Harley-Davidson ROADSTER reviews

I have ridden a Road King for seven years and wanted a lighter sportier bike without traditional sportster issues. The rubber mount helps with the vibes. It has 3 disc brakes, tach and midmount controls, not to mention the bigger tank. I had to switch out the seat for a Mustang. Also, I added a Supertrapp 2 into 1 to open up the top end. Now I ride it much more than the Roadking, that I use for 2 up and long rides. People comment it's not the traditional sports look but I think its one of the best looking sporties I have seen. Also, it will be a rare classic only made 1 year. Show less

Traded my 04 XL1200R for an 08 FXD just cause I wanted a big twin. The XL had 50K miles on the clock at trade in time but was able to get good monry on my trade-in. The XL had taken me to work every day, rain or shine, on weekend excursions, and short trips and long trips alike, even off-road on occasion. Only problem I ever encountered was the starter motor failed at 32,000 miles. New unit installation was time consuming but not difficult at all. Averaged 52 MPG (stage1), powerful enough to wheelie, fun to ride and surprisingly comfortable with a sundowner seat. I miss her. Show less

I have put 6400 miles on my Roadster and I still love it. Most people trade their Sportsters in on a big bike but not me. I ride every day to work and am proud to be on it. I don't consider it a girl bike but a sleek, fast, good looking Harley Sport Bike. I have riden the HD XR1200 and its a nice HD Sport Bike too, but I like my higher torque Sportster, which is quicker out of the hole, in my opinion, and more comfortable to ride. I'll be back with another updated picture when I add my Christmas presents to my Sporty. Show less

I just traded in my 96 Honda Magna V-4 powerhouse last month, with some trepidation, on a 06 Roadster (black on black). It's a beautiful machine. Why the trepidation? The Magna is an awesome cruiser for the package, but to be truthful, it was getting longer in the tooth and, though still a tight package, I was ready for more character. I'd always wanted a Harley and the 06 Roady had fixed all the shortcomings I had on my list. While the Magna had a burbly feel around town and a smooth open-highway feel, it lacked fat torque and a certain impossible to find character. Well the H-D has that in spades. I knew it; I just had to wait for the right Roady to come along. This beast burbles around town, burbles on the highway and burbles standing still. It 'feels' like it's alive and feeding back to you every second that it's there. that's what you get with a H-D. Despite all the good things the other manufacturers build into their bikes, they cannot imitate the H-D sound and fury. It's the original and the only one. Plus... my granddad had a JD Series in 1923 and I like the idea that some 85 years later I'm riding a bike that feels very much the same. Show less

3rd bike. 1st: '97 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (fantastic bike also for the size) 2nd: '98 Suzuki Marauder 800 (a complete mutt, like riding a wet washcloth, unresponsive, washy, unresponsive) Customized and sold. Now, the good news!!! I was looking into an older 1400 Intruder. Very pretty motor, and tons of power, also look great when a good customizer takes ahold. But to be honest, I LOST MONEY ON BOTH JAP BIKES. Even with the 1000-2000 I dumped into both of them... I took a bath. Only one option then...Harley. Because although Victory is an American owned company, they do not hold value like the Harley. 2nd issue: Who wants to spend 20 grand on something that will sit for 4 months during the snow??? This left the Sportster. And I did my homework too. 2004 WAS THE YEAR!!! Every issue addressed. Vibration, gone, great braking, hellishly fast, stronger frame, better cooling, where do I stop??? But then there's the guys who say that it's a chick's bike. BS. This bike has more HP per pound of motorcycle than the 1450's. Fact. You can also lay it into corners like a track bike. I put highway pegs on it and it's everything I was looking for in a motorcycle. JUST THE ROADSTER. The Customs look a little to jappy for me. The OLD, RETRO, PEANUT tank is what gives the bike that nostalgic look...the way a motorcycle is supposed to look. The Roadster has the non too baffled factory exhaust too. Loud enough without just being an a*hole to your neighbors. And motorcycles are SUPPOSED TO SHAKE. It rumbles and shakes like an angry mental patient waiting to rip someone in half when idling. don't get me wrong, I like the Superglides and the Springers in the big ones...But most of the guys who will run their mouth about this bike, haven't ridden it. It's my bike, not my girlfriend's...hence the solo seat is how it is meant to be outfitted. No saddle bags, or big two up seats with studded backrests. It's a track bike. And the factory seat sucks...so what? You can buy a comfortable one. Personally, some bikes are made for saddle bags, windshields, two up seats, leather tank bags...and all that crap. I am a purist. On a purist motorcycle. You, the road, the bugs, the speed, the smells, and the fact that you know you are riding something SOLID. I have friends who own 1300 VTX's and 1100 V Stars...And they all say the same thing when they ride mine. That bike is SOLID. And if you're a chrome freak (I was), this probably isn't your bike either. But if you love motorcycles, you want to get your money back out of the bike, if you like deep corners, great responsive speed, the Harley rumble, and knowing that when you go to start it...it starts everytime, then this is the bike for you. My only issue. There is a design flaw with the mechanism controlling the front brake lever...I read about it, and it doesn't happen to everyone, but some of them, including mine...has a constant signal sent to the brake lights because of play in the brake lever. Rubber band??? Back spring (my choice) and you're good. don't waste 500 dollars for Harley to tell you some crap I just did. You can bleed your brakes for improved pressure, but you still have the play that turns the brake light on. I've had bicycles with more problems. OH yeah, the easiest oil change of any bike I've had yet! You can do that yourself too. GREAT BIKE...1st Harley. I'm never going Jap again. I can lose money at the casino. Show less

