Ok, here we go...remember, you asked for it! 2005 Sportster 1200 Roadster. Bought new July 2005. $9700 out the door. Currently 82422 miles. For the first three years and 50000 miles the miles were paid for at 53 cents per mile. Field service perks. Mods: stainless steel braided front brake lines. Super Sport detachable windshield. Sundowner dual seat. Progressive Suspension fork springs and shocks. Detachable sissy bar and luggage rack. Highway pegs. Saddlebags large enough to carry work tools from eBay. No mods to intake, exhaust, or engine. Maintenance: replace engine and transmission oils before winter storage every season. Lubricate all 3 Heim joints that let the engine move around along with the swingarm pivots every month and after riding in rain. I bought the factory service manual right after I bought the bike and have done a lot of work myself. Things like: replacing brakes, handgrips, ignition switch, throttle cables, clutch cables. The drive belt snapped at 74000 miles. Took the dealer a week to get one, took me an hour to change it. Didn't need a motorcycle jack to change it but used it for rear wheel alignment. The weirdest call I ever got from the dealer was when the bike failed inspection because the front rotors were too thin. Remarkably, they had them in stock. No one ever had to replace Sportster rotors before. Gas and tires are consumables. Is it worth it? Hell yeah! All some folks get for that kind of money are recycle bins full of empties. One chestnut sums it up: "You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!"
Love your bike’s story. I sort of leveraged my way into my 21 Iron 1200. The service manual feels very much like a luxury right now. Working out of my 2008 Sportster manual. Some differences, but most everything’s in the same places.
I won my used 2003 883 in a raffle, so I only really paid the taxes for the bike itself. Between upgrade parts, repairs, specialty tools, and riding gear (I ride ATGATT), I've easily spent over $5k in the past 3 years. That's pretty sobering. Still cheaper than therapy, though, and more reliable in my personal experience. I still want to upgrade my turn signals to those Rogue Rider LED lights, and the Hammer 1275 and SuperTrapp exhaust will always taunt me, but hopefully this new year will be less financially brutal when it comes to my ride. :P
I just bought a 10,000 mile 2007 Sportster 1200L for $5000. It has Screaming Eagle slip ons, mini ape bars, detachable sissy bar, forward controls, new tires, and a phone charger/holder. I wasn’t sure if I would like the mini apes, but I got it home and moved them forward. Perfect and my arms are level with my shoulders. I love them. The slip ons are just right for me. They are not too loud and have a good tone. The bike is modified to my liking and I can’t think of anything I would change except for the mirrors and maybe the grips. I might change the grips and get bar end mirrors because the aftermarket mirrors on the bike are terrible. I don’t care for the grips. They are the chrome plastic ones with the rubber bumps. They look cool but feel terrible. I spent $275 yesterday on tags and taxes. I still have my first motorcycle that I bought last March. It’s a Kawasaki Versys-X 300. I will keep it for the dirt roads and creek crossings. Everyone needs an ADV bike. I paid $4250 for it. It was well equipped when I got it. I let a curve sneak up on me a month ago and laid it down around 15 mph. I was wearing my gear, so I came out unscathed. I got the wind knocked out of me a little and had a sore knee for a few weeks. I am still mad at myself for riding too fast on an unfamiliar road. It’s going to cost me around $500 to replace the right side fairing, dash fairing, turn signal, and bars. I wish I had crash bars. I will be buying some now.
Bought a brand new(.6miles) 2021 Iron 1200 for $9,500(cash, no financing), and spent about $2,800 on new bars, 6+ extended forks, custom exhaust, breather, FPK3, wiring, LED stop/tail/turn lights for the rear, and a few random small parts for relocating ignition, speedo, and coil. Sold all the parts that I took off for roughly the same amount in under 2 months. Now I have a 70's inspired "Frisco chopper"(no hard tail yet, though), for under $10k, that I know won't break down. It's not that expensive if you're willing to put the garage time in...
My Iron 1200 has the red/white/blue AMF paint style. I've owned my bike for 6 months and I've already spent $4000-$5000 on it after initial purchase. Stage I, including tuner. Memphis Shades faring, better levers, red hardware/footpegs, LED headlight with red base, LED signals with smoked lenses, Viking swingarm bag, Amazon sissy bar, "More Forward" Mid Controls (I'm 6'0"), RAM mount, Saddelman Step up seat, Legends 110 rear shocks, Screamin Eagle performance clutch kit (future proofing for when I upgrade the Cams), and 1000 service, and 5000 mile service. I love my Iron 1200 though, and plan on keeping it forever. Even if i get a bigger bike for longer trips, living downtown this bike is perfect.
