I frickin' love it. Harley should never stop the Sportster. They could do all kinds of magic these days with variable valve timing or what ever. . . but don't lose the 3.5 bore and 3.8 stroke crank config.
I wouldn't have even been opposed to a liquid cooled Sportster, as long as it retained the classic Sportster sound and feel. Liquid cooling has been around since the first Model T. I am also a hot rodder and drag racer. I absolutely love the sound and feel of an old school pushrod American V8 with a hot cam in it.
The closest Harley now has to an entry level bike is the Softail Standard. Not impressed with the M8 engine though, would prefer a new Evo engine in a new Harley. I can't stand the sound of the RevMax engine and I agree Harley could have worked some "magic" on the old Evo engine?
The EVO is a true classic Harley. It’s sound and performance is what made Harley. HD might be missing the boat in giving up on this platform. I have one, and when I decide to end my riding career, there will be plenty of people wanting it.
I love my sportster 2013 custom 1200 and you have cheered me up after the news of their cessation. As in the number of ways of keeping it going. I love the tractive, sturdy Evo engine - mine has 154,000 kilometres on the clock and still rides almost like new.
@@jonnymac8925 Screaming Eagle slip on mufflers, upgraded shocks, led headlight (the stock shocks and lights are not great) heavy breather, oil cooler. Has had new clutch last year, new front engine mounts, the rear rocker box had a small leak - new gaskets to fix it. Basically all the fixes are what would be needed on any bike over time and distance. It has travelled from Sydney to Adelaide twice in Australian summer heat. Love it and maintain it = happiness and longevity.
You're absolutely right Harley should not have canceled the Sportster. Canceling the Sportster is another one of Harley's colossal mistakes. And I don't believe the people will make fun of the guys riding the Chinese Sportsters because they will be there for them to buy. Just like the Japanese motorcycle industry they started with little commuter bikes and kids toys and eventually evolved into producing regular motorcycles and then finally state-of-the-art bikes in all categories.
If Harley doesn't want to build Sportsters anymore I think SWM is on to something. There will be a market in North America for them as long as they are priced right !
Many motorcycle manufacturers are currently forgetting what motorcycling is all about. I don't want an animated display with an app link and WLAN connection on the motorcycle, I want something with pointers. I don't want a menu with "soft, hard, dry, rain and black coffee without sugar". ABS? Yes. Traction control and slipper clutch? Maybe. But then it stops. I don't want a washed-up bike that only has a lot of power on paper, but a real bike. I don't care if it's built under license or an "A tribute to EVO-Sportster". The Shineray company does everything right when they build something that resembles an EVO Sportster. This company continues to build something that others no longer build and have forgotten what motorcycling means.
SWM is an Italian company, owned by Shineray Group. But the bikes are built in Italy, in Husqvarnas old factory in Biandronno (pre KTM) by old Husqvarna workers. SWM made enduro and trials bikes in the 70's and 80's but was liquidated in 1984.
With gas pumped from South America, spark plugs from Japan, rubber from Mexico, seat foam from who knows, and wheel spokes from who knows. The earth is a big planet. The idea that little bits and pieces of a motorcycle have to be hauled all around this planet on giant tanker ships and flown in giant airplanes so we can haul someone's 180 pound butt around on a seat with fuel pumped from a foreign land.... Globalism is so stupid.
@@scottmartin5093 You're welcome. I'm happy to ridicule and mock and belittle the billionaire thugs that devised all this garbage. Will be so happy to see it go.
I think one of the best aspects of that Chinese bike is that it will keep the market of parts for old Evo Sportsters alive [and, maybe, enhanced] for much more years to come than anyone could predict until now. I mean, it's like those who owns Evo Sportsters gonna be supplied, virtually, "forever". That's pretty surprising! And good, I must add. As usual, nice and informative video. Regards from Brazil. ✌
@@David-og7di Sure. That's why a strong market of replacement parts is necessary. And, with that new Chinese Sportster "clone", such market tend to get even bigger than it already is. The original Sportsters, virtually, might be kept for generations. Time will tell. Peace from Brazil. ✌
Since the brand Harley is damaged by their own management ( Live Wire and new Sportster ) I have no problem to buy a Charly-Harley. I would even write it on the tank : Charly Harley.....sounds cool ey.....
Great Video man I still ride Harleys, have 3 of them; recently purchased 2012 Sportster '72' with 3,800 miles, 2007 Ultra Classic with 29,687 miles & all original 1996 Dyna Low Rider Convertible with a little over 10,000 miles. Chinese bikes? Major dealerships are stocking them. Yep, have 4 of them (2 r mine other 2 granddaughters) and have no issues; 2021 SSR 150 & 189 Enduros, 2021 SSR 125 pit bike & 2020 SSR XF250 dual purpose. I don't care what anyone says or thinks. I'm 64 years old a disabled veteran, have been riding for 53 years & I love all kinds of bikes.
If I couldn't find a good used Evo Sportster, I might consider one. I love the stripped down bobber look. I also love what you did there: "Charley". There was a cartoon I grew up watching in the 90's called biker mice from Mars and the human partner/liaison for the mice was a woman named Charlie Davidson.
@@daveinwla6360 Your comment made me nostalgic for my childhood. That's cool. No, Charlie never rode, she was the guys' (Vinnie, Throttle, Moto) mechanic, liaison on earth, and friend. I don't remember her in a bikini, but there's a picture online of her in a tight, sexy black pants suit kissing Vinnie (the white mouse)
@@daveinwla6360 I don't remember her racing, but she did alot of wrenching in her garage, specifically installing gadgets on the guys' bikes! She also kicked alot of ass when "grease monkey"-one of the villans-came around!