Traded my 1200R on a Fatboy last fall. Ever since then I've been trying to raise the cash to buy another one. I love the big twins for two-up distance, but the Sportster's still a classic motorcycle for almost anything else. Desipte its iconic moniker, it's not a disposable sport bike. don't compare it to one. And don't complain about the heat, shaking, or noise! that's what they've brought to the asphalt for the last 50 years. If you buy one and are surprised by these characteristics, you should frankly stay away from anything dangerous. Yes, the newer Sporty's are more refined than their elder bretheren, but they are still not gentlemen. If you keep it classified within the air-cooled cruiser division, you really can't go wrong. H-D quality and versatility in a resonably priced package. If the Harley 'thing' is not what you're interested in, you can get bigger metric bikes for the money and may be happier for your application. For me, I can't wait to get another Sportster! Show less

This is my second update review; however, I can't seem to find the first update. Anyway, at 19,500 miles absolutely nothing has broken on this bike. No leaks or paint problems either. The build quality is absolutely TOP DRAWER and the ONLY parts replaced are two sets of tires and about 7 oil filters. I have ridden this bike VERY HARD for 3 and a half years, with most shifts at the peak torque rpm with no ill effects. It burns less than 1/2 quart of oil between oil changes every 3,000 miles and still delivers 60 mpg cruising at 2,500 rpm. After almost 4 years, I have been offered to sell the bike for $500 less than what I paid for it back in late 2003. Try doing ALL of the above with a go-fast-but-cheaply-built metric bike! Hah! Trust me, you won't get even half way. I recently added all the engine work listed below in the Upgrade/Accessories list. I have just finished the second break-in period and had it dyno tuned. The bike still has tons of torgue off the line with a LOT more horsepower. It is now marginally faster than the crotch-rockets off the line and up to about 40 mph. You should see the looks in their beady, squinty eyes at the next stop light! And so what if those rice-burners blow past me after about 50 mph? Harleys are NOT race bikes. Harleys are cruisers and that's what they do the very best. In a few months or so, I will provide another update based on the roughly 30% rear-wheel horsepower (rwhp) increase. In the meantime, buy American! Show less

