BUYING A HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER / AIR COOLED / 2022

[@bikecommuter24]

I have owned several sportsters over the years starting in 1991. I got this old formula, make it stop, make it handle then make it go. Braided brakes a simple upgrade. Suspension, no need to go high end like with Ohlins unless you want to go that route for the street a good quality shock and progressive rate fork springs go a loong way to making it handle better, with the front end especially, replacing the front springs with the progressive rate springs, you will notice stops will be smoother without the dive you get on a stock bike, on my iron 883 I went with a one inch longer shock it doesn't sound like much on paper but better shocks make a big difference just make sure if you do go with longer shock you adjust the belt accordingly. making it go thats all up to the owner on much they want to spend and how much faster they want to go. Something to keep in mind the stock 1200's have higher gearing in the primary and on the drive sprocket pulley so thats one reason a stock 1200 runs a little smoother on the highway than an 883. Other than keeping up on the maintenance, they are usually reliable bikes. LOL don't leave the key in the ignition in park that is a great way to run the battery down,

[@tomboyabit]

Brilliant set of advises. And a very sensible formula. Way better then mine ‘make it sound, make it look and make it go’ 😅

[@ianloyd6384]

The was an amazing story! From how he read about it, getting all the information he could. To researching where to purchase. Then finding one. The buying his dream bike! So happy for him! I have been in that exact same experience! Amazing feeling when you finally get that thing you have been dreaming of! 🙌🏻👏🏻

[@davidhughes5807]

There’s nothing like a bike purchase to put a smile on your face. Seeing you filtering on the A13 out of London reminded me of commuting home from the office. Haven’t done that for a while now.

[@tomboyabit]

Hope you don’t miss it 😅 It was my first ride to London since the lockdown.

[@davidhughes5807]

@@tomboyabit I bet that felt good even through the A12 & A13 aren’t the nicest of roads. My commuter days are over. I’m retiring next month so riding for pleasure only 😃

[@tomboyabit]

@@davidhughes5807 It was amazing. Despite everything. That’s when I feel alive the most.

[@Boysenberr]

re: Sportsters, start with 883 and later convert to 1200; you'll have the advantage of 883's lower gearing, ergo a quicker 1200 later on. The Sportster EVO engine is a 100,000 mile unit that is invincible and has none of the the catastrophic flaws of the big twins. Superb choice. Mods: probably the shocks, the seat, and replace the fork springs with Progressive units and you'll be all set.

[@tomboyabit]

Really good advises, Julio. Thank you.

[@yahoodlums]

This is a really good new direction for your channel. You're a great presenter and storyteller. It's great to know the story behind a bike and get to know the owner too.

[@magnusvalente8589]

Very nice that you helped him decide on his purchase! It reminded me when I purchased my 2008 XL1200L Sportster back in 2014, on eBay, and had it shipped from Wisconsin to Montana. And the bike was perfect too! 🙏🏼

[@mikep.9371]

Part two .... ??? a cliff hanger for later! Glad you made it to and back from London, we know you're safe when new video is up. Nice change of pace & quiet too when battery don't move the starter motor. I did sound weak when the owner started it.

[@clintonofarrell6527]

My 2013 sportster 1200 was very disappointing to ride prior to a stage one! Now it is fairly fast and sounds great! Do the mod or it won't feel or sound like a Harley. Great video! Love the new owners happiness!

[@tomboyabit]

I do agree with you. It feels different after the stage one. That is how every Harley should be sold, but it goes the other ways 😅 When I saw Alexis Happiness that day, I remembered myself very well. To get a stage one, and then 2, 3, 4 done is like buying a new bike each time!

[@tonykeast9966]

For the rust prone exhaust studs and fasteners, coat them with an anti corrosion treatment before they rust. ACF50 (spray can) or Dinatrol (fluid but I don't think you can buy just a small container) are from the aviation world and work superbly. It's messy stuff but it works and it pisses me off that many bike 'experts' use it wrongly (I could have a geeky rant here), but in this scenario it's perfect. Liquid form best, buy it as a fluid or spray the aerosol into a container like the rattle can cap and catch the fluid. Then brush it on neatly with a little paintbrush, just on the stud and nut, a few coats to build up a thicker barrier. It dries a bronzy browny red shitty colour but it looks better than rust and you avoid big issues in the future with seized threads. Deimante will know any other parts that went rusty with wet weather use over 50k miles, treat them the same way to avoid corrosion. A hot soapy wash after chemical degreaser will wash it away a little, scrubbing it will remove it. So keep on top of it a couple of times a year. It's the water spray from the front wheel that hits the crap quality metal plating HD use that's the reason. Hope this helps 🤓😎

[@rickmoody6984]

Good interview. Have you ever tried out a Low Rider Harley FX ? I'd still like to see you try out a Harley bagger.

[@tomboyabit]

Thank you. No not yet. I am organising to test ride more of a New Harley models. I did had a bagger for a day a few years ago. Wasn't vlogging back then. I guess I need to do it again. But, lots of KZbinrs test ride new models and they are available at the shops to test yourself. To ride an interview custom builds I found a lot more interesting and fascinating. To me those bike have a character like no other. And a story behind like an art piece.

[@Turbofab]

This video I really liked because it's on a personal level,, I believe Deimante your perfect combination would be individuals with custom bikes not shops, it would be nice to see a custom bike and the builders back story

[@tomboyabit]

I interview the shops on a personal level too. :) Do not forget that businesses run by people too, lots of times forgotten behind the brand's name. All with a back story. I promise to show both.