The Super Meteor could be a nice bike, if only they had chosen to use bright colors and lots of chrome and polished aluminum. As is, there is just WAY too much flat black on it for me. It's one redeeming quality is it's cast wheels and tubeless tires. Except for dual sport bikes, I gave up on tube type tires over 30 years ago. I have been stranded by them countless times, had to pay a fortune in towing charges because of them, and almost killed by them a couple of times. But even if they fixed the Meteors looks, it still uses the same engine as the Interceptor 650, which makes it a very BORING, smooth, quiet bike. The kind of bike I switch to Harleys to get away from. Older Harleys have an almost magical sound and feel that no other bike of any brand has ever come close to. And that is the reason why I love them so much. It has nothing to do with the name on the tank. In fact, I had one of my Sportsters repainted, and didn't even have the Harley Davidson emblems replaced. I do not own a single piece of H-D clothing.
@@geraldscott4302 - The Super Meteor will be a blank canvas for customizers and for cruisers who can't afford a Harley and/or don't care too much about the potato-potato sound track. But the Charley will be even more of a blank canvas for chopper-builders and for people who want to wade into the world of after-market Sportster accessories. Have your ever wanted girder forks for a front-end? I predict that the after-market will come alive with them for these two bikes.
@@geraldscott4302 I want a smooth, modern, inexpensive, beautiful classic styled bike, so it seems does most of the planet particularly the newer generations. If you and the Boomer generation insist a glorified 1970's anal vibrator is necessary for your excitement (at 3 times the price of anything else I might add) then good for you but dont be surprised when your favorite leather daddy company dies at the same steadily increasing rate as the Boomers succumbing to diabetes and heart attacks. Give me a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 anyday.
When Harley realize the sales this Charley do, and all the market they just drop hope they bring back the Sportster with a M8 motor set fingers crossed
The M8 is a really problematic engine. There are a million Sportys on the planet & a lot of them have 25000kms because they were owned by someone who rode a few hundred a year. Go gettem!
If it comes to Switzerland, i'll definitely go and ride one just to see what they're up to. What boggles my mind is that H-D seems to be totally cool with it.
I think it’d be fun to buy one, mod it for long distance travel then go on an epic trip like the Arctic or South America. I’m wondering about the price.
SWM (Speedy Workings Motors) was a legendary motorcycle company based just outside Milan, Italy. Between 1971 and the early '80s they were one of the top brands competing in Enduro, Cross and Trial. Trial World Champion in 1981. Shineray acquired the brand and the company was restarted in 2015 in a plant formerly used by Husqvarna near the town of Varese (not far from Milan.) If SWM Italy vouches for it, I'd have no issue with the bike. These guys know what they are doing.
With what you was saying about the modding scene already out there, their is endless possibilities for them. Why shouldn’t they try and test the water with trying new stuff. Lets be honest if you wanted to get a HD it’s mainly about that EVO between your legs and the prices they were not many people could afford it. So I can’t wait to start seeing reviews about them
Having owned around 50 different motorcycles since age 16 in 1975, I have always been a fan of Harley Davidson bikes, though unfortunately not the company itself. I tried to buy a new Sportster 883 in 1995, and the stealer dealer wanted DOUBLE msrp for it. I told him where to shove it, and promised myself I would NEVER do business with H-D. And I haven't. H-D has not made anything I wanted since 2006. It wasn't until 2003 that I was able to get my first Harley, a 1989 FXRS Low Rider, in nearly perfect condition with low miles. I have owned a total of seven Harleys since then. I still have the '89 Low Rider, and always will. About 10 years ago I bought a 2006 Sportster 1200L, again in almost like new condition with very low miles. I still have that one as well. I saw the writing on the wall a few years ago, and now own three Sportsters, two 1200s and one 883. All carbureted and all have cast wheels and tubeless tires. I am 63, and probably don't need three Sportsters, but the carbureted EVO Sportster has become my favorite motorcycle. It provides the "Harley" experience while being small and easy to ride around town and on shorter trips. It looks like this CHINESE model is being mostly aimed at the European market. But I don't recommend buying one. Find a used Sportster instead. Back around 2007 I foolishly bought a new Shineray 200cc dual sport bike. It lasted around 3500 miles until the engine disintegrated (the centrifugal oil filter broke off the end of the crankshaft, causing a total loss of oil pressure) The whole bike was basically junk, but I got it brand new, online, delivered in a crate, for $1200 total. I guess that price should have been a dead giveaway as to the bikes quality. Also, I am not going to purposely buy anything made by the CCP. Japanese and South Korean products improved in quality because those countries do not have a COMMUNIST government. Do not expect that to happen to CHINESE crap. They have no reason to improve their quality, they are doing just fine selling cheap junk for cheap prices. It is nice to see a basically anti Harley channel have a few nice things to say about Sportsters.
recently purchased a Sportster XL1200 Iron. Since the Evo era has ended I have decided to just keep it in the collection rather than trade it in next year on a Street Glide.
Interesting video. Would I consider one? Not as my only, or main, bike. As a sunny day cruiser to the cafe, maybe if the price in the UK was £8000 to £9000 as you suggest. But only after a very close look at the finish and parts supply situation. On second thoughts a used Yamaha XV950 (Bolt in North America) would be the best option.
I love it. You could seriously change all the badging to HD, & swap the tank for a peanut. Bikady Bam you're on a sporty. From the engine test run it has the right idle sounds. Plus endless way to chop & custom this thing.
From what I understand the Stormbreaker is going to be priced in the same range as the Royal Enfield interceptor. With hydraulic valve adjustment and a belt drive it will require much less maintenance than the Royal Enfield since you do not have to tune it up or work on a chain. Oil and filter changes are a breeze 20 minutes in my driveway. Plus it is made to be rebuildable forever something that the Royal Enfield is not.
Price is the great equalizer. If the China-Davidson has the right feel, and is 100% compatable with the former sporty, it has a chance of selling ok. That being said, there are plenty of buyers out there who consider the harley badge the most important part on their bike, and for them, this is a no-go.
