C50 vs Sportster 883 - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Rickster · 09-12-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaterDog

Don't think so, Easy E. I've done the same thing since I got my first trike (the kind you pedal, that is). Probably a good thing I can only afford to own one of these at a time!

Who said you had to be able to afford them? Lol

Takumaku · 09-12-2006, 09:23 PM

Each of the bikes have their pros and cons.

C50 - cheaper bike to buy, cheaper insurance
883 - cheaper to maintain hyd. lifters - no valve adjustments, air-cooled - no radiator fluid, belt driven, cast wheels - no inner tubes

I'm kindof in the same dilemma as you. I'll be upgrading my gz250 later this year to something that can easily do two-up on. Right now, I'm stuck between a S83, C50C, M50, SV650/SV1000.

c50tiger · 09-12-2006, 10:37 PM

Sportsters are great if you've got a bunch of $100's laying around gathering dust and you want to really customize a bike.

If you want to get out and ride, get the C50.

'course I may be a bit prejudiced ....

TaterDog · 09-12-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster

Who said you had to be able to afford them? Lol

+1 Rickster. You may be changing my whole outlook on life!!!

renier8 · 09-13-2006, 05:21 AM

Well again thanks for the input. I have decided to go with my heart. I will be checking into the Suzuki dealer on Friday morning. More about that later.

Renier

teeman · 09-13-2006, 08:29 PM

Renier8 I had a 883 a 2004 and sold it. Its a hard ride and in the summer it a HOT ride no cooling system and you can feel the heat off the engine when stoped at a ligth. I now have a C50T and loving it

. have more miles on the C50T in 6 months then a had on the HD in 2 years.

blackie1491 · 09-13-2006, 10:56 PM

teeman

Great choice in a bike.

renier8 · 09-14-2006, 04:53 AM

Thanks Teeman - that is very reasuring.

Renier

Deno · 09-14-2006, 03:30 PM

This is for Takumaku. I bought an S83 a few months ago. I've decided it is not that great for 2-up riding. My wife complains that the foot pegs for the passenger are too high, and the seat isn't that comfortable. I feel slightly cramped when we ride 2-up. I love the bike for 1-up riding. Has plenty of mid-range power 1-up or 2-up.

I think we're going to buy a 2nd bike for her to drive. She had one 20 years ago - back in B.C. (Before Children). She likes the looks of the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, but I haven't found 1 for sale locally yet.

Colorado Cajun · 09-18-2006, 12:01 AM

I personally haven't even got past the looks of the sportster to go and ride one. I don't find them to be an a good looking bike. I have always thought of the Sportster to be a bike for people who just have to have a "Harley" and can't afford one. For the price they charge for them, you can get a lot more for your money with other brands.

dcstrng · 09-18-2006, 11:56 AM

I have always thought of the Sportster to be a bike for people who just have to have a "Harley" and can't afford one.

Hmmmm... Perceptions, perceptions... actually am very seriously considering finding a new home for my trusty Ultra to free up some space so I can begin building up a back-to-basics Ironhead kicker... Even among the Milwaukee crowd, Sportsters are seriously underrated...

PS – nothing wrong with the C50; was looking at one the other day while the Suzy/Yami dealer mounted a tire for me... just a tad too nuvo-refined for my tastes, but at least on the showroom floor seemed like a pretty solid looking little scoot...

Colorado Cajun · 09-18-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstrng

I have always thought of the Sportster to be a bike for people who just have to have a "Harley" and can't afford one.

Hmmmm... Perceptions, perceptions... actually am very seriously considering finding a new home for my trusty Ultra to free up some space so I can begin building up a back-to-basics Ironhead kicker... Even among the Milwaukee crowd, Sportsters are seriously underrated...

PS – nothing wrong with the C50; was looking at one the other day while the Suzy/Yami dealer mounted a tire for me... just a tad too nuvo-refined for my tastes, but at least on the showroom floor seemed like a pretty solid looking little scoot...

Your right! It is a perception and I'm sure there are people who just love their Sportster to death.

Clintoysterwood · 09-21-2006, 12:14 PM

The sportster is a lot of fun. You can do a wheelie on a sportster. I drove a '59 for nearly 20 years. Short hops. Never cruised it and my butt was tougher then.

