Thinking about getting a new Sportster

[Gary7]

Very nice collection of forums here. I'm an admin over on the BobIsTheOilGuy (BITOG) forums and saw a link to here someone had posted in our Motorcycle forum.

It's been 25 years since I had my last motorcycle. I rode a bike all through high school and I got rid of my last bike when I was in college. My dad rode a Harley in the late 40s and early 50s, and I've always wanted one. So, I have about 99% made up my mind to get one. Probably a 883 Sportster. I'm fairly certain I want a 07 for the fuel injection.

Any advice as I contemplate this purchase would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been down to my local Harley dealer to see what they've got. Any chance you can work a deal on these things, or do you pretty much have to bend over and pay retail plus whatever other crap the dealer wants to tack on?

[bplinson]

Welcome.

Depends on the dealer. Some price over MSRP and will not haggle and some price at MSRP.

As with any vehical purchase do your homework and look at multiple dealers even if that means driving 100 or 200 miles.

Nice forum you have got going also!

[c pierce]

Welcome from oregon. Oil did You say OIL.:wonderlan

[paxman1]

As said above shop for a good dealer, not only for price but Dealer support after the sale, parts ( You will be spending money here ) Why? the Sporty is just a down payment.........A blank canvas that you will personalize to your own taste:D

Service,Service,Service.... I am very lucky to have a top notch dealer here in Henderson, Nevada. I have never had a better buying experience in my life, that includes after the sale. I have made some great friends there, like family.:)

I have been riding motorcycles since 1970, in 2004 this was my first Harley, a plain XL 883 that is always changing. 17,000 miles later and not one service problem:banana

So good luck, you will love your sporty................

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/paxman1/DSCF1255.jpg


Mark

[Brad]

... I haven't been down to my local Harley dealer to see what they've got. ...

Hi Gary,

Welcome. Where are you?-Who is/are your local dealer(s). Forum members might be able to give you some good insight from personal experience. You may also want to check out the "Dealers, Stealers, Indys and Parts Dealers" thread.

Brad

[Gone]

Very nice collection of forums here. I'm an admin over on the BobIsTheOilGuy (BITOG) forums and saw a link to here someone had posted in our Motorcycle forum.

It's been 25 years since I had my last motorcycle. I rode a bike all through high school and I got rid of my last bike when I was in college. My dad rode a Harley in the late 40s and early 50s, and I've always wanted one. So, I have about 99% made up my mind to get one. Probably a 883 Sportster. I'm fairly certain I want a 07 for the fuel injection.

Any advice as I contemplate this purchase would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been down to my local Harley dealer to see what they've got. Any chance you can work a deal on these things, or do you pretty much have to bend over and pay retail plus whatever other crap the dealer wants to tack on?

ALL of our local dealers (Western Wa.)wanted to gouge. I finally got disgusted and called Highway 101 in Coos Bay, Oregon and placed an order over the phone. It saved about $900, plus I can get some parts discounts. I have a little diesel pickup, so a scenic 6 hour drive will be just fine to me. I find price gouging unacceptable and won't play. There is NO NEED to make these long drives all over like in the depression era. We have phones now - USE THEM! Originally I salivated over the 883R, as it's color combos were stunning. But, I also know that owning several Jap bikes, 45 hp won't keep me happy, so I went for the 1200R (with a still mediocre "beginners bike" 60 hp) - which comes with a tach, highway gearing, and better heads and cams - the torque increase even makes it perform better than an econo-car. The low models don't impress me with their short travel rear shocks that will beat you up on canyon roads and lead to scraping parts in every turn. The rubber mounts FEEL GOOD to ride - alive , but not brutal.

[Gone]

As said above shop for a good dealer, not only for price but Dealer support after the sale, parts ( You will be spending money here ) Why? the Sporty is just a down payment.........A blank canvas that you will personalize to your own taste:D

Service,Service,Service.... I am very lucky to have a top notch dealer here in Henderson, Nevada. I have never had a better buying experience in my life, that includes after the sale. I have made some great friends there, like family.:)

I have been riding motorcycles since 1970, in 2004 this was my first Harley, a plain XL 883 that is always changing. 17,000 miles later and not one service problem:banana

So good luck, you will love your sporty................

