Sportster Super Low XL883L

[x9200]

What are disadvantages of having such motorbike for a daily regular commuting? Is the maintenance/parts expensive?

Pretty soon I will have to buy a new bike and with the current crazy COE prices I may consider some used ones. The said XL883L can be bought for ca 14-18k (2010-2012 reg. year) what seems attractive.

[bgd]

Not a Harley person so don't have any first hand experience.

Have a friend who commutes on a NightRod and he is happy with it, apart from having to fill up every 10kms . Bear in mind the NightRod is unusual in the HD lineup, it was designed by Porshe, so may not be a good comparison for a Sportster.

What he can't stand is the Harley servicing in Sg. Expensive and rubbish is the polite version.

He reckons, and I don't know this for sure, that you can only get your bike serviced at the main dealer. For this reason he wouldn't get another HD here.

My advice would be take one for a ride first, the cheaper HDs aren't renowned for comfort.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Ask PNGMK, he just sold his recently for a "KTM Duke 390"

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic92190.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/sutra6 ... 390#669216

[x9200]

Yep, I remember this. Waiting for him.

@bgd, I have read that people call it a tractor. I think I could live with it. I am more concerned of the low seating position. I ride at this moment Piaggio X9 and one of its serious advantages is that I can look above majority of the car roof tops. Very good for the safety.
if the service is bad and limited then yes, not nice.

[bgd]

I ride a Tenere. I just about need a ladder to get on the thing but the view is magnificent. In my book taller is better, both for cars and bikes.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I no longer ride, but I prefer the lower center gravity that the sporty provides. I also like the ability to firmly plant both feet on the ground at the same time if I need to (I've got very short stumps for legs (29"). Tall bikes are good in traffic as far as visibility is concerned but I generally find them too twitchy for my liking.

[bgd]

Agreed, it is an aquired taste. It did take me a while to get use to the high centre of gravity. There are techniques you develop to handle the height and the extra visibility is useful.

[x9200]

I like Tenere. It has very similar look to VStorm - one in my to consider list.
As of the center of gravity I think X9 may have it even lower (maxi scooters are like this) than 883.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Very true and had I decided to continue to ride here I would have probably ended up with a big scooter as I think they are ideal. I wouldn't, just to be different, mind having one of the Italian Benellis? with the integrated roof/hood.



On another track, and a pretty wide one at that (carrying local F plates as well) I got passed on the way to work yesterday, on Lornie Road by some dude on a Can-Am Spyder RS. Blew me away. I didn't know they were allowed in Singapore. I wouldn't mind one of those bad boys.

[sundaymorningstaple]

My only and last ride in Singapore. Not my bike of choice but when your 6'4" Kiwi neighbour heads down to Perth and gives you the pink slip, what to do? Kick a gift horse in the mouth? Old 750 Honda Magna. Too high and too heavy for it's high centre of gravity and my short legs. Finally sold it as I rarely rode it as I had to listen to my wife haranguing me about riding it every time I got on it.

[x9200]

Yeah, I like maxi scooters, this roofed one is also nice. I am kind of torn apart what to get.

The 3 wheeler... it is a bit confusing because sometimes it goes under the car's COE but the one above is said to be still a motorbike:
http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/ar ... 10983.html

[Strong Eagle]

The advantages are numerous, especially if you don't mind lane splitting... which has been demonstrated to be quite safe in a California study... it's only the doofi who don't do it right that get hurt. Parking is usually easier and cheaper.

Primary disadvantage is rain... even with good rain gear and boots it is still easy to get wet. And a key issue is visibility... for you to see and others to see you... I have generally tried to avoid rain, although I did ride almost the whole way to KL in a heavy storm.

Be sure to get the book, "Proficient Motorcycling" (http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorc ... 1889540536). One read and you will realize how many things you have not been looking out for and it will greatly increase your chances of not being part of an accident scene.

I'd definitely stay away from the Harley. Besides maintenance costs they are simply not as reliable. You'd do best with a Japanese brand bike in terms of reliability and ease and low cost of maintenance. Liquid or oil cooled is best.

I'm not a scooter person because I don't like automatic transmissions or the smaller wheels. I'd probably opt for something between 400 and 800 cc's that is small enough to filter traffic easily.

I used to ride one of these... could still lane split but there were limits.

[x9200]

I'd definitely stay away from the Harley. Besides maintenance costs they are simply not as reliable.

I am shocked with this one. I always thought HD and reliability is like a synonymous thing. If this is true then with a bad local service it is definitely no go.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Anything built by Harley prior to the evolution engine are like tractor engines and will virtually run forever.

[Strong Eagle]

Anything built by Harley prior to the evolution engine are like tractor engines and will virtually run forever.

That's a crock of 21 carat, 17 jewel, self winding bullsh*t. Air cooled Harley's are lucky to make 35,000 miles before you need to do a top end on the jugs... the cylinders and pistons score... Harleys are not renowned for managing heat... and in Singapore you can bet an expensive rebuild will be in your future.

Harleys have a single rod and crank pin... the back cylinder is completely behind the front... overheating has always been an issue... and now even worse in the USA with new pollution directives... they run so lean you can cook steaks on the back cylinder.