Harley Sportster 883 Vs FatBoy/Softail - any experience?

[JonA]

I recently rented a fatboy in the US. Pros were the sound, thumpy v-twin, torque, comfortable long distance, fun at low speeds (a v' good idea in US) etc.
The downside was the fact the it was ridiculously easy to scrape the foot plates on the mountain road corners (even when being a good boy.) My mate had a harley softail and had exactly the same problem. I only had the bike for 2 days, but it really started to piss me off and spoil the experience..

I'm looking to go back to US again this summer with some friends for 10days. We're looking at alternative bike to rent right now. We're planning to travel from Vegas to SanFran (via the parks that have lots of mountain passes.) I can only really find Harleys that are available to do that with (one way rentals really cuts down what companies you can use.)

Does anyone have experience of riding a Sportster 883 vs a Fatboy/Softail??? Is it better handling in relative terms? Do you lose out a lot on performance by dropping from the 1450 down to a 883? An an aside I was a bit surprised at how slow the 1450 fatboy felt.

The only alternative bike I've found is a Honda Shadow Spirit 750. No idea if that's any good, but internet tells me it makes you ass hurt on long journeys..

Thanks

Edited by JonA on Saturday 1st December 17:02

[m3psm]

I rode an 883 on Friday for the first time in central London and although it'd handle the twisties better than the others, it's way too underpowered. Try the 1200 Sportster though. Test one at a UK Harley dealership before hiring though

I've riden a Honda Shadow 1100 when I had one in the bike shop and it was much more refined than a Haley and more powerful, but suffered the same minimal ground clearance.

[JonA]

Hhhm - interesting about the Honda -now rejected!
1200 Sportster not available for rent (for some reason) - only the 883 version.
When you say 883 is underpowered - is that low-low-mid range too? Remember, not going to be going over 75 in the US - mostly at 65 tops unless on the freeway.
Ta

[m3psm]

JonA said:

When you say 883 is underpowered - is that low-low-mid range too? Remember, not going to be going over 75 in the US - mostly at 65 tops unless on the freeway.
Ta

If you're going to be sticking to the limits it'll probably be fine. It does still have some grunt, but it certainly won't excite. My 15 year old TDM twin with the same engine size had noticeably more torque than the new 883 I rode.

[aeropilot]

JonA said:

I recently rented a fatboy in the US. Pros were the sound, thumpy v-twin, torque, comfortable long distance, fun at low speeds (a v' good idea in US) etc.
The downside was the fact the it was ridiculously easy to scrape the foot plates on the mountain road corners (even when being a good boy.) My mate had a harley softail and had exactly the same problem. I only had the bike for 2 days, but it really started to piss me off and spoil the experience..

I'm looking to go back to US again this summer with some friends for 10days. We're looking at alternative bike to rent right now. We're planning to travel from Vegas to SanFran (via the parks that have lots of mountain passes.) I can only really find Harleys that are available to do that with (one way rentals really cuts down what companies you can use.)

Does anyone have experience of riding a Sportster 883 vs a Fatboy/Softail??? Is it better handling in relative terms? Do you lose out a lot on performance by dropping from the 1450 down to a 883? An an aside I was a bit surprised at how slow the 1450 fatboy felt.

You won't want to ride a Sportster all the way from Vegas to Frisco....

And 883 Sporty's are truely gutless anyway......

However, why not rent a Dyna which combine the big twin engine from the softtail but in a frame similar, but larger, to the Sportster. You should be able to hire a Dyna Street Bob or Dyna Super Glide without too much problem I would have thought....?

[JonA]

"Dyna Wide Glide" is available - same thing? (showing my ignorance!)
Looking at the pic it's got high pegs, but very high and forward. Will feel odd to me at first I suppose, but at least there will be ground clearance?

Also, there is "Dyna Low Rider"


I'm a but lost with this...
If you know Harley's can you make a recommendation from the available bikes:
http://www.eaglerider.com/Vehicle-Details.aspx?Com...
Basically want sometime that's good for long distance, but that I can chuck about a bit.
Thanks

Edited by JonA on Saturday 1st December 18:32

[aeropilot]

JonA said:

Basically want sometime that's good for long distance, but that I can chuck about a bit.

Book the Dyna Low Rider definately......

Low Rider has mid mount pegs, Wide Glide has forward controls.

If you were doing more straight road highway riding, I'd say the Wide Glide, because of the more comfy seat and forward foot controls, but although the Wide Glide has a bit more ground clearance, you can't use it because of the more raked out front fork means it's less chuckable..

Oh and remember, when you pick it up insist you get a tech to adjust the preload on the rear shocks to suit your weight and how you want to ride. It's a 2 min job with a HD damper spanner. They are usually set at 1 from the factory and stay there....you'll want it at least on the mid setting of 3 or higher if of a more generous build...

Edited by aeropilot on Sunday 2nd December 13:11

[bimsb6]

what he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^

[JonA]

Brilliant - thanks gents. Dyna Low Rider it is then.