| Author | Message | ||
     Ducbsa |
Behold the new Sportster S! As an old fart, I don't like it, too bulky. They say it is 502# wet, though. https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/ sportster-s.html | ||
| Ourdee |
I'd have it painted pink and call her Miss Piggy. What do you say Kermit? | ||
| Crusty |
1) It's lighter than an air cooled Sportster. 2) It makes considerably more power than an air cooled Sportster. 3) you can use the wheels as Life Preservers, if necessary. 4) It isn't styled like it was built in the 1940s, so the typical Harley rider will shun it like a puppet in the White House shuns making coherent statements. 5) It's priced to not sell. | ||
| Tpehak |
Harley outsourced the engine design so there is a small chance that this engine is more reliable than the crappy Harley and Buell engines. But the experience of Buell CR and EBR shows that outsourced engines are even worst than the Harley engines. | ||
| Crusty |
You need to have your meds adjusted. Your statement is very far from reality. H-D designed the engine. They didn't farm it out. The Rotax engine in the 1125 was problematic because the MoFoCo wouldn't allow Rotax to program the fuel injection. Then, the bike was rushed into production before the programming for the FI was complete. Perhaps you should consider getting a different motorcycle. You seem to have the proper temperament to make a stereotypical BMW owner. | ||
| Tpehak |
The good thing is the engine has balancing mechanism and does not require rubber isolators can go bad over time. The valves do not require adjustments which is good too. But you need to change the coolant which is additional headache. The cylinders have individual intakes bolted to the heads which should eliminate the intake leaks problem harley engines have. Anyone has access to the service manual? I am wondering what the regulal maintenance for this engine requires. Do you need to change that valves actuation mechanism chain after some time? (Message edited by TPEHAK on August 05, 2021) | ||
| Zac4mac |
Just had a look at H-D’s website. The Sportster still lives in the Iron 883/1200. Happy it’s not dead and buried yet. Z (Message edited by zac4mac on August 05, 2021) | ||
| Oldog |
Harley outsourced the engine design }Where did you come by that info? But the experience of Buell CR and EBR shows that outsourced engines are even worst than the Harley engines. Funny I have an 1125R no major issues other than the clutch weep, and a water pump seal. Neither catastrophic Please tell us oh enlightened one what to you base your statements on? As far as would I buy one, Naah I kinda like my X1 and it and my 25 are paid for. and are reasonably dependable. After Buell and the Vrod phase out, I do not want a harley product.. I wish my local dealer sold Suzukis I have had more issues with items that I have changed, than most of the standard HD hardware. (Message edited by oldog on August 05, 2021) | ||
| Tpehak |
Read the EBR forum about the troubles their engine have. | ||
| Oldog |
Just took a spin thru the EBR board, Wayyyy over blown on your comments TPk If they were still in biz and I was about 10 years younger I would be rocking an EBR. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I have an ‘08 - 1125 40k+ miles, very few issues none critical and a 2012 EBR 1190RS with a thousand miles at 170+ mph. No issues. 5 Buells and 4 have been signed by Erik. Z | ||
| Rick_a |
Every motorcycle design ever has something that fails. Some more than others. Sooner or later. Supposedly Honda's don't break down...but working in a multi line dealership proved that to be a farce. The widespread problems are swept under the "service bulletin" rug.
I've known a couple. They were quirky folks, but not total butt holes. These days I'd like a bike under 400#'s wet. | ||
| Ceejay |
I like it - mostly because of the engine though as it has kind of an odd seating position, definitely on top instead of in ( at least by looks) and I’m not a fan of 30* rakes but from what I’ve read it handles well. I’d be looking for something more two up style so we‘ll see what comes out of this new engine. | ||
| 86129squids |
I've ridden the Pan America... motor was very impressive. The whole dang machine was... thought I'd need a pilot's license to work it all. I'll be curious as to how the smaller iterations perform. That said... I still miss my CityX and its sound. Might as well go for some more test rides. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Seems that sportspersons were like $3999 new in 1984. This new price tag just seems ridiculous. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Seems that sportspersons were like $3999 new in 1984. This new price tag just seems ridiculous. $3999 in 1984 is equal to $10,286 now when adjusted for inflation. But even accounting for that, the $14999 MSRP of the new bike is fairly pricey, I’d say the new S is not aimed at the same market segment. | ||
| Ratbuell |
They want it to be a Scout. "Engine as a stressed member" - gee, where'd they get that idea? | ||
| Ourdee |
The Fordson tractor Model F, designed during World War I, eliminated the frame to reduce cost of materials and assembly, and was probably influenced by the similar design of the 1913 Wallis Cub.  | ||
| Tpehak |
The old sportster engine can not be stress member of the frame because of it has no balancing mechanism and vibrations would make it horrible to ride. The engine without balancing mechanism needs to be separated from another structure with isolators which requires dedicated frame structure. | ||
| Oldog |
I Guess Erik missed the memo | ||
| Ducbsa |
Vincents had stressed motors starting in 1946. | ||
| Hootowl |
“The old sportster engine can not(sic) be (sic) stress (sic) member of the frame” Sure it can. And it is. Buell is a genius. | ||
| Crusty |
A troll is a troll is a troll... | ||
| Tpehak |
The fuel tank is the stress member of the frame, but not the engine. | ||
| Ducbsa |
The swingarm stresses sure go though the motor. | ||
| Hootowl |
“The fuel tank is the stress member of the frame” No. The fuel tank is the frame on an xb. On a tuber, the engine is a stressed member.} | ||
| Aesquire |
The Buell isoplanar configuration system gives my Cyclone 2 of it's more charming quirks. 1. The vibes get smoother as rpm increases, so the bike has a built in seductive "desire" to go faster. As opposed to the pre-XB-improved Sportster, that vibrates with furious intensity as revs climb. Might as well just stick a dental mirror on for legal reasons, since all you see is blur. 2. Because the excellent Buell system of isoplanar vibration control is ineffective at idle, And the stick-slip effect on the angled kick stand, my Cyclone will dance backwards in a big circle in a smooth parking lot. Which I've used for comedic effect. I got inspected ( state revenue generation ) at a local chopper shop. Fresh surfaced parking lot. I fired up Buttercup to warm it up and observed the dance begin, mirrors and turn signals wriggling to different freqs. So I figured where the bike was going, strolled about two dozen feet to it's future position, and donned helmet & jacket & gloves while standing facing away from bike, obviously watching a couple of guys admiring a chrome covered hog. Also ostentatiously ignoring the yellow wasp of my own bike dancing towards me in an arc through the lot. About the time the other bikers noticed my bike come up behind me, ( consternation! ) I heard it get into perfect position, turned and lifted my leg over the seat, kicked off into gear with one foot and retracting side stand with the other, and ride off in one smooth feet up move. You know those guys will both repeat that true story of some crazy Buell that came to it's master, and no one will ever believe them. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Do it again for video to share!! | ||
| 1313 |
Do it again for video to share!! Yes! Definitely! Especially for this part: lifted my leg over the seat, kicked off into gear with one foot and retracting side stand with the other So, you're right foot is on the right side of the bike, therefore you put it in gear with your left foot, and somehow you managed to retract the sidestand with your right foot from the right side of the bike? Aliens, I say! | ||
| Aesquire |
The tentacles are private! |