100 pc compatible it will not be. Just buy a 2nd hand 2004 1200 & ride the wheels off it. I have had a look at SWM's fit and finish & it is more in keeping with a 1980's Honda.
@@David-og7di Japanese motorcycles in the 70s and 80s were the best you can buy you didn't do anything to the engine except adjust valves and change oil.
Cut my teeth on a Sportster S 1998 .Out grew it in 1 summer and bought a TC Low Rider in '99. Then an anniversary FLHTCI. Just bought a 2022 Low Rider S. I'm going to put another Sporty in the rotation probably a Roadster or 48. Alot of fun and wicked when set up to surprise rice folk.👍
I dunno about the Chinese one, but I luv your red one. Rarer than hen's teeth. I see the black ones come on the used market with some regularity, but I've yet to see one used red one for sale.
I agree that H-D should not have discontinued the air-cooled sportster in NA. I don't understand why they did - probably a question of scale and profit. I too will never think of the new water-cooled "sportster" as a sportster proper, heck not even as an imposter - that label I would reserve for the new Chinese model you focus on in this video. The sportster (proper) is the only H-D I've ever owned and have never felt the need to ride anything else. Will ride 'em till I just can't ride anymore . . . which unfortunately is creeping up on the horizon. P.S. When I saw 'New Harley EVO for 2023' on your video's title (I saw what I wanted to see, apparently) my heart literally skipped a beat and I just about yelled out 'YAY !' . . . soon enough followed by that sinking feeling. But who knows, the sporty as we know it may make a comeback yet !
I disagree, my local dealer has a ton of brand new Sporty’s that haven’t budged since they arrived, along with some 2021 models that are still sitting there. I think the market is still flooded with these bikes, both new and used. As a matter of fact they can’t even get the new Nightster and S model in because they cant move the evo’s. I can clearly see why they discontinued it, its been like this for a while now
@@David-og7di Why do you think its called "Euro"5? Doesn't apply to US, except indirectly in terms of scale and therefore profitability - as I said. Know how to read?
I worked at the hitachi Showa astemo plant and the plant made Honda and Harley Davidson parts out of damn near same parts different numbers on the bins but all same measurements and architectural details
I know the pain, my Sportster came back from service leaking more oil, no brake lights, and running well below stock throttle. Long story short, it’s back at the local dealer for two weeks now.
I have three Evo Sportsters in different customizations. I would like to have one of these just to say I had a "Charley" and enjoy the funny (or dirty) looks I got.
Heard they improved the crankshaft and all they had to do was lower the compression a little to make it emissions friendly wouldn't it be funny if they made it a little bigger lower compression a stronger crankshaft and it was better performing than a Harley-Davidson Sportster
Owned a 883 (53c) and I regretted not getting the 1200..the sound was way nicer…If they copy the original FLH I would be getting one for sure…maybe a panhead with a low price would be even nicer…If Harley stopped making those models then they aren’t copies…tributes maybe😊
Yeah they should sell a 100 HP crate motor here with necessary bits like exhaust. Cheap! With something like a 1 year from purchase unlimited mileage but limited warranty. If for off road use only no emissions cert needed.
Thanks for very informative video. I assume in my country (Israel) Charley will cost a lot , if SWM mid model such as SWM SIX 500 cost around 9,853 USD . It means that a price of full size 1200ccc bike will be at least a double price . Yesterday in Facebook I saw something around 23K USD for New Big Charley and it not affordable price . Well at least I hope that they will produce kit that will feet on EVO engines. For now I will stay with my slow Sporty883.😀
@@DifferentSpokesTV, Nope. Those are big twins. There is the Ironhead Sportster, then the flathead one, back to before it was called a Sportster, which is the K Model.
thanks to China we will get Harley Davidson back? only good news. Recently HD is making really ugly futuristic lawn mowers, they completely lost their track
You asked if I would buy one..... Yeppers. I'm curious though about the RPM's though ..... must be up in 6500 to 7000 range before the rev limiter kicks in ?
@@David-og7di missing the point, babe. If I wanted a Harley, I would already have one. The idea is to make a fake HD HD to see how well it works. You see?
I have a 1980 Ironhead Sportster and a 2010 883 Evo Sportster. I have always prefered the Sportster to the big twins, if the Chinese knockoff was llocally available I would buy one.
Here’s the thing to consider if Shineray decides to sell just engines in a crate and let's say they price tag it at even 3k USD delivered to your door, it is a custom bike builder's dream come true. Sporties have always made for excellent custom builds because they are light weight and are fast when modded properly. Heck if you can buy the entire bike for around 6k delivered it is worth it all day. I get that people have a disliking for products manufactured in China because QC can be all over the place but when you consider how many companies have aligned themselves with Chinese manufacturing for OEM engines, electronics, and such it almost seems pointless to try and hate on the notion anymore. KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, GM, and countless other mobility companies are collaborating with Chinese manufacturers and have been for decades now. I’m down for realistic pricing for the products we want and love when made in America has inflated them to unobtainium. Just saying.
When out for a ride I’ll wave at scooter riders and most of the time they have no idea what it is that I want from them. Although a very few will wave back. Groms and scooter riders are our biker children and when they grow up they can decide what kind of bike they’ll be. Be nice to them.
Would an HD dealership be willing to service the bike? If not, where would one go? Sure, sure, sure, a small independent shop. Seen many of them around? The bike sounds like it fits the “entry level” bill, though.
Harley continues spinning it's wheels and still not getting anywhere. It's funny as hell that it takes a Chinese company to do to the Sportster what Harley shoulda-woulda-coulda done to it.
Amazing review, clearly a good choice considering that HD are not HD anymore, the sound is gone, they overheat and look like Jap bikes...ugly Vrod like! The 1340 was the best ever engine big V...the 1540 was already going wrong and what we see now is non sense...
the cast iron sleeves in an H-D sporty are probably about 17 pounds together....they could take probably 20 pounds off the engine just going to a nikasil bore, and lightening the flywheel a little.
