Servicing is actually pretty cheap. I do my own bike services . My 2005 Fatboy costs the same as my 2019 interceptor to service and takes around the same sort of time to service. You are absolutely correct about appreciation of the value. I had a dyna for 19 years . When I traded it in at the dealer in 2006 to buy my fatboy the dealer gave me £700 more than the cost of the bike from himself 19 years before that. Best wishes from Phil in West Yorkshire .
I have a 1967 XLH Sportster I got in 1982 in high school A high is riding that old bike. A Harley Davidson is more than just a bike they have a soul and come a live when you ride one. Sportsters aer coming up in price 👀 Ironhead sportsters Have risen from $ 1,500 up to $6.000 new ones are a great Investment for the future
Hi Freddie, I picked up my Custom Sportster Forty Eight yesterday, riding over 200-miles in gale force winds and rain to get it home. Ten miles felt like a thousand compared to my Multistrada. I stopped at every service station to give my body a rest (and fuel up). Every inch of me was sore and ached. And yet I woke up today and couldn't wait to get back on it. It's a 'soul bike'. I've never ridden anything with more personality, more cool, more soul than this. It spits, crackles and bangs. Gets compliments every time we stop. It looks and FEELS special. The handling sucks, the suspension is shocking and I've never been as uncomfortable in my life. And yet I can't imagine I'll ever sell it. I am well and truly in love with Sportster 48. Everyone should own one at some point in their life. There's nothing else like it.
That loud noise and the shake, that's normal it's so you know the engine is running. Its the best-sounding Harley ever produced, thanks to its one-of-a-kind, four individual camshafts, it sounds like an old V8 buick rumbling down the road. If you want a Honda this isn't right for you. The Sportster is one of a kind motorcycle experience. There is nothing like it on the road today.
I've always said, the reason Harley riders are so good in bar fights is all the practice they get fighting their bikes. Much respect to all the Harley riders cause they work hard and their bikes are beautiful to look at and listen to.
I’m 36, never ridden a motorbike in my life. But I listen to everything you say about them because of the passion you show. Always great vids Freddie (and Monika)
I have owned many, many different motorcycles, and now have had a 2008 XL1200C since 2011, and have had ridiculously low maintenance costs with it. Bonus: It runs better now than the day I bought it. I am forever a Sportster man.
So much of what you said about choosing character in a classic motorbike holds true for our air-cooled Boonies. It’s not a choice made from logic or by the specs. Thankfully so many of us appreciate the things that make motorcycling fun that aren’t by the numbers.
Hi Freddie, as someone who enjoyed having a Sportster for a little while, I loved it and even within the hierarchy of HD riders, Sportsters are considered a group of their own. I grew into a Road King so I'm still a HD rider but I still miss the Sporty. You don't have to wait for them to be a modern classic, for the most part they have considered that for the past 30 or 40 years but people love them and as you found out, they have a character all of their own. Stay healthy and ride safe and have fun!
So glad I found this channel, iam sure there isn't any other UA-cam channels that express so much passion for motorcycles. Iam looking for a new bike and the sportster has sucked me in. Agree with everything you said , it's all about character and style with this bike along with it being an investment. I do believe I will be riding one in 2023 !
With 2004 also the trap door was removed - so servicing the gearbox without splitting the case is impossible from there on. Owned a 1996 Sportster Sport and now a 2004 Sportster Custom (both 1200cc) the vibration wasn’t that bad on the rigid mounts, but the passengers footpegs where still mounted on the swingarm which made long distances rides especially over bad roads a bit challenging for the passenger 😇. Sportster engines are extremely tough and when I worked for HD I‘ve seen engines with 200k miles that never had been overhauled on the bottom end and still run fine! For me the Sportster is the HD to go for, because it has the most reliable engine and if you follow its origins back it relates to the first 4cam engine in the JD in 1924… So a legacy that no other bike will ever have!
I just bought my first Sportster after having had Hondas for 15 years. I found a 2012 XL1200C Sportster Custom. It only had 1904 miles on it. Immaculate. Yes it shakes a bit…..part of the charm. It also came with V&H exhaust. Louder than the screaming eagle pipes. Oh well. I paid less than $7K USD. And I got it from a local HD dealer. I consider the Sportster a true classic. I hope you enjoyed it. It’s everything a HD should be for the type of bike that it is.
Great video. Those foot pegs are the same stock pegs that were fitted to my new 2015 street bob. HD know most people spend a fortune swapping pegs, mirrors, saddles, pipes etc so tend to use plain bits on their bikes. My wife’s got a 2010 883XL and she’s just under 5 feet tall, so perfect bike for smaller riders. Also the 883 and 1200 are exactly the same bike / engine and it’s not a massively expensive job to have a big bore conversion to turn 883 into 1200. It’s a favourite base build for choppers etc 👍
There are so many Harley mechanics here in the U.S. that unless you need something major done, upkeep cost isn't that bad. I have a 2011 Sportster, and I bought it just because over here you can find parts for it until I die. My first bike was an 83 Honda Nighthawk and I've Frankensteined the crap out of it just because I can't find parts. I love the show! It has gotten me back into riding and wanting a Continental GT.
I found two pleasant surprises today on my recent purchase of a used 883 which was converted to 1200 cc. I got 50 MPG so I can go 150+ miles on the 3.3-gallon tank, and at 70 mph there is a sweet spot in little to no vibration. Perfect for the interstate. It has so much torque it can be a bit scary taking off. I was on a straight line roll in first gear, low in the rpm's and then quickly turned the throttle full on, and I had one shift into second, and what it seemed like was in two seconds I was doing 50 MPH. Not so bad. That surprised me. No other mods, just a 1200 top end from Harley.
Proud owner of a hd 2014 sportster xl 1200 cb. The most beautiful thing is that i’m 44, this is my first bike, and i am still taking my license (1 more month), and you were spot on on what makes someone want to get a hd. Or a sporster. You feel the charecter of the bike. You feel the tradition. You feel what is to have pleasure of riding. Not for the speed. Not for the thriling sensation of dynamics. But for the raw pleasure of the machine. Kudos for your review, Freddie. 👏🏻👏🏻
I absolutely loved my tuned (stage 4 - pipes, air, tuner,cams), straight through piped 1200 iron sportster. Bits fell off it a lot due to the vibrations, it was car alarm setting off loud but it was bloody lovely. Always made you feel amazing riding it and although my thruxton is nice I really want an old sportster again.
Great video by Monika and obviously you Freddie!! This Sportster range is going to be like the VW Beetle and camper for fans for years to come I'm sure. With all the specialist workshops and stockists.
I think you are right on about the prices holding up well, I see 1 - 2 year old Irons and 48's selling for what they cost new in the dealers ( admittedly a Harley dealer ). 883 Iron Ideal for Monica, and you could always borrow it .
I still own 2016 Roadster - the very first of its kind (without ABS as should be). It has been Cafe’d up with Dart, Screaming Eagle plugs and cables, etc. Incredibly reliable, easy to maintain, very easy to work on modify if you want. If there is one bike that is a keeper, this is it.
All the new bikes get more and more refined . I do believe that old Harley's and same goes for old ducatis in my opinion will hold their value very well and or appreciate , no doubt about it !
Nice ride! I've got a 2006 XL1200C that I picked up a few years ago for $2300 USD......has 40k miles on it but wouldn't know it.....has all the goodies, screamin eagle stage 1 intake, dynojet carb kit with thunderslide, santee 50 cal shotgun exhaust, and even tho I wouldn't want to take it on a super long road trip, it's a fine ride for around here! She's quick, nimble, and reliable.....and tho I enjoy imported bikes as well, nothing compares to the heavy duty, big, rustic feel of a harley!
Great video as usual. I own a 2018 xl1200 custom. Have been in serious thoughts of swapping her for a Triumph Speedmaster. After watching your video and standing in my garage looking at her beauty. I’ve decided to keep her and have a second cheaper bike. Thanks 🙏.
The Sportsters really are stunningly good looking bikes👌🏻😍 This is a tough call in my head; the class and sophistication of the Speedmaster vs the raw character and heritage of the Sportster
Great video. I've got a 2008 Sportster 883 XL. Interestingly and somewhat frustratingly, 2008 was a sort of "leftovers" year. A year where Harley just seem to use up old stock and parts from previous years. It's actually really quite difficult to find 2008 specific parts, you'll see a lot of part lists that go from '04 to '07 the '09 to present. Not impossible, I've managed just fine, but worth noting. I also have screaming eagles, when I got the bike it had Vance & Hines straight pipes, they were ridiculously loud. It was a lot of fun making people jump when starting the bike up, but after 20 minutes it did cause a headache. Swapped those for some factory pipes, but they were not quite enough. Now I have screaming eagles, but there is a bit of the baffle missing in one of the pipes, which causes the exhaust to rattle slightly, so it's a bit louder than the screaming eagles should be, and has what I like to call a "death rattle", it sounds like thunder and I love it. Which is why my bikes name is Mjölnir.
