've widened the range a bit. Still hate belt drive though...dunno why, just don't like it.
Then Came Bronson was the source of my fascination with bikes... I'm working on a 75 Sporty for a guy now, kinda reminds me of Bronsons. I keep trying to talk the guy into painting it red and putting the "all seeing eye" emblem on the tank though.
I still want one. Maybe not that Ironhead that Michael Parks rode into my memory (and characterzed by those who know as the most repairable bike ever) but I still want one, with mid pegs. The designer for Cobra aftermarket parts described the new rubber mounts as future "classics" at BikeEXIF a few weeks ago. They've been a big seller so there are plenty to choose from on Craigslist...ah, maybe one day....
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Quote:
Don't know much about the new Sportster but the old ones had over complicated transmissions and the cams (4 of them) ran in the outer case that tended to crack.That is the only reason I don't like them. They are fun to ride like many other bikes. I suspect the new ones hold together much better like most other modern bikes.
It was a bit of a gamble for me to buy a Triumph as well. We bought Shadows before because the off road Hondas I had when I was younger were tough as nails and able to take more punishment than me, literally. Predictably both Shadows have been absolutely reliable albeit a bit boring.
Just like Harley old Triumphs did not have a great reliability reputation. In 1977 Triumph even had a advertisement admitting their bikes were hard to keep running...with a marketing spin that tried to somehow make it desirable to have a bike that might not start.
.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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 Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Quote:
Quote:
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So much fun to ride she picked a custom color that she knew would keep me from riding her bike.
Oooo, she's a clever one! Congrats to your wife... other than the colour it looks like a great ride!
I told her nice try but I wear a full helmet with a dark tinted visor and can remain anonymous when I ride it. 
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Congratulations on the new bike in the family. I think you are fortunate of having a partner that shares your hobby. I am amazed of all the colors and and combinations Harley offers. I kind of wish Triumph offered a few more color combos.
Thanks, I am a lucky man in all the ways that really matter.
My wife is quite a smooth natural rider. She is conservative yet confident and hates riding as a passenger now. When we rode the Tail of the Dragon it was like watching a safety instructor doing it "by the book."
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
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Don't know much about the new Sportster but the old ones had over complicated transmissions and the cams (4 of them) ran in the outer case that tended to crack.That is the only reason I don't like them. They are fun to ride like many other bikes. I suspect the new ones hold together much better like most other modern bikes.
It was a bit of a gamble for me to buy a Triumph as well. We bought Shadows before because the off road Hondas I had when I was younger were tough as nails and able to take more punishment than me, literally. Predictably both Shadows have been absolutely reliable albeit a bit boring.
Just like Harley old Triumphs did not have a great reliability reputation. In 1977 Triumph even had a advertisement admitting their bikes were hard to keep running...with a marketing spin that tried to somehow make it desirable to have a bike that might not start.
.
Yeah, I remember that ad with that rather strange marketing spin to it, OB....and I ALSO remember wonderin' at the time how the heck they got Kris Kristofferson to do that ad, TOO?!!!
(...nah, I don't think that's him...but it sure kinda LOOKS like him there, doesn't it?) 
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I never had reliability problems aside from the seal behind the points would leak sometimes and need to be replaced ed but it was a 20 minute job. transmissions were simple to work on only had 2 cams that were simple to time etc... You did have to know how to maintain them for them to be reliable though. The later models started to suffer from poor quality control though. Mine were and are all between 1954 and 1972 the mid 60s being my favorite to ride because they were fairly trouble free. The 50s bikes I have need more work to maintain and failure to do so would result in damaged parts. I rode my 66 all over the country with no real problems.
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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These examples are bikes you could order direct from the Harley factory. Brand new with full warranty on every part and get the bike in 4 weeks:   There are thousands of combinations so its possible to factory order a one of a kind custom bike and never see another one like it on the road.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Now Ade! Ya HAVE TO leave the 'u' in certain words like 'out', dude!  (...or else ya sound like a Canadian when ya say that word...watch!..."ot"!...SEE?!)
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Oh, and btw...you're right about the above Sportster. Loose those gawd-awful wheels, and ya got yourself a pretty nice lookin' bike!
