I hate to dampen, your imagined spirit of the Sportster. It's a motorcycle, ok? It's nothing special and way underpowered. 883, and 1200. Sorry to break this to you. If people are attracted to it to the point of striking up conversations with you, then you are not actually riding it. Again, I'm sorry, but I know about the "mystique" about it. See, I used to own a Sporty, and the worst thing about it was that there was nobody to smack me upside the head to say: "What are you doing buying such an anemic bike?". Forget fixing up a new Sportster, like your 72, there's not much of a platform there. Neither on my Jap bike, BUT, my jap bike came with more than enough power, comfort and smoothness. Great seating position on it too. Forget the leather jacket bikes. MUCH MUCH more worthy bikes out there. I know, I got one. They're made in Japan.

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

I owned a Honda CBR for 2 years, it was great way to get from A to B. Ultimately, the lack of theatrical characteristics for me was it's undoing. My Harley as the Ducati did also, awaken the senses with every ride, it becomes an experience that's addictive. The power from stoplight to stoplight up to legal speeds, is quicker than most vehicles out there and that's after a year onboard a 150hp Ducati Superbike. Rest assured my spirit after a year of seat time is not dampened, it's quite possibly heightened if anything. Thanks for your concern.

@martincvitkovich724

6 жыл бұрын

The Sportster review Cycle World mid 60's. ""It will grow hair on your chest then part it down the middle" And it's more better and refined today!

@johnengland8619

6 жыл бұрын

keyboardheroics drawing attention to yourself is your intangible experience

@user-us1hx2cx3j

6 жыл бұрын

Amen

@user-us1hx2cx3j

6 жыл бұрын

I mean are you serious Ray Charles?....so I've owned Harleys, BMWs, Moto Guzzi, Hondas, Yamahas, Triumphs and Harleys including two Sportsters). Now I own and Indian Scout and a 67 Triumph Trophy. Most of us with a functioning brain know that Japanese bikes are the best engineered bikes on the road today. So you did not like your Sporty? So what? I did not like my Moto Guzzi much. Again - so what? What bike you like (lust for) is a wholly subjective thing is it not? - like which human you fall in lust and love with. If you want uber-power and high speeds and great handling then sure a Sporty 883 is not going to be your bike is it?. But what if you want a bike that you can keep going for many years and ride across the continent then maybe a Sportster 1200 will stir your soul? Sure, of course, you can do that with a Japanese bike as well - and probably more reliably so than the Sportster in reality - but ultimately the proposition I would make is simply that we just fall in love with different people just as we fall in love with different bikes (and sure we also fall out of love). And don't get me wrong I'm NOT suggesting a Sporty 1200 is the best bike for trans continental touring - I'm just suggesting that doing that kind of trip on a Sporty 1200 might stir your soul more than doing it on a Goldwing or a big touring equipped BMW or a HD Electraglide. Different strokes for different folks right? I could also argue that ultimately it's the journey that matters most - how much you enjoy it - how much it lifts your soul - who you meet on the way - rather than the brand of bike you do it on - that in the end ALL bikes are sacred and the important thing is just to RIDE.

There have been so many 48's sold since their introduction that they're IMO way too common and not even anything that even gets my attention. They all look the same, just another blacked out bike. The '72', on the other hand has that unique retro old school look that for many like myself will never go out of style. I know HD is all about making $$$, but discontinuing bikes like this I feel is a major mistake for the company.

@nikitis13

2 жыл бұрын

Biggest regret was selling my 72. Over 50 bikes and this was my all-time favourite. Agree, If HD ever brought this back, they wouldn't keep up with demand. It was HD finest hour.

@keyboardheroics

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah they didn’t make them for long, the exclusivity compared to the forty-eight models is pretty neat from an owner’s view.

@elihill5741

2 жыл бұрын

I like the fact that they discontinued the “72” because it makes me feel special that I’m one of the few that owns one

I just took 13 "72" on long ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco over six hours on the road and she handled it just fine. Only hiccup it had was the oxygen sensor came lose but once we got that tightened up she fine the rest of the trip and make it back no problems. Anyone who says you can't do real reading on a sporty with a small tank underestimates the bike.

@keyboardheroics

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a fun roadtrip, they can really do anything, the bonus is looking great doing it.

@Slum187

2 ай бұрын

How many times did you have to fill it up?? Curious because thats a similar drive i will be taking for a few weeks and want a 72

In life you can never please a human being....

I have an 04' 1200 Custom since early 2005. I cruise a 80 mph. Its solid. Got 44k miles on mine now. Not even thinking about another bike.

@keyboardheroics

6 жыл бұрын

They're a great motor and so reliable too.

@jpb1231000

4 жыл бұрын

I'm thinking of a Used Sportster and I'm ~ 5 11 and 300 lbs... will it work???

@jfm562

2 ай бұрын

@@jpb1231000 try riding one.

Cheers for the update mate. Great video.

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

I'm hoping to pickup a 2012 lucky Irish green 72, just waiting on financing. I have heard a lot of negativity surrounding this bike, but I love the looks. Thanks for your input on it, also 72 stands for a popular highway over in California.

@keyboardheroics

6 жыл бұрын

Oh nice, I haven't seen a green one. Yeah they sold far more 48's than the 72, I only know of 2 others in my city of over a million people and both are blue. I like the exclusivity that comes with that.

