opinions on the sportster
 

hello group,
ive been lurking for a few months so that i could make a more informed
purchase, and since i have a question i figure this is as good a time as any
to introduce myself.

over the years ive owned a few crotch rockets but ive decided its time to
buy a harley. i walked into my local dealership today with the intention of
leaving with my own bike, but the _one_ that really caught my eye (1200
sportster evolution) was sold and the salesman told me they would not be
getting in anymore of that model until the '04 lineup was released. i sat
on several of the other models, but kept coming back to the evolution.
when i asked about loctating one at another dealer, he told me that the
sportster was considered to be a "bitch bike" and that i should consider one
of the other (more expensive) lines. i couldnt tell if he really believed
what he said or if he was just trying to get me to spend more money, and
spend it at his dealership.

at 5'10" i found the sportster to be a perfect fit for me, and although it
wont influence my purchase im curious what he meant by that. when he
realized that his comment would not sway me, he encouraged me to wait until
the '04 lineup was released because it would be a totally new design with
many benefits.

i guess bottom line, is this guy shooting straight with me?
thanks!

--
Nathan W. Collier
http://7SlotGrille.com

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

Nathan W. Collier wrote:
> hello group,
> ive been lurking for a few months so that i could make a more informed
> purchase, and since i have a question i figure this is as good a time as any
> to introduce myself.

But I suppose you actually wanted to psot this to .harley :)

> over the years ive owned a few crotch rockets but ive decided its time to
> buy a harley. i walked into my local dealership today with the intention of
> leaving with my own bike, but the _one_ that really caught my eye (1200
> sportster evolution) was sold and the salesman told me they would not be
> getting in anymore of that model until the '04 lineup was released. i sat
> on several of the other models, but kept coming back to the evolution.
> when i asked about loctating one at another dealer, he told me that the
> sportster was considered to be a "bitch bike" and that i should consider one
> of the other (more expensive) lines. i couldnt tell if he really believed
> what he said or if he was just trying to get me to spend more money, and
> spend it at his dealership.
>
> at 5'10" i found the sportster to be a perfect fit for me, and although it
> wont influence my purchase im curious what he meant by that.

He ment it's a "bitch bike". ;)

Riders of the larger Harleys tend to think the sportster is for girls
or girlymen that can't handle a real bike.

> when he
> realized that his comment would not sway me, he encouraged me to wait until
> the '04 lineup was released because it would be a totally new design with
> many benefits.
>
> i guess bottom line, is this guy shooting straight with me?
> thanks!

As straight as any other dealer.

--
DougW

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:BlXVa.111307$R92.11228@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> But I suppose you actually wanted to psot this to .harley :)

for sure. my bad, thats what i get for rushing.

> Riders of the larger Harleys tend to think the sportster is for girls
> or girlymen that can't handle a real bike.

thats what i figured, thanks!


--
Nathan W. Collier
http://7SlotGrille.com

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

Nathan W. Collier wrote:
> "DougW" wrote ...
>> But I suppose you actually wanted to psot this to .harley :)
>
> for sure. my bad, thats what i get for rushing.
>
>> Riders of the larger Harleys tend to think the sportster is for girls
>> or girlymen that can't handle a real bike.
>
> thats what i figured, thanks!

I used to ride a V65 Magna. It may have been a rice bike
but at 1000cc it was one bad ass rice bike untill the front
tire blew.

"Always wear a helmet"

--
DougW

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:BlXVa.111307$R92.11228@news2.central.cox.net. ..
SLASH
>
> Riders of the larger Harleys tend to think the sportster is for girls
> or girlymen that can't handle a real bike.
>
So if the opinion of riders of larger Harleys is a consideration then don't
get the Sportster. A state patrol guy I know had one and liked it a lot
though. (He got rid of it after cleaning up after a motorcycle accident
where no one was wearing helmets...)