When I had my Sportster, I paid it off asap. I bought the factory service manual and did all my service work. Minimal mods to bike; upgrade shocks & fork springs. Better tires. That was about it. Kept it simple and it was most rewarding bike I owned. Want to do costs? Talk to a boat person. Ouch.
Dude awesome topic. I’ll only do one bike. 2009 Harley Dyna $6500 purchase price $4000ish in maint and upgrades $10500 Now the upgrades, for example, I’ve gone through three exhausts so I did make some of that money back when I sold my other. But as far as what the bank account sees….
I have saved thousands of dollars buying new aftermarket parts on eBay. And buying used or like new original Harley parts on eBay. For example I bought Vance and Hines slip ons for $134 used on eBay versus new for $450. Aftermarket forward controls on eBay, for $100 versus original equipment at $450., etc.
I have a 2020 iron 1200 n I get a death wobble at 90mph I see other videos of people going faster with no issues I don't really plan on going that fast often but what could be causing that
I just bought a 2019 Iron 1200 on 6APR23. Showroom condition. White. Headlight cowl. 12K miles. New tires. Aftermarket chrome pipes that look and sound great! Mini apes and 70's graphic from the factory. With tax and tag it was $9100 out the door. My first Harley. Im happy with it. In Florida I can pretty much ride year round. The dealer was initially asking $9600 + tax & tag. How did I do?
Do these bikes have a "Reserve Tank"? On my Suzuki GS 500F of I'm low on gas I can switch from ON to Reserve and then I have 0.7 gallons or so of gas to find a gas station ⛽. Do these bikes have a Ballcock on the tank too or when you run low on gas your light lights and then you just run for gas so-to-speak... Thanks 🙏👍 Jeff
I just spent $250 on Joker machine enclosed bar end mirrors. Yes, $125 per side! Yikes. Bike has around $3000 of mods already. 2016 Forty Eight. It's a lot of money but it's worth it! Looking forward to some $400 Fueling cams in the spring! I also have the FP3 like you Jawn... Worth having if you keep on doing upgrades LOL!
Man I just put on that Memphis Shades cafe fairing and I LOVE it. Also swapped the headlight for a Hogworks LED halo. Then my tire exploded and I replaced it. The sporty is definitely not a cheap toy if you’re going to upgrade! Mine is an Iron 883, so add the $ of me upgrading to S&S 1200 this month. Yikes! It’s worth it.
@@TheMotoJawn game changer! You convinced me to buy it. Love your channel dude! My budget for sporty was $16K, maxed it out on doing everything I wanted but suspension. I suck at mechanical work, so I work with a local small Harley shop. How did I justify this? I said ok hey a low rider S is more, and I preferred the sporty night and day to the soft tails. I’m weird. Thanks again for your videos.
About 6k so far total including bike. Used honda vtx 1800. Tires oil change and a few extras. New baffles etc. Bike came with windshield, light bar, power commander, V&H exhaust, locking bags, Highway bar with pegs, mustang 2 up seat with backrest, passenger floorboards, chrome radiator. Just fully decked so she not going anywhere soon lol
I was able to talk down my Iron 1200 for $8k but after all the fees and taxes it was well over $10k. Security system, LEDs, FP3, intake, is another $1500...I'm gonna stop now before I convince myself I don't need to spend more money on my bike,...
Motorcycles do not need to be an expensive hobby. Buy used, pay cash, buy from a private seller (no taxes or fees) skip the full coverage insurance. I got my almost like new 2006 Sportster 1200L with 6700 miles on it in near new condition, for $4500 cash. $68 a year for liability only insurance. It already came with beautiful sounding slip ons, a chrome sissy bar with gold H-D emblems, and leather saddlebags installed with Easy Brackets. I had to put a new battery in it, replace a leaky petcock with real H-D parts, and replace some parts in the clutch that work fine, right up to the point when they fail and cause some serious damage. I did a full service on it, and since then I've just been riding it. The bike and the minor repairs came to just over $5K. I wouldn't call that expensive. If you really want a new bike (remember it won't stay new) and like the black Iron models, it still doesn't need to cost more than what the dealer charges OTD, with NO extended warranty or service plan, title and registration, a new exhaust, and whatever it costs for an electronic tuner to get the air/fuel mixture right for the new exhaust. Everything else about the Sportster is fine just the way it is. You might want to add some accessories later, as you get the money, but performance wise it's perfect. If you don't like the engine performance, the brakes, seat, suspension, etc. Then the Sportster is not the bike for you. Why would anybody buy a brand new bike, throw away half the brand new parts, and replace them with expensive aftermarket parts?? All your bike actually NEEDED was the exhaust and tuner. Everything else was fine. Why didn't you just buy a Yamaha MT-09?
