GS500F vs HD Sportster

[Barrie]

I have had several motorcycles over the last number of years.  To give you an idea of my experiences, I have had a Yamaha 250 Big Bear, a Honda CB550F, and a BMW K75T. For the past two years, I have had my 2009 GS500F.

I have a bad case of Spring Fever and have just fallen in love/lust with a 2006 HD 883 Sportster.  I love the shape, stature, style. 

What I am wrestling with are the pros and cons of the GS500 vs the Sportster.

I haven't ridden one yet, but there is a very clean Black 2006 Sportster for sale nearby.

GS500: Fun to ride, great acceleration once rev's reach 4K, stylish, good range between fillups, you feel connected/one with the bike on the twisties, haven't had to find out yet, but very forgiving of operator error, but after a while, hard on my ass, shoulders, and wrists.

Sportster: Classic style, not too loud, pretty, but really, really small tank/range, and it is the small tank gives it its style.

Both have the same HP, but power comes on differently. I like to ride the twisties and use the GS500 revs & gears but also like to hit the road and cruise.

Let us not consider keeping both as an option. 

Dr. Moto please sit me on the couch and help me with my Spring Problem.

[radodrill]

A buddy of mine has a HD 1200RR Sportster.  I tried it once and it felt like I was really reaching for the bars; the foot forward riding position was a bit awkward, but something I could get used to (more so than the bars).  Overall I like the riding position of the GS, but after my performance upgrades I feel like a slightly more aggressive stance would be better.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Let us not consider keeping both as an option. 

You wouldn't wanna hear my theory on bikes then...

[Barrie]

Do I perceive some SCOOTers in your riding options ?

[Suzuki Stevo]

Do I perceive some SCOOTers in your riding options ?

You are correct, only current scooter is a Burgman 400, sold the Sh150i and the CH80, traded the Ninja 250 in for a WR250R. That leaves my in my current state of having only 4 bikes.

The two bikes your talking about are very different, if you really have to only have one...I would go with the larger Harley, but you're going to miss the GS also if you go that route.

[Falcon01]

I own a GS500 and a HD 1200 Custom.  I can't speak to the 883 because I've never ridden one let alone owned one.  However, there are a couple of things all Sporsters have in common.  First, the stock springs and shocks absolutely suck.  Second, the stock seats are all torture devices.  The combo of the stock suspension and seat is bone jarring.  However, if you upgrade the springs/shocks and buy a decent seat, they transform into very nice bikes.  I went with 13in shocks, Racetec springs and a Mustang seat.  I also have a Memohis Shades windshield. I could not get used to the forward controls so I bought a set of mid controls on eBay.

In terms of the differences between the GS and the Sporty, the GS shines in the urban environment and in the twisties, while I much prefer the Sporty for highway and long distance riding.  It will cruise all day at 80mph without breaking a sweat.  With the changes I made I can ride it for many hours without getting tired and/or sore.  While I occasionally ride it in the twisties, it's a pig compared to the GS, which is why I kept the GS.

They are very different bikes, but both a lot of fun in their own elements.

[Barrie]

Falcon 01 "They are very different bikes, but both a lot of fun in their own elements."

Thanks for the input. I was afraid of having to buy/keep both bikes to have the best of both worlds.
This is what we call "First World Problems".

OFF TOPIC: We do not know HOW SUPER LUCKY we really are. Quirk of fate that we were not born in one of those troublesome countries. Every once in a while, while shaving, I say Thank You, that I am here and not there.

[Alan_nc]

I've had both.  Actually liked the 883.  Had the seat upgrade and shocks and mid bike foot pegs.  It is a heavier bike and you can't thrown it around like you can the GS.  I put 38,000  miles on it in two years but had a lot of problems with it.  HD was pretty good about warranty work but it was in the shop quite a bit.  They don't come with a tach which I always missed.  All in all a pretty good bike.  Got to say that they hold their value.  If you buy one at a good price you should be able to get your money back a couple of years later.

[Erika]

Why not keep both? It'll fuel your addiction for motorbikes. But it's not like you're dating two women that would try to kill each other and then destroy you.

[Barrie]

Finally Rode A Sportster.  I Am No better off !

2005 Sportster was much smoother than I thought.  In 2004 HD introduced motor mounts to isolate  virbration from the frame. It really has lots of torque at the low end.  Every time I released the clutch at startup, without gas, it snapped my head back.  A learning experience.  And it pulled and pulled through the gears.

It was Really different putting me feet on the pegs.  I am so used to just lifting up my feet and there they are.  With the HD, I had to stretch my kegs outwards and come back in to the pegs.  Riding position was comfortable upright, but after the 1/2 hour ride, I was sore in the hips, again a learning experience.  What was bizarre while riding was having my right knee rubbing on the air cleaner, not hugging the gas tank.

The GS500F just holds onto the road so well.  You squeeze it and feel so connected to the bike while riding. If I sold/traded it, I am sure I would miss the connected feeling.  The HD is more a purchase of a piece of art.  For me, that look, peanut tank and subdued rumble is what it is all about.  For a vertically challenged rider like me (5'6" and shrinking) a lowrider allows me to flat foot it any where I want.

I would not want to trade the GS for a Sportster and then regret it. 

My bottom line.  I will get over my Spring Fever and keep the GS, but when I can no longer get my leg over the GS seat, I will join the HD Sportster Club.