The Truth About the Harley-Davidson Sportster

Over the past couple of years, I’ve had several conversations regarding my decision to buy a Harley-Davidson Sportster.  Most start with someone informing me the Sportster is a “starter/girls” bike, then telling me you can’t really do long distance riding or touring on a Sportster, and finally ending with a question on when I plan on getting a “real” Harley.  I’m always dumbfounded by people’s remarks and wonder if they’ve ever actually ridden one.  I suppose because the Sporty is one of the most reasonably priced bikes in the Harley-Davidson line-up and isn’t quite as large as its siblings, many have a misperception that it’s not a bike worth serious consideration. Really? 

Let me set the record straight by debunking these three “myths”… 

Myth #1 - The Sportster is a “Starter/Girls” Bike. 

Granted, there are a good number of women and new riders who choose the Sportster but this doesn’t make it a “starter” or a “girls” bike. In fact, many would argue that any bike over 750 cc is too large to be a “starter” bike.  I’m of the opinion that you should start on whatever bike you’re comfortable with -- realizing of course, that larger displacement generally means more weight, which can make a bike more difficult to handle, especially in low speed situations.

Although the Sportster is the lightest bike in the Harley-Davidson family, it has other characteristics that make it less than optimum as a “starter” bike.  First is its overall seat height.  The Sporty actually sits taller than most of its bigger siblings, giving it a higher center of gravity.  This causes it to feel a little top-heavy and can negatively affect handling (again, at low speeds).  Don’t be fooled…unless you’re Hercules, 582 pounds isn’t “light”.

	2012  Sporty  1200	2014 Fat  Bob	2014 Breakout	2014  Street  Glide	2014 Road  King	2014 CVO  Softail	2014 CVO  Limited
Running Wt (lbs)	582	706	710	810	814	782	944
Seat Height (in)	28	27.2	24.7	27.4	28.2	25.8	29.1
Torque (ft-lbs)	79	98.8	95.2	104.7	104.7	107.7	115.1
RPM	4000	3500	3000	3250	3250	3000	3750
Calculated HP	60.17	65.84	54.38	64.79	64.79	61.52	65.75
Pwr-to-Wt	0.103	0.093	0.077	0.080	0.080	0.079	0.070

                                                                         Comparative Data for Select H-D Models

Another characteristic that blows the “starter” bike myth out of the water is the fact that the Sportster has a better power-to-weight ratio than other stock Harleys.  This means the Sporty will generally have better off-the-line (stoplight-to-stoplight) performance.  The Sportster has great throttle response and is quick.  Definitely not a good characteristic of a “starter” bike.

Myth #2 – The Sportster isn’t Capable of “Touring”

This is laughable.  I can say with 100% confidence that the Sportster can go anywhere a big touring bike can go.  With the right seat, you can ride a Sporty all day and all night long and get-up the next morning and do it again.  I know, I’ve done it.  The Sportster may not offer the BarcaLounger comfort of the Road King or Ultra Glide but it’s a very capable touring machine.  You can ride a Sportster hard, put it up wet, and it’ll never complain. Don’t let anyone tell you different. 

Myth #3 – The Sportster isn’t a “Real” Harley-Davidson

This may be the most obscene myth of them all.  The Sporty has been in continuous production for 57 years (62, if you count its predecessor the Model K). That’s longer than any other bike in Harley-Davidson’s line-up.  How anyone can say that the bike produced for more than half of the Motor Company’s existence isn’t a “real” Harley is beyond me. 

For those that say a “real” Harley is measured by displacement, consider the fact that before 1999 Harley-Davidson’s largest displacement engine was 1340 cc.  Does that mean “real” Harley’s have only been produced for the last 15 years of Harley-Davidson’s 110-year history?  I think not.  I’m sure William Harley and Arthur Davidson would agree with me. 

The truth is the Sportster is just a fun bike to ride.  It’ll put a smile on your face and won’t break the bank doing it.  I’m glad women and new riders are selecting the Sporty, it’s a great all around bike.  Hell, it might be the most versatile motorcycle Harley-Davidson makes.  You can modify it to be whatever your heart desires…café racer, bobber, touring bike, you name it and the Sportster makes a good foundation.  One could argue that based on its versatility, the Harley-Davidson Sportster is the most “real” Harley ever made. 

I ride a Sporty and I’m proud of it! :-)

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Resource Links

1.      http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/2014-Motorcycles/compare-bikes.html

2.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson

3.      http://www.hdforums.com/forum/general-harley-davidson-chat/164093-the-sportster-as-a-starter-bike.html

4.      http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/v-twin-forum-general-harley-talk/127069-dyna-vs-sportster-first-bike.html

5.      http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/archive/index.php/t-1092841.html

6.      http://www.1728.org/mtrtrq.htm

7.      http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2012models/2012-Harley-Davidson-XL1200C-Sportster1200Custom.htm

8.      http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.biz/sportster1200.html