I have a 2007 Honda shadow 750. I paid 2300 3 years ago. I changed both tires and put a Barnett clutch kit on it. So I spend about $300-$400 a year on average for parts. Not bad.
I picked up a used XL1200N and rode it for about 5 years. After all the parts and maintenance I was only in it about 10k. I'm scared to find out what I have in my newer softail.... Esp considering it's not even close to being "done"
Hey I just saw the video marvelkid87 put out of the iron 1200 getting eliminated from next years lineup 😔 I love my Iron 1200, can’t wait to see your thoughts on the subject
Cost of ownership is a slippery concept. You may pay off your loan on your new or used bike, or you may trade or even wreck it & get insurance. Payments may be calculated over the length of time you have it.
Six months ago bought a used 2017 Dyna street bob with 4000 miles, no mods yet, 20 grand that's including Gap , extended warranty, theft, wheel and tire protection TT&l and factoring in the percentage rate, of 7 percent out the door at the Harley dealership.So year paid twenty grand for a 14,000 bike.
I like how you called it a hobby. Funny it's a lifestyle for me. Cost of owner ship not including gas. Brand new - $7000 usd. / Mods - $0 / Maintenance - oil changes every 5000 miles $50 a pop = $200 = 20,000 miles per year + 4 years = $800 / other services - tires, brakes & fluid, fork oil = $1500 over 4 years. Total = Less than $10,000 after 4 years. Oh BTW 2018 KLR 650
Gott rid of my streetbob for that reason. I loved it but won't be broke for a motorcycle. Getting a 48 special soon, its crazy how some dealers are phony and talk you into shit. Then when you're hurting they turn their backs on you. I have some streetbob stuff if your interested.
@The Moto Jawn i have a arlen big sucker air cleaner i never used, i have a set of the extended turn signal buttons and a set of the extended turn signals. I will let the stuff go cheap.
we've got the same exact bike. got mine in Nov and dropped around $1k so far but it was already a stage 1. Though I still want to change the air filter and exhaust anyways lol ... If I could do all the things I'm planning to do now it would still be another $3k probably. None of this is including gear if it's your first bike like it was for me so that's another hole in your pocket.
I tapped on a guys carburetor at Sturgis last year, he walks up and tells me not to touch...obviously I'm the ass. I proceed to talk with him and he tells me how he got divorced and spent 200k on this bagger
You didn’t mention all the dealer fees/prep fees, destination blah blah blah... seems like it’s almost another 2k for all the fees in CA. So a $10k bike actually ends up being a $12k bike
I have a 2021 Sportster Iron 1200 I financed my bike about 10k and after all my mods an additional 1.5k. And I still have a few things to do. My wife says she is ok that I don’t spend all my time and money on the bike.
I figure most people do add a lot of stuff So I was looking at that as an actual cost. But if not then you just have the cost of the bike, maintenance and insurance.
I’ve probably spent 5 grand + on mods and service materials and tools easily. One day I will total it up. Not going to lie I’m scared to see how much I’ve spent.
I wouldn’t even bother counting the cost as it never seems to end, anyway I can’t even do that as I kept all receipts in a draw in my garage and a mouse decided to make a nest in there chewing it all up😅😅😣. Still at least I can guess at around £11,000 gbp seems reasonable. Paid £8,450 totally stock so not so bad….
One more question. Did you put the V&H fuelpak on immediately? I was going to do that but then HD said it would void my factory warranty so had to get the screaming eagle tuner instead. I have a 2020.
Expensive, my first new Harley xl Sporty ns 2021 12,000 dollars. I started out on a 1958 pan I've had 10 + bikes . Last bike before this one 1999 Road King Classic 100,370. miles one top end. So I've added a chop windshield 499.00 Small saddle bags 299. A little pad for my 64 year old butt 87. Hwy bar's and Willie - G black pegs 300. A 45. Dollar Cruze control so far that's it not counting gas oil oil filter tires washing it lube for the clutches brakes dot 4 fluid ext ext....
The best way to reduce costs is to buy used, I once bought a 1200 Custom w/600 miles with over $2,000 in upgrades for $6,000, I put 12,000 miles on it & sold it for $6,000. There's so many mint cond used bikes out there
ANY hobby involving motor vehicles can get REAL expensive REAL fast if you can't do the work yourself. Someone who is not rich, and cannot work on their own bike, should probably consider another hobby.
It’s really not expensive unless you make it that way. Most new cars are 25k plus these days and if you ride march thru december and did all those alterations plus a few not needed ones like checking fluids etc. after 1k miles like a rookie then yeah your gonna blow money being lazy
Thats why u buy it 3 years old witb low miles from soem clown who wanted the look more then the ride, youll get a stage 1 clean low mileage bike for 5-7k, opposed to 15 after taxes plus 3-5 on basics (close to 20k)
