The Versatile Sportster

[dt]

 It seems like the Sportster has been used for a lot of different things…including off road. Somewhere in here I posted about the owner of Legends Motorcycle Parts who won back-to-back  AHRMA National Motocross Titles on a 65 Sporty. Here’s another I just came across. Back in 1972, Larry Berquist (aka Desert Fox) began building a Sportster for the Baja 1000, and took it on in 1974. He must have been serious rider, considering he won the thing on a Husky in 1968.



Here’s the site that I was reading about the Desert Fox, written by his son, and with a bunch of other photos. It’s pretty cool if you’ve got some time. http://www.ravenwestguitar.com/desertfox.html

Any other Sportster stories or photos out there?

[niteman]

Cool info. I've always liked Sportsters...actually it's one of the only Harley's that gets me going other than the Road King. Never understood the guys that call the Sportster a girls bike 

[dt]

Never understood the guys that call the Sportster a girls bike 

There's a certain amount of jest associated with that imo. Then, as best I can tell, there are many that really think the Sporty is the bottom feeder! That, even though it's the foundation of Harley's racing heritage back to 1954. The confusing part is that I think most of the asshattery comes out of the HD owner community itself. It’s not just the attitudes toward the Sporty. There is a lot of strangeness in the Code. 

[mrbones]

I won a Sportster and I'm proud of it! 

[dt]

I won a Sportster and I'm proud of it! 

...How'd you win the sportster?

[mrbones]

Huh? That should be "own". I've never won any thing in my life,    My brother is the lucky one.

How many words can we spell with the letters, w, o, n?

[dt]

Here’s Cliff McGaughey, AHRMA Premier Champion 1998 and 1999 on his 1965 Harley Sporster. I didn’t know of this until I happened on his company’s motorcycle parts website several years ago. I’ve ordered AHRMA compliant shocks from LegendsMC a couple times and spoke with Cliff about his Harley MX’er. Definitely a cool dude! 

Here’s LegendsMC website: http://www.legendsmc.com/

Sorry these are the only photos I could find.

[Croz]

Yeah, the 1200cc "chick bike." Sportsters are great bikes, and one of the most versatile bikes Harley makes. Funny part is my Harley buddies are OK with my 500 cc Honda Shadow, but they'd give me no end of crap if I had a 1200 cc Sportster.

Like others have said, the Sportster "chick bike" mentality comes from the Harley owners.

[dt]

Like others have said, the Sportster "chick bike" mentality comes from the Harley owners.

...unless they own Sportsters, like me.

[mrbones]

That crap usually comes from moron Harley owners who have never ridden one.

[dt]

Snow-mo-Sportster 

More snow-mo-cycles

[dt]

Some more Sporty dirt conversions.