That 'nikasil', thingy, has been all kinds of problems, is what I heard. Seems like it would be, as well. What happens when you need an overbore ? If it was really good, wouldn't we see it more often in the automotive industry ?
@@clintwoodruff1187 no problem at all if you prefer cast iron bores....i would rather the weight, that way.... China has the nikasil type bore process down pretty good...i am just saying that's part of how they make the engines lighter.
@@clintwoodruff1187 it's just one more thing that can go wrong with plated bores .. but i guess if the bores are good, strait off, then they are pretty much good.. H-D uses plated bores in the Rev-Max engines....i mean that's under warranty, but there is still something about being able to go to oversize rings on a 0.005" over hone that makes the weight worth it in my mind.
@@clintwoodruff1187 i actually wouldn't mind a Sportster S ... they are damn good bikes, but it cost less to rebuild my old air-cooled sporty.. i guess if i had a Sportster S, i would appreciate the lighter weight more than the bore / hone-ability, but i don't.
Even though copying & imitation is a form of flattery, China should really be more original & develop their own technology and brands. In the US pride comes from being original & authentic. Only time will tell if this Sporty clone will prove to be of good quality.
Depends if it rides a vibrates like the iconic 48. Neve got why HD just couldn't put the 975 in the 48. Hope this gives the shoeman a nice kick up the ass.
Motorcycles are not Solus appliances like a car or refrigerator. We don't like the government screwing around with our bikes. Motorcycles should be exempt from all pollution controls. You watch control pollution get people off cars and into mass transit. Car is nothing. A motorcycle is part of you, it's part of your life. It's who you are and what you are. I love my Evo Sportster and I hope to God everybody who buys one of these Chinese Sportsters has as good luck with it as I have had with mine. It may not have any monetary value but I value it highly and it means a lot to me.
China’s making Harleys, and Harley’s making Hondas. 😂 What a time to be alive.
Except, Honda is Japanese not Chinese.
time will tell.. that chinese quality as same other big brands
Yes I would check this bike out.
Harley has been using Japanese carburetors and Chinese parts for years
Harley ayant arrêté de produire ce moteur, ils ont "permis" aux chinois de l'utiliser !
I frickin' love it. Harley should never stop the Sportster. They could do all kinds of magic these days with variable valve timing or what ever. . . but don't lose the 3.5 bore and 3.8 stroke crank config.
I wouldn't have even been opposed to a liquid cooled Sportster, as long as it retained the classic Sportster sound and feel. Liquid cooling has been around since the first Model T. I am also a hot rodder and drag racer. I absolutely love the sound and feel of an old school pushrod American V8 with a hot cam in it.
The closest Harley now has to an entry level bike is the Softail Standard. Not impressed with the M8 engine though, would prefer a new Evo engine in a new Harley. I can't stand the sound of the RevMax engine and I agree Harley could have worked some "magic" on the old Evo engine?
The EVO is a true classic Harley. It’s sound and performance is what made Harley. HD might be missing the boat in giving up on this platform. I have one, and when I decide to end my riding career, there will be plenty of people wanting it.
I love my sportster 2013 custom 1200 and you have cheered me up after the news of their cessation. As in the number of ways of keeping it going. I love the tractive, sturdy Evo engine - mine has 154,000 kilometres on the clock and still rides almost like new.
Any mods done to it, or any issues? I love my Sportster and hope it lasts a very, very long time!
@@jonnymac8925 Screaming Eagle slip on mufflers, upgraded shocks, led headlight (the stock shocks and lights are not great) heavy breather, oil cooler.
Has had new clutch last year, new front engine mounts, the rear rocker box had a small leak - new gaskets to fix it.
Basically all the fixes are what would be needed on any bike over time and distance.
It has travelled from Sydney to Adelaide twice in Australian summer heat.
Love it and maintain it = happiness and longevity.
Smart move, looks like a nice bike. I’ve had 3 Sportsters & loved all 3, now on a Superglide & love that too. I’d love to test ride that bike
You're absolutely right Harley should not have canceled the Sportster. Canceling the Sportster is another one of Harley's colossal mistakes. And I don't believe the people will make fun of the guys riding the Chinese Sportsters because they will be there for them to buy. Just like the Japanese motorcycle industry they started with little commuter bikes and kids toys and eventually evolved into producing regular motorcycles and then finally state-of-the-art bikes in all categories.
If Harley doesn't want to build Sportsters anymore I think SWM is on to something. There will be a market in North America for them as long as they are priced right !
I have an Iron 883 2019 and I just love it. Was kind of sad seeing how Harley finishing production of these fine bikes. Loved the video!
Many motorcycle manufacturers are currently forgetting what motorcycling is all about. I don't want an animated display with an app link and WLAN connection on the motorcycle, I want something with pointers. I don't want a menu with "soft, hard, dry, rain and black coffee without sugar". ABS? Yes. Traction control and slipper clutch? Maybe. But then it stops. I don't want a washed-up bike that only has a lot of power on paper, but a real bike. I don't care if it's built under license or an "A tribute to EVO-Sportster". The Shineray company does everything right when they build something that resembles an EVO Sportster. This company continues to build something that others no longer build and have forgotten what motorcycling means.
SWM is an Italian company, owned by Shineray Group. But the bikes are built in Italy, in Husqvarnas old factory in Biandronno (pre KTM) by old Husqvarna workers. SWM made enduro and trials bikes in the 70's and 80's but was liquidated in 1984.
With gas pumped from South America, spark plugs from Japan, rubber from Mexico, seat foam from who knows, and wheel spokes from who knows. The earth is a big planet. The idea that little bits and pieces of a motorcycle have to be hauled all around this planet on giant tanker ships and flown in giant airplanes so we can haul someone's 180 pound butt around on a seat with fuel pumped from a foreign land....
Globalism is so stupid.
