Why do people hate on Sportsters?

"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
05/09/2014 at 23:15 • Filed to: two wheels bad.

I like them, especially this one. But why do people hate them?

DISCUSSION (37)

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:16

Harley hate bandwagon.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:17

Maybe they're jelly 'cause their crotch rockets compensate too much?

Your boy, BJR > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:17

Those Forty-Eights are the only Harley I'd buy. And I REALLY want one.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Your boy, BJR
05/09/2014 at 23:19

If I ever decide to buy a bike, these are near the top of my list. Especially with the metal flake paint.

Brian Silvestro > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:19

I think they're the best bikes if you don't plan on tracking your bike anytime, and 1000 better looking than a Harley or Harley-like variant.

Frank Grimes > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:19

I can sort of see thier point. I do like sportsters and think they are great cruiser casual bikes. But i think people hate on them like they do all harleys buy selling something with super outdated technology and power and stuff. I agree and think they should sell modern bikes with the harley spirit but it isnt a sport bike its just a simple machine for riding around and I think people just buy into the heritage as well.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Brian Silvestro
05/09/2014 at 23:21

Kinja'd!!!

but, but, but

SPNKiX > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
05/09/2014 at 23:22

you don't need a bandwagon, just ears.

Your boy, BJR > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:22

that paint (especially the green) is what gave me such a massive boner for these things.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > SPNKiX
05/09/2014 at 23:24

I like how they sound myself, provided they aren't fitted with ludicrous straight pipes of course.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Frank Grimes
05/09/2014 at 23:25

They tried with street bikes, see Buell, but nobody bought them. And they owned MV Augusta for a while and then sold them too.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Your boy, BJR
05/09/2014 at 23:26

Kinja'd!!!

yamahog > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:26

Hipsters.

CRider > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:26

They look great, Harleys look really cool. Here's why people don't like Harleys.

1. They're heavier than their competitors

2. They make less power than their competitors, even with more displacement

3. They're more expensive than their competitors

4. They don't handle very good, compared to their competitors

5. They're unreliable and expensive to repair.

6. People that buy them buy into the brand and look more than the riding. Harley riders more than any other don't like helmets.

7. They murdered Buell for no reason. The CEO that did it has never ridden a motorcycle, and simply did it because he doesn't like sport bikes.

Sportsters are the entry level bike and the 883 isn't very fast. The 1200cc one can move ok, but again slower than other cruisers.

yamahog > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
05/09/2014 at 23:29

Shit, I'd need like 2-3 Hayabusas if I was compensating.

Frank Grimes > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/09/2014 at 23:29

yeah they need to do more the sportster xr1200 I think was a step in the right direction. Maybe its just pointless because everyone associates harley with old timey bikes and would be tough to overcome.

Kinja'd!!!

SPNKiX > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
05/09/2014 at 23:30

they sound like farts but without the added benefit of the smell.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Frank Grimes
05/09/2014 at 23:32

It would be Hyundai making an S-Class competitor.

They did it, but the Equus gets murdered in sales.

CRider > SPNKiX
05/09/2014 at 23:32

They smell like hydrocarbons. Mmmm that's a good smell.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > yamahog
05/09/2014 at 23:34

Hipsters hate Sportsters because they're not Vespa's.

I shit you not that I've over heard that conversation a few times.

SPNKiX > CRider
05/09/2014 at 23:43

not as good as farts. dammit. I need a fix.

CRider > SPNKiX
05/09/2014 at 23:48

SPNKiX > CRider
05/09/2014 at 23:51

effing awesome. Now I can rest.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/10/2014 at 00:21

I don't personally hate Sportys, I like the XR1200 & Superlow (my last bike was a Lowrider), but there's one common thread I've seen among many who own them. Best I can describe it is poser status - you can't afford a big twin, but you *must* own a Harley so you buy a Sportster. Then come the loud pipes, which seem to be a must have around here followed by the Harley-branded clothing.

Just last weekend I was out at the corner deli getting sammitches, and this young guy & his lady ride up on a loud Sporty. No helmets (not cool, apparently) and he's wearing a black Harley denim jacket with long sleeve Harley t-shirt underneath, and she's wearing a black Harley hoodie. I call it the Harley Rider Costume, as if you can't ride one without all the apparel to go with. When I had my FXDL I never owned any HD clothing and never felt the need to advertise for HD, or tell the world what motorcycle I owned. Didn't dig the loud pipes either. I guess that put me in the minority?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/10/2014 at 02:09

What do you expect from a whole class of people who think a bicycle with more than one gear is "trying too hard". Let's ignore the fact that you're a fucking ROAD HAZARD on a fixed gear bike if you ride in the street, and they DO, it's all about enjoying inferiority to turn it into superiority. Basically "I tolerate a lesser status in life because I'm afraid of trying to do something with myself so I'm better than you because I never risked failure and embraced my own lack of ability". Hence, PBR, Vespas, fixed gear bikes, thrift store clothing, and shallow relationships.

.....I may or may not have recently dealt with a pack of these twats at a bar tonight. Is it obvious?

shop-teacher > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/10/2014 at 02:12

I've always like them, but I roll my eyes whenever someone tries to trade me their's for my Buick (happened a few times). Apparently a used Sportster is worth approximately 14 bucks and a pack of gum.

yamahog > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/10/2014 at 08:42

Maybe regional differences, but I know a certain very hipster auto writer who is obsessed with sportsters so naturally I have to give him shit. Saw it all the time when I was living in LA.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/10/2014 at 09:17

No idea. I think the Iron 883 and bikes like it are going to be the thing that appeals to the next gen of riders.

That being said, the best use of a v-twin in the past few years has 3 wheels, not 2...

Brian Silvestro > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/10/2014 at 09:32

You act as if I knew racing like this existed. Now these are the best bikes ever.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Frank Grimes
05/10/2014 at 09:51

You might be right there, but outdated technology seems like an idiotic reason to hate a motorcycle. Wouldn't the same hold for BMW's R bikes with the opposed air-cooled twin? My guess is the bikes are closely associated with the "Harley lifestyle" where the stereotyped doctors and dentists put on their biker costumes and ride on weekends. (roughly 3 or 4 per year)

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
05/10/2014 at 09:52

I had a good laugh over this.. Do twats really come in packs?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > CRider
05/10/2014 at 09:59

Pretty much everything you wrote is true, although the unreliable part hasn't been an issue for quite a long time. I've owned one HD (8 previous metrics) and never had an issue. You nailed it with #6 though - lots of people buy into the Harley Lifestyle which the company sells as being an individual. This cracks me up because these "individuals" all dress the same when they ride. I'd guess most of the hate comes from the legion of posers that buy into the bad boy image.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
05/10/2014 at 10:00

youve never heard of a twat pack? I envy you.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
05/10/2014 at 10:15

We have hipsters in CT, but I don't think I've seen them travel in packs. Maybe at bars?

*shrugs*

CRider > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
05/10/2014 at 21:54

I know the service writer at a major Harley dealership. He used to work at a Honda/Kawasaki dealer. He says they're still pretty unreliable, and I'm inclined to believe him.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > CRider
05/11/2014 at 18:39

Aha. Well it's hard to argue with a guy who sees these things in for service every day. Maybe my next scoot will be a Victory then..

CRider > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
05/11/2014 at 20:18

I wouldn't let that turn you off them. Ride them and the other bikes, and if you like the Harley buy it. No motorcycle is a logical purchase, ride what you like. It's not like you're going to break down on the road with one.