The Absolute WORST Part on the Harley Sportster Iron 1200!

The absolute worst part on the Harley Sportster! What is the worst part that comes on the Harley Sportster?? Most people modify their bikes removing many of the stock parts to make it their own. But in reality, you almost have to upgrade a lot of the parts because many of the stock parts are very bad! I will review some of the worst stock parts on the bike and let you know of what I think is the worst of them all!

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[keith]

The stock clutch spring plate. Can break with no warning and leave you stranded . Best bet is to change the clutch out to a extra plate kit and get rid of the clutch spring .

[geraldscott]

I have owned and ridden an '06 Sportster for over 5 years now. Performance wise, it is completely stock, and it definitely has more performance than I need. Single front disc is fine (if your brakes are capable of locking the wheels, then they are fine. you just need to learn how to modulate them properly) Suspension is fine, and I have a bad back. Seat is fine, it is the stock seat that came on the 2006 1200L. It doesn't LOOK comfortable, but I have no complaints after a 300 mile day. It still has the stock air cleaner. Most aftermarket ones are cheap Chinese JUNK. It does have aftermarket slip ons (in chrome) just to make it sound like a Harley. It has a short chrome backrest with no pad, and gold H-D emblems on it. And it has saddlebags attached with Easy Brackets, they lock to the bike, but can be removed with the turn of a key. Other than those items, it is 100% stock and I love it. It is everything I want from a bike. Well, actually, I would like to convert it to chain drive, but have been unable to find a conversion kit for my model. It has a 4.5 gallon tank, which gives me good range. Now, as far as garbage parts, I have found two so far. They work just fine, but tend to explode around the 15K mile mark. The clutch has a "spring plate" in it, which is 2 plates riveted together with brass rivets. It is commonly known as a "grenade plate" The rivets fail, things come apart, and can do serious damage to your transmission. Barnett makes a kit to fix this problem. The other problem is also in the clutch. It is the clutch release bearing. It is poorly made and prone to failure. There is a German made bearing that fixes that problem permanently. It's more expensive than stock, but well worth it.

As you can see, none of these things have anything to do with engine performance, brakes, or handling. Those things are just fine. I ride a Sportster for the "Harley experience" meaning the sound and the shake. Even though it is called a Sportster, it is NOT a sport bike. It is a cruiser. It also makes a great solo touring bike. If you want a crotch rocket, then buy a crotch rocket. All 4 Japanese manufacturers make great ones. Along with a couple of European manufacturers. If you want a high performance bike, just buy one to begin with. The Sportster is not for you. It is for long leisurely rides, where you can just kick back and enjoy the bike and the road, mile after mile, hour after hour.

I would NEVER put LED lights on a bike or car. If you can't see with the stock halogens, there is something wrong with your eyes. I have had to wear sunglasses and a tinted face shield at night to avoid being blinded by those LED lights. If you blind oncoming drivers, they are likely to drive head on into you. And it would be your fault.

[Roadridedotnet]

I was taught that the No. 1 rule is that you must always travel at a speed where you can stop within the distance seen to be clear on your own side of the road. To know that distance means practising your emergency stops on a clear stretch of road and varying the roads when you can.

[bullitt]

The front tire has more grip before breaking loose, than most riders realize. You were pumping the brake at that yellow light as you understandably didn't want to lock it up, but how close were you really, to locking? You may have had a lot more to go, thus making the error yours and not the bikes (I've had this happen myself...and with a passenger on board no less!) which would be unfair to the bike. Maybe our riding skill is the part that needs upgrading, dunno just sayin.

[ragimundvonwallat]

the brakes already have enough power if you lock up the wheel...dosage is the problem, that is polite way to say that the pilot is the problem. ABS train people to be terrible riders... happy i started on dirt as a kid

[spaceflight]

Ok, you covered a lot of ground here. Definitely the seat! The seat on my 2005 1200 Roadster was good for 30 minutes before my hips started aching. The suspension was OK until I started riding my son to football practice. The Roadster came with dual front disc brakes, just like my GS850G did, and I've never had an issue with them. You'll have to investigate what's required to retrofit your bike. I did replace the front brake line with a stainless steel braided line and that really improved the feel.

