Topic: Harley owners...(i mean forum members here) or have harley expeirience

[the technological J]

i have a guy who wants to trade me my k8 and ko for a 2003 harley sporty 1200 s
im considering it only so i can sell it in the spring and buy some other stuff in the spring(i know a guy who has a K3 and an f something that i might be able to get real cheap)

 but im wondering what kind of things do i have to look for in this bike... possible wear items big money  problems that i can be made aware of

no harley haters please

[seaweb11]

Here's some pricing.
http://www.hd4sale.com/pages/Harley_Davidson_Sportster/Sportster_1200/

[kirkn]

Around here, there seems to be a HUGE pricing gap in Sportsters.  Anywhere from 2500 to 6500!!!  And I can't seem to tell what really makes the difference, other than the "dreaming" capacity of the seller...    There doesn't appear to be any connection between age, mileage, condition nor the 'bling' factor.

As for wear and tear, the only suggestion I have are "common sense" things - oil cleanliness, overall bike cleanliness, tire wear, and how it starts, goes and stops...

Good luck with it,

Kirk

[Retro Rocket]

In a few years the Honda will be worth a lot more, the sportster....not much....

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Not sure about the 03 Sporty but my 03 Fat Boy has 40,000 trouble free miles. It's been a damn good bike. Watch the Blue Book and the market demand/pricing. I would consider what the K0 is actually worth.

[the technological J]

so what is the KO actually worth?  not stock turn signals tail lights  pipes or airbox.. dent in the side of the very faded original tank

[754]

Can you post a pic of your bikes.
 Ballpark, both of your bikes could be worth 2K (of they are nice) Is KO low or high serial #?
 Iam thinking ballpark the Sporty is worth 3-4K, but am not up on your regional values.
A buddy in Calgary has a 03 Sporty anniv edition for sale for 7100.. with 350 miles on it, and no bites..  he would take 6500. Just seems people will flock to the higher miles 3500-4500 bikes out there.
 Does not sound like a big/good reason for you to do this inless you just want a change.
 Is it a 1200? can easily be made into one.. if you get it you may end up playing around with it a few years

[Coyote13]

1200 S is the best sportster you can buy (imho).  Dual plugs, higher compression, dual discs up front, among other things.  How many miles on it and what has already been done to it?  A/C, head breathers, exhaust, motor work?  Bone stock?  What's the mileage look like?

In any case, looking at prices for both right now, I'd say if the sporty is in good condition you literally stealing it from the guy.  Just my .02.

[the technological J]

this guy is a collector or a trader or something... he seems to have a bunch of bikes he brought up the trade not me..  i was kinda highballing him on the hondas and he thought it might be worth it.. so i feel like i might get a deal.. not ripping him off

[dhall57]

Harleys are good motorcycles. I have a 97 Wide Glide and never has given me any trouble in 12 years. For my personal taste I've just never really cared that much for a Sportster. I know the Evo 1200 V-twin is good engine so it should give you many miles of trouble free riding. There couldn't be 2 bikes more different than a V twin Sportster and a SOHC inline 4 CB750 they perform, ride, and handle totally opposite. Like the saying goes Different Strokes For Different Folks but if your still have a thing for the SOHC/4 Honda's I wouldn't sell or trade your 750's especially you KO. They are getting harder and harder to find  and other than the sandcast  the KO is the most sought after. I have know idea what you payed for you KO, but by the the pics I've seen of it on the forum it looks like a pretty decent bike just needing some TLC similar to the KO I got back in May. I just think if you get rid of it you wish you hadn't . And the way the 750's are in demand and the value keeps increasing  you KO will be worth far more than the Sportster ever thought about being.