@@exothermal.sprocket thank you!
@@scottmartin5093 You're welcome. I'm happy to ridicule and mock and belittle the billionaire thugs that devised all this garbage. Will be so happy to see it go.
@@exothermal.sprocket woohoo....you got censored....what was the first comment?
@@David-og7di Frankly I couldn't care less if the Googletard YouTwitface domain didn't like my Liberty and Freedom Free Speech comments.
I think one of the best aspects of that Chinese bike is that it will keep the market of parts for old Evo Sportsters alive [and, maybe, enhanced] for much more years to come than anyone could predict until now.
I mean, it's like those who owns Evo Sportsters gonna be supplied, virtually, "forever". That's pretty surprising! And good, I must add.
As usual, nice and informative video.
Regards from Brazil. ✌
Thanks and good point. I have a feeling that the EVO will be around forever so they will definitely need replacement parts.
when will they be coiming out w/a big twin 80 ci
In my experience the rider gets old before the bike does. Theyre expensive bikes so most people look after them.
@@Will8022000
Don' know. But it would be interesting aswell.
@@David-og7di
Sure. That's why a strong market of replacement parts is necessary. And, with that new Chinese Sportster "clone", such market tend to get even bigger than it already is.
The original Sportsters, virtually, might be kept for generations.
Time will tell.
Peace from Brazil. ✌
Since the brand Harley is damaged by their own management ( Live Wire and new Sportster ) I have no problem to buy a Charly-Harley. I would even write it on the tank : Charly Harley.....sounds cool ey.....
Great Video man
I still ride Harleys, have 3 of them;
recently purchased 2012 Sportster '72' with 3,800 miles, 2007 Ultra Classic with 29,687 miles & all original 1996 Dyna Low Rider Convertible with a little over 10,000 miles.
Chinese bikes? Major dealerships are stocking them.
Yep, have 4 of them (2 r mine other 2 granddaughters) and have no issues;
2021 SSR 150 & 189 Enduros, 2021 SSR 125 pit bike & 2020 SSR XF250 dual purpose.
I don't care what anyone says or thinks. I'm 64 years old a disabled veteran, have been riding for 53 years & I love all kinds of bikes.
Thanks! I wish more riders had that attitude and celebrated just being on two wheels.
If I couldn't find a good used Evo Sportster, I might consider one. I love the stripped down bobber look. I also love what you did there: "Charley". There was a cartoon I grew up watching in the 90's called biker mice from Mars and the human partner/liaison for the mice was a woman named Charlie Davidson.
"Charlene Davidson" sounds really good. I envision a chopper ridden by a girl wearing a thong bikini. 😛
@@daveinwla6360 Your comment made me nostalgic for my childhood. That's cool. No, Charlie never rode, she was the guys' (Vinnie, Throttle, Moto) mechanic, liaison on earth, and friend. I don't remember her in a bikini, but there's a picture online of her in a tight, sexy black pants suit kissing Vinnie (the white mouse)
@@bobhill3941 - How times have changed! Today. Charlie would not only ride, she'd wrench and race as well.
@@daveinwla6360 I don't remember her racing, but she did alot of wrenching in her garage, specifically installing gadgets on the guys' bikes! She also kicked alot of ass when "grease monkey"-one of the villans-came around!
Theres literally evo sportsters EVERYWHERE. Or just build one. You can literally make a no harley parts sportster just from aftermarket.
Nice to hear intelligent non biased reviews
YES!! A *Charley chopper* sounds good - and affordable.
I wonder how it will compete with Royal Enfield's Super Meteor.
The Super Meteor could be a nice bike, if only they had chosen to use bright colors and lots of chrome and polished aluminum. As is, there is just WAY too much flat black on it for me. It's one redeeming quality is it's cast wheels and tubeless tires. Except for dual sport bikes, I gave up on tube type tires over 30 years ago. I have been stranded by them countless times, had to pay a fortune in towing charges because of them, and almost killed by them a couple of times. But even if they fixed the Meteors looks, it still uses the same engine as the Interceptor 650, which makes it a very BORING, smooth, quiet bike. The kind of bike I switch to Harleys to get away from. Older Harleys have an almost magical sound and feel that no other bike of any brand has ever come close to. And that is the reason why I love them so much. It has nothing to do with the name on the tank. In fact, I had one of my Sportsters repainted, and didn't even have the Harley Davidson emblems replaced. I do not own a single piece of H-D clothing.
@@geraldscott4302 - The Super Meteor will be a blank canvas for customizers and for cruisers who can't afford a Harley and/or don't care too much about the potato-potato sound track. But the Charley will be even more of a blank canvas for chopper-builders and for people who want to wade into the world of after-market Sportster accessories. Have your ever wanted girder forks for a front-end? I predict that the after-market will come alive with them for these two bikes.
When attached to a long chain they'll both hold a boat in place effectively
@@geraldscott4302 I want a smooth, modern, inexpensive, beautiful classic styled bike, so it seems does most of the planet particularly the newer generations.
If you and the Boomer generation insist a glorified 1970's anal vibrator is necessary for your excitement (at 3 times the price of anything else I might add) then good for you but dont be surprised when your favorite leather daddy company dies at the same steadily increasing rate as the Boomers succumbing to diabetes and heart attacks.
Give me a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 anyday.
When Harley realize the sales this Charley do, and all the market they just drop hope they bring back the Sportster with a M8 motor set fingers crossed
That would be nice.
No. That makes too much sense. Ha, ha
The M8 is a really problematic engine. There are a million Sportys on the planet & a lot of them have 25000kms because they were owned by someone who rode a few hundred a year. Go gettem!
fingers crossed that Harley can get back to their track before they went instinct with new futuristic ugly scrap
If it comes to Switzerland, i'll definitely go and ride one just to see what they're up to. What boggles my mind is that H-D seems to be totally cool with it.
