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anybody own a Harley Sportster 883? Should I buy one?
- Thread starter Gary007
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- Apr 7, 2003
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- 2,315
Nah, give up on these "cruiser" types. You're 6'3", ferchrissakes. Get a REAL bike!!
- Joined
- Oct 31, 1998
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- 3,034
Go with a Harley,you won't regret the purchase.Unlike the wanna be Harley's the real thing won't be worth half of what you paid for it in a few years.Go look for a used one.Go witha bigger bike than the 883.I had a 1200 sportster,but I'm not over 6 feet tall either.
Honda makes nice motorcycles. Also check out the comparable models offered by the rest of the Big-4, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. If you like that Honda 750 Spirit, the Suzuki M50 and S50 should be on your shopping list too.
Personally, I like a full-fendered motorcycle and almost bought an Aero just like the one behind the VT750 in your picture. Went with the 805cc Suzuki Volusia (now renamed C50) instead. The Suzuki had more features, was priced lower, and 'felt' like a more substantial machine.
I'm too short to ever consider a BMW like the one shown above.
And unfortunately BMW discontinued their only cruiser.
Worked for me.
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
-Bob
Personally, I like a full-fendered motorcycle and almost bought an Aero just like the one behind the VT750 in your picture. Went with the 805cc Suzuki Volusia (now renamed C50) instead. The Suzuki had more features, was priced lower, and 'felt' like a more substantial machine.
I'm too short to ever consider a BMW like the one shown above.
And unfortunately BMW discontinued their only cruiser.My suggestion, wear her down slowly and make her think the purchase is inevitable and that you're serious. Leave motorcycle brochures laying around. Take her to motorcycle dealers a couple of times, "Honey, on the way to the grocery I'm gonna make a quick stop. It'll only take a minute, I just want to check out something". Take the MSF class. Get insurance quotes. Order some gear. After three months of that my wife was begging me, "Just get something already."
Worked for me.
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
-Bob
tonyccw said:
That was pretty much my experiance. After owning Japenese, German, and Italian machines I thought as a motorcycleist I should have a Harley at least once. It was a big letdown. After a while I realized it was all about hype, not the motorcycle. The funny thing was went we went to sell the sportster and the superglide, we really had a hard time. But before that when we sold her other Honda shadow they were stacking up in the driveway, and I could have sold another half dozen BMW K75's. We took a loss on both Harleys. So much for resale. The Harley thing is weird, dos'nt make sense.
yeah, that's what I'm gonna do today...take her to the Honda dealership, let her see that sweet ride. 
Maybe I'll have more pics to post from my camera phone. I actually already have taken the MSF class, that was about 10 years ago, still have my rider's license. :thumbup: Wish me luck.
Maybe I'll have more pics to post from my camera phone. I actually already have taken the MSF class, that was about 10 years ago, still have my rider's license. :thumbup: Wish me luck.Bob W said:
You got it.
Maybe you should also "enlighten" wife to the financial advantages of buying a motorcycle. Since she's against you buying a bike, stop by a car dealer or two with her to look at cars. Write down the cost of purchasing and insuring an automobile that's comparable to a motorcycle, a Chevy Corvette or Honda S2000 for instance. Figure the fuel cost savings too.
Wife will be begging you to buy a motorcycle instead! She needs to understand that by buying a Big-4 motorcycle, you're actually being frugal. The "bargain shopper" arguement works for me sometimes...
-Bob
I'd go for a Harley, but its for sentimental reasons. I wouldn't however buy a Japanese cruiser. Just not what I'd be into. A touring bike maybe, but not a cruiser. There are a LOT of Harley's around, and everyone is always looking to sell theirs. A bonus if you're into buying used, but a problem if you're looking to sell. I've also found that cops will take more interest in your bike if its a Harley because of the HUGE black market for parts. I've seen cops at several rally's running through the parking lot asking people where they got their bike, what aftermarket parts are on it, if they've bought parts lately, "do you mind if I look for the VIN." That's at least how it is in these parts; from my experience.
Harley is also suffering from a bit of identity crisis, I think. There is the phenomenon of the "Biker Boutiques" that have sprung up all over the country. Plus, as was pointed out in many places here the sport bikes are a really fun ride at a REALLY reasonable price. Like I said before, IF you look around you can get a Hyabusa which will do 189 mph right off the showroom floor for around 10k, but you're not going to find a Harley that peppy off the floor for anything close to that. Kinda like the Hot Rod, or the Tuner culture. Its young and hip- Okay, so I'm old-, and speed sells.
Good luck in getting your bike, and let us know how you do!!!
-Anthony
Harley is also suffering from a bit of identity crisis, I think. There is the phenomenon of the "Biker Boutiques" that have sprung up all over the country. Plus, as was pointed out in many places here the sport bikes are a really fun ride at a REALLY reasonable price. Like I said before, IF you look around you can get a Hyabusa which will do 189 mph right off the showroom floor for around 10k, but you're not going to find a Harley that peppy off the floor for anything close to that. Kinda like the Hot Rod, or the Tuner culture. Its young and hip- Okay, so I'm old-, and speed sells.
Good luck in getting your bike, and let us know how you do!!!
-Anthony
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jackknife said:
Well I guess they aren't for everybody.I can't say I was let down.As a matter of fact after riding japanese and a Harley,I would never go back.In fact I would rather never ride again then ride anything other than a Harley with the exception of something like an Iron Horse or Orange County Chopper.I owned a 1200 sportster and rode a Superglide,and that was some of the greatest times of my life.I don't know why you had a problem selling the hogs,they maintain value in my area.