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/paxman1/DSCF1255.jpg


Mark

GREAT PHOTO!!!!! Your area is under consideration for retirement. I'm sick and tired of gray skies and rain for 52 years.

[Gone]

Welcome to the forum.

[Gary7]

Welcome. Where are you?-Who is/are your local dealer(s). Forum members might be able to give you some good insight from personal experience. You may also want to check out the "Dealers, Stealers, Indys and Parts Dealers" thread.

I'm in the Upstate area of South Carolina. The dealers in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Charlotte (NC) are all within easy driving distance of me.

[paxman1]

GREAT PHOTO!!!!! Your area is under consideration for retirement. I'm sick and tired of gray skies and rain for 52 years.

Just got back from a 75 mile ride, 62 deg and sunny:) Not bad for November 26

Take care

Mark

[Screw Loose Dan]

It's been 25 years since I had my last motorcycle. Probably a 883 Sportster. I'm fairly certain I want a 07 for the fuel injection.

Any advice as I contemplate this purchase would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been down to my local Harley dealer to see what they've got. Any chance you can work a deal on these things, or do you pretty much have to bend over and pay retail plus whatever other crap the dealer wants to tack on?

Gary,

Welcome to the forums!

I just bought my 07 in August. My first Harley ever and the first bike in 7+ years. I, unlike you, didn't do much research first and didn't find the forums until after I got my bike. Oh well.

So, my purchase was pretty spontaneous. In hindsight, the things I wish I had realized before buying was what type of riding I would do and what type of rider I am. My Sporty is an 883Low. I bought it cause I could very firmly plant both feet on the ground and the looks are killer IMHO. I very quickly got comfortable riding and started scraping things around corners. If you plan on taking any back curvy roads at even reasonable speeds you will scrape on the low models. The standard and R models won't have this issue (as much).

Don't get me wrong, I have no real regrets. Just a reason (excuse?) to upgrade the suspension. As far as the 883 vs the 1200, it's probably personal choice. I've never felt my bike was under powered in any way. And even scraping around corners and all, I keep ahead of the big bagger bikes (and they enjoy the show of sparks). That being said, I don't ride 2-up at all and don't plan to. Nor am I going to win any races.

The fuel injection rocks in my opinion and did play a part in deciding whether I wanted a left over 06 or the shiny new 07. No question in my mind I made the right choice.

My local dealer (in PA) won't negotiate the price. But, they are extremely friendly/helpful and I get free hot dogs and hamburgers on Sundays (planning on eating my way to a discount eventually :D ).

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Gary7]

Well, I hope this is a good sign. I sent an e-mail earlier to the principal at the Harley dealer in Greenville and asked about pricing and I just got this back. Pretty cool that he responded on a Sunday night.

We have a good selection of Sportsters in stock and will sell you one at MSRP plus the standard freight charge. The tax, tag, and title for a bike registered in SC is $365. There are no other hidden or surprise charges. We also do your first service for half price and give you 10% off on all your parts and clothes as long as you own the bike. We have very reasonable financing and insurance.

We sell more bikes than anyone in the Carolinas and think this is because we take good care of our customers. Hope to see you Monday.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Well, I hope this is a good sign. I sent an e-mail earlier to the principal at the Harley dealer in Greenville and asked about pricing and I just got this back. Pretty cool that he responded on a Sunday night.


That's a pretty fair deal and I get good vibes from their being upfront.

There might be some cheaper dealers out there, but what do you prefer, someone who is the cheapest, or someone you can trust?

I'll take the later anyday.

Kev

[Roadhog]

Hi Gary,
I recently bought a 2007 1200C. It is a fantastic bike. I've been riding a Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 800 and it doesn't even compare. I've had two Ironhead Sportsters in the past, and they aren't even in the same class as this machine. I think you'll be pleased if you pick one.

