[Dottore]

Lot's of good info here, thanks.

Jeff: what you say about the Sportster echos what my non-Harley friends say. Now if only they would build a Nightster with (a) the new engine and tranny; (b) double front discs; (c) a serious headlight and (d) a couple of cool integrated bags—I'd be there. The look is very, very cool—but it's somewhat incomplete as it is.

You're right also, that among the Harley crowd it clearly seems to be the "girly" bike. Even the charming female salesperson at the local Harley shop tried to steer me towards a larger bike with appeals to my vanity and machismo.