Ive had a sporty for sixteen years its never let me down.I love it and will never sell it.
I think it’d be fun to buy one, mod it for long distance travel then go on an epic trip like the Arctic or South America. I’m wondering about the price.
SWM (Speedy Workings Motors) was a legendary motorcycle company based just outside Milan, Italy. Between 1971 and the early '80s they were one of the top brands competing in Enduro, Cross and Trial. Trial World Champion in 1981. Shineray acquired the brand and the company was restarted in 2015 in a plant formerly used by Husqvarna near the town of Varese (not far from Milan.) If SWM Italy vouches for it, I'd have no issue with the bike. These guys know what they are doing.
The all new Charley-Davingson!
It will sell very well in North America. Bring it and the buyers will come.
With what you was saying about the modding scene already out there, their is endless possibilities for them.
Why shouldn’t they try and test the water with trying new stuff.
Lets be honest if you wanted to get a HD it’s mainly about that EVO between your legs and the prices they were not many people could afford it.
So I can’t wait to start seeing reviews about them
Especially prices outside of North America. I was hearing horror stories of $20,000 Sportsters overseas.
@@DifferentSpokesTV my local harley dealership was selling either my old sportster or another one for $17k. My old sporty was an 883
Yep, that confirms it. Priced will go up now that they're discontinued.
@@connerenderud are you in NZ too??
Damn right I'd buy one. But not after waiting another 5 years after launch to see if it held up well.
Having owned around 50 different motorcycles since age 16 in 1975, I have always been a fan of Harley Davidson bikes, though unfortunately not the company itself. I tried to buy a new Sportster 883 in 1995, and the stealer dealer wanted DOUBLE msrp for it. I told him where to shove it, and promised myself I would NEVER do business with H-D. And I haven't. H-D has not made anything I wanted since 2006. It wasn't until 2003 that I was able to get my first Harley, a 1989 FXRS Low Rider, in nearly perfect condition with low miles. I have owned a total of seven Harleys since then. I still have the '89 Low Rider, and always will. About 10 years ago I bought a 2006 Sportster 1200L, again in almost like new condition with very low miles. I still have that one as well. I saw the writing on the wall a few years ago, and now own three Sportsters, two 1200s and one 883. All carbureted and all have cast wheels and tubeless tires. I am 63, and probably don't need three Sportsters, but the carbureted EVO Sportster has become my favorite motorcycle. It provides the "Harley" experience while being small and easy to ride around town and on shorter trips.
It looks like this CHINESE model is being mostly aimed at the European market. But I don't recommend buying one. Find a used Sportster instead. Back around 2007 I foolishly bought a new Shineray 200cc dual sport bike. It lasted around 3500 miles until the engine disintegrated (the centrifugal oil filter broke off the end of the crankshaft, causing a total loss of oil pressure) The whole bike was basically junk, but I got it brand new, online, delivered in a crate, for $1200 total. I guess that price should have been a dead giveaway as to the bikes quality. Also, I am not going to purposely buy anything made by the CCP. Japanese and South Korean products improved in quality because those countries do not have a COMMUNIST government. Do not expect that to happen to CHINESE crap. They have no reason to improve their quality, they are doing just fine selling cheap junk for cheap prices.
It is nice to see a basically anti Harley channel have a few nice things to say about Sportsters.
There's a market since Harley sold out on its iconic style.
recently purchased a Sportster XL1200 Iron. Since the Evo era has ended I have decided to just keep it in the collection rather than trade it in next year on a Street Glide.
Thank you for sharing this. Who knows? Maybe if the price was right I'd be tempted to own one of these bikes too.
Any time!
i agree ,especially if they were to build an 80 ci big twin
I hope its a huge success and it teaches HD a lesson.
It wont be.
Sad to say, but it looks better then the new V rod sporty......
I need one. If I die without having one, I'm not coming on my funeral.
Interesting video. Would I consider one? Not as my only, or main, bike. As a sunny day cruiser to the cafe, maybe if the price in the UK was £8000 to £9000 as you suggest. But only after a very close look at the finish and parts supply situation. On second thoughts a used Yamaha XV950 (Bolt in North America) would be the best option.
I love it. You could seriously change all the badging to HD, & swap the tank for a peanut. Bikady Bam you're on a sporty. From the engine test run it has the right idle sounds. Plus endless way to chop & custom this thing.
hahaha cheaper way to buy a real HD😂
Since Harley’s are becoming unaffordable and they discontinued the sportster (bad decision) this bike will be affordable and now fill a missing niche.
❤ love it. The whole sport will benefit
It looks cool. I would get one for a daily ride, if it costs under 10k and my custom Fat Boy would be used on Sundays only 🙂
From what I understand the Stormbreaker is going to be priced in the same range as the Royal Enfield interceptor. With hydraulic valve adjustment and a belt drive it will require much less maintenance than the Royal Enfield since you do not have to tune it up or work on a chain. Oil and filter changes are a breeze 20 minutes in my driveway. Plus it is made to be rebuildable forever something that the Royal Enfield is not.
If it were priced between 8 or 10 grand Canadian out the door, I'd buy two of them. Price right and everybody would be on one.
Price is the great equalizer. If the China-Davidson has the right feel, and is 100% compatable with the former sporty, it has a chance of selling ok. That being said, there are plenty of buyers out there who consider the harley badge the most important part on their bike, and for them, this is a no-go.
That's especially true in North America.
100 pc compatible it will not be. Just buy a 2nd hand 2004 1200 & ride the wheels off it. I have had a look at SWM's fit and finish & it is more in keeping with a 1980's Honda.
@@David-og7di Japanese motorcycles in the 70s and 80s were the best you can buy you didn't do anything to the engine except adjust valves and change oil.
