Why a sportster...discuss...

[wickedsprint]

So all of my buddies ask me why I got a sportster when for the same amount of $$ I could have a wicked fast crotchrocket. I ask them...why are some cars that are not entirely performance oriented still fun to drive...the sounds..the smells, ease of driving on a daily basis, ease of ownership with routine maintenece is usually the agreed upon answer. Now I ask them if lincoln or caddilac still made a simple automobile that was fun to cruise the strip and had alot of low end torque that was almost identical to the one they made 40 years ago...don't you think it would still be fun to drive and own? Viola...at least that describes why I like harley...it is the ultimate retro motorcycle since not much on them has changed drastically. Sure improvements have been made, but a 1960s sportster and a 2005 sportster are both recognizable as sportsters. When you are riding down a country road at 60mph it makes you feel like you have gone back in time...at least for me.

[Moved On]

Thats a great way to look at it. I couldn't agree more.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts :tour

Gary

[XLinAL]

Comparing Sportsters to crotch rockets is like comparing a '67 Chevelle SS to a Civic bumblebee car now( you know, w/ the fart can exhaust, high-rev buzz).
They are totally different.
Personally, I would rather have one of those torque-monster muscle cars than one of these new buzz-bomb cars.
That's just me. They probably outhandle the older cars, but to me, lack soul.
Is my age and prejudice showing? ;)
Sportsters are the motorcycle equivalent of the GTO Judge. They have been around a long time and were THE muscle bike of the sixties that competed with the rest (Norton, BSA, Triumph, etc.) on the streets, the strips, and everywhere else.

High tech, not really. Steeped in history and still a kick-ass ride, YOU BET!

I LOVE my Sporty! :smoke

[wickedsprint]

A civic is slow though, the ultimate jap car these days to mod is the toyota supra made after 93', there are a few that are pushing 1100hp and completely streetable..besides the fact that they have traction issues below 150 mph...ha

[collinsb]

All of the above! Here's Elvis's 56 KH which was the forerunner of the 57 Sportster. If it was good enough for Elvis, it's good enough for me!


http://home.netcom.com/~harley.davidson/presley.gif

[jwb47]

I believe mt reply would of been why not a sportster? how fast is fast enough? I am perfectly happy with my bike . I have pegged the speedo and done it in pretty quick order in my opinion. 120mph is about twice as fast as need be ,admittedly I usually run about 70mph and have no problem passing going up hill ,down hill ,around a curve ,or just straight out haulin ass down the highway. big deal I cant and dont want to do a stoppie. nor do I have any desire t do a wheely im 45 not 25 and have nothing to prove. my step son has a yamaha crotch rocket and to me it is like running down the rail road track with a chain saw between your legs.

[wickedsprint]

hey I'm 25...be nice..ha!

[jwillie]

"going down the railroad tracks with a chainsaw between your legs"...that is priceless!!!

[hillpope]

I'm 22 and I chose a Sportster 1200c as my firsy for the simple reason that I don't need 120+ hp between my legs. I think my bike is plenty for me anyway. Besides, when you're crusin' through the streets, a Harley to me represents pride and has the sound of my soul coming out for all to hear. I don't know about everyone else, I'd rather my soul sound like a Harley and not a chainsaw. Basically, a Harley has soul.

[xl1200r]

You show up on crotch rocket...
...You arrive on a Harley-Davidson.

Here's the story. I'm 21, and My first bike was a 1981 Suzuki DR-125 dirtbike when I was 15 years old. I wanted a crotch roacket so bad it hurt.

Then I grew up.

It's pretty much been stated here already. Harley's have a soul, much like an old car. My first car was 1991 Grand Am (H.O. QUAD-4 5 speed if anyone cares - fast as hell for a 4 cyl of that vintage). My most recent car is a 1996 Dodge Stratus, which is a huge pile of crap. But my favorite car was my 1978 Monte Carlo. The thing was absolutely mint, and with a modified Corvette small block, it moved along allright too. That car had soul. It was simple, yet refined. And the sounds was enough to make you cream your pants. I sold it to buy the bike - a 2004 xl1200r. I never looked back.

Now it's time to look a new car. I have a friend looking at the dealer auctions for me for a Cadillac - a car with soul and history. I guess you could say a Honda has history too, but then again so does a General Electric refridgerator.

