The Harley Sportster Stigma - Is it a real bike?

Next time you see a Hell's Angel on a Sportster, go over and tell him he's riding a girl's bike!

Sportsters are as big as they need to be. They have an engine, two wheels and a place to sit. They have always been Harley's answer for people that weren't in the market for heavy duty, bagger touring bikes that can pull your boat down to the lake. They pop along just fine and were always a bunch of fun to ride around. They have a great exhaust note, easy upkeep, and reliability for a life time. What's not to like?

I never even considered a Sportster when i got my Harley. My 1st was an 07 Night Train. Then my daughter got a 2013 iron 883 and since she didn't have a permit yet i rode it home. I had so much fun on that thing i got a new iron 1200 in 2020 and it is a blast.

I’ve had my 2019 883 for 10 months. I just put 17,000 miles on it. I have Vance and Hines grenades, FP3 and VO2 intake. I love the bike. I’m only 5’3” about 160lbs and bigger bikes just aren’t for me. 🤣 I always get nice compliments on the bikes look and sound. Hoping to hit 20k miles in November which will be one year of having the bike. My commute to work is mostly highway 70-75mph 30 miles one way. No problems ever. I do not regret going with the 883. 😎

Hey, 45 years of riding and I've ALWAYS had a Sportster in the mix. The newest bike I own (year wise) is a "2005 883XL" and I ride the crap out of it. The Evo wheelhouse is high RPM, I do 70-80 MPH all day long and She loves it, and I love Her.

Hey, I'll tell you, I am 62 yrs old rode dirt and Kawasaki 900 40 yrs ago, just bought an Iron 883 first time on a bike in 40yrs, I love it!! It's me, it just fits me like a glove I am 5 8" 150 perfects. I could not see myself on a touring bike with the fairing and all that weight. I am in and out of the city, I get compliments wherever I go. I won't be touring cross country ...and really how much hp do you really need ...safety is important especially when the drivers out there don't respect bikes. Call it what you want, I'm happy, and if the ladies like it, that's great ...ignorance we cannot control. In addition, that guy with his new electra glide, that can't make a reasonable u turn, a left turn, or start off without popping the clutch maybe should consider something else right?

I must say and use this word"LOVE"This video.the humbleness in your words.Thanks!I'm 5'11 245pounds and I own a Iron 883 2020.

I had a big twin, now upgrading to a sportie for a bike that fits me better. People who call em girls bikes aren’t rocket scientists now are they!

Sporty's are just fun and there's is a crazy aftermarket for them to build and customize

I love my Sportster! I converted it into an old school swingarm chopper… it has plenty of power 1200cc and is fun to ride… I had a bagger that I have since gotten rid of… Sportsters are great bikes and are for everyone 😃

I bought my Iron 883 new in 2011 and I still have it today in 2022. Forty years ago I owned a Laverda 1200 triple, that was a fast machine in it's day with 145 mph top speed. I'm now in my 66th year and my Iron 883 does everything I want these days. Ride safe y'all.

My opinion is….that the 883 always is the best looking bike… every single time that I walk into a Harley dealership… the 883 is always the one that attracts my eye… just the immediate visual attraction, my radar always goes to the 883…. It is disappointing that there is that reaction that it somehow means you are less of a man or something… it’s stupid… generally, I think it’s a reflection of the person who comments negatively, that they have issue with themselves… they feel they need a bigger one to compensate for their own sense of inadequacy

Great vid! :o) So far all comments i got for my 883 were positive. The bike is just perfect for what i use it (backroads and around town hopping). For everything else i have my 1000cc Kawasaki Versys. The 883 has one thing a lot of other bikes (even some harleys) lack - CHARACTER!

Thanks for the video. Learned to ride and started with an Iron 883 3 months ago! Just made my first upgrade - simple crash bar from Bun King! Sportster Hater Shields up!

Never owned a Harley. Was never interested in buying into that sauce… Until I rode (and bought) a Sportster 883 🫨. I’m 5’11, athletic, standing @ 200lbs and man enough to ride a ‘girls bike’ like a BIG boy. I ride for fun. And the Sportster is FUN to ride. (And with an unassuming 1275cc upgrade, I get a kick out of watching insecure naysayers’ jaws drop each time I whip pass them — reminding them this ‘girls bike’ will make many ‘men’ weak in their knees, and soften their souls.) Ride YOUR ride, and ride it well. That’s all that matters. ✌️😎

I have enjoyed watching your video’s. I just bought my first bike( my 50th birthday treat). Got the Iron 883. I just can’t get courage to get on it and take it for a spin. Got my class here At the Panama City Beach Harley on the 26-28th. Maybe that will help. But watching your videos are getting me anxious to get out there!

Man I saw my black iron 883 sitting in the dealership and I was smitten! I had a seat on it and it was perfection. Did the paperwork and they delivered it to my house that night. Been slowly making it my own since and having a blast. The more I hear crap about my 883 the more want to keep it forever! Just a big finger to everyone who thinks they know better what someone else should be riding! Eventually put a 1275 kit on it and have some head work done and get that 100hp out of it and then just smoke anyone who wants to talk too much!

Thanks for the vid! 70Nm, 883cc and 250Kg are substantial numbers. Regarding size, not all countries have roads or parking grids suitable for a Softail/Touring, let alone a Sporty, and that's before you consider the price of fuel in some places for large displacement engines. Regarding power and speed, average speed of traffic where I live is below 10mph, which smaller bikes handle better, and max legal speed is 70mph, which most bikes 250cc and over are able to do. Like you said, whatever bike makes the rider happy. Haven't yet received such comments for riding a Sporty, but have received some for riding a Harley, as Harley's aren't common. People naturally object to the unfamiliar (I guess?).

I’ve found that most that rag on my sporty don’t own a motorcycle at all.

right on bro two wheelin is an expression of individualism not fittin in ism each to their own and my 03 1200 sporty is perfect for me.