Sportster vs old Goldwing for rig build?

I like KISS (keep it simple stupid) that's why I had Nomad the Harley adventure rig built. 2006 1200 roadster with a custom rig by side effects, some things jay says is true, but remember he is trying to sell side cars. I would take my sportster over a GS, Honda, Ural any day. they are cost effective. ( can pick up a sportster for 5-6 grand) and lots of parts to modify. seats, exhaust, handle bars, chain drive kits. and they are unique. The only thing you need to remember it will take an hour to fuel up the 4.5 gallon tank as people will want to talk to you. jay must have had an older bike with a 2.5 gallon tank. check out trans moto side cars for sportsters. some cool stuff over there, That is my next one, and there is always a next one. if interested pictures of Nomad over on advrider under Hacks and diverdown. Diverdown

Uh oh, VLAD deleted his post (or someone did it for him). Email notifications never lie. ;P

I've always heard Harley's vibrate like a SOB, but I've never been on one. My Buell 1200 wasn't excessive at all, but I suspect they use different cams. As far as ergonomics go, I'm certain a Sportster can be as comfortable as you want it to be... I doubt there's another bike on this planet with as many options for bars, seats, and controls. Primitive and crude don't scare me so long as it's reliable... I had a Ural, which was still sporting WWII technology for the most part. Amen to the KISS philosophy.

In terms of power, I think I'd be impressed with even a 500cc bike strapped to a hack after coming off the Ural. It's literally like driving a tractor down the road... 40 hp - 38 ft/lbs torque!

I'm surprised the Harley's handle a sidecar okay with a belt. Just seems like that should be an issue, but I guess if they hold up to the weight of those Road King-Glide-Whatevers, it must work...?

Do not know what happened to VLAD post, Im guessing he re read mine and had a different thought. Any way its like the ford and chev topic we all have our favorites. I put a chain drive on Nomad because changing a belt with a side car on would be a major PIA. besides I ride gravel roads and I feel a belt would not stand up. Honda , GS. Yamaha. it does not matter as long as you like it that's all that counts in the end. diverdown, gone riding.

diverdown - 10/8/2014 7:57 PM

Do not know what happened to VLAD post, Im guessing he re read mine and had a different thought. Any way its like the ford and chev topic we all have our favorites. I put a chain drive on Nomad because changing a belt with a side car on would be a major PIA. besides I ride gravel roads and I feel a belt would not stand up. Honda , GS. Yamaha. it does not matter as long as you like it that's all that counts in the end. diverdown, gone riding.

Harley best bike ever been made. Do not have different thought. Looks like you have read my post. Just tired to deal with people who mix patriotism (???) with motorcycles...

"I've always heard Harley's vibrate like a SOB" Next time when you will be next to one just look at it.

VLAD - 10/9/2014 10:11 AM

Next time when you will be next to one just look at it.

Oh yeah, I've seen them. The engines look like they might just hop out of the frame and run off. But that's at idle, and may or may not represent the feel of the engine running at higher rpms. My Buell did that to an extent... but at 4000+ rpms, it was a thing of beauty. Many 4 cylinder sportbikes, for instance, idle buttery smooth but have irritating vibration at high rpms... the "buzz", they call it.

~SM

Why only old Goldwing? For no more $$ you can buy 1500. 1800 will be lot more + do not think aluminum frame is strong enough.

You need to ask yourself what are you want to do with your rig. Long distance travel in 1-2 days or in 20-30 days? Short trips? In town only? Conversation rig staying in the garage most of the time? How many people will be riding? Will you pull trailer or camper? How many miles will you put on the bike in 1 year? Good whether travel?

Swordsman - 10/9/2014 8:29 AM

VLAD - 10/9/2014 10:11 AM

Next time when you will be next to one just look at it.

Oh yeah, I've seen them. The engines look like they might just hop out of the frame and run off. But that's at idle, and may or may not represent the feel of the engine running at higher rpms. My Buell did that to an extent... but at 4000+ rpms, it was a thing of beauty. Many 4 cylinder sportbikes, for instance, idle buttery smooth but have irritating vibration at high rpms... the "buzz", they call it.

~SM

If you loose 2-3 bolts at idle what will happen to you at 55 miles/hr?

VLAD - 10/9/2014 1:44 PM

If you loose 2-3 bolts at idle what will happen to you at 55 miles/hr?