This is very interesting, thanks for sharing this info, Elliot🙌🏻🙌🏻 I was wondering what the standard pipes would sound like. It really does sound like thunder🌩
@@FreddieDobbs I have custom made baffles and you can add or remove the steel wool in the seperate chambers of the baffles and go from 80percent loud to 40percent 👍
That’s a 2008 model (maybe built in 07, but known as a 2008) - Harley’s 100th anniversary was in 2003. This was a 105th anniversary model Harley (actually 51 years for the Sportster). Great bike. I actually have a 2007 model 1200 custom (now with 115,000 kms on it).
The baffles for those Screaming Eagle slip-on pipes have been removed. New replacement baffles are inexpensive, held in place by a single screw, and they bring the noise down quite a bit. I currently ride a 2003. My previous bike was a 1985 and even with the earlier engine, configuration, the bike was quite similar. The feel of your 2007 is going to be similar to a 1957 and that is something that you learn to love and it doesn't make a lot of sense but its fun as hell. Agricultural is a good description. I'd never ride anything else.
Too bad that one is a 2007. That means it has all that computerized EFI garbage on it. It is basically a computer on wheels. I have a 2006 (carbureted) model 1200L, which also has cast wheels and tubeless tires front and rear so I never have to worry about flat tires. I have a backrest and quick detach saddlebags on it, and that is all. The hard leather bags come off with just a twist of a key. It also has an aftermarket exhaust which looks almost stock, but sounds beautiful. The carbureted bikes sound so much better than the EFI ones. I bought it about 5 years ago for $4200, with just over 8,000 miles on it. It even came with new tires. I did have to tune the carburetor to richen up the air/fuel mixture to work better with the aftermarket pipes. It still has the original air cleaner. I did remove the reflectors from the front forks. In the U.S. it is almost impossible to find a decent used carbureted Sportster. So many of them have been butchered beyond recognition. I carry my phone in my backpack or saddlebags. I ride to get away from modern technology. Refined is the LAST thing I want from a motorcycle. Sounds fine to me. That is what a Harley is supposed to sound like. I wear foam ear plugs on longer rides. The feel and sound are the ONLY reasons I ride a Sportster. Without those you might as well go Japanese. The feel and sound are what make the Sportster a REAL motorcycle. If it were a carbureted model, you could lower the idle speed and make it sound way better. Carbureted models hold their value a lot better than EFI "computer" models. Who is the Sportster for? Someone who wants to ride a MOTORCYCLE instead of a computer. Someone who actually wants to ride a MACHINE.
updated electrics in1999, sealed wheel bearings in 2000, better break calipers in 2000, trap door on transmission up to 2003 (this is a big deal) , 50 lbs heavier in 2004. I'm a fan of these bikes and have owned about 10 of them and done thousands of miles on them , I can say that some of these motors are not very well balanced so you need to ride them up to speed to make sure its not excessively, "vibey" before you buy it , if you get a well balanced one you wont need the rubber mount . Buy one from 2000 to 2003 ,learn how to tune your carb, warm it up properly and you will have one of the best bikes you can get for your money.
This was an excellent video. Your presentation lit upon certain aspects of the sportster that I hadnt thought of. The small history bit was helpful as well. I too have wanted a sporty for some time ( 30 years ! ) and your enthusiasm is contagious. Also first time I have actually watched an in video promotion , the seamless way it was dropped in was excellent I didnt feel the need to zoom forward/speed up the vid like I do most of the times with other channels. - For that alone, quadlock should be paying you more! I'm off to watch the triumph bobber video.
Great video on the Sportster. Freddie I own a 1973 Ironhead XLCH Sportster. Yes they vibrate a lot especially the older ones. You either love it or hate it Freddie. Thanks for talking about the Sportster.
Very very good video Freddie I was the same although unfortunately after getting my dream 883 Iron I had to let her go due to redundancy with her being on finance loved the 183 miles I got to experience her though hopefully in the future I can experience a Harley again for quite a while longer :)
Freddie, I have owned 3 Harleys in the last 8yrs and can quite honestly say the Roadster I had in 2014 was quite possibly the worse motorcycle I have ever owned, (and after owning an MZ and a CZ in the 80s that's saying something). Brakes were rubbish despite having twin discs, handling was rubbish (even after putting Hagon progressive springs on the front and nitro shocks on the back), engine was asthmatic, even after putting a full stage 1 air filter, full exhaust system and Fuel tuner on it, build quality was iffy at best, comfort was ok but only after buying a solo brawler seat. Other side of the coin was my Softail Slim and Street Glide Special were both very good.
Loved what you said about the sportster Freddie. I have an 08 Nightster 1200 and everything you say about there not being a sensible reason to have one of these is true. I regularly consider getting something a bit newer. Then I go for a ride and fall in love with the old girl all over again!
One of my Harleys is one I inherited from my wife after she succumbed to the covid treatment is a 1994 XL1200. It is destined to become a street tracker. Message on the rear fender will read, you've just been beat by my wife's Sportster.
Had mine 15 years, would never sell it unless i got another. I've had dozens of bikes since 1986, 2 strokes, 4 stroke twins , fours, but this sportster is my favourite bike ever and i dont really know why?.
got an 05 last of the cvo carbs i think? good for local use bopping around town in central nj where every morning i wake up to more mass influx of humanity . long trip ? ugh !
I dont think there is an easier modern bike to work on than the air cooled Evo Sportster, nor its bigger brother, the older big twin Evo excepting Guzzis. Even the older carb'd Twin Cams, pre 2006 are easy to service and repair. Ditto the W800 Kawasakis. It all gets more complicated with DOHC, chains, and shims. Another easy engine to service is the air cooled 2V Ducatis. As with all bikes, if you cant do the work yourself, find a brand/model specialist, and avoid the franchised main dealers
Great video as always Freddie You no what I’ve had British Japanese Italian and German motorcycles but never thought I’d be on a Harley Davidson until 2 years ago i bought my first 1200s&s cafe racer Harley and now i finally get why there’s such a following all over the world i’m sure Harley is the only motorcycle brand to have its exhaust note patent so no one can copy it ?
If you can change the oil(s) and remove the wheels yourself then servicing costs are actually cheap. otherwise take it to an independent harley shop. only ever gets expensive if you use a Harley dealer for servicing.
Love the sportster MR. Dobbster!! This bike will distress you, its for those days you want to enjoy the riding. Do they got boXXer engine bikes in that island? The torque feels on the mountain roads…..👍💯
I agree 100%, there is an allure with Harley Davidson that no other bike has as well as that character. I would love a 48 Custom, I had a Buell 1200 Lightning and that thing felt like a living beast, they way it ticked over and vibrated on its stand, it was a monster....with more character then any Ducati or Japanese bike.....and way more then my Triumph and I love my Triumph. If I had a spare 10k, I'd have a Harley sitting on my drive right now.
I have a 1999 Sportster 1200 S model It's lighter taller has dual disk brakes adjustable shocks all around solid mounted engine and the vibration isn't that bad your dogging it give it more throttle it smooths out .I'm 63 years old and it doesn't bother me at all.And the carburetor isn't a problem if you fix it your self it's cheap in the states anyway.I like how is always an English guy who never worked on a piece of farm equipment that thinks there is something agricultural .its not for everybody you have too like the torque more that the top speed ,but on real road how fast can you really go for how long these go over 100 mph that's enough.
Well I've owned three xl hd one xlch mag n kick starter 71 CI stroker motor one 61 ci XL n my current xl1200 Evo sporty they are the perfect Harley because with mods n planning you can do damn near anything with them chopper cafe race dirt bike tour you name it.and here in the USA Evo (post 84)are reasonable good iron(57to84) are going up as they have become hipster cool but still my hd of choice is air cooled sporty real sportys don't have raditors
It’s the bike you dream of having when you haven’t ridden or owned one because they are synonymous with cool, as an expensive hobby I would have one but if like me you can only afford one decent bike I want it to look good and be great to ride and be affordable and this possible with….. haha the mighty T120 black
I have owned Harleys various different models for over 40 years they are ridiculous money pits, the first sign dampness in the air and burst into rust, the welding frequently has great lumps of splatter on the frame. I applaud the people working in PR but reliability and quality of materials is way off the pace.