[@MRFLESHSTORM]

i hate waiting for a new vid, but so enjoy when you post a new. keep it

[@davidmacgregor5193]

I upgraded my 2011 Iron 883's headlight to an LED 'Daymaker', it's a worthwhile upreade as the stock headlight is very poor. I also upgraded the front indicators to LED bullet units which are replica of the stock incandescent bulb items only they are a lot brighter than stock. There are thousands of aftermarket custom parts for the air cooled Sportster, that's why you never see two that are the same, the world's rarest mnotorcycle is a stock Sportster.

[@AlexCausey]

First thing to do is put in a Banshee YTX14L-BS Lithium battery.!

[@tomboyabit]

I’ve just got WCP14 Westco Platinum for mine 😉

[@AlexCausey]

@@tomboyabit I got the Banshee because it is so light. Sportsters are top-heavy, and it makes it much easier to pick up it something happens. Next time you go to Harley, ask them to show you the Harley Lithium and compare the weight to AGM battery. Unbelievable.!

[@tomboyabit]

My battery is 5.1kg, yours 4.5kg I don’t thing 600 grams makes a significant difference lifting a motorcycle 😅 My new big bore engine weights more then stock too, so that’s even more weight on top. I’ll better go to the gym even more religiously 💪

[@AlexCausey]

​@@tomboyabit Your Westco WCP14 Platinum says it weighs 15.00 LBs mine says it weighs only 3.2 lbs which is 1.451496 kilograms. Big difference with lithium. @ 71 I'm to old to to go to the GYM.

[@daveypenn211]

Interesting video, I actually preferred this to your interviews with custom builders even though I have no intentions to buy a Harley. .. but it's jonesie that I've fallen in love with

[@tomboyabit]

That’s interesting. Why you prefer this?

[@daveypenn211]

@@tomboyabit well it was more informative for the average bike owner, i'm sure we all love custom bikes but most of us will never own one. Even if i don't plan to buy a HD i can relate to his story and lastly it seemed to me the interview/chat was more relaxed on your side.

[@stuartzammit5994]

First thing I did was to swap out the headlight to an LED one cause the stock one doesn't light up the road ahead well enough at night. Mine was around Eur35 off AliExpress and totally worth it. Plus it's something you can do yourself since it's plug and play. Enjoy your sportster ownership, I've had mine for nearly a year now and just installed a new air cleaner and a 2 into 1 exhaust. Next step will probably be lower rear shocks since I think they make the bike look better than the stock 13.5 inch ones which raise the rear fender too high over the tyre in my opinion

[@tomboyabit]

Thanks for the advices Stuart. Top one with a light. Huge difference! I had 10.5 inch exhaust on mine for nearly two years then swapped back, because keeping the mids, it was too low for me. Also I personally prefer 13.5 inch look of mine 😃

[@stuartzammit5994]

@@tomboyabit that's the beauty of a sportster, everyone can modify it however he/she likes and according to their needs

[@antonycarr5177]

Nice and informative video. Great bike, but is not my thing. Looking forward to seeing your next video. Oh and have a happy Valentine’s Day too 👍👍

[@tomboyabit]

Happy Valentine's day!

[@davidcarbajal3544]

That motorcycle looks awesome 👌

[@tomboyabit]

🙌

[@ironcast]

Sportsters are one of the most maintenance free, reliable bikes on the market.

[@ClassicRider]

Its cold in New England, so I have been starting mine every day to keep the engine lubed and carbs clean - btw: looks really nice -

[@danc617]

When he started I heard directly the battery’s down, not surprise what comes after .. And hd bikes are not comfortable to start and restart many times just for show, they need lot of energy

[@ironcast]

I miss my quiet pipes though. Foam ear plugs are my friend.

[@specialse]

I bought a chain drive 4 speed 883 custom in 1995 , best decision i ever made ....the rest is HD sportster ownership history . many sportster later i have an 1998 XL1200S best mix of factory parts .

[@85rgreen]

Such a fun video, love it.

[@tomboyabit]

🙏🏻 Thank you for watching.

[@MotoMango]

Great looking bike 🙌

[@tomboyabit]

I think so too!

[@geraldwest3428]

Looks like a nice sportster however the sound is completely off for some reason. It just does not sound like a Harley. Thanks!

[@tomboyabit]

That’s how stock Sportsters sounds 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@robquince3076]

My next bike right there 👍👍❤️x

[@tomboyabit]

🙌

[@rogerthat10-47]

I do believe someone has a crush, but I am with him, you really can't beat an "Experienced" lady(haha).

[@tomboyabit]

I haven’t noticed that to be honest.

[@ardennielsen3761]

4 into 1 exhaust, foot brake shuts off spark to 2 cylinders... engine braking and, thud thud thud... not a Harley, don't see how the frame is any different. spark off the plug wire should be 3cm if the battery is at 100%. detonations in a 2 inch pipe are obnoxious.

[@muratunal1501]

BMW R ISN!T IT?

[@tomboyabit]

R NineT Scrambler

[@muratunal1501]

@@tomboyabit my 2. Fav type but i love HD 48 still :)

[@tomboyabit]

@@muratunal1501 Same here. I’d love to have both.

[@muratunal1501]

@@tomboyabit of course why not and I hope :)

[@itwTurbos]

Siberia is watching...))

[@tomboyabit]

Waw! Wishes from UK 🇬🇧

[@basiclearningacademy8966]

Hey I from India

[@novichok717]

what is this ,Dinosaur from last century ), where is Sporster 2022 🤷🏿 ? no no no dislike 👎🏿😂 ! Battery die , Dinosour die😆