The 883 was finally ready for it's first good run. I had bought it privately from an owner who never rode it the four years he had it. Last fall he did have it serviced but still didn't ride it. I got it this spring when he was going through a divorce.

I did ride around town a few times with Techron in the tank to clean the jets and ran a tank thru it just putting around 30 mph city streets.

Today with the sun finally out I went on a 175 mile loop up along the Mississippi river and went by Poppy's bar and grill which is a well known biker place. Then east and back down south to my residence. The weather was winds to 30 mph and the bike tracked beautifully. The 03 rides tall in the saddle compared to the Lows and Super Lows. With forward controls it fits my 6'3" 200 lb frame quite well.

I did ride at 60 mph which is 5 over the limit on Illinois state roads but the smooth sweet spot seems to start there on the hard mounted motor. I did a few more aggressive launches from stop intersections and shifted at about 4,500 rpm. That is the point that the vibration in the seat started. No need for a shift light just wait for the butt sensor.

Very pleased with the overall ride and handling. The best was to come. I filled it up before reaching home at 160 miles and the reserve wasn't needed yet. I calculated the mpg at 57.1. Gotta love it.

Who would need anything newer or bigger? I got it for $3500 with 14.7 K miles on it and all new tires, drive belt, battery, carb rebuilt and detailed.

That machine has many years and miles in it. It will do those in style also.

 

Very nice, I always liked that color combination.

 

I love the R's. That's a. Real beauty!

 

Lovely bike. We still get that model here in the UK. You live in a residence?! Wow!

 

Nice bike. It looks a lot like mine. I get confused with the different models of Sportsters. Mine is an 883. Is the "R" an 883 with an iron head and dual front discs ? Or other differences ?

 

It has been called 'Roadster' in the past, with twin front rotors, higher suspension, hence better cornering clearance, tacho standard, lower bars, a bit more sporty all round. Engine is the same as other 883s AFAIK.