^This...^

^not this^ sure these dudes are entitled to their own opinions.... but,....

The crux...
Your bike will live a long life either way, as long as you take care of it. If i had to do it again, I'd do the same thing 500cc to 883 to 1200 to.... wouldn't change a thing. That 1200 conversion was a replacement of the wearing parts.... so basically a new bike at 5k for me.

My bike is still going strong at 20k, no issues other than the potential 18-25k clutch demon that haunts us all.

Don't over think this. There is no advantage to staying 883... other than being able to say "i'm a part of that 1%" , which is nonsense. Wanna go slow? Don't twist the throttle so far. Lol

 

Not sure where you came up with those numbers, but with stock gearing on an 04:

at 70MPH the 883 is turning ~4,000 rpm

At 70MPH the 1200 is turning ~3,400 RPM






.

 

And that's right. My 2014 turns 4000 @ 70mph. I'm changing the front primary sprocket from 34 to 38 when I do the 1250 kit next week.

 

As above, I also think you also over thinking...if this is a purchase decision

Both bikes should go 100K mileage before they "die" and/or require thousands of repair dollars.

Will you keep for 100K or trade at 50K?

Buy the one you like.

Good luck.

 

Guess I'm a 1%-er as well. I've had a bunch of bikes, mostly Harleys and never had a Sportster. I bought an 883 (Iron) to use in Daytona and Florida. Just slip ons and a fuelling module- lovin' it!!

I've had plenty of fast bikes, few of them were Harleys. This little Sporty is cool, I like it very much - especially for it's mission profile. No regrets on the 883.

Big roads, big trips and big loads - I take the Road King but I bought that Sporty 883 in July and got over 1800 miles on it. It's a keeper!

 

The "bone stock" 883 is a fantastic motorcycle. If cared for properly it will outlast most riders. I have a friend, old geezer like me, that has just shy of 100,000 miles on one, and it is still running strong.

Don't fall victim to the "my pecker is bigger than yours" bs. Ride the bike, it will take you wherever you want to go.

For every owner that spews the "I am such a rider I must have a 1200" to match my riding capabilities, I'll show you a 600cc that will vanquish that rider before the next spot light. Don't buy the bs.

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...sportster.html





883/1200 conv with 883 gear will smash a stock 883 in short order. my little honda shadow couldn't hold a torch to my 883. my 883 blew me away the first time i rode it. it blew me away again after the 1200 stage 1. it blew me away after the power vision got to it and defeated the stock 1200 stage 1 mapping. now it blows me away everytime i ride it.... i love my sporty!

 

I have a fast bike, a touring bike and wanted an "short distance (

 

I doubt that one with an 883 would ride any differently on a 1200 (with the exception of the odd full wrist exercise for fun) thus the wear from that point would be similar. The only factor to me is the increased compression of the 1200. This probably put's extra strain on the bottom end....But I hear the bottom end is rock solid either way. The bike weighs and handles the same. Why not have the extra umf. I love the fact that I can pull the big twins at will.

 

Seriously considering the upgrade..
Working through the issues of my new purchase..
If I need to rebuilt the top end, then stepping up seems the reasonable pathway.
IF I can quiet down the front rockers, then I will ride it till the end of the decade before trading.