[anamericanbulldogpupnamedt]

I carry a portable jumper I got from Amazon. I wasn’t a believer because it’s not as big as the old school jumpers but I was able to jump start a GMC Terrain with it. But first I replaced on my sportster are all the halogen bulbs.

[flyinggyros]

I’m a new subscriber to your channel. I like the format and of course Philadelphia. Your audio and video are top notch. Originally from Havertown. Started riding at age 15 and then on the streets at 16. That was 1968. My third bike was a mid 60’s XLCH sportster. I bought that at Hannums Harley in the Media area. Moved to Clearwater, Florida when I was 22. That’s a long bike ride on a Yamaha Maxim 650. Took me two days. Now I’m on the east coast just north of Daytona Beach. It’s a great area to ride. I do Bike Week and Biketoberfest every year. I still ride but after going up the Harley line to an ultra classic I’m now on a Honda Silverwing scooter. Age catches up to us. Your channel brings back so many good memories. Thanks for the ride. Alan

[christinealeta]

I rode a Sportster 1200 for 15 years and loved it! The pipes had been changed by the first owner to Vance & Hines and I changed the seat to a Mustang. That's it. I loved it but because of the age (2009) I decided to put it up for consignment. That money was the down-payment for an Iron 1200 which I'll receive in 2 days. I must say, your video was a real downer...that you describe things on the bike as 'atrocious', trash, the worst', etc. and that the brakes are not good...the most important part! Now, I'm not so excited about getting this bike. Thanks a lot! P.S. I am a woman and we do not "always" upgrade our Sportsters! Not true.

[MILI-RAK-]

I’m glad I’m not the only one that things the suspension and seat are terrible stock. Feel like I need a spine replacement

[ricknelson]

Not true on all Harley Sportsters. Try one like I have a 2020 Roadster. Pipes yes replaced, lights yes replaced, but the stock seat for me has been comfortable even for 300 miles rides. It Comes with dual floating discs with great calipers, inverted front forks and 3.3 inch rear shocks so it rides better than other Sportsters. 19" front and 18" rear rims so it give more ground clearance and better lean angles. Try one!

[OldSkoolBiker]

When you buy a bike you usually change the seat, bars, exhaust and even the brakes..

If you are already locked up and skidding then having more brake power is only going to multiple the problem.. if you are locked up it's riders fault for not reading the road enough in front of you and also applying the brakes to aggressively..

[Imsaved]

Harley Davidson headquarters aren’t stupid. They put that 💩 crap on your motorcycles so that you will upgrade to better parts, thus more profit for them. Yes sir, Harley Davidson screws you coming in and going out!

[wheelLunatic]

The braking power is more on the front brake not the rear. I rarely used the rear breaks when I had more sport bike but with the iron better to use both but the front still does most of the braking over the rear.

[mmytacist]

Nothing about the dude standing in traffic at 3:42? 🤣
That a Philly-thing?

[kitsvn]

2021 883:
Lights were awful. I threw on a hogworkz halo LED front lamp and kuryakyn tracer diffused halo signals. Love them.
Stock seat was actually not too bad, but
I put on a LePera kickflip and love that a lot.

[jaredmcquiniff]

💯 definitely rebuild the forks with a progressive spring kit and shim it a little more. It makes a huge difference! And I didn’t like the stock tires either, they seemed to start wearing funny. At 2500 miles I put Michelin Commander III on front and rear and it’s like riding a comfortable street bike now!

[armandoosorio]

I had an accident due to the brakes. I was approaching an intersection we had the green light then an ambulance decided to run there siren at the intersection only. car in front of me braked abruptly so I gradually braked with increasing force as well not realizing how easily the brake would lock up . Is there any great brakes recommend?

[atz]

Hey where did ya get your seat? What's the best seat for a sporster?

[lovingmylifeasIage]

Get some rear shocks. Don't go cheap. I went with 3 inch over stock Legend 110 with a 1 inch lowering blocks. I love the ride now. I also changed out the seat, tall sissy bar with a sissy bar bag. I can strap on my camping gear. The sportster is a cruiser not a sports bike. The front brake will stop you a lot faster then the rear. I've had to do an emergency stop and grabbed the front brake and stopped just fine. The rubber on on the back tire has to stop you and the back will be lighter in a an emergency stop. Practice you emergency stops with the front brakes.