Sporty touring.
 

It's that time of year again when I start making bad financial decisions.

I miss having a basic, practical standard for touring and commuting. Sportbikes are fine for playing in the mountains and day trips and the WR is probably the most entertaining bike I've ever owned, but nothing beats a sit-up straight ride with hard bags for going back and forth to work.

I've always liked standard Sportsters:

2009 Harley Sportster - $4500

2005 Harley Davidson Sportster - $2200

http://images.craigslist.org/5Y65P45...2448381ed0.jpg

Of course, a stock 883's 35-rwhp is embarrassingly inadequate, so a 1200cc (or more) upgrade would be in order:

NRHS 883 TO 1200/1250cc Conversion Kit

http://www.nrhsperformance.com/image...onkitsmall.jpg http://www.nrhsperformance.com/images/dr883heads.gif

And tough hard-bags would be a must:

Sideracks for Givi Monokey Sidecases

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezima...60-425x350.jpg

Add a Plexifairing III for the winter months:

Classic Plexifairing 3 Windshield

http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalog...-N8413_600.jpg

And a bigger tank to replace the stock peanut:

JustGasTanks Sportster Fuel Tanks

http://justgastanks.com/images/832C_...l_gas_tank.jpg

If Traxxion/Racetech/etc can provide some reasonably-priced suspension solutions, I think I could build a very capable commuter/tourer from one of these things. I'd be happy with 75-80 hp at the wheel, and with belt drive and no valve adjustments, maintenance should be kept to a minimum.

Never owned a Harley, but I'm thinking about it. Sportster only, though; everything else is too heavy and too expensive.

Seems like alot of work and money to upgrade.... why not buy a 1200 that already has bags???

Agreed... Even if you don't find one with bags, I gotta imagine starting with more displacement would be the cheaper or at least easier of the options...

Most of the upgrades would be necessary with either the 883 or 1200. May as well start with the cheaper bike. You aren't going to find many Sportsters of any displacement already outfitted with hard bags, especially not my case of choice: the Givi E21.

Not sure why, but a factory 1200 doesn't make near the power of a Sportster with a 1250cc kit. Some builders actually recommend starting with an 883, especially if you decide to port your original heads.

It may actually be wiser to go Buell, but a) they're ugly, b) the Harley may actually have some resale value, and c) the Sporty can probably be made into the more comfortable mount.

True about the hard cases. If you are up for all the engine work, go for it. And yes the Sporty would be more "sitting on a couch" comfortable. One of my managers has a 1200, and its pretty relaxed.

I kinda like the look of the Buells though...

And remember... 2005 for rubber mounted motor, 2007 for EFI and wider rear tire.

The EFI 883 is about as fast as a carb 1200.
The EFI 1200 is down right quick.

I have tons of motorcycle magazines. While getting our Christmas decorations I found the December, 2010 issue of Cycle World. On page 47, Allan Girdler has a single page article titled Sportster Buyer's Guide. He has several 50's and 60's Sportsters, so you have to take his advice with a grain of salt.

The older Sportsters are for collectors. They are "rough and raucous fun", but "it 'takes dedication to make one a daily rider." For value, he likes the early EVO's (1986-1990).

"The newer models are expensive, often too complicated for the home mechanic. Worst of all, they are 50-plus pounds heavier than the earlier EVO XLs and performance is no better than adequate." On his post-90 Sportster, his belt drive broke once and since the Sportster is a torque motor, he says the fifth gear is marketing.

I remember when the EVO Harley Sportster first came out, Nick Ienatsch made a XLCR (1977-79 Harley Cafe Racer) out of it. It was beautiful and way outperformed the original. I saw several 86-90 Sportsters on CL for $2500.

I like sportsters.

Just for grins check out vn750s

Food for thought:

http://motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtes...son/index.html