Coworker selling 200x Sportster 1200 for $3300, thoughts?

[Tar Snake]

Hi,

I just sold my Triumph Sprint and I'm looking for a bike that is more upright for my neck and arms, I'm thinking dualsport, standard, or cruiser.

One of my coworkers is selling her Harley. It's a 1200C, I believe, new enough that it has the 5sp, rubber mounted motor, and it's the model with the forward mount foot controls. I think the reason she can't move it is the miles, it has 60K which doesn't bother me as much as at 30K the dealer went through and rebuilt the top end and the transmission.

I've had a couple of high mile bikes, but both were liquid cooled, FI, designs. I don't have any HD experience other than a few short rides, I know I'm too tall for the Sporty with mid mount pegs.

Anyway, it's a great looking bike, I probably won't put a ton of miles on it just my short commute and day rides. Since it's a coworker and we're good friends arranging a long test ride shouldn't be an issue so I can get a feel for if it is going to work ergonimically.

What should I be looking out for if I give it the mechanical once over?

Thanks,

Chris

BTW if you want it let me know, she already has another bike and needs to sell this one. We're in So Cal

[scottzilla]

Listen, i'm not a Harley basher so this is coming from an objective place!
An SV650 is a better bike.  A 1982 GS1100 is a better bike.  The list of better bikes is enormous.  The only reason to buy that bike is the "Harley Davidson" logo on the tank.
It's a slow, ponderous wallowing pig.  I think the novelty will wear out in a similar timeframe as a scooter.

[atadaskew]

  I think the novelty will wear out in a similar timeframe as a scooter.

 

[veefer800canuck]

Don't let your friends see you riding it!  

[Tar Snake]

I came here for advice?  

Thefugwazithinking!

[bomber]

Sporties are good, solid bikes (in stock form), but be prepared -- the suspension travel is not what you are used to  . . . the suspension and brakes are simply not up to the level of performance that the engine is capable of (which should tell you something) . . . . sporties are great bikes as a place to start . . . .

[Rincewind]

While I really like the Sportster models, I don't like the Custom version very much.  They have the lower suspension and feet forward controls.  Has she had any work done on the suspension after those sorts of miles?

Personally I would give it a pass, but take her up on the test ride just in case.  The Sportsters have a certain charm in that they are so thin and bare-bones.  If you are older with neck and arm issues, the rawness of it may be a little too much, but you never know till you try it.

[scottzilla]

I came here for advice?  

Thefugwazithinking!

Slow, ponderous wallowing pig.  I think this is an accurate, helpful description.

[atadaskew]

 it has 60K which doesn't bother me as much as at 30K the dealer went through and rebuilt the top end and the transmission.

30K is waaaay too low for a bike (even Harley!) to need that kind of work unless it was abused/neglected.
So, I would ask why it needed that work - what happened to cause it, and try to figure out if what caused it the first time isn't an issue now.  Seeing that it's had another 30K added to it.  Which was the mileage needed for the previous work..

[Tar Snake]

Pitchers!

It's a 2004

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/2204293261.html

[DCLXVI]

I think you may be able to get a little better price in this economy with that many miles. They are bare bones bikes but can be lots of fun. Plenty of aftermarket support so you can customize to your taste.

[DogBoy]

Seems if you move the controls a little further forward on the Sportster, it should fit like a recumbent.  

You could pick up a nice, low mileage Japanese dual sport for the same budget as this HD. Depends on the type of rides you plan but the DS bikes are pretty versatile and just as cheap to own/operate.

[stromgal]

With that mileage, the price is too high. My son sold his Sporty with half that mileage for $2800. But then, you are in California...

[Tar Snake]

Seems if you move the controls a little further forward on the Sportster, it should fit like a recumbent.  

You know I already thought of that   DR400S is the other contender so far, but I've just started looking.

[Frankienuckles]

Maybe, if it was the model with dual front discs and mid mount controls. As it is though, low suspenion , 21" skinny front tire , forward controls = all your weight on your butt and spine , lastly higher miles than many other bikes out there . Myself I would look at some type of standard/naked bike, like a bantdit or fz or sv or zrx. There are so many choices that will work so much better day in and day out.  

[Tar Snake]

Maybe, if it was the model with dual front discs and mid mount controls. As it is though, low suspenion , 21" skinny front tire , forward controls = all your weight on your butt and spine , lastly higher miles than many other bikes out there . Myself I would look at some type of standard/naked bike, like a bantdit or fz or sv or zrx. There are so many choices that will work so much better day in and day out.  

