I like the Sportster 1200R!!!!

[rauchman]

Was in CA a couple of weeks ago and stopped in a HD dealership to see the new Fat Bob (very nice bike).  In perusing the 2008 HD catalog, I came across the 1200R Sportster.  This could be the perfect bike.  I'm coming off a Yamaha Roadstar and am looking for something lighter w/ better brakes, more comfy seat position, but do like the air-cooled V-Twin motor.  The new 1200R comes with a 4.5 gallon tank and dual disc brakes.  This seems like a good starting point to make a great bike.  I could so picture a Buell front end on a Sportster and Buell engine mods, and this would make for a very fun motorcycle.

Thoughts..................

[1KPerDay]

Cool bike, and yes, if you're coming off a road star it'll be lighter. You can make them handle pretty well with enough money. The solid-mounted ones were better for that IMO.

[hobbes]

Peanut tank.  

[Rincewind]

I rode and toured on a Sportster awhile back.  Fun bike, nice and thin, moderately flickable.  It will lean pretty good, but it doesn't take a superhero to scrape the pegs.   Suspension is adequate but by no means plush.  You got to be a little hard-headed, maybe even a little crazy, to endure on a Sportster, but it is fun because of that.

Also check the Triumph Thunderbird and Bonnies for comparison - similar bikes. somewhat more civilized/comfortable imo.

[chornbe]

Peanut tank.  

No, the one he's looking at as the "custom" tank. The peanut tank is an iconic Sportster thing, but I think it's a complete waste of steel. They should all have the larger, MUCH NICER LOOKING, "custom" tank.

$.02

[1KPerDay]

They should all have the larger, MUCH NICER LOOKING, "custom" tank.

$.02

 

Just buy a Dyna and be done with it.

[chornbe]

 

Just buy a Dyna and be done with it.

Ever tried to hang off and rail a turn on a bike with forward controls? WHOOOOOAAA!!11111oen111one111!!1.

[1KPerDay]

Yes I have, as a matter of fact, and it isn't pretty. BTW several dynas have pegs in the same position as the base sportster, i.e., 'mid-mount.' They're actually pretty forward themselves, kind of like sitting in a rigid chair with your legs at 90-degree angles. Both need rearsets.

[chornbe]

Yes I have, as a matter of fact, and it isn't pretty.

Yeah, I really shouldn't talk. On the Street Glide, some times I just crawl off and kneel on the floorboard to get it to turn.  

BTW several dynas have pegs in the same position as the base sportster, i.e., 'mid-mount.' They're actually pretty forward themselves, kind of like sitting in a rigid chair with your legs at 90-degree angles. Both need rearsets.

More than just the base model FXD? (which, BTW, is one of their nicest looking bikes ever - very understated. you see the ENGINE as part of the bike, not just a place for all the chrome   )

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, I owned an FXD (best bike they make IMO) and the 'mid-mounts' need to be further back. As it is your knees splay out into the wind. I often rode with my feet on the passenger pegs on long tours.

Forward controls feel good around town for about 10 minutes but once you get out on the road the attraction wears off. Pegs should be directly below the butt or slightly forward, IMO. Sport-tourers have it right.

[chornbe]

Yeah, I owned an FXD (best bike they make IMO) and the 'mid-mounts' need to be further back. As it is your knees splay out into the wind. I often rode with my feet on the passenger pegs on long tours.

Forward controls feel good around town for about 10 minutes but once you get out on the road the attraction wears off. Pegs should be directly below the butt or slightly forward, IMO. Sport-tourers have it right.

*nods* That's why I like bikes like the 919/599, FZ-6 and the Bandits, etc. The foot pegs are in the right place and the lean forward (if present at all) is crazy minimal. I think some sport tourers are a bit too aggressive in the lean, and some just get the angles all wrong (for me, anyway).

[1KPerDay]

 I think some sport tourers are a bit too aggressive in the lean

That is true... Gen-mars and heli-bars sell like hotcakes for a reason.

[chornbe]

That is true... Gen-mars and heli-bars sell like hotcakes for a reason.

I put Helibars, then ConvertiBars on the F4i. I finally got it to the point where I could ride the bike for a day-long ride without these old bones creaking and complaining and having to drown my sorrows in Advil, and the bike handled like shit if I took a turn more than 30mph. I put the stockers back on. The helibars just weren't that much better.

I don't know why it was different - the 599/Hornet has you in roughly the same place with much more sit-up seating and they don't handle that poorly (and yes, I futzed with the suspension, both ends of the bike, every which way to Sunday).

Now it really is just a weekend toy and frankly, I'd probably trade even up for a 599 or something at this point. I think my low-back issues combined with my general build just aren't made for lean-over bikes.   I gave it the old college try...

The thing is... the F4i is such a mechanically wonderful machine. Near on to perfection.