Bought a 05 C50 after looking at all the 700-1200 bikes. Road Kawasakis, Honda, Yamahas and Harleys. The Suzuki fit, was the most comfortable and has all the get up a got I'll ever need. Plus, now that I am older, I don't care what my Harley Buddies think and you know what, they care less also.

The big question is how are you going to ride it. Around town, naked (The bike, not you) hard to beat a sportster for short term fun. Going to cruise, ride most of a day with friends, add bags, shield etc, you'll wear out your love of the sportster pretty quick. On the other hand, I just returned from a 2700 mile trip to Yellowstone. Super slab over, 10 hours, super slab home (southern route) 14 hours. Balance cruising around the park with camping gear. On 9th day my right cheek got a pain which took me a day off the bike to cure. Never could have done the trip on the sportster. The sportster is also a standard, carries its weight higher while my C50 looks like a 1200 and carries itself like my old Jag XK-120.

There, now you owe me $ 0.02. I'll add it to you bill. Besides, with this sight and Volusiariders.com you will never have a question or problem that someone else has not solved. These bikes are not perfect, but they are comfortable, reliable, fun to ride and easy to maintain. At this point, I don't need any more. Clint

blackie1491 · 09-21-2006, 12:28 PM

Takumaku · 09-22-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deno

This is for Takumaku. I bought an S83 a few months ago. I've decided it is not that great for 2-up riding. My wife complains that the foot pegs for the passenger are too high, and the seat isn't that comfortable. I feel slightly cramped when we ride 2-up. I love the bike for 1-up riding. Has plenty of mid-range power 1-up or 2-up.

I think we're going to buy a 2nd bike for her to drive. She had one 20 years ago - back in B.C. (Before Children). She likes the looks of the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, but I haven't found 1 for sale locally yet.

Thanks for the reply... I haven't heard of anyone saying the stock passenger seats so I always budget for new seats. Cramp you say... it might fit me then because the foot controls on the C50/M50 and Vul. 900 are stretched too far out for me.

Well, if anyone hasn't google recently, the Sporster line for '07 now has fuel injection. No price increase because of this change.

yorgo · 09-29-2006, 10:10 AM

Man I don't know where the Sportster bashers are getting their info but I have an 04 XL 1200R model with 20K miles on it. I ride the thing every day to/from work and on weekends. I'm averaging 1500 miles/month. The Sportster has been the most reliable, fun, comfortable, customizable bike I've ever owned.
Been riding for 20 years now. Have had a nice list of bikes. Interceptor 750, FJ1200, GSXR1100, Intruder 800, Vrod, And the Sportster 1200.

The intruder 800 is an excellent bike. The motor is strong and ever lasting. I can't speak on the C50 cause I've never had one. but a buddy of mine does. He outgrew the thing in just a few months. Sure its nice looking but it aint no Sportster. It's just a matter of opinions until you get to the quality and craftmanship. I always thought that Harleys were crap and would poke fun at old farts on them and how they'd be pushing them home soon or parts falling off. Let me tell you I was wrong in a big way. Harley's have come a long way and although they are not the fastest or lightest bikes. They are very well made. Maintenance is easy, they are reliable, and parts can be found everywhere to customize them how you want.

On the gas mileage issue - I don't know who said the 883 and C50 were about the same but they were way off. I know I get between 54 - 60 MPG on my 1200R. I can't imaging the 883 being any lower. In comparison my intruder 800 gets around 42 - 48max.

Comfort - Sporsters stock seats suck. Their Sundowner seats are extremely comfy.

Anyhow dont drive yourself crazy and enjoy whatever you get. As for me I've been trying to sell my Intruder 800 for 6 months now and cant get a bite. Forced the selling price to $1800 now and still nothing.

dcstrng · 09-29-2006, 11:16 AM

<Harley's have come a long way and although they are not the fastest or lightest bikes....>

Yep, excepting some embarrassing cam-drive episodes with the early Twinkies, most of the disparaging Harley folklore dates from the Shovelhead/AMF days – and compared to the Limeys they were still pretty good, but the newer Japanese machines of that era were wonderfully reliable...