My 2006 1200L is beautifully made, the fit and finish is better than anything I have ever seen on any other bike, including BMW. And I have never had even the slightest problem with it. Sportsters are different from the larger Harleys. They are virtually bulletproof.
I've got the 2003 100 year anniversary sporty. I find no issue with vibrations and enjoy the ease of the carb. It's a nimble little beast that you can throw around compared to the scout. I rode the scout and felt like I had nothing between my legs. I want to hear and feel my ride! To each their own though. You know what you are buying with the Harley, an evo engine that will go on forever and a highly customisable bike in comparison to the competition.
I just bought mine a week ago. My first Harley. 1200, carburated, no rubber engine mounts. I'm in love like no other of my ten previous bikes. I'm a little afraid to modify it or let it almost stock. And I'm so happy to finally enjoy the ride without going fast. Thats what I was looking for. Becoming wiser, but still having fun.
I love the way you demonstrate the the rock and roll on this bike…..You either love ‘em or hate ‘em…..For me the Sporty is a great way to find that out….the rumble and the roll of the Harley is what makes them so unique, they will lose that completely with the electric…its interesting to see how if they lose the trademark of noise, rawness and badass…and produce these new machines that are quiet, sophisticated and modern, where does that place the brand….
Exactly my thoughts!⚡️ After riding the Livewire; it’s a good bike but has no character and no bloodline/similarities with any other Harley. Will Harley make electric traditional old school styled cruisers, or completely move away from their trade mark styling- like they did with the Livewire.
@@FreddieDobbs Electric motorcycles are still far from being viable. For a city commuter they are already viable and there are plenty of options for that, but for a cruiser like a classic HD that people usually buy them to travel hundreds of miles on the road, these kind of bikes are still going to have an internal combustion engine for the foreseeable future.
I put old school 26"Buck horn bars on my 2004 1200c. Changed my narrow 21" front rim to a 3.5 in wide 21" black with laced wire spokes. and added a fatter 21" tire. Lowered rear .5 to 1 inch. Running black taped up Vance Hines long exhaust. Running Vintage Classic Harley insignias on the tank and side covers. Leather fringed Saddle bags. Basically mine is a semi bobber. Harley knows that the Sportster is basically a blank canvas and most buyers at least in the past would be customizing them to their liking. In the 60s the Sportster was Hells Angels bike of Choice..
This is why we subscribe to certain UA-camrs! You feel like your part of an exclusive club, you just can't find quality like this on main TV anymore! Great video guys ✌
Great video, I'm riding a Sportster 1200R since 2004 and for me it's a very nice and high quality bike,since the start in 2004 nothing broke down or is getting in a bad state. It's not only character which makes these bikes different than the rest, it's also quality. It's not the most fastest or roadholding bike but it's easy competing with many other bikes. Mine isn't used for hoping from cafe to cafe but for long trips around Europe and it never let me down. Thanks for your nice video.
Freddie, this was an honest and objective evaluation of the Sportster. Well done, man! Me, I've owned *four* Sportsters: #3 (1996 883) and #4 (1998 1200) are in the garage right now. #2 was an '05 "rubbermount" that maybe I shouldn't have sold. #1 was an '86 (first year Evo). I love ''em. I *thought* the rubbermount would be an order of magnitude smoother than my solid-mount '86, but it was not. In fact, I think my '96 883 is the smoothest of them all. You did touch on what is probably the most noticeable thing about Sportsters: they're agricultural in nature. But you know what...people *like* old agricultural machinery. Hence the appeal. A friend of mine used to ride a 750 Honda Shadow, which was very similar in design to the Sportster. On a trip, we (briefly) traded bikes. The Honda was...nice...but soul-less. A nice bike, but I wouldn't own one. He got off of my Sportster (my '05) and scowled, "That thing is like driving an old pickup truck!" He did not mean it in a good way. But I like old pickup trucks, too. The thing about Sportsters is that you will NEVER find one that's stock. Everybody modifies..."personalizes" them to their own taste. Almost everyone puts louder mufflers on them. Not me, I like 'em quiet. In closing, you figured it out: You *cannot* compare a Sportster to any modern motorcycle - because it will compare unfavorably. The Sportster is timeless - it's in a class by itself. And you either "get" it, or you don't. I do. I love them. Great video!
I have a 2006 Sportster 1200 that I've owned for over 10 years. Based off the knowledge of owning one for that long I would say your assessment is mostly correct in the video. I disagree on a few things though. My sportster has been very cheap to maintain. I'm mechanically inclined so I don't pay dealership shop fees, but even if I weren't it has hardly needed any repairs. The only major repair I've done is replacing the clutch. All of these sportsters come with a ticking time bomb in the clutch...the stupid riveted spring plate which will fail if it hasn't yet, sometimes catastrophically. I only had to put new clutch plates in mine but sometimes you have to replace the clutch basket too depending on the damage when it fails. Other than that, I've literally only had to do normal fluid changes and batteries. These bikes are very reliable. I also disagree about the vibration on the rubber mount models. They shake A LOT at idle but once you get moving they smooth out nicely. I've ridden a few rigid mount sportys and yes, those things will rattle your fillings out. I also wouldn't hesitate to get a carburated model. I prefer my carburated bike. It hasn't given me a single problem and if it did it's easy to take it off and rebuild it.
It's not about the speed or agility with a Harley. it's about the feeling you get riding one. The Sportster is like a cool two wheeled tractor that will go anywhere and will do 100mph on the straightaway.
After years of daydreaming I finally bought a 2003 Harley Sportster and it's being delivered tomorrow..I can't wait!! I'm sure it'll shake me to bits but I don't care because it's my dream bike lol 😂😂 Have a great Sunday! Love your videos! 🙏🙏
What’s funny to me is, real riders have always known Sportsters are bad ass bikes, and fun to ride, it’s the “ bike as an accessory in my garage” folks who decided only black Street Glides they never ride are cool. 😂
I can see how they used prices would be quite high in Europe, but here in the states there is such an over supply of 5-15 year old HD's that prices are quite low. The key demographic for harley is aging out of the game and younger buyers are just not as keen on them. Particularly the sportster which is viewed as a starter bike in the US, they can be had for very little money and in most cases have been hardly ridden.
I thought until now that I was the only person that thought Sportsters will start to increase in value soon! Bought my 1200 Custom near the end of last year. Like nothing I've ridden in the last 18 years! You summed up exactly how it rides. It love riding it and it's character and isn't that really what riding a bike is all about? Loved this video, feels a refreshing change to many others so have decided to subscribe to see more. Thank you.
Delighted you’ve subscribed, thank you James! I agree; I know there are a lot of Sportsters around because they were so popular, but I see them slowly and steadily climbing in value👌🏻👌🏻
I’ve owned numerous Sportsters and just love them. I figured you’d enjoy this, beautiful bike you’re testing. On repair cost I would say geography makes a huge difference. In Wisconsin here where I live there’s Harley dealers everywhere. Most people who own bikes either fix it themselves or have other Harley owners do it. They are everywhere here, Sportster are a dime a dozen. My 2006 1200R I paid $2,800 for and sold it for $3,000 3 years later. That was 5 years ago. I can buy the same bike for probably $4,000. That bike had 73,000 trouble free miles. I’m considering buying a Triumph Street Scrambler this spring. For us in the States we are concerned because Triumphs are rare and expensive to work on, the opposite. Harley parts are available everywhere here and are dirt cheap, used parts are very inexpensive and there’s used custom parts available everywhere in peoples garages. Triumph parts are nowhere to be found. Geography makes such a difference. I bet it’s pretty easy to find Triumphs and Triumph parts in your location? I bet working on Triumphs is pretty affordable by you too? I’d love to own a Triumph I think. Thanks for the video!
But….here in Wisconsin, Harley’s are like pickup trucks around here. Everyone’s got one. 😀. But that’s the reason I decided not to get a Harley. My ‘94 Yamaha Virago is pretty much maintenance free. But the 883 Sportster and the XR750 are the best when it comes to low maintenance. Rode a 883 from Alabama to Alaska and back. Not one problem.
This is really interesting because in the UK, Triumphs are everywhere. It’s incredibly easy to get parts for them and they’re easy to work on. I checked the prices of new Harleys in the US vs the UK and it’s eye opening how much more expensive they are in the UK!
