If you are looking for a Harley and will be mostly a solo rider, then the 1200 Roadster could be the bike for you.  This bike has plenty of torque and sufficient horsepower for the everyday rider.  Sportsters are often classified as 'beginner' or 'girls' bikes.  Don't allow the predjudices of others to define the bike you will ride.  I don't suggest the 1200 for beginners as it is a fairly heavy bike with better than average power.  You can get used to it,  but unless you know you want one, start off on a cheaper, smaller bike and trade up when you are ready. As far as a girl's bike goes, it works for that, but i see plenty of women on Fat Boys, Dyna's and the like, so figure that one out for yourself.  Having ridden the big bikes myself, the Sportster 1200 is a much better bike in the corners and probably a bit easier to handle in city traffic.

Let's get down to the subjective facts:

Strengths: 

The Rubber Mounted motor (new in 2004) is head and shoulders above the pre-2004 motors for speed and giddy-up.

Better in the corners than the big Harleys. Blowin' through the Black Hills, i was repeatedly slowed down by the 'big bike' riders in the corners.

Plenty of power for the highway and two-up riding if you want that also.

(The big Twins are better for two-up riding)

All the customizing power of the Motor Company at the beck and call of your budget.

Best bang for the buck in the Motor Company lineup. Resale generally better than other Manufacturers bikes.

Weaknesses:

Stock Roadster gives up looks and chrome to the Custom 1200 which will cost you ~$1k more..

Smaller Ninjas and the like will run away from you. This is not a race bike. If you want a fast Harley, the V-Rod or motor upgrades are for you.

Stock suspension is average at best, not cheap to upgrade, but easily done.

As always, the Harley tax will have to be paid (Pipes, air cleaner, jet kit) if you want better performance.

Bottom line:

Best Harley under $10K (tax, title, delivery)

If you want a Harley, find one of these, used if possible, with documented service at a dealership.

Keep up with the service schedule, especially the primary chain adjustments along with the oil and tranny fluid changes.

Get to know other sportster owners locally or on line for helpful advice.(The XL forum has lots of advice).

Study up on each year's advances over the previous year.

Last but not least, get your local dealer to let you demo one.  Nothing beats riding a bike for understanding whether you will like or not.

Hope this helps, I've put 15k miles on one of these and this is my opinion on the bike.

MOST IMPORTANT PART: "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even, in his Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life.  1John5:20