The Evolution engined Sportys have been essentially bullet-proof for a couple of decades... No bike is right for every rider, and none is totally reliable – few are even within spittin’ distance of the reliability and features of even cheapest cages – but when it comes to fit and finish there is no strong reason to prefer one over the other these days, and when it comes to unexpected maintenance, my metrics have surprised me more often than my Harleys – although in about 90K miles on my current bikes, neither has made me walk home.

Sportys are the unheralded bike in the Milwaukee lineup... but like other scoots, not for everyone...

Nakabor · 11-08-2007, 12:11 AM

Well I have a Suzuki M50 (a friend owned a C50) and my new bike, 1200 Custom Sportster (similar to the 883, minus the engine size), so I can give you my perspective:

1. I really like the weight distribution of the Harley over the C50, M50. This is especially evident once the bikes reach 70 mph or so - and God forbid if a big truck passes by. The Sportster handles much better.
2. Where shaft driven may be almost maintenance free, it's much more klunky to shift than the belt-driven Sportster.
3. As far as comfort goes, about the same. My butt on the M50 got just as sore as the Sportster. A good seat will cure that on either bike.
4. Much better quality parts on the Sportster (love the automatic blinker shut-off) as well as a better selection of colors

dcstrng · 11-08-2007, 07:52 AM

I don’t know a whole lot about a C50, but the 883 is not a scoot trying to masquerade as a big-twin in the C90, VTX1800, Vulcan or Twinkie-softail mold – with the possible exception of the Sportster Custom series, the Sportsters are their own unique “standard” design, essentially one of the few of the traditional upright pattern left on the planet… I’ve never been real sure what a cruiser is, but whatever it is, a Sportster ain’t it – at least not without some aftermarket surgery… Mechanically the Sportster is almost bullet-proof and a well proven design, but if you want something that sits you low, stretches you out with your feet forward in the Boulevard slouch motif, then you’d be well served to consider other bikes than the 883…

TFee3 · 11-09-2007, 10:00 AM

I'm not sure how much increase your budget can stand, but I might suggest that you go to a C90T if you're going to ride 2-up. I went in to pick up a C50T, but talked the dealer into selling me the C90T for the discounted price he quoted me a month before. My friend paid $10,000 more for his Softtail Classic and then had to add almost $2,000 more for saddle bags and windshield. I have nothing against Harleys except for the price. I couldn't see paying another $10,000 for something with less equipment and 15 less hp. Doesn't make sense to me.

09-12-2006, 10:37 PM	#23 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Join Date: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,058	Sportsters are great if you've got a bunch of $100's laying around gathering dust and you want to really customize a bike. If you want to get out and ride, get the C50. 'course I may be a bit prejudiced .... __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

09-18-2006, 12:01 AM	#30 (permalink)
Colorado Cajun Sprocket Pilot Join Date: Nov 2005 Bike: 2006 C50 Silver and Gray Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 851	I personally haven't even got past the looks of the sportster to go and ride one. I don't find them to be an a good looking bike. I have always thought of the Sportster to be a bike for people who just have to have a "Harley" and can't afford one. For the price they charge for them, you can get a lot more for your money with other brands. __________________ 2006 C50 Silver and gray, Cobra Tall Sissy Bar, K&N Air filter, Suzuki bags, Custom Driver's Back Rest, Memphis Fats 19" windshield with lowers, added a 2nd horn, Power Commander PC3 USB, and Cobra Freeway bars. Mitch

09-18-2006, 11:56 AM	#31 (permalink)
dcstrng Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jun 2006 Bike: `96 FLHT Location: Colonial Beach, VA Posts: 183	I have always thought of the Sportster to be a bike for people who just have to have a "Harley" and can't afford one. Hmmmm... Perceptions, perceptions... actually am very seriously considering finding a new home for my trusty Ultra to free up some space so I can begin building up a back-to-basics Ironhead kicker... Even among the Milwaukee crowd, Sportsters are seriously underrated... PS – nothing wrong with the C50; was looking at one the other day while the Suzy/Yami dealer mounted a tire for me... just a tad too nuvo-refined for my tastes, but at least on the showroom floor seemed like a pretty solid looking little scoot... __________________ Larry -- IBA