[cantolina]

My Sporty gives me the best of all worlds..

I can run gravel and dirt roads with the best of 'em.....

I do 70-80 very comfortably on the hiway.....

I have UNPARALLELED control in twisties..

I can ride 2-up or alone, with no measurable performance OR comfort issues.....

I have no problem riding as many miles as I need to.....

What else could one want?

It is the ULTIMATE sport/touring bike...

[Doc66]

I'll jump in with more agreement. I was lucky I suppose. I grew up racing Yamahas in the dirt. My father was a Harley guy. He owns 3 and has never sold one. It took me years of growing up to understand why they mean so much to him. Now I appreciate the rich history, the heritage, the heart of the beast, and like several have said, the soul. Right at this moment, I'm listening to Hank Jr. sing "Family Tradition." He says it well. Pride is a strong force. My father always viewed my dirt bikes (and most Japanese bikes for that matter) as disposable. His desire to keep and maintain his three bikes speaks volumes about being proud of Harley and Sportster ownership. It's not just a motorcycle we chose to own. My 2.5 cents.

[Willard]

Sure, improvements have been made, but a 1960s sportster and a 2005 sportster are both recognizable as sportsters. When you are riding down a country road at 60mph it makes you feel like you have gone back in time.

I've ridden both a 1969 and a 2004 Sporty down a country road at 60mph,
and believe me, there is NO difference . . . .

[sportsterrific]

Sportsters are truly universal bikes- you can make a chopper, cafe racer, tourer and everything in between. What modern other bike can do that? Ad to that the history, sound, looks, quality and ease of maintenance. Sporsters are eveything a motorcycle should be. And they're affordable!
I've had 13 other bikes, all metrics, and although my sportbikes were faster and handled better, none of them could hold a candle to the Sportster's character and style.

[AZbiker]

I wanted air cooling and reliability in a STANDARD STYLE motorcycle. I like to ride, not wrench. My first choice was actually a Honda Nighthawk 750, but I wanted a new bike and there weren't any more 1998 leftovers here in Phoenix. So I decided to take the plunge, spend a little more money, and buy an H-D. I honestly couldn't care less what other people think of me or my bike. I didn't need, or want the horsepower and RPM increase afforded by shim & bucket valvetrains. Bikes with hydraulic valve lash adjusters are not very common among the Asian offerings, unfortunately.

And to XL1200R, Hondas do have soul, born of a heritage racing (and winning) against the best in the world. The Honda Motor Company was started by one man, Soichiro Honda. Mr Honda was an ex-racer and mechanic that was almost killed in an accident racing his own car. He was fond of getting his hands dirty with the rank-and-file engineers up until he retired. He liked to drink sake, haul ass on his bike, and hang out with pretty women (sounds like a pretty cool dude if you ask me).

[flathead45]

the chicks , man , the chicks

women love the milwakee viberater

[willprevale]

My Sporty gives me the best of all worlds..

I can run gravel and dirt roads with the best of 'em.....

I do 70-80 very comfortably on the hiway.....

I have UNPARALLELED control in twisties..

I can ride 2-up or alone, with no measurable performance OR comfort issues.....

I have no problem riding as many miles as I need to.....

What else could one want?

It is the ULTIMATE sport/touring bike...

Not to mention that unlike the metrics, it's not a disposable bike. A rebuild and paint and good as new and nearly as reasaleable. Let's see that from a twenty or thirty year old Honda/ Kaw etc.

[thunderpaw]

For many of the reasons already stated. I grew up with them and rode against them in my Brit bike days. They, like the Triumph Bonneville of the '60s, always looked as I thought a motorcycle should. Some neighbors of mine back in the 50s had a bunch of flathead FLs and some Duo Glides...I always thought that they looked somehow out of proportion. As a kid, I had a toy Duo Glide with a removeable rider (blue...must have been an officer of the law :) ) but even as a young child, I realized that those floorboards negatively affected my 'lean angle' :D
I always loved the sound of a Harley, as well as a 360 degree vertical twin. I, too, like a motorcycle that is more than a 'one trick pony'. The Sportster can do most anything that you have the nerve to ask it to. Plenty fast for me. I am amazed at its cornering prowess. I was also very pleasantly surprised at the build quality-I mean this is the 21st century...where is all the plastic? They did a very nice job on the bike and the price is a true bargain. I have to confess-I always chuckled at Harley owners and their 'accessorizing'. Now I'm one of them! Truth. I bought a piece of chrome that didn't (really) function any better than the plastic piece it replaced. But it shore looked purdy! Damn-what is happening to me? Yeah, the prices are high...but not really unreasonable given the fit and finish (okay, the backside of some of the chrome pieces is a little weak..). I have spent many a moment, when not riding, just sippin' a beer and looking at my Sporty and SMILING. I invent reasons to go out and turn a wrench on it. Life is good.

