I also like the look of the iron. I would've gotten it myself but the deal for my 72 was too good to walk away from. Good luck!

 

Wifes not riding so leave her at home while making the choice.
Just kidding, I guess it depends on the type of riding you want to do. My 1200C is the only Harley I've ever been on so I can't compare the 883.
Have fun, and let us know what you decided and the difference as I'll be shopping for my wife a bike this coming Spring.

 

Its a lot easier to make a 1200 Iron than to take a 1200 and black it out and mirror the riding position / handling of a Iron...

Go with the look and feel you're after and tweak the power later if necessary?

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I like the looks of the Iron but I really like the idea of the extra power. The wife has thrown up her hands in surrender and is now trying to keep the damage amount down to the savings account. I will post pics when she is home (the bike not the wife-wife says no pics ever.)

 

I like the Iron 883 with the 1250 kit and Stage 1. Put some nice shocks and forks on it and you would have a very sweet ride.

 

I have an Iron 883 which I love. Its my first Harley and whilst I'm now very pleased with it, it took a few mods to get it how I like it. On the ride home from the dealer I realised pretty much instantly it had real dire, low budget suspension and the most frightening brakes I've ever had on a bike.

A set of road king air shocks sorted the rear end out and up front I put in intiminators and amsoil 5wt oil. It still needs better springs. The front caliper was replaced with one from a XR1200 and is perfect.

I only ride solo and dont tear about so the power is okay for me. The look of the Iron swung it over any power differences. I may have thought differently if I regularly rode 2 up?

 

I cant help but notice while browsing their inventory that they have an 883R. If you cant decide between the other two I would just take that instead

 

+1, an 883R with a 1250 kit is a sweet ride.
Seriously though the first thing is to think of how you want to ride it, are you taking long trips on the superslab or cruising at 55 on back roads & slowing down for corners or are you going to cruise back roads at 75 & speed up for corners?
The answer to that will tell you what model to look for and avoid buying the wrong bike.

 

Mainly back roads. Work is 30 mins away on 2 lane country road if I don't take the interstate. The plan is for that to be the main ride. Horse farms and hills.

 

Is that the 2013? It is one I am planning on test riding.