09-29-2006, 10:10 AM	#36 (permalink)
yorgo Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1	C50? You will regret it Man I don't know where the Sportster bashers are getting their info but I have an 04 XL 1200R model with 20K miles on it. I ride the thing every day to/from work and on weekends. I'm averaging 1500 miles/month. The Sportster has been the most reliable, fun, comfortable, customizable bike I've ever owned. Been riding for 20 years now. Have had a nice list of bikes. Interceptor 750, FJ1200, GSXR1100, Intruder 800, Vrod, And the Sportster 1200. The intruder 800 is an excellent bike. The motor is strong and ever lasting. I can't speak on the C50 cause I've never had one. but a buddy of mine does. He outgrew the thing in just a few months. Sure its nice looking but it aint no Sportster. It's just a matter of opinions until you get to the quality and craftmanship. I always thought that Harleys were crap and would poke fun at old farts on them and how they'd be pushing them home soon or parts falling off. Let me tell you I was wrong in a big way. Harley's have come a long way and although they are not the fastest or lightest bikes. They are very well made. Maintenance is easy, they are reliable, and parts can be found everywhere to customize them how you want. On the gas mileage issue - I don't know who said the 883 and C50 were about the same but they were way off. I know I get between 54 - 60 MPG on my 1200R. I can't imaging the 883 being any lower. In comparison my intruder 800 gets around 42 - 48max. Comfort - Sporsters stock seats suck. Their Sundowner seats are extremely comfy. Anyhow dont drive yourself crazy and enjoy whatever you get. As for me I've been trying to sell my Intruder 800 for 6 months now and cant get a bite. Forced the selling price to $1800 now and still nothing.

09-29-2006, 11:16 AM	#37 (permalink)
dcstrng Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jun 2006 Bike: `96 FLHT Location: Colonial Beach, VA Posts: 183	<Harley's have come a long way and although they are not the fastest or lightest bikes....> Yep, excepting some embarrassing cam-drive episodes with the early Twinkies, most of the disparaging Harley folklore dates from the Shovelhead/AMF days – and compared to the Limeys they were still pretty good, but the newer Japanese machines of that era were wonderfully reliable... The Evolution engined Sportys have been essentially bullet-proof for a couple of decades... No bike is right for every rider, and none is totally reliable – few are even within spittin’ distance of the reliability and features of even cheapest cages – but when it comes to fit and finish there is no strong reason to prefer one over the other these days, and when it comes to unexpected maintenance, my metrics have surprised me more often than my Harleys – although in about 90K miles on my current bikes, neither has made me walk home. Sportys are the unheralded bike in the Milwaukee lineup... but like other scoots, not for everyone... __________________ Larry -- IBA

09-12-2006, 09:23 PM	#22 (permalink)
Takumaku Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 22	Each of the bikes have their pros and cons. C50 - cheaper bike to buy, cheaper insurance 883 - cheaper to maintain hyd. lifters - no valve adjustments, air-cooled - no radiator fluid, belt driven, cast wheels - no inner tubes I'm kindof in the same dilemma as you. I'll be upgrading my gz250 later this year to something that can easily do two-up on. Right now, I'm stuck between a S83, C50C, M50, SV650/SV1000.

09-13-2006, 05:21 AM	#25 (permalink)
renier8 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard C50 Location: Durban, South Africa Posts: 59	Well again thanks for the input. I have decided to go with my heart. I will be checking into the Suzuki dealer on Friday morning. More about that later. Renier

09-13-2006, 08:29 PM	#26 (permalink)
teeman Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: C50T Location: VA BEACH VA Posts: 10	Renier8 I had a 883 a 2004 and sold it. Its a hard ride and in the summer it a HOT ride no cooling system and you can feel the heat off the engine when stoped at a ligth. I now have a C50T and loving it . have more miles on the C50T in 6 months then a had on the HD in 2 years.

09-13-2006, 10:56 PM	#27 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,633	teeman Great choice in a bike.

09-14-2006, 04:53 AM	#28 (permalink)
renier8 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard C50 Location: Durban, South Africa Posts: 59	Thanks Teeman - that is very reasuring. Renier

09-14-2006, 03:30 PM	#29 (permalink)
Deno Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jul 2006 Bike: Suzuki S83, 1989 Goldwing Location: Kokomo Indiana Posts: 174	This is for Takumaku. I bought an S83 a few months ago. I've decided it is not that great for 2-up riding. My wife complains that the foot pegs for the passenger are too high, and the seat isn't that comfortable. I feel slightly cramped when we ride 2-up. I love the bike for 1-up riding. Has plenty of mid-range power 1-up or 2-up. I think we're going to buy a 2nd bike for her to drive. She had one 20 years ago - back in B.C. (Before Children). She likes the looks of the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, but I haven't found 1 for sale locally yet.