My dealer would not budge on price and they were a bit over the MSRP. They are the only dealer close by, so there wasn't much choice.

Barry

[Gary7]

Well, I got it. :tour

I'll pick it up tomorrow after I go to DMV and get my cycle permit. I'd post a picture of the bike sitting on the showroom floor, but I don't have the requisite 15 posts yet.

The Greenville Harley dealer is tops to deal with. No markup and they had all the paperwork waiting on me when I got there.

[Roadhog]

Well, I got it.

Congrats! I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Barry

[gymrat523]

congrats, you work fast.

[Paulie420]

Right on, we scored another point!!! Welcome from Sacramento, enjoy that bike and post a few pics when you can!!!


Take care...

[Clipper]

Hey man, congrats on the new bike. Read your post over on BITOG and wasn't surprised that you got a few comments about buying a 'baby Harley' and stuff like that. Glad you didn't listen to the noise. You'll love your new machine fer sure!

[Screw Loose Dan]

Dude, congratulations!! :clap

Don't be a stranger, keep us updated.

[paxman1]

All I can say is......:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana


Mark.............................The fun has begun

[Gary7]

Took the written motorcycle test at DMV this morning and missed one question, darn it. :smoke

Just waiting now for a friend of mine to give me a ride down to Greenville to pick it up.

[blksportee]

Congrats on your purchase, I'm sure you will enjoy it! Keep it between the ditches...

[blksportee]

Recommend taking a MC safety course. local community coleges have them, for beginners, and advanced. Not questioning your abilities on the scoot, but it's a good class. Plus it cuts down your insurance payment. Just a recommendation brother.

[Gary7]

Recommend taking a MC safety course. local community coleges have them, for beginners, and advanced. Not questioning your abilities on the scoot, but it's a good class. Plus it cuts down your insurance payment. Just a recommendation brother.

Yes, I plan to before I take the driving test for the full cycle license.

[blksportee]

Some DMV's recognize the course given by the college as your road test an you won't be required to ride for DMV rep, just take your card from the course and they'll do the MC endorsement on your drivers license. I know it's that way in Carolina where I took my course. Good luck..

[Gary7]

Some DMV's recognize the course given by the college as your road test an you won't be required to ride for DMV rep, just take your card from the course and they'll do the MC endorsement on your drivers license. I know it's that way in Carolina where I took my course. Good luck..

It's that way in SC too, so long as you take the intermediate or advanced course. DMV won't waive the driving exam if you just have the cert from the beginners course.

[bplinson]

Congrats on the test and the Sporty!!! Your gonna love it but just take your time first and get your riding legs back.

[Nick883C]

I wanted a bike after being away from bikes for over a decade. Test drove several. Decided on the 883 over the 1200. Then I stumbled across a used 2007 883C at local dealer for $7500. Until then, I wasn't even aware there WAS an 883 "custom" model with fwd pegs and all that jazz. It just "felt right." I tried over the weekend to get the dealer to come down to $7,000 out-the-door, but he wouldn't budge. I ALMOST got it that night anyway. Glad I didn't. That night after getting home I spotted an identical 2007 883C advertised on craigslist the next town over -- that was advertised a lot cheaper. I checked it out and it was mint! Barely 2,000 miles on the odometer. Garaged. Looked absolutely new; $4,800. I rode it home. The 883C has been great on my rural cruises as well as 2.5 hr highway trips (usually cruise at 75mph the whole time, unless I'm jetting past 18-wheelers cuz I don't like their turbulent wind envelope), and fun on little errands aroung town. The lessons I learned were (1) don't rush, and (2) buy private sale if at all possible. Now I Have $2200 in my bike budget. :tour. I don't like HD dealers...
- Nick

[HD_XL rider]

Congrats man. I've never been unhappy with the 883. The motorcycle safety course is a great idea and maybe read Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling over the winter while you are thinking about getting back on the ride. Pretty easy reads