Cut my teeth on a Sportster S 1998 .Out grew it in 1 summer and bought a TC Low Rider in '99. Then an anniversary FLHTCI. Just bought a 2022 Low Rider S. I'm going to put another Sporty in the rotation probably a Roadster or 48. Alot of fun and wicked when set up to surprise rice folk.👍
Best bang for your buck. Im sure this price will be half of H-D suggested retail.
I’ll watch for a few years lol but ya I’d definitely buy one .. nice machine period.. always had great luck with my metrics..
i love my evo sporty i would like the that china bike compare them,thanks for this info as always
Thanks for watching!
Evos forever forever evos.
I'd buy one and park it right at the local Harley dealer
Better wear a bullet proof vest.
I dunno about the Chinese one, but I luv your red one. Rarer than hen's teeth. I see the black ones come on the used market with some regularity, but I've yet to see one used red one for sale.
Beauty bike for sure.
The Evo is indestructible
I agree that H-D should not have discontinued the air-cooled sportster in NA. I don't understand why they did - probably a question of scale and profit. I too will never think of the new water-cooled "sportster" as a sportster proper, heck not even as an imposter - that label I would reserve for the new Chinese model you focus on in this video. The sportster (proper) is the only H-D I've ever owned and have never felt the need to ride anything else. Will ride 'em till I just can't ride anymore . . . which unfortunately is creeping up on the horizon.
P.S. When I saw 'New Harley EVO for 2023' on your video's title (I saw what I wanted to see, apparently) my heart literally skipped a beat and I just about yelled out 'YAY !' . . . soon enough followed by that sinking feeling. But who knows, the sporty as we know it may make a comeback yet !
Sorry to break your heart. On the bright side, we'll have used ones riding American roads for the next forty years.
I disagree, my local dealer has a ton of brand new Sporty’s that haven’t budged since they arrived, along with some 2021 models that are still sitting there. I think the market is still flooded with these bikes, both new and used. As a matter of fact they can’t even get the new Nightster and S model in because they cant move the evo’s. I can clearly see why they discontinued it, its been like this for a while now
heard of Euro 5??
@@David-og7di Why do you think its called "Euro"5? Doesn't apply to US, except indirectly in terms of scale and therefore profitability - as I said. Know how to read?
I worked at the hitachi Showa astemo plant and the plant made Honda and Harley Davidson parts out of damn near same parts different numbers on the bins but all same measurements and architectural details
Excellent marketing to have dual front discs as standard. I wonder if a Hammer 1275 kit will fit on it, and if it doesn't will Hammer make one?
This is GREAT news!
No word on whether it's coming to the States yet.
I loved my Sportster and I wish I had a new one just not enough money in the bank !
Would be interesting to see if they solved oil leaking issues 😝
I think that's a 70's stereotype. My Sportster has never leaked a drop.
If it ain't leaking oil, it needs more oil.
@@lovelessissimo that’s funny.
@@DifferentSpokesTV I got a friend that buys and sells bikes. Every Harley he gets leaks oil. Its a stererotype for a reason, its a common issue.
I know the pain, my Sportster came back from service leaking more oil, no brake lights, and running well below stock throttle. Long story short, it’s back at the local dealer for two weeks now.
First thing that Chinese factory's ask when you want to place order :" what may it cost?" If you want to pay, the build the best quality.
I have three Evo Sportsters in different customizations. I would like to have one of these just to say I had a "Charley" and enjoy the funny (or dirty) looks I got.
Heard they improved the crankshaft and all they had to do was lower the compression a little to make it emissions friendly wouldn't it be funny if they made it a little bigger lower compression a stronger crankshaft and it was better performing than a Harley-Davidson Sportster
Owned a 883 (53c) and I regretted not getting the 1200..the sound was way nicer…If they copy the original FLH I would be getting one for sure…maybe a panhead with a low price would be even nicer…If Harley stopped making those models then they aren’t copies…tributes maybe😊
That's a great idea! They should built exact replicas of classic Harleys.
@@DifferentSpokesTV definately>>>and they can keep the price down,andclone a line of big twin
Thanks for sharing. I still have a 2020 Sporrtster Roadster, one of my favorites. Simple, torque where I want it, fun. Have you put a tuner in yours?
The Charley 😂
The Chinese, Harley 😅 sorry I didn’t get it at first.
Now we just need a dyna clone
Why? plenty for sale. Mine was $10k NZ
Yeah they should sell a 100 HP crate motor here with necessary bits like exhaust. Cheap! With something like a 1 year from purchase unlimited mileage but limited warranty. If for off road use only no emissions cert needed.
Thanks for very informative video. I assume in my country (Israel) Charley will cost a lot , if SWM mid model such as SWM SIX 500 cost around 9,853 USD . It means that a price of full size 1200ccc bike will be at least a double price . Yesterday in Facebook I saw something around 23K USD for New Big Charley and it not affordable price . Well at least I hope that they will produce kit that will feet on EVO engines.
For now I will stay with my slow Sporty883.😀
They're not just evo motors. Don't forget the earlier models. If China made it compliant, Harley could've done it.
Yep, pre '86 they were shovels and I think knuckles before then. I don't think there were Panhead Sportsters but I might be wrong.
@@DifferentSpokesTV,
Nope. Those are big twins. There is the Ironhead Sportster, then the flathead one, back to before it was called a Sportster, which is the K Model.
thanks to China we will get Harley Davidson back? only good news. Recently HD is making really ugly futuristic lawn mowers, they completely lost their track
You asked if I would buy one..... Yeppers. I'm curious though about the RPM's though ..... must be up in 6500 to 7000 range before the rev limiter kicks in ?
Not terrible is a heck of a recommendation.
Dang! I would totally buy one and swap the tank for an original harley tank. If they sold them in America.
There are SWM dealers here but you'd have to contact them to see if they'll bring them in.
@@DifferentSpokesTV So I contacted MotoXotica of Vacaville California, and they said "No :("
That's too bad. I have a feeling they wouldn't be well received in North America. KTM clones are one thing, Harleys are quite different.
