This is my first post to review the usefulness of a particular motorcycle. I think I will use my first ride, a 1982 Harley Sportster. I got it second-hand, so the unknown maintenance habits of the previous owner(s) may play a role in this opinion. Being my first ride, I did not know what to expect at first, but the year or so I had it taught me many things about riding. This opinion will be both objective and subjective, so feel free to share what you think.
The good: Power. The bike had plenty of grunt when you added the go-juice. It had an S&S carb, which improved air flow into the engine. It also had Cobra pipes, which helped air flow out of the engine. Better breathing leads to better volumetric efficiency, which equates to better power. Yes, many performance bikes would eat it for breakfast, but it was still plenty powerful enough to get moving at highway speeds. The bike's forward controls helped keep the legs stretched to avoid cramping. Being a Sportster, the emphasis was on sport. Lean angles were nice and I had to make an effort to find the touch-down limits. Lines were held nicely through curves, and parking lots were easy to navigate. Brakes were nice, but the rear tire had a habit of locking up when braking was a bit too eager. Another thing I liked was the volume. The bike was calm and nice when idling or under light loads. Twist that throttle, pull hard from a stoplight, and the pipes roared with enough volume to get attention. My friend's custom pipes on his cruiser were loud, but mine were deafening. There is an adage that loud pipes save lives. There is debate on that, but I can be reasonably sure that the sound of my pipes helped to remind people that bikers are always around.
The bad: Maintenance. Simply put, the upkeep on the machine was murder on my wallet. I did not have a service history for the machine, so I don't know all that had been done in the 25 years or so since it was built. Oil leaks, chain squeaks, and carb problems reduced the fun factor. A lot. I get that older Harleys leak oil. The series of bad gaskets, though, were a bit much. Another thing I did not enjoy was that a lowering kit had been installed, as the previous owner was a short women. Suspension travel suffered, and rolling down bumpy streets was torture. Vibration, too, was a problem. At idle, the gentle rumble was nice and relaxing. At speed, though, was a different story. I could not use my mirrors on the freeway. The shaking was so bad that the mirrors actually sheared off one day. If I wanted to see my mirrors at 70 mph, I had to disengage the clutch and coast along while the mirrors settled down enough for me to get a clear picture. Part of that is due to the 4-speed gearbox. If I went much past 55 I was wishing for a 5th gear. The scream at 75 was disconcerting, but I have recently learned that the engine is designed for high revs. I didn't like the sound or the feel of that engine revving that high.
How I used the bike: I mostly used it for commuting to and from work. Roughly 25 miles each way, mostly by freeway. The seat was uncomfortable, but I will not list as a pro or a con. Seats are interchangeable, and I just chose to keep it. I also took the bike on short trips, such as to Payson and back and to Tortilla Flat. Highway 88 is fun, as long as you do not get stuck behind boat trailers or RVs... I would have liked to have taken it more places, but I was afraid of a break-down far from home. All in all, I put 10,000 miles on the bike.
My opinion: Would this bike make a good choice for a daily rider? Yes, with some caveats. First, restore the original height of the bike. Second, making sure the gaskets are good at all likely fail points. In other words, closer to a stock Sportster would make for a very good daily driver. It was good on streets and highways, did not have many odd behaviors, and was fun for short and long trips. If you have the time and resources to keep the oil leaks under control, I would recommend the bike.
Up next: A 2005 Honda Shadow 750.
No comments:
Post a Comment