Anyway, here's what I have:
HD Sportster (2008) vs Suzuki Boulevard C50 (2005)
Chrome and Lights
It came with more chrome than the Sporty, despite being comparably priced. And it came with the extra headlights, which I like too.
Body
It has a larger body, so the turning isn't quite as sharp... but it's quite sharp enough for the mountain roads here.
But that larger body also fits me better, as my hips complain about being abused. The Sporty comes with mid controls as opposed to the Zook's forward controls, and I prefer mid. But the Sporty's frame is small enough that, when I bring my leg up coming out from a stop, a fair portion of the time my hip "catches" and hurts until I stretch out my leg several more times... while riding. This isn't quite a great safety practice, especially since those first seconds are usually not open highway and a straight line, but entering traffic and getting up to speed.
Looks like those folks who complain the the Sporty is too small for me... are probably right, at least now that my hips have put on a few years.
Mileage, Power, and Noise
The mileage on both is about the same: 45 to 50 mpg, running 92 all the time (clear when I can get it).
The power on both bikes is about the same. The C50 is an 800cc engine, the Sporty is stock 883 though with a K&N air filter. On the highway, there's no real difference: both bikes are pretty weak on torque and passing quickly, but easily do 70 mph when they get around to it. (Which one can do a faster quarter mile, or has the highest maximum top speed? I'll never know.)
The Sportster is NOT known for that famous H-D rumble, and when cruising the noise is about the same as the Zook. But, when you hit the throttle already at speed, the zook has more of a growl than the Sporty. I kinda like that, but it's not a major consideration.
The only real difference I note, is in the gearing. The Sporter uses all 5 gears, around town and on the highway. And doing 65-70 in 5th, the engine revs a bit high, and I think that a sixth gear or a larger primary gear would be good for. The C50 really only uses 1st, 4th, and 5th -- 2nd are 3rd are basically used for a few seconds to get up to 35 mph and 4th. Doing 70 on I-5, the engine doesn't rev as high as the Sportster.
Final Verdict
At this point I'm considering selling the Sporty, simply because I like to simplify and reduce. All other things are equal, but the Sporty and my hips just aren't getting along as well as they did five years ago.
