[debold4215]

I just purchased a 48 special about 3 months ago. It is a beautiful looking bike but has multiple drivability problems. I have been driving bikes for over 50 years all english bikes. This hd 48 has significant drivability problems. First of all it drives and rides like a truck. If you hit a pot hole it damn near causes you to leave control of the bike. If you drive in the city it chugs the whole time. You of course have to down shift but this gives one the experience of the engine rattling all over the place. The trootle response on the fuel injection is anything but smooth. This bike is fine on the open road where you can open the trottle more than usual. Once you are oprating the bike above 40 mph you are fine. This bike is a disgrace for harley davidson. Don't waste your money.

 

[Eye_m_no_angel]

So you join a forum with the single purpose of complaining about your own motorcycle?:grin:

 

[jag13]

So WHY did you buy it?

 

[mike721]

How did the demo bike ride when you test rode it?
If it rode the same way then WHY did you buy it?
If the demo bike rode properly then the one you bought is broken, bring it back and tell them to fix it!

 

[Oz]

With 50 years of riding experience, you shouldn't blame the bike. Sounds like you made a mistake. So the question is what are you going to do about it?

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

Oh wow man ! I have a 91 sporty1200, where are ya coming from? bike's got more power than I'll ever use, a carbed job with smooth
response and rides good. I can ride it for hours. Any chance you have the trootle confused with apple strudle or a THROTTLE?
Sounds like you need some maintenance done.Something's gotta be wrong, I mean it wasn't like that when you bought it...right?
Sporty's won't be for everyone, but a good majority like them, The Sporty is what it is, Some might like the newer sporty with fuel
injection, rubber/steel engine mounts. I hope you get it running the way you want BUT you are not supposed to hit pot holes, that
can really put a dent in the rim and maybe in your day as well.

I rode an 883 for a hundred an fifty miles, a nice bike, ergonomics are good for me or How bike fits me and I felt the power was
pretty good too, matter o' fact I met a couple, husband an wife who rode down to St.Pete From Georgia on an 883, so this idea
about it chugging along in the city . . .as if it is just about going or really lugging, You can't do thirty and have her in 5th.

 

[Lurch77]

I love my 2006 Sporty. When I bought it I had zero years of street riding experience. And yet I still was wise enough to not buy a bike that I thought rode bad or had ride-ability issues. After 50 years of experience, I do wonder why did you buy this bike. When you look at the 48 specifications alone, you can see it's not really a rider's bike. It's a looker's bike. You really should ride a demo bike before buying one.

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

Hello TR, Geeeze do ya think this had anything to do with him not being around? V
V
Quote.Rays'sporty1200," I can ride it for hours. Any chance you have the trootle confused with apple strudle or a THROTTLE?"
or This V
V
Quote Ray'ssporty1200, "BUT you are not supposed to hit pot holes, that can really put a dent in the rim and maybe in your day
as well."

A Sporty 1200 or an 883 is a fine bike, not for everyone though, but he bought one. . .Sorry he is NOT enjoying the ride , BUT
what biker says, "I have been driving bikes for . . ." whatever.

 

[Stablefull]

Know what I love about this post? Not a ****ing thing

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

Yeah Man, dumping on HIS OWN bike, he's bad.

 

[slumlord]

He left out the part about the bugs in his teeth and getting wet if it rains and cold in the winter......

 

[Tobacco Road]

Know what I love about this post? Not a ****ing thing

Ah gee, and you added such quality thinking to it. Sorry to see you god.

 

[Lurch77]

Ah gee, and you added such quality thinking to it. Sorry to see you god.

Which God? I hope one of the pagan God's, those guys are cool.

 

[aTahmission]

I can't wait until I get old and crotchety. I'm gonna start working on passively-aggressively insulting people, and then getting indignant and angry when they insult me back. I wonder if there's a book I could read, or maybe an instructional series on YouTube?

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

Well I think J.C. is pretty cool too !

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

I can't wait until I get old and crotchety.

What do you mean, "I can't wait until I get old and crotchety?" Like you are not there already?

My bad?

 

[aTahmission]

What do you mean, "I can't wait until I get old and crotchety?" Like you are not there already?

My bad?

I'm only 50% there. I'm crotchety, but not old enough for it to be socially acceptable.

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

I'm only 50% there. I'm crotchety, but not old enough for it to be socially acceptable.

Just keep working at it You'll get there some day.

 

[aTahmission]

Just keep working at it You'll get there some day.

I sure hope so. The alternative is unthinkable.

 

[Ray'ssporty1200]

Yeah you are right, dropping off the freaking twig before you get passively aggressive about insulting some people
who truly deserve it, yeah man that would be a real bummer.