Kim

[jwb47]

I wanted air cooling and reliability in a STANDARD STYLE motorcycle. I like to ride, not wrench. My first choice was actually a Honda Nighthawk 750, but I wanted a new bike and there weren't any more 1998 leftovers here in Phoenix. So I decided to take the plunge, spend a little more money, and buy an H-D. I honestly couldn't care less what other people think of me or my bike. I didn't need, or want the horsepower and RPM increase afforded by shim & bucket valvetrains. Bikes with hydraulic valve lash adjusters are not very common among the Asian offerings, unfortunately.

And to XL1200R, Hondas do have soul, born of a heritage racing (and winning) against the best in the world. The Honda Motor Company was started by one man, Soichiro Honda. Mr Honda was an ex-racer and mechanic that was almost killed in an accident racing his own car. He was fond of getting his hands dirty with the rank-and-file engineers up until he retired. He liked to drink sake, haul ass on his bike, and hang out with pretty women (sounds like a pretty cool dude if you ask me).

then if I was you I would buy one and go hang out on honda sites and while your at it holler tora! tora !tora! :eek:

[Darhawk]

In the mid-sixties, my friend and I would park the Bonnevilles next to some friends and their Harleys, at the top of Public Avenue in the small town I grew up near. We'd talk for a couple hours and check out the girls cruising by. We'd get on the Bonnevilles, kick'em down, and then wait while our friends would near bust a gut trying to get their Harleys started. Under our bikes the payment would be dry as we left, but under the Harleys would lay the drippings of about a third a quart of oil. Long rides always became longer as we would have to stop while one of the Harley riders tightened this bolt or that nut, or put the chain back on, or put in more oil................etc.


Fortunately, HD wised up and I think today's Sportster is heads above a Triumph. That's why I now own and ride a Sportster.:chop

[engine]

the chicks , man , the chicks

women love the milwakee viberater
exactly. My friends wife asked if she can sit on it maybe twice a week...

I grew up with eht enotion that it's H-D or nothing. 2 of my uncles had HD's when I was growing up (and they still do). It was only natural that I get one. A crotch rocket isn't my style.

It's funny, though, the mentality of some people. I belong to another Camaro Forum, and one of the guys there has a 70 Z28 or something and totally bashes ricer cars on a daily basis, yet he has a Yamaha R1 and bashes Sportsters. When I mentioned buying the one I have now, he replied saying to turn around and not look at that bike ever again. He said to buy some king of Jap 600 or something. That made me want to buy it more!

[wickedsprint]

The yamaha R1 is disgustingy fast, cycle world recently tested its top speed of 97 mph...in FIRST GEAR, and it has a 6 speed, unrestricted it could likely touch 200 mph.

[maddog]

Friends ask " Why a Harley?" I tell them that it's like being back in High School, only now YOU are one of the cool kids!

" When you are on a Harley you don't have to go fast to be cool. You are cool by definition. "

Donny Peterson
Heavy Duty Cycles
Toronto Canada
AMERICAN IRON MAG. MARCH 2001

[RedRider]

To me, Harley-Davidsons in general, and specifically Sportsters are a high form of automotive art...the V Twin engine, the chrome, the classic stance & proportions....

The sound of the engine and exhaust cannot be duplicated by any other brand. The mechanical feel of the the gears shifting, the motor rocking & vibrating in the frame makes it really come to life compared to metrics.

When I'm riding, I can't help but feel like I'm being transported back in time to a simpler, better place.

[vetteguy]

I think everyone has summed it up pretty well, I'll just add, If you have to explain it to them , they won't understand anyway!