I'm looking at it for ME not for YOU  

I've had a couple of high mile bikes, but both were liquid cooled, FI, designs. I don't have any HD experience other than a few short rides, I know I'm too tall for the Sporty with mid mount pegs.
Anyway, it's a great looking bike, I probably won't put a ton of miles on it just my short commute and day rides. Since it's a coworker and we're good friends arranging a long test ride shouldn't be an issue so I can get a feel for if it is going to work ergonimically.

Focus people, focus!

[GerryPetrecca]

I'm looking at it for ME not for YOU  



Focus people, focus!

Focus??  This group??      
If it works for you then it works for you.

I happen to like Sportsters especialy he 1200R's.  My favorite one would be the 07 with the larger tank.

I believe you can retro fit mid mount pegs if you don't like the forwards.


I'm sure an extend test ride will be the make or break.

Good luck.

Gerry

[Bounce]

I've owned a Sporty. I've ridden the Sprint. I own an FJR and have owned full-on luxo-tourers as well. If you're coming from the Sporty, there's more to it than just the riding position. As has been alluded, the performance and handling will be more like a 250cc or 400cc version of your Sprint (except those would handle better than the Sporty).

Something like a DL650 (Wee Strom) or DL1000 V-Strom would be better performing and give you a more upright riding position.

If you're talking only commuting and short trips, then the options open up even more. The Super Tenere would be another option (except none on the used market yet) as would some of the other options mentioned here. The Sporties are way too expensive for what they bring to the table. Anything water cooled will be more reliable and crank out better numbers per cc than the Sport does.

[Geoff]

Since you know the seller, ask to take the Sporty on a long test ride and see how it runs.  If it checks out OK, go for it. That's a good price.  

[Tar Snake]

Since you know the seller, ask to take the Sporty on a long test ride and see how it runs.  If it checks out OK, go for it. That's a good price.  

Next week assuming it doesn't rain it's mine for a lunch hour

[Tar Snake]

Well I just test rode the bike and it was fun, here are some thoughts:

Brakes and handling were on par with my K75s which isn't suprising since they use similar bias ply tires.  The sportster has better brakes, but than it's 16 or so years newer! I did get a peg down getting on the freeway, but it has more clearance than other cruisers I've ridden. It shifts about the same as my K75, not smooth like the Triumph or a Japanese bike, but not horrible either. It has a manly-man clutch pull though!

Ergonomically it was really nice for general riding and nicer for my neck than my ST mild lean forward bikes. It has an aftermarket Mustang saddle and a windshield that was nice, quiet and I could look over it. 70 - 80 on the freeway wasn't bad.

Specific HD stuff: Man it shakes at idle! Now I know why women like to ride these! It was like extra special "me" time at each light. Once off idle the rubber mounts kick in. Not smooth, but not objectionable either. Turnsignals: one on each side but they self-cancel!   Why don't more bikes have a self cancelling set up? Noise: Typical HD and Susan mentioned one of the aftermarket baffles blew out. I figure I saved at least 10 lives on my one hour ride  . She has the stock pipes for it also. I live in a condo complex so this or quieter aftermarket pipes would be a must. I found out it wasn't the transmission that was rebulit, it was the primary drive chain and sprockets.

Overall for something that costs $3K not bad at all. It's a good looking bike and comes with bags, windshield and those auxillary lights up front so many cruisers have.

Going to sleep on it, but I liked it a lot.

[spd2918]

For that price you can't go wrong.  If you hate it in 3 months sell it for a profit.

[BobW]

She now has it for $3100. Sounds like you had fun, go for it. You could ride it for a year and then give it away and still take less of a loss than any new bike would depreciate before it's break in service was due.  "I'm buying it for me" is the only factor to consider and for the $ and overall condition your value and fun factor will be hard to beat.

Safe travels and Cheers

[Tar Snake]

I gave it a pass. Nice bike, but I think I need to try a dualsport  , and I'm even thinking Miata depending on the insurance.

The good news is she sold the Sportster this past weekend so it all worked out.

[Geoff]

I gave it a pass. Nice bike, but I think I need to try a dualsport  , and I'm even thinking Miata depending on the insurance.

Miata?  

[Tar Snake]

I'm all over the map! a Mazda Miata looks like fun!

[DogBoy]

I'll hunt around and see if they make skid plates and knobbies to fit the Miata.  

That Miata thread got me thinking, too. Didn't know decent examples were available so cheap. Try both the car and the Dual Sport. You wouldn't have a problem selling either for the same as the purchase price so there is little risk.