Iron head Harley, or not?

[Degz]

OK, just about that age when I want to try a Harley, Had just about everything else, but I dont want a brand new over priced americana, I saw what seemed a nice 1000cc iron head 4 speed sportster, price reasonable, any one on the forum had such a bike or able to compare older type with the newer bike? what are the down sides?
My intention is to ride the bike, I am not a fair weather jockey, its for round town and some long haul trips, regulary do 500-700 miles in a day, maybe a slower pace will let me live longer!

[RemaL]

I got to ask " when are you old enought to get a harley"

Not that I don't like them , I do but the same has been said about BMW bikes

[bimsb6]

i had a roadster years back ,they vibrate they are not quick they leak oil .i sold it a bought an evo
1340 that was 1989 ,i still own it .

[gareth h]

I had a 78 ironhead, you would have to have a lot of spare time in your life to do 2-300 miles a day!

[Degz]

I said old enough to ride a Harley NOT a BMW, that yonks away yet.

[NorthernBoy]

Don't go for half measures, just get yourself to Hampstead Heath, and scratch that itch.

[aeropilot]

Degz said:

My intention is to ride the bike, I am not a fair weather jockey, its for round town and some long haul trips, regulary do 500-700 miles in a day

Sporters, even older ones are fine for around town, but definately NOT for long haul, and no way would I want to contemplate doing 500 miles in a day on an older Sportster... or even a brand new one for that matter.....

If you want to do long haul, then you have to look at either a Dyna or Softail model.

[Degz]

Thanks, getting the idea.

[makatya]

We have just got hold of a Softail Deluxe 1584cc. It has the lowest saddle hieght above 600cc but the leg room/positioning and ride is great. I did a test ride on a Vrod and it was pants! Such a hard ride and the fact that the engine was built along side Porsche makes it sound like a Jap V twin and not a Harley.
Sportsters look, ride and sound great but if you are tall like me then you end up with your knees up to your chest when riding the bike. The new 1200 is a lot better and they have some great deals on finance so that you can upgrade every year or two.

Mark.

[aeropilot]

makatya said:

We have just got hold of a Softail Deluxe 1584cc.

Excellent........I was looking to get a Deluxe last year, and just missed out by an hour on a discounted old stock old stock 88ci 06 one. Couldn't quite stretch to a new 96ci 07 Deluxe at the time so ordered a 96ci Dyna Super Glide instead.
It's OK but I wish I'd just bitten the bullet and gone for the Deluxe.

I did test ride a Sportster as well and found the ride very hard and uncomfortable after about an hour's riding, Sportsters really are short distance toys not for long distance enjoyment.