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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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 |
Quote:
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute!!
Yo say WTF? to this ...
Bt yo like this ...
Yes. 
And yes, from a pure function over form standpoint, the Rocket 3 looks awesome.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I like the looks of the R3T
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Adjunct
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i've got a buddy that is lookin at a honda vtx 1300 and he has a sporty 883 older model, i think around a 95' and he says that he is afraid that the vtx can't compete with the harley...haha he is so blinded by the harley name. I just find his thinkin' on that kinda funny.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Quote:
i've got a buddy that is lookin at a honda vtx 1300 and he has a sporty 883 older model, i think around a 95' and he says that he is afraid that the vtx can't compete with the harley...haha he is so blinded by the harley name. I just find his thinkin' on that kinda funny.
Don't laugh, he's right. I rode the Honda VTX1300s back in 08 (before Honda copied Victory's styling) and there is a reason Honda never publishes their cruiser torque or HP ratings. That bike weighed over 700 lbs and has been tested at 77-lbft torque and 60-hp at the rear wheel. And there is no way to get more from Honda. You can only buy an aftermarket exhaust and rejet/tune for a couple of more hp but not from Honda.
There are options directly from Harley for the 550-lb Sportster including a complete 1200cc conversion kit for the 883. Several exhaust & intake options and you can change final drive ratios on the belt driven Harley...unlike the shaft drive Honda cruisers.
The current Honda VTX cruisers are overstyled and I hate those fake chrome plated plastic engine covers. But it will no doubt be as dependable as...well...a lawn mower!
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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The Sabre and Stateline are under 60HP and rated at 74lbs of torque. I would say the 883 would have a very good chance at beating it up.
The VTX is discontinued isn't it?
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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sporters are just to small for my taste, at least the new retro bobber types like above, handlbars must be all of 25" or less from grip to grip, very thin ride, i looked at them and they are sharp looking just not very practical for anything other then going to tims for a coffee, JMO
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
sporters are just to small for my taste, at least the new retro bobber types like above, handlbars must be all of 25" or less from grip to grip, very thin ride, i looked at them and they are sharp looking just not very practical for anything other then going to tims for a coffee, JMO
...during the months of April through October in the province of Alberta Canada.
Just thought I'd complete your thought there, Mike.
(...sorry, couldn't resist that one ol' buddy!)
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: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Quote:
i've got a buddy that is lookin at a honda vtx 1300 and he has a sporty 883 older model, i think around a 95' and he says that he is afraid that the vtx can't compete with the harley...haha he is so blinded by the harley name. I just find his thinkin' on that kinda funny.
Don't laugh, he's right. I rode the Honda VTX1300s back in 08 (before Honda copied Victory's styling) and there is a reason Honda never publishes their cruiser torque or HP ratings. That bike weighed over 700 lbs and has been tested at 77-lbft torque and 60-hp at the rear wheel. And there is no way to get more from Honda. You can only buy an aftermarket exhaust and rejet/tune for a couple of more hp but not from Honda.
There are options directly from Harley for the 550-lb Sportster including a complete 1200cc conversion kit for the 883. Several exhaust & intake options and you can change final drive ratios on the belt driven Harley...unlike the shaft drive Honda cruisers.
The current Honda VTX cruisers are overstyled and I hate those fake chrome plated plastic engine covers. But it will no doubt be as dependable as...well...a lawn mower!
the honda doesn't need any engine upgrades. it has plenty of power off the show room floor. in my opinion it wins in everything over the sportster. Its not all about the hp and torque. There is no way that a 883 can keep up with a vtx 1300, it may out do the vtx in the twisties. Idk why everyone thinks the 883 and the 1200 sportsters are so hot, because they just aren't.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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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 |
A 1300 VTX kicked my America's ass in the straights but was humbled by it in the twisties. Just sayin...
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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OP
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A 1300 VTX kicked my America's ass in the straights but was humbled by it in the twisties. Just sayin...
Both my wife and I got long test rides on Honda VTX1300s at the Honda Hoot in Knoxville TN...and we both bought something else for our next new bike. Just sayin...