I remember reading a test of a HD glide in the late '70's and the whole exhaust system sheered off due to the vibration and deposited itself on the M4 at 70mph...brand new. Mind you that was when they used to put "Union made" stickers on things coming out of the USA (as a unintended prewarning of poor quality. ) I do get the whole easy rider thing, for example a Japanese straight 4 engine in a chopper whilst the sensible choice just jarrs and is somehow subconsciously against the whole ethos of the born to be wild nonsense. Although the overloud exhausts thing is also so tiresome and outdated. it just isn't trendy to be offensively loud anymore. As electric vehicles displace ICE stealth is the new cool. but coming back, as a brand tbf HD simply have zero appeal to me . The just seeing parked I know the owner will be be a late middle age man trying too hard to be Peter Fonda..and failing miserably (The only HD I ever thought was cool btw was the '77 XLCR cafe racer that would have been a killer on the arms but it did look great for a HD tbf ) Most HD spend 99% of their life as garage queens so the odd day out means the discomfort and unreliablility is probably livable. I grew up on Brit bikes but now whilst I still absolutely adore them I simply can't be doing with the constant maintenance or it shaking itself to bits every 20 miles or so and a modern Triumph Enfield or now BSA is neither fish nor meat cop out to me and again have zero appeal . bikes now are just consumer durables and are so efficiently souless.its a mode of transportation. Your constant reference to character here suggests you perhaps feel too something is missing from newer bikes which technology simply cannot manufacture or inject in. so I'm stuck somewhere in the middle: hence for me motorcycles peaked in the late 70's early 80's. I would take for example a CBX1000 or a laverda Jota or an MV Augusta America over anything currently available on the market, irrespective of how amazing new apparently bikes. Which is why my latest acquisition will be joining me soon from sunny Sweden: a 1982 Z1000 Eddie Lawson replica. Be still my beating heart. ♥️ Great video as always.👍
Great to hear your thoughts on Harleys Richard- I know a lot of people will agree with you. I’m a gigantic fan of them but I know they are the most polarising bikes. I love the 1970s “Union Made” reference- it sounds like HD may have been churning out similar quality to British Leyland at the time!😆 I am (unusually) a quiet exhaust fan, and do actually want to put a standard exhaust back on my Bonneville. I agree; character is the first thing I’m drawn towards in a bike🙂👌🏻 And speaking of character; I bet you’re counting down the days until your Z1000 arrives from Sweden- that will be incredible!🤩👌🏻🏍 I can imagine it’s all-consuming trying to actually get it to Tenerife (I’ve had a 30% success rate of managing to receive/track parcels to me here in Tenerife!🤯)
@@FreddieDobbs customs are a nightmare. to put it mildly apparently there are several 1000 of Tenerife parcels in Madrid correos held up for months going nowhere. use a man and a van to bring stuff if necessary the bikes bring crated up and shipped over. I might even meet it at cadiz and ride it onto the ferry and deal with import and matriculation here instead yes HD in the 70's were very poor. they were bought out by AMF the people who make bowling alleys etc and quality and morale went right down. it damaged their reputation a hell of a lot I just feel HD lack class. back then Indian was almost exactly the same bike and branding but has class.. like British bikes they could have engineered out a lot of the vibration which would have probably removed a lot of its character.. the vibration is what gives it character. that's that hate part which fires the ultimate attraction. to love something is one thing but to love and hate it at the same time is another level. it's why women love bad boys for example.. as easyrider said HD has a tricky road ahead and it probably has to go completely the other way and produce a completely different concept and try to attract younger buyers with ultra sophistication whilst trading on the name at the same time..supercar manufacturers have the exact same future...the next 10 years will see massive changes in transportation.. interesting times ahead
@@richardbartlett6932 I don't know we seem to be in a golden time with bikes at the moment. There are good bikes to choose from what ever your fancy. Some of the new retro bikes are really quite good now, old style looks and character with modern durability and reliability, you are going to make it to your destination or make it home or be able to actually stop! They are way more reliable and comfortable than their ancestors first time around ever were.
@@alexmorgan3435 I get your point which is why I've gone for a ELR as it combines genuine character and reliability but for me these new retro bikes are like buying a knockoff Rolex with a Seiko movement.. If you mix the two it's neither fish nor meat.. not trying to be pompous they are just not my cup of tea👍
@@richardbartlett6932 the latest Royal Enfield is as original Rolex with Seiko movement....I prefer those to digital Casios...better looking and durable and reliable... 😀
The one thing that's so consistent with your videos - Your Enthusiasm for what you do!!!...Love that you get excited about your passions. You are right - HD owners do keep them clean...maintenance is a different questions....but heck I have a GS Adventure - it hasn't been clean since the day I bought it...haha!!! - Great job as usual - spot on with the history....fantastic!!!
I own a 06 883 upgraded to 1200 and maintenance is cheap cos it’s hardly ever broken, mine doesn’t shake very much and the sound is intoxicating 😂 the Sporty is the best Harley ever made. It was the biggest mistake the motor company did to end the Sportster line , these new “sportsters” don’t deserve the name of the LEGEND !
Servicing is actually pretty cheap. I do my own bike services . My 2005 Fatboy costs the same as my 2019 interceptor to service and takes around the same sort of time to service. You are absolutely correct about appreciation of the value. I had a dyna for 19 years . When I traded it in at the dealer in 2006 to buy my fatboy the dealer gave me £700 more than the cost of the bike from himself 19 years before that. Best wishes from Phil in West Yorkshire .
That is INCREDIBLE! Only with a Harley could you get residuals like that!😳👌🏻👌🏻
I have a 1967 XLH Sportster I got in 1982 in high school A high is riding that old bike. A Harley Davidson is more than just a bike they have a soul and come a live when you ride one. Sportsters aer coming up in price 👀 Ironhead sportsters Have risen from $ 1,500 up to $6.000 new ones are a great Investment for the future
Hi Freddie, I picked up my Custom Sportster Forty Eight yesterday, riding over 200-miles in gale force winds and rain to get it home. Ten miles felt like a thousand compared to my Multistrada. I stopped at every service station to give my body a rest (and fuel up). Every inch of me was sore and ached. And yet I woke up today and couldn't wait to get back on it. It's a 'soul bike'. I've never ridden anything with more personality, more cool, more soul than this. It spits, crackles and bangs. Gets compliments every time we stop. It looks and FEELS special. The handling sucks, the suspension is shocking and I've never been as uncomfortable in my life. And yet I can't imagine I'll ever sell it. I am well and truly in love with Sportster 48. Everyone should own one at some point in their life. There's nothing else like it.
As a fellow 48 owner I feel your pain and your joy
That loud noise and the shake, that's normal it's so you know the engine is running. Its the best-sounding Harley ever produced, thanks to its one-of-a-kind, four individual camshafts, it sounds like an old V8 buick rumbling down the road. If you want a Honda this isn't right for you. The Sportster is one of a kind motorcycle experience. There is nothing like it on the road today.
I've always said, the reason Harley riders are so good in bar fights is all the practice they get fighting their bikes. Much respect to all the Harley riders cause they work hard and their bikes are beautiful to look at and listen to.
I know this is 2 years to late but I love this comment lol
I literally went outside and fell in love with my sportster after watching this ❤️👍
I went outside and something is missing...Sportster. Soon I hope so. 😊
I’m 36, never ridden a motorbike in my life. But I listen to everything you say about them because of the passion you show. Always great vids Freddie (and Monika)
That means a lot, thank you so much for saying so, Ben🙂
@@FreddieDobbs is a great influence! Keep watching and you might end up with a bike haha after his lovely review of the bobber I ended up with one lol
I highly recommend that you get on and ride motorcycle. Any kind. 50mph on a sweeping country road in the wind is about the best feeling ever.
Well live free and give it a try why don’t ya!
The longer you wait is the less time in life you have to ride... Whatever it takes.. Make it happen
I have owned many, many different motorcycles, and now have had a 2008 XL1200C since 2011, and have had ridiculously low maintenance costs with it. Bonus: It runs better now than the day I bought it. I am forever a Sportster man.
So much of what you said about choosing character in a classic motorbike holds true for our air-cooled Boonies. It’s not a choice made from logic or by the specs. Thankfully so many of us appreciate the things that make motorcycling fun that aren’t by the numbers.
Hi Freddie, as someone who enjoyed having a Sportster for a little while, I loved it and even within the hierarchy of HD riders, Sportsters are considered a group of their own. I grew into a Road King so I'm still a HD rider but I still miss the Sporty. You don't have to wait for them to be a modern classic, for the most part they have considered that for the past 30 or 40 years but people love them and as you found out, they have a character all of their own. Stay healthy and ride safe and have fun!
