Simple Question, I own 2 Japanese Bikes that i'm keeping, I just want a Harley Davidson as a show bike.?

Bart, you sure are a glutton for punishment! You keep sticking your neck out and people keep chopping it off. My hat's off to you because I don't think I'd have the gonads to keep asking for it the way you do.

Not absolutely certain, but I think 2004 was the first year for the rubber mountson the Sportster. I may not be right on the money, but I'm pretty close. I've never ridden a rubber mounted Sportster, but I have the old solidly mounted Sportys and both on the bigger bikes. As you know, the old bikes vibrated like a stamp mill and the Sportsters were worse, maybe because the smaller engine turned faster at the same road speed. If the new Sportster rubber mounting is anywhere as effective as on the big bikes, that means it will be smooth as silk. The engine may be bouncing around like a hyperactive child, but no where else will you feel any vibration. HD engineers did a great job and they are much more effective than on any other vibration controlled bike I've owned or ridden. That includes my 6 cylinder Kaw, rubber mounted KZ 1100 Kaw and balancer shaft Hondamatic 400 and previously owned Suzuki 250 twin, Intruder and 850 Yamaha triple with rubber mounts. Also more effective than Norton's old Isolastic system which was rather ingenious back in the '70s.

I hope your friend ok'ed your wheelie stunt on his bike because if you did that on one of mine, you'd better hope you wrecked it and died in the crash because that would be a more pleasant death than the one I'd give you. I'm not insulting you, just saying that I don't abuse my bikes. I guess that's why I have no problem getting over 100,000 miles out of them.

As far as you getting frustrated behind someone, you may want to temper your "loser" comment. I'm a compenent rider and I've dragged the pegs on my full dress KZ1000 shaft on several occasions, so I do know how to go around a corner. However, my 6 cylinder Kaw Voyager weighs 960 lbs with a full tank of gas and no luggage, rider or anything else. It's great on open roads, but it takes a heck of a lot of effort and restraint when hurtling down a Colorado mountain road grossing upwards of 1200 lbs. Yes, even Harleys will pass me but I have three kids and I'd rather be a bit late than DOA. When you have kids of your own, you'll probably adjust your riding methods as well (or at least you better unless you want to orphan them.) And I bet if you were to ride my Voyager on mountainous 2-lane roads, you wouldn't set the world on fire either.

One final thing to consider Bart. I know from experience that when you're hauling butt around corners, that's all you can afford to concentrate on. If you don't, you end up as a statistic. Me? I like to see the country. You and I could ride the same curvy road, you'd get there way ahead of me but you'd be hard pressed to tell me anything about the countryside you just rode through. You could tell me all about the curves, but little else beyond the edge of the pavement. In short, very seldom is it my riding skills or my bike that limits my speed on corners, it's my own desire to see something other than the pavement.

Bart, I have to say this question is just another way to continue stirring up the Harley verses everyone else. Several co-workers could own several motorcycles. For them, owning one Harley-Davidson is enough. When we talk about motorcycling, we talk about riding our motorcycles, not which motorcycle is better. We riders need to stop all this "my motorcycle can beat up your motorcycle" comments. Here is a question back to you. Would owning 2 German bikes be better than owning one Harley-Davidson? Suppose a rider has one street bike and one dual sport? As we all know, Harley does not offer a dual sport. Does that make it bad? I don't think so. So, again, what is the point of your question?? Bart, again I will repeat: It's not what you ride, it's that your ride. Enough said, just waiting for the snow to melt in the Chicago land area. Max

Well, looking beyond your fantasy life, I would tell you to buy it. Why, then you would at least be a total hypocrite when you say "I hate Harley's" while owning one.

For most of us, it's not that we have to hit corners at 60 to 70 MPH, or see who can accelerate the quickest. Some of us just love to ride and it doesn't matter what you ride as long as you are riding.

You talk of respect, yet you don't offer respect and expect everyone to give it freely to you. Respect is earned, not given. Quit acting like a total tool.

If you want to buy the bike, then go ahead and buy it. If not, then don't. As for which to buy, whichever one feels the best when you are sitting on the seat. After all, it will be your butt not anyone else's that will occupy that seat. And only you know which you can afford.

Only you will know if it's right for you. Go to the harley dealer and ask all the questions you want, just don't act like a tool! Unless you have totally pissed off the local dealership and are know by sight as the "ONE" to avoid.

Bart i think you would fit in just fine with the Harley boys if you get a sportster, all you need is the bike some chaps,vest with a lot of pins,do rag.Oh lets not forget to put the handeling package on the bike A set of ape hanger bars and you will look like all the rest of them

oh come on really my sportster has been across/thru 39 states ive rode it across the country for first three yrs i got it and yes it still got a vibration not sure when rubber mounts came out does rides a bit better than the old bike i once had mines got close to 80,000 miles

S or P "I can show off, impress other HD Riders" that says the real reason for this another in a long line of silly questions. You have lost all credibility

you might have ever had here.

First you say "PLEASE I just want a simple answer, not a personal insult!"

Then, just a few lines down you say "I can ride ANY BIKE better than you and the majority of riders"

So you can throw insults at us 'inferior riders' but you can't take any insults yourself? Wow...talk about being hypocritical.

Bart, you don't need a sportster you need therapy. Please buy a HD and then go down to the nearest biker hangout and try to impress people. You will get your butt kicked into next week and maybe then you will wake up to yourself and stop being such a tool.

I know you didn't want insults but you are so full of crap, I just can't help myself (and its fun insulting idiots such as yourself)

Buy the cheapest one you can find because your not going to impress anyone.People know a loser when they see one.It wouldn't matter if you pulled up on a 24 carat gold plated chopper.You can gold plate a turd but it's still just a turd when your done.

Lots of hot air.