Relativly poor (even miserable) performance is the price Harley pays for using an obsolete twin V design for the sake of getting that nice popping exhaust note that everyone associates with a bad bike.
I ride a Pasta Burner! 1997 Ducati 900SP!
Mark
Those persons scoffing at sportsters always miss several points in doing so. First off they are the oldest H-D model in the companies lineup, been there for 45 years. There are between 4 to 6 models made, I'm not sure how many this year. The mellow 883 is actually a very good beginners bike, it has ample power and won't scare you during the learning experience. Add a set of slip on mufflers and it will give all the requisite sounds that a Harley should. The 1200 sportster is a night and day difference from the 883 and when you do an exhaust and jet kit on one of these, you won't believe the difference. I have a sportster sport XLX1200s. This model has the ballsiest motor H-D puts in the sportster and has even surprised my rice burner buddies how quick it is. If it isn't the quickest stock H-D sold it's damn close. To put things into perspective for those who sneer, my 1200s has the same displacement and put's out more power than the pan head cop bikes used in the movie Easy Rider.
No sportsters aren't for everyone. They aren't great for two up riding, not because of power, but because they're to compact. Two small people will have no problems however. An 883 on the highway doing 70 is a nightmare. Doing 60 is fine but much over that and the vibes get intense. Forget about using the rear view mirrors. My 1200 however will run all day at 70 to 75 without a problem. Yes the vibes are still there, but less bothersome I think than my buzzy rice burner 4 cylinder. Not everyone needs a motorcycle that's 8 feet long and weighs almost 700 pounds(thats a minimum weight for a big twin)unless you're 6 foot 5 and weigh 250 lbs. For me at 5 foot 9 and 185 lbs the little sporty is perfect.
Errr ... Jeanne is a girl.