I’m telling you - I’ll get my license this year and next fall I’m taking a week in Tenerife and trying out as many bikes as I can. Looks like heaven !
You’ll love every second of it!🙂🏝🤘🏻🏍
So glad I found this channel, iam sure there isn't any other UA-cam channels that express so much passion for motorcycles. Iam looking for a new bike and the sportster has sucked me in. Agree with everything you said , it's all about character and style with this bike along with it being an investment. I do believe I will be riding one in 2023 !
I have had many bike but there is nothing like a HARLEY I got a 2006 Sporter custom 1200. And love it won't ever sell it ❤😂
With 2004 also the trap door was removed - so servicing the gearbox without splitting the case is impossible from there on.
Owned a 1996 Sportster Sport and now a 2004 Sportster Custom (both 1200cc) the vibration wasn’t that bad on the rigid mounts, but the passengers footpegs where still mounted on the swingarm which made long distances rides especially over bad roads a bit challenging for the passenger 😇.
Sportster engines are extremely tough and when I worked for HD I‘ve seen engines with 200k miles that never had been overhauled on the bottom end and still run fine!
For me the Sportster is the HD to go for, because it has the most reliable engine and if you follow its origins back it relates to the first 4cam engine in the JD in 1924…
So a legacy that no other bike will ever have!
I just bought my first Sportster after having had Hondas for 15 years. I found a 2012 XL1200C Sportster Custom. It only had 1904 miles on it. Immaculate. Yes it shakes a bit…..part of the charm. It also came with V&H exhaust. Louder than the screaming eagle pipes. Oh well. I paid less than $7K USD. And I got it from a local HD dealer. I consider the Sportster a true classic. I hope you enjoyed it. It’s everything a HD should be for the type of bike that it is.
I agree, the HD Sportster is a collectible. It always was but that will have been given a boost by the recent demise of the air-cooled classic.
While I'm not a fan of the Harley culture, his appreciation for the bike has caught my attention for a Sportster. I never saw it like he see it.
Great video. Those foot pegs are the same stock pegs that were fitted to my new 2015 street bob. HD know most people spend a fortune swapping pegs, mirrors, saddles, pipes etc so tend to use plain bits on their bikes. My wife’s got a 2010 883XL and she’s just under 5 feet tall, so perfect bike for smaller riders. Also the 883 and 1200 are exactly the same bike / engine and it’s not a massively expensive job to have a big bore conversion to turn 883 into 1200. It’s a favourite base build for choppers etc 👍
There are so many Harley mechanics here in the U.S. that unless you need something major done, upkeep cost isn't that bad. I have a 2011 Sportster, and I bought it just because over here you can find parts for it until I die. My first bike was an 83 Honda Nighthawk and I've Frankensteined the crap out of it just because I can't find parts. I love the show! It has gotten me back into riding and wanting a Continental GT.
My father in law has a 2004 1200 sportster and it's a beauty. Carburetor Harley engine just sounds incredible. 👍
I can't imagine how good it must sound in person. Videos,no matter how good the equipment is never doing justice to the exhaust sounds!
My bike is a 2004 1200C. 44k miles. Just basic maintenence of brakes, clutch, fluids and tires...thats it. Cheap to maintain.
I found two pleasant surprises today on my recent purchase of a used 883 which was converted to 1200 cc. I got 50 MPG so I can go 150+ miles on the 3.3-gallon tank, and at 70 mph there is a sweet spot in little to no vibration. Perfect for the interstate. It has so much torque it can be a bit scary taking off.
I was on a straight line roll in first gear, low in the rpm's and then quickly turned the throttle full on, and I had one shift into second, and what it seemed like was in two seconds I was doing 50 MPH. Not so bad. That surprised me. No other mods, just a 1200 top end from Harley.
Proud owner of a hd 2014 sportster xl 1200 cb. The most beautiful thing is that i’m 44, this is my first bike, and i am still taking my license (1 more month), and you were spot on on what makes someone want to get a hd. Or a sporster. You feel the charecter of the bike. You feel the tradition. You feel what is to have pleasure of riding. Not for the speed. Not for the thriling sensation of dynamics. But for the raw pleasure of the machine. Kudos for your review, Freddie. 👏🏻👏🏻
Couldn’t agree more, Marco!🙂 The best of luck with your test!🙂🙌🏻🙌🏻
I absolutely loved my tuned (stage 4 - pipes, air, tuner,cams), straight through piped 1200 iron sportster.
Bits fell off it a lot due to the vibrations, it was car alarm setting off loud but it was bloody lovely.
Always made you feel amazing riding it and although my thruxton is nice I really want an old sportster again.
Great video by Monika and obviously you Freddie!! This Sportster range is going to be like the VW Beetle and camper for fans for years to come I'm sure. With all the specialist workshops and stockists.
Light nimble, simple and easy to work on. They are the epitome of motorcycling.
Light? Nimble?
Well three out of 4 aint bad (not light)
I think you are right on about the prices holding up well, I see 1 - 2 year old Irons and 48's selling for what they cost new in the dealers ( admittedly a Harley dealer ). 883 Iron Ideal for Monica, and you could always borrow it .
I still own 2016 Roadster - the very first of its kind (without ABS as should be). It has been Cafe’d up with Dart, Screaming Eagle plugs and cables, etc. Incredibly reliable, easy to maintain, very easy to work on modify if you want. If there is one bike that is a keeper, this is it.
All the new bikes get more and more refined .
I do believe that old Harley's and same goes for old ducatis in my opinion will hold their value very well and or appreciate , no doubt about it !
Hi, F&M! When it comes to Harleys,it's all about passion,not common sense,pretty spot on conclusions! Keep up the good job!
OMG the paint job on and the styling on this Sporster is glorious!!!!
Nice ride! I've got a 2006 XL1200C that I picked up a few years ago for $2300 USD......has 40k miles on it but wouldn't know it.....has all the goodies, screamin eagle stage 1 intake, dynojet carb kit with thunderslide, santee 50 cal shotgun exhaust, and even tho I wouldn't want to take it on a super long road trip, it's a fine ride for around here! She's quick, nimble, and reliable.....and tho I enjoy imported bikes as well, nothing compares to the heavy duty, big, rustic feel of a harley!
Great video as usual. I own a 2018 xl1200 custom. Have been in serious thoughts of swapping her for a Triumph Speedmaster. After watching your video and standing in my garage looking at her beauty. I’ve decided to keep her and have a second cheaper bike. Thanks 🙏.
The Sportsters really are stunningly good looking bikes👌🏻😍
This is a tough call in my head; the class and sophistication of the Speedmaster vs the raw character and heritage of the Sportster
How do you get them to start? Mine hasn't worked for my whole ownership 😂
Great video.
I've got a 2008 Sportster 883 XL. Interestingly and somewhat frustratingly, 2008 was a sort of "leftovers" year.
A year where Harley just seem to use up old stock and parts from previous years.
It's actually really quite difficult to find 2008 specific parts, you'll see a lot of part lists that go from '04 to '07 the '09 to present.
Not impossible, I've managed just fine, but worth noting.
I also have screaming eagles, when I got the bike it had Vance & Hines straight pipes, they were ridiculously loud.
It was a lot of fun making people jump when starting the bike up, but after 20 minutes it did cause a headache.
Swapped those for some factory pipes, but they were not quite enough.
Now I have screaming eagles, but there is a bit of the baffle missing in one of the pipes, which causes the exhaust to rattle slightly, so it's a bit louder than the screaming eagles should be, and has what I like to call a "death rattle", it sounds like thunder and I love it.
Which is why my bikes name is Mjölnir.
This is very interesting, thanks for sharing this info, Elliot🙌🏻🙌🏻
I was wondering what the standard pipes would sound like. It really does sound like thunder🌩
@@FreddieDobbs I have custom made baffles and you can add or remove the steel wool in the seperate chambers of the baffles and go from 80percent loud to 40percent 👍
Freddie you hit the nail on the head with this review ! Perfect , I’d love to have one in my garage for sure !
I have a 2006 XL 883 Custom. It’s carbureted. It’s noisy. It shakes. And it’s perfect.
Thanks a lot for all your videos! Best description of this bike !👌🏍
That’s a 2008 model (maybe built in 07, but known as a 2008) - Harley’s 100th anniversary was in 2003. This was a 105th anniversary model Harley (actually 51 years for the Sportster). Great bike. I actually have a 2007 model 1200 custom (now with 115,000 kms on it).