[txsporty]

Why a Sportster?? Why Not!!! :D

Tradition, You can Hot-Rod them and you can Tour with them. It the most versitile bike ever Made!!! And it's a HARLEY-DAVIDSON!!! What else can I say!!! :D

[Darhawk]

RedRider
You got it right. Isn't it wild that every other bike manufacturer in the world tries to build a bike that sounds like a Harley, but can never achieve it!:D

[dabronco]

It's just the most accurately NAMED bike in the world. And if all those supposed loyal crotch rocket riders were honest with themselves, they KNOW they want one! Just look at it and it screams MACHINE! You don't hear one, you FEEL it. More nimble than most people realize, quicker than it seems,(just watch the cars get smaller in yer mirror at the stop lights), Easy relaxing tone on the hiway rather than the complaining note of four screaming cylinders, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.........

[Russ]

Why a Sportster?

It's a motorcycle.

But what about the yamakawazukida GSXCBR1ZX-R?? It was designed by engineers to go fast. Period. All the pieces that make that machine a motorcycle are covered up, hidden.

There's something so simple, so elemental about a Sportster. It's not trying to be something it's not, yet it can do anything anyone would ask of a motorcycle. There's no fake covers, or huge plastic fenders, or artificially large handlebars and tank to make the bike appear to be something it's not. The Sportster is the essence of motorcycling in one simple, fantastic package. It's now much more refined and evolved since the introduction of the rubber mount Evo motored Sporties, but the soul of the bike is still the same as it was 35 years ago.

Granted, HD had segmented the Sportster line a bit into a couple different sub-categories, but all that was needed to do that was a change in the front wheel and foot control locations. It's a testament of how versatile the bike is. I can park my C model next to my Dad's XL and they're 2 completely different bikes, yet almost identical, save for the tank, rear shocks, foot controls, and front wheel.

Sportsters forever!!

[xl1200r]

And to XL1200R, Hondas do have soul, born of a heritage racing (and winning) against the best in the world. The Honda Motor Company was started by one man, Soichiro Honda. Mr Honda was an ex-racer and mechanic that was almost killed in an accident racing his own car. He was fond of getting his hands dirty with the rank-and-file engineers up until he retired. He liked to drink sake, haul ass on his bike, and hang out with pretty women (sounds like a pretty cool dude if you ask me).

I don't refute Honda's racing heritage. I know it's there. But a new Honda just feels like any other bike. More of an appliance to me. They don't seem to touch on thier history, which is why they lack soul to me. And old Honda, like the 1949 model (I think that was the first one) definatley would have soul today. But a new one is just not the same.

Anyways, I was referencing more Honda cars, which do not have soul. Not even an S2000. A rich history does not equal soul.

[pilot]

[QUOTE= And old Honda, like the 1949 model (I think that was the first one) definatley would have soul today. But a new one is just not the same.
QUOTE]

Not trying to counter your point, I agree, but its hard for me to say that any new anything has "soul". "Soul" to me is earned by longevity. My wife's 1973 SS-350 Sprint has soul. A bike thats 31 years old, made in a factory halfway around the world, shipped to Washington State, ridden several thousand miles to who knows where, kept pretty much original, and obviously well taken care of. How many owners has it had, what roads has it ridden, how many names has it had, that kinda thing.

My '02 Sportster is working on obtaining soul, 13,000 miles, some work done to it by me, hours and days on the road, hours and nights in the garage. You get it,

I think you have to be involved with your bike for it to have soul, and for you to recognize it. If your dealer bolts on all your chrome, and changes your oil, and your bike only sees the road on sunny warm days and never sees 500+ mile long trips, you've missed out on quite an amazing experience. And what better bike to do it with than a Sportster

[el jeffe]

The definitive motorcycle.
I don't know why, but I wanted a Sportster since I can remember. It just fits me.
It is the perfect mix of part sport bike part Harley cruiser - a truly versatile machine.
Guys from 6 to 60 are always checking it out on the road. The women notice too. It’s not too big - not too small. I don’t appear to be compensating for something. (ya right)
OK so when I ride over to the biker bar to hang out I see many bikes costing three times as much, but one thing for sure, the owners are not having three times the fun. The only time you will not see a smile on my face while riding is when I’m stuck behind a dumptruck.
Everybody needs one, but not everyone is smart as we.