Its not safe to ride on the wrong side of the road.

@keyboardheroics

2 жыл бұрын

😂fair call

Change your front sprocket/pulley to a 30 teeth and it will bring down your revs.... all the new Forty Eights come with 30T. Mmmm... I'm on my 3rd Sportster and they are not really stable... wind does affect them. There is a huge difference between riding and catching the wind and riding on a windy day....

I bought a 48 with (i think 14") apes and I have no problem with the wind in my face & torso

I get the same wobble on my indian scout mate, from the exact same reason.

in the words of Borat " its very nice" good honest review and explanation of the speed oscillations, thanks again (y)

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and long live Borat!

Put mid controls on that bike and you won't believe how much more comfortable that bike will be.

There are people who buys these knowing they have a tiny tank THEN complain about it. Pretty bloody dumb huh?

Do you ever miss the Ducati? I'm personally on the fence on trading in my sports bike for a Yamaha bolt or maybe an xsr.

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

I miss flicking it from side to side, getting low to the ground and of course the sound/power but it really needs a drag strip or fast flowing circuit to justify owning one for me. Ultimately I don't regret my decision, in a perfect world I'd have both. I still don't own a car so the Harley wins out, it's good at everything and has just enough power to blast around and have fun with. Test out your options on a ride day and you might be suprised.

@helenloughton2418

7 жыл бұрын

Overture buy a triumph speed triple instead

@helenloughton2418

7 жыл бұрын

n

Don't need a 6 speed in those. The 5 speeds pull like freight trains on the highway in 5th gear without even needing to downshift unless you weigh 250lbs or more.

The Sportster 72 doesn't need a 6 speed for two reasons. One, it's not a good design for riding faster than 80 mph without a windshield and with those forward controls, aggravated by a high bar. Two, because the Sportster engine is designed to run happily at higher revs than most Harley riders (including this video creator) are used to. The rider here is short shifting it every time. He wasn't in the meat of the power band even once. The bike is happiest above 3200 RPM so I don't even shift mine into 5th below 60-63 mph. I ride 50-60 mph state highways in 4th with plenty of response and roll on power on hand. Spinning it up is fine and spares wear and tear on the primary chain. Don't lug it then call it slow.

@tylerfabish5578

6 ай бұрын

50 to 60 if you're just cruising then put it in 5Th, no reason to not to. If 50 in a business district where u stop and go more, then sure 4th. Cruising at high rpm for no reason is just wasting gas

@timcarter7616

6 ай бұрын

My 72 turns about 3300 RPM at 60 in 4th. That's not "high RPM." The engine is just barely into its power band at 3300. It's torque peak is at 3500. At 60 in 4th you have major roll on power available. It's not a big twin. It revs happily and doesn't make good torque off the bottom. The old Sportsters only had 4 speeds and their top gearing was almost the same as 4th on the new 1200s. They ran 60 or 70 all day long. Gas mileage has no meaning to me. If it did, I'd drive a toyota.@@tylerfabish5578

@timcarter7616

6 ай бұрын

You ride how you want and I'll ride how I want. The guy in this video is lugging it then saying it's slow. My 1200 turns

Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy Two is for me one of the best designs that Harley has made on a motorcycle, the only thing I would change in it would be wide forks, black and chrome engine, Vance & Hines Big Radius exhausts and Kuryakyn Hypercharger filter, but nothing more that affects its design.

Nice brother, extraordinary 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate.

Why do they call it a "72"? It isn't the Ci of the engine, it's 74 CI. It isn't the mileage. I get something around 45 MPG. Why 72?

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

I've heard it's a popular highway (72) to cruise on in the USA. I also know the chopper era it's styled on, peaked in the late 60's and early 70's, so I dare that may have had something to do with it too.

@jeffward9174

6 жыл бұрын

I have spoken to several people and dealers it's called the 72 because of the style of the bikes of the early 1970s. You don't need cissy windscreens. It's all about looking COOL.

@edwardm9227

4 жыл бұрын

HD promo says it's the 72 highway in the Chicano district hence the paint and whitewalls, personally I think it looks good!

What spray do you use for the whitewalls?

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

I have a detailing kit from the Harley dealer that has a spray bottle specifically for tyres. I'll probably do a show and tell video at some point.

@AP-gn9fd

7 жыл бұрын

That would be good. Cheers

@AP-gn9fd

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

@400chevlc

7 жыл бұрын

JIF on a damp cloth then elbow grease

not all sportys are the same. the 72 ive ridden is suprisingly quick.

@keyboardheroics

3 жыл бұрын

Sure is a great bike

I live in Adelaide and I ride a 72 as well

@keyboardheroics

7 жыл бұрын

Far out, small world!

@boganthesue8058

7 жыл бұрын

mine is imported as well.hope to see you on gorge road soon

my bike i lower the front at very low speed it is not stable at high speed it is stable which i have lower by 5cm, i change to 3 cm and now it is stable in low and high speed, to make your bike stable, increase it rake by lowering the rear, check my channel at my bike number 1 which i have lower the front, however my bike number 2 i lowering the rear by 7cm, and it rake increase a lot

needs overdrive gear

Hes on the right side of the road

Peanut tanks don't take you far but those and the FatBob Tanks are the coolest bike tanks in US history.

@keyboardheroics

6 жыл бұрын

Right on, can't beat it for looks.

So get a windshield.