NA** Bad Motorcycle? Is that possible?

wilkersk

wilkersk

En-Route
Joined
May 21, 2015
Messages
2,737
Location
Puget Sound
Display Name
KennyW
Home Airfield
KBVS
I never thought I'd say this, but I think I've found a motorcycle I cannot find anything good to say about.

My buddy asked me to store his 2003 Sportster Limited Edition "Iron". Its supposed to look kinda like a Bobber I guess. Its low with short fenders and all blacked out. But I swear the exhaust note is irritating, the ergonomics are terrible, its squirrely in the corners and never feels locked-in like I remember my old HD did. Oh, and its underpowered, by a bunch! Are they all like that? Maybe its just been too long or ive gotten too old. But dang I'd hate to have to ride that bike for any length of time.
 
wilkersk said:
I never thought I'd say this, but I think I've found a motorcycle I cannot find anything good to say about.

My buddy asked me to store his 2003 Sportster Limited Edition "Iron". Its supposed to look kinda like a Bobber I guess. Its low with short fenders and all blacked out. But I swear the exhaust note is irritating, the ergonomics are terrible, its squirrely in the corners and never feels locked-in like I remember my old HD did. Oh, and its underpowered, by a bunch! Are they all like that? Maybe its just been too long or ive gotten too old. But dang I'd hate to have to ride that bike for any length of time.
Click to expand...
It's a Harley, those idiosyncrasies are sold as features not bugs, lol.
 
Yes, it’s possible for there to be bad motorcycles. History is littered with examples; most tend to be way underpowered, way overpowered, have really bad handling characteristics, reliability issues, or some combination of all the above.
 
But can there be a bad airplane?

Careful, think carefully before responding!
 
SoonerAviator said:
It's a Harley, those idiosyncrasies are sold as features not bugs, lol.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. I've owned and ridden Harleys that were pretty solid bikes. Not superbikes built for road racing. But low cg, well balanced and easy to handle for 99% of what you see out on the street. And more than enough power for everyday driving. But the bike I rode today is a stinker!
 
I used to have a cartoon captioned “a bad thunderstorm.” It had a CB in the shape of a kid with his hat on backwards and a toothpick out the side of his mouth kicking an airplane.
 
I've been riding Harleys for years. Some are better than others. The best riding bike is a Softail. CG is low. The StreetGlides are OK but I like the big dressers better. The worst Harley is the Sporty. CG is high and the wheel base is short making it handle poorly at times.
 
For the motocrossers among us…

1997 Honda CR250R. IYKYK.

Absolutely horrid. Light switch style of power delivery coupled with ultra stiff suspension and the first production aluminum perimeter frame. Sold it after 5 rides, switched to Kawasakis for years after being a diehard Honda guy.
 
The most horrid bike I've ever ridden is a BMW K75. The handling was so bad that being underpowered was a good thing. And I like Beemers. I owned a 1200RT. Great bike.
 
I wouldn't call a Sportster bad per se, it's just not as good as the other Harleys IMO. 6 years ago when my wife was looking to buy a new bike she test rode a 2019 Sportster 1200 Custom and a 2019 Softail Lowrider-- the Sportster riding experience was simply worse all the way around. Needless to say she rides that Softail to this day. I ride a Softail too, although mine is a Slim.
 
I think it was 1986 when Harley had a promo: Buy a basic 883 Sportster for $3,995, and you could trade it for full credit on a larger model any time within a year of purchase. I went for it, and it was fine, though not my cup of tea.

55041057136_eaf2b0f682.jpg


Only current connection with Harley is now the modified Sportster engine in my 2003 Buell Firebolt, which is still an absolute hoot!

5886243276_b68205a3a8_z.jpg
 
I’ve owned 21ish bikes (have to check), including a Harley, and not a one of them was bad. But, I always researched what I wanted at the time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top