About to join the Club ...

A bare engine? No paint? No chrome? Can't think of one. Good luck with your search and welcome from the Sonoran desert!

Welcome from Oregon. Keep us updated on your search and what you end up with.

Dustdevil said:

A bare engine? No paint? No chrome? Can't think of one. Good luck with your search and welcome from the Sonoran desert!

Click to expand...

I should explain that in the UK the weather (and particularly the salted roads in winter) absolutely ruin a coated engine and chrome is the last thing you want if you ride all seasons. Cheers!

All Sportsters share the same frame. A 6' person will have his knees rather high, forward controls (if you like them) give a bit more room. Clear coated natural aluminum is the 3rd choice of engine finish. The clear coat usually cracks/wears and allows moisture in, which then causes unsightly white or black spots on the aluminum covers. Look at almost any Harley alum. forks and you will see what I mean.

Breeze3at said:

All Sportsters share the same frame. A 6' person will have his knees rather high, forward controls (if you like them) give a bit more room. Clear coated natural aluminum is the 3rd choice of engine finish. The clear coat usually cracks/wears and allows moisture in, which then causes unsightly white or black spots on the aluminum covers. Look at almost any Harley alum. forks and you will see what I mean.

Click to expand...

Good to know - and you have expressed answers to both questions very well. Many thanks! Do you think the powder coating on some Sportsters' crankcases lasts well? For example, is it able to cope with small impacts reasonably well?

Powder coating is very durable.

You might be happier on something like a road king... Sportsters are a little small and not near;y as comfortable as a touring bike. they don;t feel like they weigh 800lb when you are on them.
Just seen a number of friends start out with Sporties and quickly move to a big twin. Usually costs them more $$ that way... vs buying a bigger bike out of the gate... JMO

I'm around 5' 11" and 175 lbs and ride a sportster with forward controls every day for my work and town stuff. I have a few mods that I want to do when money permits but for all of my short trips it's fine. I used my electra glide as a daily driver for the last three years and had no problem with that except that with all the short hops it was never getting to full operating temperature and I was worried that it was taking a toll on it.
If you are just planning on short runs around town a sportster can be set up to be fairly comfortable. If you are planning on doing highway miles and long distance then a bigger bike is a must.

Raccoon Jack said:

I should explain that in the UK the weather (and particularly the salted roads in winter) absolutely ruin a coated engine and chrome is the last thing you want if you ride all seasons. Cheers!

Click to expand...

I have friends who live in New England and they say the only thing that doesn't rust on their vehicles is the chrome! 😂

Folks, thank you again for your advice and insights! You have really helped me understand what I needed to do.
Today I took delivery of my first Harley Davidson ever, a 2013 Road King (Police) which, in the UK at least, is about as common as an honest politician riding a unicorn. It's gorgeous, and an hour ago I had my first Harley ride - it was a beautiful warm evening with a clear sky and dry roads.
Every single comment here has guided me, I'm grateful.

Enjoy, nice ride.

Outstanding
Very nice ,do enjoy
Take care and ride safely