I have been wanting an iron 883 for the last 2 years now, non stop. I am 5'10", 190lbs and I am not worried about me on it, I have been on 883s before and I am very comfortable on them actually. I do however have a question, my wife is 5'9" and about 140lbs, and would like to ride with me from time to time. No long trips, just around town, and maybe short highway rides (30 min or so), just SOMETIMES. Would the iron 883 be too small for that? I know I will have to add a passenger seat/pegs, but I am willing to do that. I am just wondering how cramped the iron would be with us on it? Please no negative feedback, I am just trying to get some opinions from people who have experience, and actually know what they are talking about..

 

You will be fine, the bike will have enough power to get both of you moving, it wont be super quick but you will still be able to beat the pack off the line. I didn't enjoy highway cruising with my 883 because I felt like the engine was going to shake itself loose but the bike is still a very capable machine.

 

The 883 is fine for two-up riding. No, it is not the most powerful Harley, but it is still a very powerful bike.

883s are geared differently than 1200s, a little shorter. So they have quite a bit of pop off the line. But cruising the interstates out west at 85 will probably get to you (loud, buzzy), though it will still do the job just fine.

It is the same frame and geometry as a 1200; there is plenty of room for riding two-up on a Sportster. No, it won't be the same experience for your passenger as an Ultra, but with passenger pegs, a good seat and a decent sissy bar, you and your passenger will be fine.

I have an 883 and a 1200 right now and like them both. They really are the same bike, except for the displacement and gearing (and the horn--the 1200s have the iconic Harley horn, the 883s don't). I actually like the 883 better around the city because it is WAAAaaay better on gas than the 1200, even two-up, and still pops off the line well enough to keep you ahead of anything short of a Ferrari. The 1200 is better for highway cruising and has more top end for passing at highway speeds. If I had to sum up the difference, I'd say the 883 has "zip" and the 1200 has "grunt." An 883 will handle the riding you're talking about just fine.

You'll love your Iron 883!

 

I'm 5'9 175 and my wife in 5'3 100lbs. We rode all over on my iron for two years before I traded it for my slim. Loved that bike . Get some mustang seats and some pegs and just do it, you won't regret it. I an say at 75+ on the hwy it's shaky tho. But it's excellent around 65 and lower. They are a blast to ride and have great powerband. This is making me miss my sportster...