First Harley
 

Hi all. I just bought a new 2004 883 Sportster. This is my first Harley, and I have a lot to learn about it. Always ran Jap. all my life. Just sold a yamaha Vmax to buy the Harley. I got a good deal on it, and also got the dealer to throw in a 1200 top end, which I will put in this winter. Any advice on the bike would be greatly appreciated. Chuck

congrats on this new bike
am sure you''ll injoy it much
ride,ride,ride

my first bike was an 883 great first harley,you gotta change the pipes first off, but i would'nt put too much money into it cause after about a yr your gonna want to trade up to a big v-twin. hope you have fun on it. late Reno

Congrats on the purchase, and welcome!!

congratulations! i have to agree with reno with what he said!
tips? Ride the hell out of it and be safe.
Kel

took me ten years to want something other than my old ironhead sportster and now that i have a road king i wish i still had my ironhead. so i'm builing an ironhead chopper now to replace it. some people dig sporties and ride 'em forever.

i wasnt knocking sporties. I have nothing against them at all EXCEPT I had one, i built one, i wrecked one, left me with a screwed up leg for life. some prefer bigger bikes, some like smaller bikes, some like all bikes. I like all bikes. Ive had a yamaha 650, honda nighthawk, and I STILL have a triumph. The triumph is in 50 million parts, well not that many, but its in parts, and hasnt been built. I actually got it before i wrecked. The other day i sorted all the parts out, and thinking that in my spare time go ahead and putting it together. However, ive always been a harley fanatic, not much on triumphs, so when i start this little project it will be a learning experience because i know nothing about them. I will probably never ride the bike due to the leg, but i also honestly doubt i will ever get rid of it.
so dont think i was knocking sporties, i think they are fine bikes...just dont paint the damn thing green!!
Kel

Congrats on the new bike. My first Harley was a 1200 Sportster Custom. Loved that bike. You will find a lot of knowledgeable people here more than willing to lend advise whenever needed.