[XLFREAK]

All of the above, plus the investment aspect of owning a Harley Davidson over any metric bike. In 20 yrs with a metric, what do you have left? With a Harley, you're investment may double or even triple. I had a chance to buy a buddies 82 Sturgis back in 83 for $3500. It was offered to me again last year for $10,000. Do the math.

[flathead45]

I think the double or triple resale is about over , but they will hold their value
I bought my 72 for 1700 dollars with a broke trany 900 bucks to fix that and I'm at about the selling price in 72 ( $2,120 new in 72) but I guess if I sold it I'd ask about 5 , probably wouldn't get that though maybe 3500-4000

but its not for sale so don't ask, lol

[xlchjoe]

I blame(thank?) da Captain, Billy, and Bronson!

http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/xlchjoe/joemad%20hat.jpg

[Durockrolly]

There were no Japanese crotch (by todays definition) when I got my first Sportster back in 1973!

[Folkie]

http://gi264.photobucket.com/groups/ii163/5Z44F1WGOE/smiley_resurrect_grave.gif

[Baphomet]

http://gi264.photobucket.com/groups/ii163/5Z44F1WGOE/smiley_resurrect_grave.gif and http://conservativeindytechs.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dedhorse.gif

http://home.comcast.net/~wildskyyonder/dontfeedmods2zw.gif

[Folkie]

http://home.comcast.net/~wildskyyonder/dontfeedmods2zw.gif
:roflblack

[Rogster]

I don't refute Honda's racing heritage. I know it's there. But a new Honda just feels like any other bike. More of an appliance to me. They don't seem to touch on thier history, which is why they lack soul to me. And old Honda, like the 1949 model (I think that was the first one) definatley would have soul today. But a new one is just not the same.

Anyways, I was referencing more Honda cars, which do not have soul. Not even an S2000. A rich history does not equal soul.

There is always a following of some brand, I really like riding my Honda Silverwing its 600cc automatic maxiscoot...I would like to get a Sportster, had one, but for me it was a lemon, nothing but repairs,,still am ready to try one again, for the name?,,,the soul?..maybe, not sure..Honda did basically put Simplex,Mustang, and Cushman out of business...that just means any other company could have come along and done the same thing in a competitive market...Rog.. and yes I did read this as a 7 year old thread,,

[shotgun46]

7 year old thread,and they still have 1930's technology ! and why don't they call them Davidson's ?? :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

[mycle1000]

60" wheelbase, 30* fork rake, standard ergonomics and <500lbs. that is the standard (average) (median) motorcycle for the world. put about 50 (or more) horsepower in it and the formula is near perfect. the ultimate standard motorcycle.

[krowmagnum]

Why a Sporty ?

Because it's made in America !

[E65841]

to me , my 94 has a vintage Harley "look" to it, even though its only a 94. People do notice it, and I get compliments on it from time to time. One day I will post pics. My wife don't know squat about bikes but SHE says it looks like a Harley aught to look to her. Well, if that ain't the final authority.......what is?

[Folkie]

My wife don't know squat about bikes but SHE says it looks like a Harley aught to look to her. Well, if that ain't the final authority.......what is?
Mine neither; she said mine didn't look like a Harley because it didn't have enough chrome on it. :doh

[LilWop]

One thought... When I park my bike next to all of my buddies who have Crotchy's.. Its always the same reaction..

Thats a nice bike for a Suzuki..
Thats a nice bike for a Honda..
Thats a nice bike for a Kawasaki..

Thats a NICE bike...... (my Harley)

Nuff said....

[tensejed]

in 76 i got a cb 750 ,cheap ,low miles and would really fly . however it was an ugly thing and in 79 bought a new sporty . i wish i still had the honda and iron head but we all make mistakes. riding my 2000 C gives me the same smile as the 79 that i never got on the honda

[milmat1]

It is RAW FORM !!! The most basic you can go ! It doesnt get any more basic and strpped down to true form than the Sporty !!!

[Ireeman]

http://gi264.photobucket.com/groups/ii163/5Z44F1WGOE/smiley_resurrect_grave.gif and http://conservativeindytechs.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dedhorse.gif

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ewildskyyonder/dontfeedmods2zw.gif

That was very funny, indeed.