I have a 1200 Sportster and I just started watching I love it already thank you so much happy holidays
I was really enjoying this video with the bike and the music I was getting a Pulp Fiction vibe.
After having owned an 87 XL883 for 35 years I agree, except for cost of servicing which has been cheap
The baffles for those Screaming Eagle slip-on pipes have been removed. New replacement baffles are inexpensive, held in place by a single screw, and they bring the noise down quite a bit. I currently ride a 2003. My previous bike was a 1985 and even with the earlier engine, configuration, the bike was quite similar. The feel of your 2007 is going to be similar to a 1957 and that is something that you learn to love and it doesn't make a lot of sense but its fun as hell. Agricultural is a good description. I'd never ride anything else.
It is defo one from 2008. Done in a special Anniversary colour combo for 125 years of HD existance.
Thanks for your video. I own super low ( Japan spec )
Too bad that one is a 2007. That means it has all that computerized EFI garbage on it. It is basically a computer on wheels. I have a 2006 (carbureted) model 1200L, which also has cast wheels and tubeless tires front and rear so I never have to worry about flat tires. I have a backrest and quick detach saddlebags on it, and that is all. The hard leather bags come off with just a twist of a key. It also has an aftermarket exhaust which looks almost stock, but sounds beautiful. The carbureted bikes sound so much better than the EFI ones. I bought it about 5 years ago for $4200, with just over 8,000 miles on it. It even came with new tires. I did have to tune the carburetor to richen up the air/fuel mixture to work better with the aftermarket pipes. It still has the original air cleaner. I did remove the reflectors from the front forks.
In the U.S. it is almost impossible to find a decent used carbureted Sportster. So many of them have been butchered beyond recognition. I carry my phone in my backpack or saddlebags. I ride to get away from modern technology. Refined is the LAST thing I want from a motorcycle. Sounds fine to me. That is what a Harley is supposed to sound like. I wear foam ear plugs on longer rides. The feel and sound are the ONLY reasons I ride a Sportster. Without those you might as well go Japanese. The feel and sound are what make the Sportster a REAL motorcycle. If it were a carbureted model, you could lower the idle speed and make it sound way better. Carbureted models hold their value a lot better than EFI "computer" models. Who is the Sportster for? Someone who wants to ride a MOTORCYCLE instead of a computer. Someone who actually wants to ride a MACHINE.
updated electrics in1999, sealed wheel bearings in 2000, better break calipers in 2000, trap door on transmission up to 2003 (this is a big deal) , 50 lbs heavier in 2004.
I'm a fan of these bikes and have owned about 10 of them and done thousands of miles on them , I can say that some of these motors are not very well balanced so you need to ride them up to speed to make sure its not excessively, "vibey" before you buy it , if you get a well balanced one you wont need the rubber mount . Buy one from 2000 to 2003 ,learn how to tune your carb, warm it up properly and you will have one of the best bikes you can get for your money.
I feel my 2014 48 can feel heavy but its still nimble
This was an excellent video. Your presentation lit upon certain aspects of the sportster that I hadnt thought of. The small history bit was helpful as well. I too have wanted a sporty for some time ( 30 years ! ) and your enthusiasm is contagious. Also first time I have actually watched an in video promotion , the seamless way it was dropped in was excellent I didnt feel the need to zoom forward/speed up the vid like I do most of the times with other channels. - For that alone, quadlock should be paying you more! I'm off to watch the triumph bobber video.
I’m delighted you enjoyed the video, that’s incredibly kind of you to say so!🙌🏻🙂
Great video on the Sportster. Freddie I own a 1973 Ironhead XLCH Sportster. Yes they vibrate a lot especially the older ones. You either love it or hate it Freddie. Thanks for talking about the Sportster.
That’s a seriously desirable bike! I love the Sportsters now and have spent mist of the day on eBay looking at them😆❤️🏍
The Bonneville needs a backrest! Don't you agree, Monika?
Very very good video Freddie I was the same although unfortunately after getting my dream 883 Iron I had to let her go due to redundancy with her being on finance loved the 183 miles I got to experience her though hopefully in the future I can experience a Harley again for quite a while longer :)
Freddie, I have owned 3 Harleys in the last 8yrs and can quite honestly say the Roadster I had in 2014 was quite possibly the worse motorcycle I have ever owned, (and after owning an MZ and a CZ in the 80s that's saying something).
Brakes were rubbish despite having twin discs, handling was rubbish (even after putting Hagon progressive springs on the front and nitro shocks on the back), engine was asthmatic, even after putting a full stage 1 air filter, full exhaust system and Fuel tuner on it, build quality was iffy at best, comfort was ok but only after buying a solo brawler seat.
Other side of the coin was my Softail Slim and Street Glide Special were both very good.
Loved what you said about the sportster Freddie. I have an 08 Nightster 1200 and everything you say about there not being a sensible reason to have one of these is true. I regularly consider getting something a bit newer. Then I go for a ride and fall in love with the old girl all over again!
I went to view a Nightster at a Harley dealership nine years ago. I so so so desperately wanted it but couldn’t quite afford it😍👌🏻🏍
One of my Harleys is one I inherited from my wife after she succumbed to the covid treatment is a 1994 XL1200. It is destined to become a street tracker. Message on the rear fender will read, you've just been beat by my wife's Sportster.
Had mine 15 years, would never sell it unless i got another.
I've had dozens of bikes since 1986, 2 strokes, 4 stroke twins , fours, but this sportster is my favourite bike ever and i dont really know why?.
Love your reviews! Getting better and better each time! Subbed!
Thank you!🙂🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
What did that say on the mirror? The monthly payment is closer than you think?
However, unlike the mirrors, the Harley won't be able to shake that monthly payment.
Traded my 2017 48 for a M8 Softail but I miss the Sportser a lot. As you say it is all about character, looks and how it makes you feel. Thanks.
The 48 looks incredible, but the M8 what a great upgrade🤩👌🏻🏍
Yeah I did the same, traded a 2006 sporty for the M8 fatboy, would have definitely kept the sporty if I'd had more room.
I owned a 1977 model, which I bought new. Loved it. Had its defects, but who cares? Wish I still had it.
got an 05 last of the cvo carbs i think? good for local use bopping around town in central nj where every morning i wake up to more mass influx of humanity . long trip ? ugh !
Definitely a 2008 Sporty. The only year for that paint.
It clearly says ""2008" all over that bike :)
Great vlog Freddie. 👍 even though this bike is very agricultural it still looks good
I dont think there is an easier modern bike to work on than the air cooled Evo Sportster, nor its bigger brother, the older big twin Evo excepting Guzzis. Even the older carb'd Twin Cams, pre 2006 are easy to service and repair.
Ditto the W800 Kawasakis.
It all gets more complicated with DOHC, chains, and shims.
Another easy engine to service is the air cooled 2V Ducatis.
As with all bikes, if you cant do the work yourself, find a brand/model specialist, and avoid the franchised main dealers
Great video as always Freddie
You no what I’ve had British Japanese Italian and German motorcycles but never thought I’d be on a Harley Davidson until 2 years ago i bought my first 1200s&s cafe racer Harley and now i finally get why there’s such a following all over the world i’m sure Harley is the only motorcycle brand to have its exhaust note patent so no one can copy it ?
I had no idea re the exhaust note, but I absolutely understand why❤️🎶👌🏻🙂
Mine is an XLC 883
the '72 is the bike I love.
zero rationality there also.
but that is a true raw chopper.
Ooooooo i agree- I LOVE them!
If you can change the oil(s) and remove the wheels yourself then servicing costs are actually cheap. otherwise take it to an independent harley shop. only ever gets expensive if you use a Harley dealer for servicing.
Love the sportster MR. Dobbster!! This bike will distress you, its for those days you want to enjoy the riding. Do they got boXXer engine bikes in that island? The torque feels on the mountain roads…..👍💯
I genuinely do want a Sportster now😍👌🏻🏍
Speaking of Boxer engines; I haven’t seen one RNINET on the islanx in five months!😳
I agree 100%, there is an allure with Harley Davidson that no other bike has as well as that character.
I would love a 48 Custom, I had a Buell 1200 Lightning and that thing felt like a living beast, they way it ticked over and vibrated on its stand, it was a monster....with more character then any Ducati or Japanese bike.....and way more then my Triumph and I love my Triumph.
If I had a spare 10k, I'd have a Harley sitting on my drive right now.
