Please don't think this is a troll question or an attack as it's not in anyway meant to be.

On twistie roads like dragons Tail, do you find yourself "wanting" for more? The 883 is my favorite looking bike on the planet, but I enjoy getting aggressive in turns. Don't want to buy a cruiser and then find myself jealous of the sportbike guys.

I know it's not a sportbike and I'm not talking knee dragging here, but can you get out and ride spirited when the mood strikes?

 

Yes you can.

 

I set up my '96 Sportster 883 for twisty back roads. The bike is a blast to ride.

 

Uh yea.....it will be a blast!!

 

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.

 

Bike is tuff Fantome

 

wow, three great looking bike in a row. some amazing bikes slv, run1fsr, and fantome.
i really like how its three unique approaches to making a bike that can be rode more aggressively

 

One thing I find, its funner to take a less capable bike to its limits than a more capable bike to half its limits. Unless your a fool your not going to get close to a sport bikes limit on public roads. Including the dragon where the speed limit is 35 but I was having a blast at 45. On my Buell I would have been opening it up quite a bit more to reach the same level of fun.

 

Stock 05 883; plenty fast enough for me. Scrapped the pegs or the pipes and felt like I was going 80 mph.

 

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.