[1200cblue]

First off, I love motorcycles. All of them....crotch rockets , dirt bikes, pit bikes, bagger, what have ya. Two wheels is always more fun. I am a sportbike convert. Sportbikes was just too fast. Who needs to go balls to the wall from 50 to 130 mph? Not me anymore. The sportster offered the right amount of speed, weight for highway travel (to light and you get blown all over, and you can truly make a sportsmen anything you want. Let's not hate on Japanese bikes because they are quiet, reliable, technologically advanced. Someone said Japanese bikes are disposable, I strongly disagree. Now Chinese is a different story, but they are coming along.

Harley are also all metal the way a motorcycle should be.

[mr.coffee]

Wow, necrobump, huh? LOL!

Why a Sporty, 'cuz I wanted a Harley, and 'cuz it's light-ish and easy to manage. I had my share of rice bikes when I was younger, and I still like seeing chopped XS650s and such, but even then I always wanted a Harley. When I think of Harleys I think of MCs roaring down the interstate, I think of Easy Rider, I think of all the coolest guys in all the coolest movies and more than a few cheesy ones too. Reality is, I'm a small guy and a lot of the big twins are just not comfortable to me, but on a Sportster, my feet reach the ground and I don't feel like I'm trying to straddle a Buick.

-m

[kknickmeyer]

I went looking for new bikes when I gave my son my 883 when he turned 16. Wife said buy what you want. Test rode about everything on the market. I ended up with another Sportster, 1200N. The Triumph T-Bird was a close 2nd but I think I made the right choice. It's not the biggest, fastest or best handling but it works the best for me. Kurt

[rottenralph]

It is called personal preference. I traded bikes with a friend for a couple of miles. I road his Yam R6 and he road my sporty. I hated his bike and he hated mine. We both agreed that we had made the right choices.

[E65841]

Wow, necrobump, huh? LOL!

Why a Sporty, 'cuz I wanted a Harley, and 'cuz it's light-ish and easy to manage. I had my share of rice bikes when I was younger, and I still like seeing chopped XS650s and such, but even then I always wanted a Harley. When I think of Harleys I think of MCs roaring down the interstate, I think of Easy Rider, I think of all the coolest guys in all the coolest movies and more than a few cheesy ones too. Reality is, I'm a small guy and a lot of the big twins are just not comfortable to me, but on a Sportster, my feet reach the ground and I don't feel like I'm trying to straddle a Buick.

-m

I know what you mean. I'm 5'6" tall, but my pants are all 28" inseam. That's pretty short. I've often wondered if i could reach the forward controls on something like a wide glide. All things considered I feel me and my sporty match up really well.

[j1200c]

It makes me smile every time I ride it!!! JC

[DOUBLEEIGHT3XL]

I started with a beat up Honda 1971 CB350. For my first bike, It was a nightmare. I bought it from a shady shop in Los Angeles called Illuminati that sold me dreams of riding a classic. I eventually parted it out to fund my education.
Months after I graduated and had enough money, I started researching bikes. One of them was the Sportster. I loved the stylish body, the power, and the mid-controls. And lo-and-behold, one of my coworkers was selling a Sportster. It was a 2006 Sportster with only 2k miles on it. Unfortunately, it sat for a year but with a little elbow grease I had it running like a champ. Since then, I'm completely loving the bike. I'm proud to be a Harley owner - especially with all the list of mods I have in store for the bike.

[wedge]

Why a Sporty ?

Because it's made in America !
+1, while all the tycoons are exporting American jobs, and all the youngsters are buying foreign cars and bikes, I prefer American Made.

I also like the 30's technology, air cooled, bikes should never have a drive shaft, and also in my opinion, bikes should be minimal in design. This is the all around best American Hot Rod unless you are into doing a full chop on a BT to get it down in the same weight category. I do kind of like the belt drive, much cleaner and less hassle.

My friend has a ZX10, and that is a kick in the ass to ride, but I don't want to work on it.