Agreed on every single point🙌🏻
I have a 1999 Sportster 1200 S model It's lighter taller has dual disk brakes adjustable shocks all around solid mounted engine and the vibration isn't that bad your dogging it give it more throttle it smooths out .I'm 63 years old and it doesn't bother me at all.And the carburetor isn't a problem if you fix it your self it's cheap in the states anyway.I like how is always an English guy who never worked on a piece of farm equipment that thinks there is something agricultural .its not for everybody you have too like the torque more that the top speed ,but on real road how fast can you really go for how long these go over 100 mph that's enough.
Thanks for the insight and totally agreed re too speed!
Well I've owned three xl hd one xlch mag n kick starter 71 CI stroker motor one 61 ci XL n my current xl1200 Evo sporty they are the perfect Harley because with mods n planning you can do damn near anything with them chopper cafe race dirt bike tour you name it.and here in the USA Evo (post 84)are reasonable good iron(57to84) are going up as they have become hipster cool but still my hd of choice is air cooled sporty real sportys don't have raditors
Vibration on a Harley is not a bug, it’s a feature. Ask any woman that’s ridden pillion !
Love it! HD suits you! What jacket do you wear ?
Appreciate it🙌🏻🙌🏻. It’s the Frank Thomas Patrol jacket. I’ve had it 10 years and I think they still sell it (only about £170 brand new!)
It’s the bike you dream of having when you haven’t ridden or owned one because they are synonymous with cool, as an expensive hobby I would have one but if like me you can only afford one decent bike I want it to look good and be great to ride and be affordable and this possible with….. haha the mighty T120 black
This is a very good point and I do agree that the T120 is a bike that does everything superbly.
Hi Freddie, if possible can you do a review on a Sportster S
I’ve rented apartments that had “character”! I’ve met people that I would describe as having had a “surplus of character”! I’ll leave it there... 😉
🤣
@@FreddieDobbs 🤣🤣
I have owned Harleys various different models for over 40 years they are ridiculous money pits, the first sign dampness in the air and burst into rust, the welding frequently has great lumps of splatter on the frame. I applaud the people working in PR but reliability and quality of materials is way off the pace.
My 2006 1200L is beautifully made, the fit and finish is better than anything I have ever seen on any other bike, including BMW. And I have never had even the slightest problem with it. Sportsters are different from the larger Harleys. They are virtually bulletproof.
Yikes... ! Can you pop start that injected masterpiece ? 😉
Nice job tho... Pre 2007 will take off
Be safe bro 👍😏
50th Anniversary Model not 105th.
I've got the 2003 100 year anniversary sporty. I find no issue with vibrations and enjoy the ease of the carb. It's a nimble little beast that you can throw around compared to the scout. I rode the scout and felt like I had nothing between my legs. I want to hear and feel my ride! To each their own though. You know what you are buying with the Harley, an evo engine that will go on forever and a highly customisable bike in comparison to the competition.
I just bought mine a week ago. My first Harley.
1200, carburated, no rubber engine mounts. I'm in love like no other of my ten previous bikes.
I'm a little afraid to modify it or let it almost stock.
And I'm so happy to finally enjoy the ride without going fast. Thats what I was looking for. Becoming wiser, but still having fun.
so true an original clasic. Im in love with this bike .❤
Got a 2003 hugger 883 in the garage next to a low rider ST. Love the solid mount & carb. Simplicity.
I love the way you demonstrate the the rock and roll on this bike…..You either love ‘em or hate ‘em…..For me the Sporty is a great way to find that out….the rumble and the roll of the Harley is what makes them so unique, they will lose that completely with the electric…its interesting to see how if they lose the trademark of noise, rawness and badass…and produce these new machines that are quiet, sophisticated and modern, where does that place the brand….
Exactly my thoughts!⚡️ After riding the Livewire; it’s a good bike but has no character and no bloodline/similarities with any other Harley. Will Harley make electric traditional old school styled cruisers, or completely move away from their trade mark styling- like they did with the Livewire.
@@FreddieDobbs Electric motorcycles are still far from being viable. For a city commuter they are already viable and there are plenty of options for that, but for a cruiser like a classic HD that people usually buy them to travel hundreds of miles on the road, these kind of bikes are still going to have an internal combustion engine for the foreseeable future.
I put old school 26"Buck horn bars on my 2004 1200c. Changed my narrow 21" front rim to a 3.5 in wide 21" black with laced wire spokes. and added a fatter 21" tire. Lowered rear .5 to 1 inch. Running black taped up Vance Hines long exhaust. Running Vintage Classic Harley insignias on the tank and side covers. Leather fringed Saddle bags. Basically mine is a semi bobber. Harley knows that the Sportster is basically a blank canvas and most buyers at least in the past would be customizing them to their liking. In the 60s the Sportster was Hells Angels bike of Choice..
This is why we subscribe to certain UA-camrs! You feel like your part of an exclusive club, you just can't find quality like this on main TV anymore! Great video guys ✌
Thank you so much Simon, that’s incredibly kind of you to say so🙂
up to 2003 they are 15-20 kilos lighter because of the lack of rubber mounting. Also the frame is much stiffer. Enjoy all of them !
Great video, I'm riding a Sportster 1200R since 2004 and for me it's a very nice and high quality bike,since the start in 2004 nothing broke down or is getting in a bad state.
It's not only character which makes these bikes different than the rest, it's also quality. It's not the most fastest or roadholding bike but it's easy competing with many other bikes. Mine isn't used for hoping from cafe to cafe but for long trips around Europe and it never let me down.
Thanks for your nice video.
I had a 2006 1300R in black and orange. It was a excellent bike, 73,000 miles and never skipped a beat.
Great to hear from an owner of an older model, thanks Marinus!🙂
Nice, just bought a 1200R 2008, selling my Fatboy 2002 as it's too big for the twisties. I also have a Buell X1 and a Triumph Thunderbird 900.
Freddie, this was an honest and objective evaluation of the Sportster. Well done, man! Me, I've owned *four* Sportsters: #3 (1996 883) and #4 (1998 1200) are in the garage right now. #2 was an '05 "rubbermount" that maybe I shouldn't have sold. #1 was an '86 (first year Evo). I love ''em. I *thought* the rubbermount would be an order of magnitude smoother than my solid-mount '86, but it was not. In fact, I think my '96 883 is the smoothest of them all. You did touch on what is probably the most noticeable thing about Sportsters: they're agricultural in nature. But you know what...people *like* old agricultural machinery. Hence the appeal. A friend of mine used to ride a 750 Honda Shadow, which was very similar in design to the Sportster. On a trip, we (briefly) traded bikes. The Honda was...nice...but soul-less. A nice bike, but I wouldn't own one. He got off of my Sportster (my '05) and scowled, "That thing is like driving an old pickup truck!" He did not mean it in a good way. But I like old pickup trucks, too.
The thing about Sportsters is that you will NEVER find one that's stock. Everybody modifies..."personalizes" them to their own taste. Almost everyone puts louder mufflers on them. Not me, I like 'em quiet. In closing, you figured it out: You *cannot* compare a Sportster to any modern motorcycle - because it will compare unfavorably. The Sportster is timeless - it's in a class by itself. And you either "get" it, or you don't. I do. I love them. Great video!
I have a 2006 Sportster 1200 that I've owned for over 10 years. Based off the knowledge of owning one for that long I would say your assessment is mostly correct in the video. I disagree on a few things though. My sportster has been very cheap to maintain. I'm mechanically inclined so I don't pay dealership shop fees, but even if I weren't it has hardly needed any repairs. The only major repair I've done is replacing the clutch. All of these sportsters come with a ticking time bomb in the clutch...the stupid riveted spring plate which will fail if it hasn't yet, sometimes catastrophically. I only had to put new clutch plates in mine but sometimes you have to replace the clutch basket too depending on the damage when it fails. Other than that, I've literally only had to do normal fluid changes and batteries. These bikes are very reliable. I also disagree about the vibration on the rubber mount models. They shake A LOT at idle but once you get moving they smooth out nicely. I've ridden a few rigid mount sportys and yes, those things will rattle your fillings out. I also wouldn't hesitate to get a carburated model. I prefer my carburated bike. It hasn't given me a single problem and if it did it's easy to take it off and rebuild it.
It's not about the speed or agility with a Harley. it's about the feeling you get riding one. The Sportster is like a cool two wheeled tractor that will go anywhere and will do 100mph on the straightaway.