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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the honda doesn't need any engine upgrades. it has plenty of power off the show room floor. in my opinion it wins in everything over the sportster. Its not all about the hp and torque. There is no way that a 883 can keep up with a vtx 1300, it may out do the vtx in the twisties. Idk why everyone thinks the 883 and the 1200 sportsters are so hot, because they just aren't.
You are comparing the entry level Harley to the top of the line largest displacement cruiser Honda builds! Are you serious? This is where you start in the Harley line...it doesnt get any better than that in the Honda cruiser line.
Take that $8000 883 and in a few years say you want to upgrade the power, simply go to your Harley dealer and get the 1200 kit and you will be making more than enough power to walk away from a $12,500 Honda 1300 (I call them VTX but offically Honda has now given each 1300 trim level different names)
As another example Triumph at least offers TOR exhaust and a factory match tune for the ECU...Honda doesn't even offer that.
Credit where it is due here, Harley Davidson recognizes motorcyclist especially in the cruiser market love to customize their bikes through the years of ownership...or have the option to order the bike exactly like they want it from the factory which is what we did. And they offer an unmatched selection of accessories for the cruiser owner from a wide variety of saddlebags to a custom paint exchange program and performance exhaust/intake/cams etc. No other manufacturer comes close in this regard.
Last edited by outerbanks; 04/28/2012 6:38 AM.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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sporters are just to small for my taste, at least the new retro bobber types like above, handlbars must be all of 25" or less from grip to grip, very thin ride, i looked at them and they are sharp looking just not very practical for anything other then going to tims for a coffee, JMO
The Sportster is versatile, you can option it for light touring as well:
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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sporters are just to small for my taste, at least the new retro bobber types like above, handlbars must be all of 25" or less from grip to grip, very thin ride, i looked at them and they are sharp looking just not very practical for anything other then going to tims for a coffee, JMO
Back in the day, there wasn't much of anything that men (REAL men) rode across county that was larger.
I enjoyed taking my Mack Maxidyne across country, now THAT was comfort! (And not many would complain that it was "too small for their tastes) 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Posts: 18,825 |
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You are comparing the entry level Harley to the top of the line largest displacement cruiser Honda builds! Are you serious? This is where you start in the Harley line...it doesnt get any better than that in the Honda cruiser line.
While probably an unfair comparison (even if the Sportster wins) the 1300 is not the smallest VTX. Still I'm sure the Sportster crushes the Honda Shadow, which is a much more appropriate comparison.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Posts: 7,693 Likes: 22 |
Actually there is no VTX anymore is there? There still are Harley Davidson Sportsters. OK here goes. After spending 30 minutes. I was wrong. The 883 does not easily beat a VTX. Put some exhaust and a good filter in it then it will rip it up but a bike length or two. The 1300 VTX will average out of the box 14.7 1/4 Mile time The 883 Sportster will Average out of the box. 14.7 too. The 1200 Sportster will Averaage out of the box 13.0. Its seems to me if you are running even with a bike only 2/3 your displacement and both are V-twins it may as well be a loss. In defense of the VTX it has to spin a drive shaft. In defense of the Sportster, The VTX is liquid so can spin up higher RPMs. The 1200 at 100cc less spanks it badly. I never really cared but the 1300 is not a speed demon by any means. I really like Honda. They just simply don't break and are a joy to ride. Honda has pretty much abandoned "fast" in its cruiser thinking. They have the CBR-1000-RR for that. On the other end the Gold Wing is no slow poke. ================= Speaking of numbers, here are the big boys numbers for cruises. Even though "When Forced To Select" picked another bike look at the write up on the Triumph. Pretty impressive!
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Ordered a new 1200C Sportster
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,207 Likes: 58
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,207 Likes: 58 |
Not much into rice but Honda always was a well built bike that was very dependable. My neighbor ran several CB750fours one was seized fast when he got it. He let it sit in his living room with oil in the cyl. and plugs out. He would try it every day before he went to work and again when he got home. One day it spun and shot oil all over his white painted walls and ceiling.  But with no other work done he rode that bike for years, last I heard it was still running.
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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