[cldiver]

I bought my 06 custom because it fitted me in all respects. It was odd that I got a Harley as I had very little respect for the brand. After looking at most of the cruisers, including BT's, many of the standard, and dual purpose bikes, the 1200 just felt right to me. The rockets are just not cool for guys my age, (my own opinion), all the cruisers were just too big. When I sat on it, the sportster just felt right. I also enjoy doing the maintenance and I find my bike very easy to work on. I was recently tempted by a good deal on a new wide glide but it didn't feel right...may have been to front end of it.

[Ratchet72]

Because its small, light, and fast.
I can adjust the valves in about 5 minutes.
I like points.
I like only having to adjust/rebuild one carb.
I like that I can SEE the motor, unlike my Honda.
Wiring is super basic and doesn't take a rocket scientist.
Its comfortable.
I built it.
I love ALL motorcycles though so what do I know?

[Dirk Diggler]

I'm in the same boat as many who replied in this thread...

I got into motorcycles right out of high school with a sportbike ('86 Yamaha FZ600) that I bought as a basket case and got running real strong with a few bucks and several weeks of wrenching. It got me into what makes a bike "tick".
However, as an inexperienced rider just barely 18 years old, it was way too much power in the hands of a novice. Young and stupid, I got pulled over on a nearly weekly basis. Worst one was getting locked on radar at 137 in a 55 zone. That citation forced me to sell the bike to pay it.

I wanted another bike, but always bought cars and trucks instead.

A few of my friends and co-workers had bikes, and I got the opportunity to ride a few of them... One of my favorites was a co-worker's Honda CB750. Just seemed to have a good balance of power, handling, and weight to suit what I was looking for at the time. So a year or so later, I got on the mission to get me another bike. I explored all the Japanese brands, as I really didn't like what I thought a H-D was... A vibrating, leaking, gutless relic. Looked at a Suzuki Intruder 1400, and the dealership wasn't very pleasant, so I walked on that one. Looked at a Kawasaki Vulcan 750, and again, the dealership wasn't anything to brag about. I sell cars for a living, and know how to treat a potential customer. These guys did not. If they couldn't close me on the spot at full sticker, they didn't want me wasting their time. So, under slight protest, I went to the H-D dealership with my buddy who owned a '06 XL1200L and needed to pick up some stuff he had ordered. We were in the neighborhood, and I had nothing else to do, so we stopped.
Upon entering the dealership, I was immediately greeted by one of the girls in the clothing department, and the whole place seemed to have a very relaxed atmosphere to it. My buddy went back into the parts department and got his stuff, and the parts manager (a big tattooed very "typical" looking biker) was friendly and helpful. My buddy told him jokingly that I was shopping for a "Jap" bike, upon which I got razzed badly for it. My buddy was looking to order some more goodies for his bike, and I wandered out into the showroom looking at what was there. A salesman came over to me and introduced himself, and asked if I needed any help, and I told him I was looking at bikes, but was pretty much set on getting a Japanese one just because they were considerably cheaper. He asked how much I was looking to spend, and I told him my price range, which none of the bikes on the floor were in. He said they took a Sportster in trade the night before, and it would be something in my budget. Took me in the back room and showed it to me, and I didn't want to admit it, but it really fit. The ergonomics were way better than anything else I'd looked at, and it just had a nice solid feel to it.
I told him I'd take it... Never even rode it.

I had the deal all written up by the time my buddy got done chatting with the parts guy, and he about fell over when I told him I just bought a bike! Even more so when he found out it was the exact bike he bought, but I paid less money for it! Granted, it wasn't as perfect as his, but still, I knew it wouldn't take much to get it back to showroom condition again.
It was repainted (poorly) in a dark blue metal-flake paint, and the wheels were powdercoated black. I hate black wheels. There was also a few things that needed to be fixed before I felt comfortable riding it, like getting the proper tail light in place, and installing the belt guards. A couple hundred bucks got that done, and I've been enjoying it ever since.
It's a little small for me (I'm 6'00" 230#), and eventually I'd like to upgrade to a larger, yet similar bike... A Super Glide.
But until I can comfortably afford to pull the trigger on one, I'll enjoy every mile I ride on my Sportster.

I also feel that I need to give a shout out to Harley-Davidson/Buell of Appleton, WI as they were the nicest, friendliest motorcycle dealership I'd ever been in, regardless of brand. A top notch dealership all the way.