Well... I did it.
After [not much] careful consideration, last Saturday I traded in my '11 FLHRC for a brand new [to me] XL883N 2016 Iron 883, with 150 miles on the clock.
I went to the dealership and took a test ride on a Forty Eight, and then on the Iron.
I was sold. I must say the Iron is by no means underpowered, as many claim. Just my opinion. Also, during my test ride i scraped the pegs quite often, which means that the handling is confidence inspiring [to me] and the lighter frame and ergos were all I could ask for and exactly what I was looking for.
Earlier that morning, I rode a couple of other bikes, metrics. All very nice, but there's just something about an HD that keeps me coming back for more.
Plus, considering all the aftermarket options out there, I believe I'll start by adding a full system exhaust, tuner, air intake, and take it from there. The added power should more than suffice my commuting and short trip needs.
Thank you all for your informed opinions, they made a difference in my decision making process, to say the least.
Now, to uncork the thing, and start making it my own.
Again, thank you all so much.
I've had my Sportster about seven years and I bought a Fatboy back in April. I didn't move up. I got a bike that was better suited for different type of riding. You aren't trading down. You're trading for well founded reasons.
I sold my 05 Ultra and a 95 1500 Goldwing and went to my Dyna. Don't miss either as getting older and slightly weaker and I figure for the most part my LONG distance days are over. I can easily do 4-500 a day on the Dyna if need be.
Do what you gotta do; that's all there is to it. Me personally, I don't think I'll ever trade down until I'm too old to muster my Street Glide around. That said I ride the Wife's Vulcan 900 on short rides, & will get her a Sportster again when she's ready & the finances are there. Which will be nice for me, as I'll want to ride her bike too lol.
I didn't trade any of my big irons on it, but picked up a like new 72 cheap. I've been on my RK for one weekend - long club run up the coast - since I got the Sporty. I love this little thing. Handles like my Buell, probably faster than my 103 and 96 once Stage 1 complete, and just looks cool as hell. I'm likely going to pick up a second one when I run across another deal since my old lady loves it too. She hasn't been on her Victory bagger since we bought the Gremlin .
Just because it is a smaller, lighter, less expensive bike doesn't necessarily mean trading down.
I'm a littled biased when it comes to Sportsters if no one could tell. I've owned more than one since the 70's and now I have a Fatboy to but would never give up my Sportster.
I didn't reflect upon my original post topic that much and feel the need to clarify; it's not that I feel that I've traded "down" as in going from a great motorcycle to a lesser motorcycle, by any measure. I meant it just as to the sheer size of one bike vs the other.
"Down" not to mean downgrade, just down in size, weight, cost to operate, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm TOTALLY cool with my swap, and feel, as other have mentioned, that i'm now on a bike that BETTER suits my current riding scenario. So all's cool.
I'm attaching the only picture I have of the bike, taken in the dealership parking lot.
As you can see, it's plain Jane, bone stock all the way [for now].
Planning on starting the uncorking process ASAP, since winter probably won't hinder my riding much [Cali perk].
Congrats, enjoy the Iron.. I feel the same on power with mine, perfect to commute. The Iron ergos are excellent, I did put forwards on mine since i'm 6 foot but that's it!
10-26-2016, 10:17 AM
