883 in the twisties?
#11
02-27-2015, 11:33 AM
Grand HDF Member
Canyons are about torque more than high speed. The 883 has the perfect power/torque curve and low gearing for fun in the twisties. It is a light (for a Harley), narrow, nimble bike. You can always improve handling and lean angle by adding a better/taller suspension, and you can go all out roadster too like some of the great examples here, but even off the showroom floor it'll put a big smile on your face.
the stock 883 is about the worst performing motorcycle for power to weight to cc ratio. Im not talking about how it handles. I'm talking about the lack of power.
Sure it can be fun, but man, i want some hp
And yes, any bike is fun when you push it or ride it
#13
02-27-2015, 02:17 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
883 does a 14.4 Quarter Mile. That's ok(ish) for a stock cruiser. Although not as fast as my old hot rod
I agree that a few more ponies from the factory wouldn't hurt (except their after market sales).
#14
02-27-2015, 03:28 PM
I can't speak for the 883L, but the Iron drags parts very quickly and the stock suspension is miserable. I knew this going in and have corrected both issues, but thinking of the 883 Iron as a good, or even decent handling bike is optimistic.
Once it got ground clearance and decent suspension, it can hustle through the tight stuff.
#16
02-27-2015, 07:20 PM
Grand HDF Member
I agree it's lacking in HP and on paper it is an absolute dog for the CC's but its grunt that gets you around the tight stuff and that grunt comes early and easily on an 883 (way better on a 1200 or 1250 conversion but I'm sticking to the OP question). It's overall lack of power plays a lesser role in the twisties than any other environment. Sport bikes that make much higher HP can be less fun to ride due to the later nature of the power delivery. I don't enjoy engines as much that have to be kept wound past 4500 RPMs to be in it's groove.
#17
02-28-2015, 12:17 AM
Plenty there to get the average rider in trouble. And the reality is that few riders are whipping through twisty turns every day. It is a nice bike for daily riding and enjoying back roads on a weekend. A person looking for high stake thrills should be shopping European or Japanese performance machines.
#18
02-28-2015, 01:01 AM
Yes, I can hang off and ride the twisties quite well on this former 883, but I did a lot of work to it:
A lot of work:
490lbs, 103HP/87TQ Hammer 1250/Smash Heads, 30° dome pistons, 10.75:1 CR, Air Hammer w/K&N A/C, SE .575 cams, Baisley ported intake manifold, STM slipper clutch, Drag Specialties alternator rotor w/34T sprocket, Drag Specialties ISO motor mounts, D&D Bobcat exhaust, custom Trac Dynamics aluminum swingarm, Chainsikle rearsets with custom mounts, Oberon foot pegs, custom 14" Ricor IAS shocks/Intiminators/RaceTech fork springs, custom GLIDE forged aluminum wheels, Avon Storm 3D XM ZR radials, XR1200 front caliper/floating rotor, Braking Wave XR1200 rear rotor, EarthX lithium battery, Burly Clubman bars, Rizoma Spirit bar end mirrors, HD Dual speedo/tach & ergo's - Bikini Fairing/Chin spoiler/Black Diamond grips/Brawler seat. Eats twinkies for breakfast.
A lot of work:
490lbs, 103HP/87TQ Hammer 1250/Smash Heads, 30° dome pistons, 10.75:1 CR, Air Hammer w/K&N A/C, SE .575 cams, Baisley ported intake manifold, STM slipper clutch, Drag Specialties alternator rotor w/34T sprocket, Drag Specialties ISO motor mounts, D&D Bobcat exhaust, custom Trac Dynamics aluminum swingarm, Chainsikle rearsets with custom mounts, Oberon foot pegs, custom 14" Ricor IAS shocks/Intiminators/RaceTech fork springs, custom GLIDE forged aluminum wheels, Avon Storm 3D XM ZR radials, XR1200 front caliper/floating rotor, Braking Wave XR1200 rear rotor, EarthX lithium battery, Burly Clubman bars, Rizoma Spirit bar end mirrors, HD Dual speedo/tach & ergo's - Bikini Fairing/Chin spoiler/Black Diamond grips/Brawler seat. Eats twinkies for breakfast.
#20
02-28-2015, 02:04 AM
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Canyons are about torque more than high speed. The 883 has the perfect power/torque curve and low gearing for fun in the twisties. It is a light (for a Harley), narrow, nimble bike. You can always improve handling and lean angle by adding a better/taller suspension, and you can go all out roadster too like some of the great examples here, but even off the showroom floor it'll put a big smile on your face.
Twisties like the Dragon are great on an 883 (don't get a low..you will just end up raising it up). In the straights between the curves, if you had more HP, you could accelerate to twice the speed limit a bit faster. But, you probably will not max out the 883 in twisties.
I have a 1250 conversion in my 883 (kept the lowering 883 gearing) and when I'm in a corner, I have to be very careful with the throttle, otherwise the back end will break loose. Did not have that concern when it was an 883.
So if you want to have More than you need, and get some excitement out of that, then the 1200 Sporty or an 883 converted to a 1250 is the way to go. If you just want to hammer it, and only go about twice the speed limit, then the 883 can provide plenty of fun.