After years of daydreaming I finally bought a 2003 Harley Sportster and it's being delivered tomorrow..I can't wait!! I'm sure it'll shake me to bits but I don't care because it's my dream bike lol 😂😂 Have a great Sunday! Love your videos! 🙏🙏
FANTASTIC!!! Today’s the day it arrives- I bet you didn’t sleep last night!😀. Huge congrats on your purchase and enjoy every second!🙂🤘🏻🏍
Don't forget after 2004 the bike's weight went up over 65 lbs. No thanks. I'll keep my '96 Sportster S
I've owned Sportsters for 20 years and they're extremely inexpensive to maintain
What’s funny to me is, real riders have always known Sportsters are bad ass bikes, and fun to ride, it’s the “ bike as an accessory in my garage” folks who decided only black Street Glides they never ride are cool. 😂
I can see how they used prices would be quite high in Europe, but here in the states there is such an over supply of 5-15 year old HD's that prices are quite low. The key demographic for harley is aging out of the game and younger buyers are just not as keen on them. Particularly the sportster which is viewed as a starter bike in the US, they can be had for very little money and in most cases have been hardly ridden.
Great video, just one thing Freddie, if the bike is a 105th Anniversary model, doesn't that make it a 2008 year bike?
I thought until now that I was the only person that thought Sportsters will start to increase in value soon! Bought my 1200 Custom near the end of last year. Like nothing I've ridden in the last 18 years! You summed up exactly how it rides. It love riding it and it's character and isn't that really what riding a bike is all about? Loved this video, feels a refreshing change to many others so have decided to subscribe to see more. Thank you.
Delighted you’ve subscribed, thank you James! I agree; I know there are a lot of Sportsters around because they were so popular, but I see them slowly and steadily climbing in value👌🏻👌🏻
I’ve owned numerous Sportsters and just love them. I figured you’d enjoy this, beautiful bike you’re testing.
On repair cost I would say geography makes a huge difference. In Wisconsin here where I live there’s Harley dealers everywhere. Most people who own bikes either fix it themselves or have other Harley owners do it. They are everywhere here, Sportster are a dime a dozen. My 2006 1200R I paid $2,800 for and sold it for $3,000 3 years later. That was 5 years ago. I can buy the same bike for probably $4,000. That bike had 73,000 trouble free miles.
I’m considering buying a Triumph Street Scrambler this spring. For us in the States we are concerned because Triumphs are rare and expensive to work on, the opposite. Harley parts are available everywhere here and are dirt cheap, used parts are very inexpensive and there’s used custom parts available everywhere in peoples garages. Triumph parts are nowhere to be found. Geography makes such a difference. I bet it’s pretty easy to find Triumphs and Triumph parts in your location? I bet working on Triumphs is pretty affordable by you too? I’d love to own a Triumph I think. Thanks for the video!
But….here in Wisconsin, Harley’s are like pickup trucks around here. Everyone’s got one. 😀. But that’s the reason I decided not to get a Harley. My ‘94 Yamaha Virago is pretty much maintenance free.
But the 883 Sportster and the XR750 are the best when it comes to low maintenance. Rode a 883 from Alabama to Alaska and back. Not one problem.
@@ajkolb2746 yeah, they are everywhere here, I’m ready for something different this spring. Like I say, probably a Triumph or Moto Guzzi.
This is really interesting because in the UK, Triumphs are everywhere. It’s incredibly easy to get parts for them and they’re easy to work on.
I checked the prices of new Harleys in the US vs the UK and it’s eye opening how much more expensive they are in the UK!
I remember reading a test of a HD glide in the late '70's and the whole exhaust system sheered off due to the vibration and deposited itself on the M4 at 70mph...brand new. Mind you that was when they used to put "Union made" stickers on things coming out of the USA (as a unintended prewarning of poor quality. )
I do get the whole easy rider thing, for example a Japanese straight 4 engine in a chopper whilst the sensible choice just jarrs and is somehow subconsciously against the whole ethos of the born to be wild nonsense. Although the overloud exhausts thing is also so tiresome and outdated. it just isn't trendy to be offensively loud anymore. As electric vehicles displace ICE stealth is the new cool.
but coming back, as a brand tbf HD simply have zero appeal to me . The just seeing parked I know the owner will be be a late middle age man trying too hard to be Peter Fonda..and failing miserably
(The only HD I ever thought was cool btw was the '77 XLCR cafe racer that would have been a killer on the arms but it did look great for a HD tbf )
Most HD spend 99% of their life as garage queens so the odd day out means the discomfort and unreliablility is probably livable.
I grew up on Brit bikes but now whilst I still absolutely adore them I simply can't be doing with the constant maintenance or it shaking itself to bits every 20 miles or so and a modern Triumph Enfield or now BSA is neither fish nor meat cop out to me and again have zero appeal . bikes now are just consumer durables and are so efficiently souless.its a mode of transportation. Your constant reference to character here suggests you perhaps feel too something is missing from newer bikes which technology simply cannot manufacture or inject in.
so I'm stuck somewhere in the middle: hence for me motorcycles peaked in the late 70's early 80's.
I would take for example a CBX1000 or a laverda Jota or an MV Augusta America over anything currently available on the market, irrespective of how amazing new apparently bikes.
Which is why my latest acquisition will be joining me soon from sunny Sweden:
a 1982 Z1000 Eddie Lawson replica. Be still my beating heart. ♥️
Great video as always.👍
Great to hear your thoughts on Harleys Richard- I know a lot of people will agree with you. I’m a gigantic fan of them but I know they are the most polarising bikes.
I love the 1970s “Union Made” reference- it sounds like HD may have been churning out similar quality to British Leyland at the time!😆
I am (unusually) a quiet exhaust fan, and do actually want to put a standard exhaust back on my Bonneville.
I agree; character is the first thing I’m drawn towards in a bike🙂👌🏻
And speaking of character; I bet you’re counting down the days until your Z1000 arrives from Sweden- that will be incredible!🤩👌🏻🏍
I can imagine it’s all-consuming trying to actually get it to Tenerife (I’ve had a 30% success rate of managing to receive/track parcels to me here in Tenerife!🤯)
@@FreddieDobbs customs are a nightmare. to put it mildly
apparently there are several 1000 of Tenerife parcels in Madrid correos held up for months going nowhere. use a man and a van to bring stuff if necessary
the bikes bring crated up and shipped over. I might even meet it at cadiz and ride it onto the ferry and deal with import and matriculation here instead
yes HD in the 70's were very poor. they were bought out by AMF the people who make bowling alleys etc and quality and morale went right down. it damaged their reputation a hell of a lot
I just feel HD lack class. back then Indian was almost exactly the same bike and branding but has class..
like British bikes they could have engineered out a lot of the vibration which would have probably removed a lot of its character.. the vibration is what gives it character. that's that hate part which fires the ultimate attraction. to love something is one thing but to love and hate it at the same time is another level. it's why women love bad boys for example..
as easyrider said HD has a tricky road ahead and it probably has to go completely the other way and produce a completely different concept and try to attract younger buyers with ultra sophistication whilst trading on the name at the same time..supercar manufacturers have the exact same future...the next 10 years will see massive changes in transportation.. interesting times ahead
@@richardbartlett6932 I don't know we seem to be in a golden time with bikes at the moment. There are good bikes to choose from what ever your fancy. Some of the new retro bikes are really quite good now, old style looks and character with modern durability and reliability, you are going to make it to your destination or make it home or be able to actually stop! They are way more reliable and comfortable than their ancestors first time around ever were.
@@alexmorgan3435 I get your point which is why I've gone for a ELR as it combines genuine character and reliability but for me these new retro bikes are like buying a knockoff Rolex with a Seiko movement.. If you mix the two it's neither fish nor meat.. not trying to be pompous they are just not my cup of tea👍
@@richardbartlett6932 the latest Royal Enfield is as original Rolex with Seiko movement....I prefer those to digital Casios...better looking and durable and reliable... 😀
The one thing that's so consistent with your videos - Your Enthusiasm for what you do!!!...Love that you get excited about your passions. You are right - HD owners do keep them clean...maintenance is a different questions....but heck I have a GS Adventure - it hasn't been clean since the day I bought it...haha!!! - Great job as usual - spot on with the history....fantastic!!!
Great Video Freddie, IMHO, Triumph or Moto Guzzi is more your kind of style.......agricultural is not you and Monika I'm afraid 😆
Thanks David! Maybe the Speedmaster’s the perfect balance🙂👌🏻
I own a 06 883 upgraded to 1200 and maintenance is cheap cos it’s hardly ever broken, mine doesn’t shake very much and the sound is intoxicating 😂 the Sporty is the best Harley ever made. It was the biggest mistake the motor company did to end the Sportster line , these new “sportsters” don’t deserve the name of the LEGEND !