Earle

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

"Earle Horton" <enfermero_diabolico@registerednurses.com> wrote in message
news:bg9j3o$m7p5b$1@ID-147790.news.uni-berlin.de...
> So if the opinion of riders of larger Harleys is a consideration then
don't
> get the Sportster.

as stated in my original message, their opinions will have no bearing on my
purchase. i was just curious why they would frown upon the sportster.

anyway, if youre into it here is a cool link:
http://www.hdcycles.com/halfaharley.htm

ill definately be getting the sportster evolution model
http://tinyurl.com/ikgv like i looked at today, its just a matter of
deciding if i want to wait until the '04 lineup in september.
--
Nathan W. Collier
http://7SlotGrille.com

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

"Nathan W. Collier" <abuse@A0L.com> wrote in message
news:mtYVa.290925$nr.12186228@twister.southeast.rr .com...
> "Earle Horton" <enfermero_diabolico@registerednurses.com> wrote in message
> news:bg9j3o$m7p5b$1@ID-147790.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > So if the opinion of riders of larger Harleys is a consideration then
> > don't get the Sportster.
>
> as stated in my original message, their opinions will have no bearing on
> my purchase. i was just curious why they would frown upon the
> sportster.

There are definite advantages to the larger bikes for touring. That's what
the tourists who come through my town tend to say anyway. For some of these
guys a large touring bike with a trailer or side car is the equivalent of a
motor home. I think that the answer depends a lot on what you are going to
do with the bike.

Earle
>
> anyway, if youre into it here is a cool link:
> http://www.hdcycles.com/halfaharley.htm
>
> ill definately be getting the sportster evolution model
> http://tinyurl.com/ikgv like i looked at today, its just a matter of
> deciding if i want to wait until the '04 lineup in september.
> --
> Nathan W. Collier
> http://7SlotGrille.com
>
>

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

In article <40XVa.364809$jp.10193839@twister.southeast.rr.com >,
"Nathan W. Collier" <abuse@A0L.com> wrote:

> hello group,
> ive been lurking for a few months so that i could make a more informed
> purchase, and since i have a question i figure this is as good a time as any
> to introduce myself.

Gee, HI, NATHAN! Welcome to RAMJ+W. ;)

>
> i guess bottom line, is this guy shooting straight with me?
> thanks!

Simple, he's a salesman. He wants you to buy the most expensive thing
with the highest margin/commission. So, a bigger bike, and the newest
model. Then again, there must be a reason why "bigger is better" is such
a cliche. ;)

B

--
Brian Heller

It is easier to tame wild beasts
than to conquer the human mind.

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

Brian,

While I agree about the Star line from Yamaha, the Sportster is a different
animal (body style that is). If you like one, chances are you don't like the
other (like you... and me).
td

"Brian" <bsheller@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:bsheller-DF2ECF.21270330072003@nnrp01.earthlink.net...
> Oh, sheesh, that web page (the tinyurl from HD) just loaded. Nate, IMHO,
> the V-Star series from Yamaha looks cooler, the Classic models in
> particular. Now I see what he meant by "b!!@h bike." ;)
>
> B
>
> --
> Brian Heller
>
> It is easier to tame wild beasts
> than to conquer the human mind.

Re: opinions on the sportster
 

Nathan

Feel free to email me offline as I ride rather frequently with a guy that
used to own a sportster. I won't get into it on this forum (the whole
"they're WAY overpriced, too unreliable, etc etc" arguments), but shoot me
an email. You should have my addy.

Eric
"Nathan W. Collier" <abuse@A0L.com> wrote in message
news:40XVa.364809$jp.10193839@twister.southeast.rr .com...
> hello group,
> ive been lurking for a few months so that i could make a more informed
> purchase, and since i have a question i figure this is as good a time as
any
> to introduce myself.
>
> over the years ive owned a few crotch rockets but ive decided its time to
> buy a harley. i walked into my local dealership today with the intention
of
> leaving with my own bike, but the _one_ that really caught my eye (1200
> sportster evolution) was sold and the salesman told me they would not be
> getting in anymore of that model until the '04 lineup was released. i sat
> on several of the other models, but kept coming back to the evolution.
> when i asked about loctating one at another dealer, he told me that the
> sportster was considered to be a "bitch bike" and that i should consider
one
> of the other (more expensive) lines. i couldnt tell if he really believed
> what he said or if he was just trying to get me to spend more money, and
> spend it at his dealership.
>
> at 5'10" i found the sportster to be a perfect fit for me, and although it
> wont influence my purchase im curious what he meant by that. when he
> realized that his comment would not sway me, he encouraged me to wait
until
> the '04 lineup was released because it would be a totally new design with
> many benefits.
>
> i guess bottom line, is this guy shooting straight with me?
> thanks!
>
> --
> Nathan W. Collier
> http://7SlotGrille.com
>
>