09-21-2006, 12:14 PM	#33 (permalink)
Clintoysterwood Seat Tester Join Date: Feb 2006 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Foothills of the Cascades Posts: 79	The sportster is a lot of fun. You can do a wheelie on a sportster. I drove a '59 for nearly 20 years. Short hops. Never cruised it and my butt was tougher then. Bought a 05 C50 after looking at all the 700-1200 bikes. Road Kawasakis, Honda, Yamahas and Harleys. The Suzuki fit, was the most comfortable and has all the get up a got I'll ever need. Plus, now that I am older, I don't care what my Harley Buddies think and you know what, they care less also. The big question is how are you going to ride it. Around town, naked (The bike, not you) hard to beat a sportster for short term fun. Going to cruise, ride most of a day with friends, add bags, shield etc, you'll wear out your love of the sportster pretty quick. On the other hand, I just returned from a 2700 mile trip to Yellowstone. Super slab over, 10 hours, super slab home (southern route) 14 hours. Balance cruising around the park with camping gear. On 9th day my right cheek got a pain which took me a day off the bike to cure. Never could have done the trip on the sportster. The sportster is also a standard, carries its weight higher while my C50 looks like a 1200 and carries itself like my old Jag XK-120. There, now you owe me $ 0.02. I'll add it to you bill. Besides, with this sight and Volusiariders.com you will never have a question or problem that someone else has not solved. These bikes are not perfect, but they are comfortable, reliable, fun to ride and easy to maintain. At this point, I don't need any more. Clint

09-21-2006, 12:28 PM	#34 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,633

11-08-2007, 12:11 AM	#38 (permalink)
Nakabor Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1	Well I have a Suzuki M50 (a friend owned a C50) and my new bike, 1200 Custom Sportster (similar to the 883, minus the engine size), so I can give you my perspective: 1. I really like the weight distribution of the Harley over the C50, M50. This is especially evident once the bikes reach 70 mph or so - and God forbid if a big truck passes by. The Sportster handles much better. 2. Where shaft driven may be almost maintenance free, it's much more klunky to shift than the belt-driven Sportster. 3. As far as comfort goes, about the same. My butt on the M50 got just as sore as the Sportster. A good seat will cure that on either bike. 4. Much better quality parts on the Sportster (love the automatic blinker shut-off) as well as a better selection of colors

11-08-2007, 07:52 AM	#39 (permalink)
dcstrng Ditch Magnet Join Date: Jun 2006 Bike: `96 FLHT Location: Colonial Beach, VA Posts: 183	I don’t know a whole lot about a C50, but the 883 is not a scoot trying to masquerade as a big-twin in the C90, VTX1800, Vulcan or Twinkie-softail mold – with the possible exception of the Sportster Custom series, the Sportsters are their own unique “standard” design, essentially one of the few of the traditional upright pattern left on the planet… I’ve never been real sure what a cruiser is, but whatever it is, a Sportster ain’t it – at least not without some aftermarket surgery… Mechanically the Sportster is almost bullet-proof and a well proven design, but if you want something that sits you low, stretches you out with your feet forward in the Boulevard slouch motif, then you’d be well served to consider other bikes than the 883… __________________ Larry -- IBA

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11-09-2007, 10:00 AM	#40 (permalink)
TFee3 Clunked into first gear Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: '07 C90T Location: Gravois Mills MO Posts: 208	I'm not sure how much increase your budget can stand, but I might suggest that you go to a C90T if you're going to ride 2-up. I went in to pick up a C50T, but talked the dealer into selling me the C90T for the discounted price he quoted me a month before. My friend paid $10,000 more for his Softtail Classic and then had to add almost $2,000 more for saddle bags and windshield. I have nothing against Harleys except for the price. I couldn't see paying another $10,000 for something with less equipment and 15 less hp. Doesn't make sense to me.