@@oulupulu if youre in Nth America...particuarly the States...just buy a 2nd hand HD ....yeah?
@@David-og7di missing the point, babe. If I wanted a Harley, I would already have one. The idea is to make a fake HD HD to see how well it works. You see?
I have a 1980 Ironhead Sportster and a 2010 883 Evo Sportster. I have always prefered the Sportster to the big twins, if the Chinese knockoff was llocally available I would buy one.
It's all personal preference, now a days you can't really tell if it is made in China or somewhere else.
I think the charlie 1200 looks great.😃👍
Harleys are rare in Oklahoma. No one even wears biker jackets here. I get a lot of attention.
Here’s the thing to consider if Shineray decides to sell just engines in a crate and let's say they price tag it at even 3k USD delivered to your door, it is a custom bike builder's dream come true. Sporties have always made for excellent custom builds because they are light weight and are fast when modded properly. Heck if you can buy the entire bike for around 6k delivered it is worth it all day.
I get that people have a disliking for products manufactured in China because QC can be all over the place but when you consider how many companies have aligned themselves with Chinese manufacturing for OEM engines, electronics, and such it almost seems pointless to try and hate on the notion anymore.
KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, GM, and countless other mobility companies are collaborating with Chinese manufacturers and have been for decades now. I’m down for realistic pricing for the products we want and love when made in America has inflated them to unobtainium. Just saying.
Heck yes. If it’s priced correctly. SWM are fine
Wow you made this Video 1 year ago. I just found some info on it a couple of days ago .
When out for a ride I’ll wave at scooter riders and most of the time they have no idea what it is that I want from them. Although a very few will wave back. Groms and scooter riders are our biker children and when they grow up they can decide what kind of bike they’ll be. Be nice to them.
I have the same Roadster you have, what a great Sportster it is
If the Chinese can get the engine through euro 5 then surely HD could but maybe just didn't want to?
Maybe they didn't want to reduce the power.
@@DifferentSpokesTV but as you said in the video, power output is almost irrelevant.
"The model has the technical and logistical timeframe, with an indicative forecast of arrival in the market in September 23."
Would an HD dealership be willing to service the bike? If not, where would one go? Sure, sure, sure, a small independent shop. Seen many of them around?
The bike sounds like it fits the “entry level” bill, though.
Here in North America we have a ton of Harley mechanics who can order S&S parts and fix anything. Other markets might not have quite as many.
Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.Very interesting!!
The real question, metric or standard fasteners ?
I think HD made a big mistake discontinuing the Sportster.
Price should be good, unlike the Harleys we now get in Europe that have Made in Thailand on them, there was no saving at the customer end.
Well I love my 2006 carbureted 1200 sporty.
From Denmark here.
I would love to own one.
Harley continues spinning it's wheels and still not getting anywhere. It's funny as hell that it takes a Chinese company to do to the Sportster what Harley shoulda-woulda-coulda done to it.
Facinating. I don't know how I feel about a Chinese HD, that must be the point....
Yep, same here.
How about an Italian HD then? They're made in Italy by an Italian company owned by Shineray group.
Amazing review, clearly a good choice considering that HD are not HD anymore, the sound is gone, they overheat and look like Jap bikes...ugly Vrod like! The 1340 was the best ever engine big V...the 1540 was already going wrong and what we see now is non sense...
the cast iron sleeves in an H-D sporty are probably about 17 pounds together....they could take probably 20 pounds off the engine just going to a nikasil bore, and lightening the flywheel a little.
That 'nikasil', thingy, has been all kinds of problems, is what I heard. Seems like it would be, as well. What happens when you need an overbore ?
If it was really good, wouldn't we see it more often in the automotive industry ?
I didn't realize HD had a 17 lbs. problem !? What's the big deal about that ?!
@@clintwoodruff1187 no problem at all if you prefer cast iron bores....i would rather the weight, that way....
China has the nikasil type bore process down pretty good...i am just saying that's part of how they make the engines lighter.
@@clintwoodruff1187 it's just one more thing that can go wrong with plated bores ..
but i guess if the bores are good, strait off, then they are pretty much good..
H-D uses plated bores in the Rev-Max engines....i mean that's under warranty, but there is still something about being able to go to oversize rings on a 0.005" over hone that makes the weight worth it in my mind.
@@clintwoodruff1187 i actually wouldn't mind a Sportster S ... they are damn good bikes, but it cost less to rebuild my old air-cooled sporty..
i guess if i had a Sportster S, i would appreciate the lighter weight more than the bore / hone-ability, but i don't.
Even though copying & imitation is a form of flattery, China should really be more original & develop their own technology and brands. In the US pride comes from being original & authentic. Only time will tell if this Sporty clone will prove to be of good quality.
I think about it if it wer under 10k and reliable
Storm Breaker? Nah, I'll hold out for the Wind Breaker, a motorcycle named for it's sound.
Good one!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thanks dude, I just broke wind and it sounded like a Rev Max.
No they are not sporsters.
worked at motor company over 8 yrs i think i would like it bike or motor. in my hands.
I would consider buying it .
Plot twist: it's actually an E-bike with Harley sound effects 😆
I would only buy one with the intention on making it into a custom chopper
Depends if it rides a vibrates like the iconic 48.
Neve got why HD just couldn't put the 975 in the 48.
Hope this gives the shoeman a nice kick up the ass.
how are things?! you did interesting recording.farewell~ Different! 📹
Good!
Motorcycles are not Solus appliances like a car or refrigerator. We don't like the government screwing around with our bikes. Motorcycles should be exempt from all pollution controls. You watch control pollution get people off cars and into mass transit. Car is nothing. A motorcycle is part of you, it's part of your life. It's who you are and what you are. I love my Evo Sportster and I hope to God everybody who buys one of these Chinese Sportsters has as good luck with it as I have had with mine. It may not have any monetary value but I value it highly and it means a lot to me.