Would you buy a Sportster S?

[45Brit]

So, after the general hoo-hah of the introduction, would you buy one of these Bikes? For me, the conclusion I've come to is.... it depends. I definitely wouldn't buy ANY bike with 120-plus horsepower, a single front disc and 2" of rear suspension travel. I wouldn't buy ANY bike with a seat that's uncomfortable after half an hour, after the experience of the "ironing board" on my Bonneville T100. I wouldn't buy ANY bike with forward footrests. On the whole, I think it's great that The MoCo have introduced a modern sporting engine but right now, I'd be looking at the PanAm - because its a complete bike. That's assuming Ducati or Kawasaki didn't get the money.

[NLXL]

No.

I wouldn't just buy a motorcycle that happens to have a Harley-Davidson sticker on it and which has been given the name of a successful model purely for marketing purposes. That's just buyer fraud. Maybe the youth or people who are less mechanically savvy and don't know the history of Sportster engine will fall for that.

IF I was looking for a bike like this I would rather opt for a European or Japanese motorcycle. Simply because I would then have a lot more choice and also spend a lot less money.

I think the Pan Am is a slightly different story. That is a new design that stands alone with its own name that will have to prove itself in a niche market where there is also more choice.

Perhaps they should have done the same with this bike. Then we could have just graciously mourned the Sportster's death. The biggest mistake they made was to call it a Sportster.

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by 45Brit

...I definitely wouldn't buy ANY bike with 120-plus horsepower, a single front disc and 2" of rear suspension travel. I wouldn't buy ANY bike with a seat that's uncomfortable after half an hour, after the experience of the "ironing board" on my Bonneville T100. I wouldn't buy ANY bike with forward footrests...

120 hp is fine but not required. My Sportster makes 90ish RWHP, it's enough. My R9T makes 115+ RWHP but usually gets rode staying under 6,500 rpm (and with the db killer in the muffler) where it makes 85ish HP.

I knew my 1200C had crap suspension (and seat) when I bought it but was surprised how bad the suspension (rear shocks in particular) really was. It was also surprising how poorly the stock motor ran, it became pretty acceptable with an un-restricted air cleaner and PowerVision. Then much better as a 1275...

The deal breaker would be the 3.1 gal tank. Something I suspect there's no real "fix" for. If I couldn't have found a Sportster with the 4.5 gal tank I wouldn't have a Sportster. My R9T would be an only child...

[Nibelungen]

never say never
bikes is like with women.. irrational...
you choose what your heart (or your instinct) told you...
no matter if you would have advantages or not

my stock 2017 (rebuilded completely stock for choice) has 45 hp at the wheel... had previously bikes with more than 100 hp... I love them all...


p.s. in my early twenties I used to say never I have bought an HD... heavy old's men bikes... with poor power, poor braking capabilities, etc...

since early thirties I own a Sporty (23 years)... and it's my bike... the other bikes I ride (and enjoy) are not mine...

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by Nibelungen

...never say never...

I can say with certainty the Sportster S version we're seeing is a NEVER.

I'll be 70 in November, my 1200C and R9T will probably be the bikes I have 'til I can't ride any more, which is hopefully still quite a few years away...

[Steve9]

Originally Posted by Nibelungen

never say never
bikes is like with women.. irrational...
you choose what your heart (or your instinct) told you...
no matter if you would have advantages or not

my stock 2017 (rebuilded completely stock for choice) has 45 hp at the wheel... had previously bikes with more than 100 hp... I love them all...


p.s. in my early twenties I used to say never I have bought an HD... heavy old's men bikes... with poor power, poor braking capabilities, etc...

since early thirties I own a Sporty (23 years)... and it's my bike... the other bikes I ride (and enjoy) are not mine...

I said the same thing as you when in my 20's

65 now and I love my '81 ironhead four-speed. Probably 60 hp as it has a little work done on it.

Change is the one constant in life. Si.

[Toejam503]

I'm 65 now and don't plan on buying anymore bikes. The Sporty, I have now, fills all my needs. If it were to get stolen or wrecked beyond repair, the Sportster S would be at the top of my list as a replacement.

[clif02]

At this point now I would not. Too pricey. I’d save 3-4 k, put a tuner on an Indian Scout and come out ahead. But as it is I’m happy with and will keep my 1200R.

[3sporty53]

Maybe. I'd have to see it and ride it before making that decision. I'm keeping my '02 Sporty though.

[rocketnorton]

over $20k here otd
+ not my style
i'd like a late 90s s tho