Yes, the streets are so littered with missing Harley parts that I can barely get to town in my car. Why, with all the wheels and mufflers and mirrors piled up, my wife has to take the 4X4 grocery shopping.

I think I've garnered enough info between this and a few other forums to make a decision.

But who knows, I may change my mind 20 times between now and then.

And I'm not telling. You'll just have to wait and see.

😉

~SM

my buell is seven years old and has yet to lose a part or shake me to death. i guess its all in what one likes and or what you get a good deal on. pat

I ride a sportster rig I put together myself. Mine is a 2000 sportster 1200 with a screaming eagle kit and a california friendship 1 sidecar. I chose the sportster because I use an electronic shifter due to a disability and wanted torque so I wouldn't have to shift so much. I weigh in at 289 lbs and sometimes bring one of my college age sons with me. This bike handles it well with no trouble. I usually ride sole with some ballast in the car. This bike can cruise at 70 all day long with no problems at all. With that said I can also say I have seen plenty of good goldwing rigs so I think either one will suit you well. 😉

I have no experience with the older Goldwings, other than long-time Goldwing riders have told me the 1100cc model was their engine/frame preference, even over the 1500's. However, our first rig was an 2002 XL883R Sportster mated to a Texas Ranger sidecar, which I rode for 6 years until recently selling it to Paulau. The 883R was reliable as, well, a Honda, during that time with no issues. The belt drive was not an issue for us. The first modification to any Sportster is to gear is down a little, best accomplished by a smaller front pulley. We went down 1-tooth (4%) with an aftermarket front pulley and it made both 1st & 5th gears much more usable. I suspect a 1200 would do well with the gearing from an 883 model.

The 883R/Ranger combination became a comfortable short-range/weekend tourer (~300 mile days) after modifying the steering with a 5-degree triple tree, as the rig was not only easier to steer, but the minor pulls from road/load were also minimized, and the wobble essentially went away along with the bump-steer effect from the sidecar tire hitting road irregularities.

The vibrations in the sidecar from the rigid mount engine were not intrusive, and most every child that rode in the sidecar went to sleep within 20 minutes. The Ranger car is a good, balanced match for the Sportster and reasonably comfortable for passengers, but not as comfortable as the larger sidecars. Also, passenger entry/exit is also more difficult than some of the larger cars with step-thru or hatch.

Here is Paulau giving her mom a ride in the 883R/Ranger combination for the first time at last month's Uncertain?Rendezvous 2014:

All nice looking rigs guys! Thanks for the input.

~SM

I have an 01 Sportster 883C with a Velorex. I got mine becasue I had to to keep riding , we took custody of our grandson and the wife and I both had bikes already. I love my rig , have almost 10,000 miles and the now 5 year old has been in there the entire time. I love it and have plans to install a 12" trailer tire set up on the sidecar and lowering the entire rig this winter. I want to get a rake tree kit for mine but havent had the money yet.

just reading someof the previous posts, it looks like VLAD doesnt care for HD's much. we used to joke about the old Harleys needing a rope with a magnet trailing behind the bike to pick up the parts that fall off, and now the old HD riders laugh at the EVO riders and say that magnet aint gonna help you with all the plastic and aluminum parts falling off. But any way, I have had my Sporty on a 6 day 1400 mile trip to theTail of the Dragon and all over WV VA and MD it aint the fastest thing out there but it will go down the interstate and its fun on the back roads.

wvsporty - 10/27/2014 10:45 AM

just reading someof the previous posts, it looks like VLAD doesnt care for HD's much. we used to joke about the old Harleys needing a rope with a magnet trailing behind the bike to pick up the parts that fall off, and now the old HD riders laugh at the EVO riders and say that magnet aint gonna help you with all the plastic and aluminum parts falling off. But any way, I have had my Sporty on a 6 day 1400 mile trip to theTail of the Dragon and all over WV VA and MD it aint the fastest thing out there but it will go down the interstate and its fun on the back roads.

Almost every HD rider if someone say something critical about HD take it personal. Question is - Sportster vs old Goldwing for rig build. I gave my opinion about it. If you do not like it it is take it easy. No need to protect HD. Make I do not like most is Dnepr. Ural is 2nd. HD is in 3rd place.
But any way, I have had my Goldwing lost decorative cover from back of saddlebag so i need to do something about it ...