This is my fifth motorcycle and my first H-D (other bikes were a 1970 Yamaha 350 R5B, a 1981 Yamaha 550 Vision, a 2000 Triumph Legend 900, and a 2004 Honda Sabre VT1100C2). My experience consists of 40,000+ miles logged, mostly local riding, year round. I bought my 2007 H-D XL 1200 Roadster two weeks ago, and have ridden it almost daily since then. So far, about 375 miles on it, all local. Nitpicking aside, the bike is about as close to perfect as a motorcycle may be and is just as advertised. I suspect that some of the negative comments may be attributable to dealer prep (or the lack thereof). Others simply may be an unavoidable consequence of an air cooled engine being operated in temperatures for which a liquid cooled engine may be better suited. My experience thus far? The engine starts with the press of a button and never stalls. Brisk accelleration. Minimal vibration at idle, none to speak of at normal highway speeds (e.g., under 4,000 RPM's). Impressive torque and the engine effortlessly cruises at 65 MPH and beyond. The single headlight is sufficiently bright as to make almost redundant the auxiliary driving lights that I ordered. Miles per gallon have varied from around 48 on the first to refuelings (about 75 miles each time) to the mid-30's (though I have some suspicions that a locking gas cap may be the cure for the latter mileage). The bike is lightweight, tossable and easy to handle. Engine performance and braking are properly balanced. Though small, side view mirrors aren't really that bad and actually are usable. And the looks of the bike get thumbs-up from all who see it. Negatives? Yeah the pipes do get a bit hot (but wearing leather boots/chaps helps). And it is difficult to engage the right turn signal lever switch with a normal sized finger (I've learned to finesse by closing the throttle before reaching, much as when one shifts gears). Above 65 miles per hour the seating position converts the rider into a sail, making it close to impossible to hold on (an accessory windshield likely will help that). There is no storage space (you have to keep your registration and owner's manual elsewhere). I don't think the negatives detract from the otherwise positive endorsement. These are not problems as such. All are discoverable following research and inspection. All are inherent in the vehicle's design and the purpose for which it was intended. I don't think one should buy a vehicle with a 3.3 gallon fuel tank and then complain that they ran out of fuel after only about 120 miles. Show less

Been itching for 7 yrs to get a bike. Couldn't decide between a 1200C and a 1200R, then the Nightster was released. For the money, the 1200R is hard to beat. Sure the 1200N looks cool, and the 1200C sits lower, but the R comes with a tach AND dual front discs!! The stock seat sucks, period. I replaced it with a Corbin Hollywood Solo and it's 10 times better! Swapped out the mid controls to forward controls (easier on my knees) and added the Screamin Eagle (new for 2007) 50 state legal slip-ons along with the SE air cleaner (full stg1 with a re-map) and this thing moves!!!! Hold on tight, or it'll toss you off! Even with my chubby butt on it, it moves out no problem! Also added the run/turn/brake controller with a Kisan Technologies tailblazer (if you can't see me from behind now, you're blind!!). Swapped out the stock headlight bulb for a Silvania Silverstar (waaaay better). Added the longer mirrors too (stock mirrors don't show anything behind you). After doing all this, it's perfect (for me anyways) and I plan on having it for a while. Worth a look and a demo ride if you can! Show less

I've been riding a 2004 1200R for a couple of years. I'm also a track day rider, where I typically ride the Kawasaki 6r. While the Roadster is no match on the corners for a modern sport bike, it is still a fun ride in the corners, and I ride it up on the tight windy roads of the coastal range of Northern California all the time. For long trips, taking the road less traveled, (typically with lots of corners) I love it. I ride to Montana and back each summer. This year my son, who owns a std 883, and I are going to head way north. Hopefully to Alaska. I did swap out the stock seat for a Corbin, which I advise for long trips. The stock seats I've tried (3) from HD aren't great on the long hauls. I can ride all day on a Corbin without problems. My Roadster is SE2'd with SE2 pipes. It is loud, maybe too loud, but has all the power I need. It rips of the line and in the mid range going from 60 to 90 takes no time at all. Great for passing semi trucks on the curves...hee hee. You can't miss with this bike. There are more options available for a Sporty than any bike made. I've done some custom on mine, including Ghost Flame Blue paint, plus added Hwy pegs for the long road. Get the bigger tank for the long trips. My trip last year to Montana with the peanut tank meant a few close calls on gas. Although I prefer the look of the old style peanut, for practicality on the long trips, I'm going to swap out and use my 4.5 gal. If you want a HD, you will feel the pressure to get a dyna or some fat hog bike, but on mountain roads I'll bet I can smoke any other HD, even the very fast VRod (which I LOVE!). I've been tempted to get a Dyna, they are really nice, fast and cool. I think the other big fat twins look cool, too, and most riders apparently feel more manly riding those. But, they suck on the corners (both rider and bike, typically). So, I've decided the old style racer is good enough for me, so I'm sticking with my Sporty Roadster. You get one, and you'll love it. Show less