Love the Iron look, feel but I also love the 48 style w the 1200cc engine. I can find 883 decently priced, 1200 not so much. I know that the stock 883 engine produces somewhere between 55hp/74torque. The 1200 about 79hp/107 which is significantly better. However, I have also come across nightsters decently prices but a lil older 07 etc. I would prefer to buy a bike in the 2010/11 year, CASH and be done.

Been considering just buying the Iron w the 883 and upgrade the engine later but thats an additional expense, somewhere in the range of $1600 to 2k upgrade EXTRA! I can find Irons for $6600 2010/11 models. 48 for $8500/8800/9200 48 are EXTREMELY hard to find. Dealers want way too much because they are listing it at a premium so the only way that I will buy is privately owned..

I already own a Street Glide, no problems there but I'm looking for a nice decent bike for City enjoyment that way I won't beat up my Street Glide in this crappy pot hole city of Chicago w major traffic and horrible streets. Lets not forget, HORRIBLE drivers! I already have 18k miles on my SG

I may just give in and by the Iron and be done... Most of them are somewhat modified w pipes, intake, drag bars, bobber seat, etc... So Everytime that I do some major work on my SG or service, I don't have a bike so I would like to have something to kill my time with and not be without a bike. Also, a bike that my fiance will enjoy.. Or "MAYBE" wait and get the 1200 and truly be done... Decisions, decisions... Some female riders prefer the 1200 48, some say that the Iron is top heavy but what do I know, I don't have an issue w my manly powers lol...

So what do you guys think? Help me make my decision a lil easier and better... Thanks~

 

I also own a Street Glide and I just bought an 883 for my wife to ride, and can tell you that if I were to be riding it a lot I would get the 1200. Honestly my 883 is a dog compared to my Street Glide. Granted my Glide is modded and the Sportster is stock. I would suggest riding a couple sporty's. I did and was surprised at how small they feel after riding the Street Glide for the last 4 years. I had a 1200 converted Sporty about 10 years ago and it was a blast.

 

Are you going to want/need the extra HP of the 1200?

Do you want to do the work, spend the $ and do a 1250 kit in the future?

I'd suggest the Nightster, lots have low miles, put a few dollars in to upgrade to the seat, bars, exhaust that you want.

 

If you don't get the 1200 you'll regret it

 

if the only reason you're getting another bike is for you to ride around town without much highway riding, get the 883. If you're getting a bike for your wife to ride with you, get the 48.

I bought a 48 new about 2 months ago and its a great bike. I bought the 48 instead of the iron because I needed something I can put my wife on the back of and the iron doesn't cut it in that department.

 

+1. This is the answer.

 

1200 FTW... even if you don't use the power all the time its still fun to have!

Travis

 

first of all, thank you for your duty in the fire dept, that is highly commendable (assuming based of your screenname). i know we talked about this via PM but i'm with some of these guys. to me, might as well get the 1200 right from the go if you can afford. i did the 883 to 1250 conversion on a BRAND new 2013 XL883N and in retrospect, i probably would have opted for a 1200 up front. this is mostly because i am not an experienced mechanic so i've had bumps in the road along the way. i am glad i have the 1250 power now, but the extra money up front to avoid all of the work i have done (which in turn voids most of the warranty i have) would have been worth it. just my 2 cents.

 

Everyone is different and so we have different sizes and models to choose from, you have a Glide why would you want to drop down to a 883? I came off a 95 ci and picked the 1200 which I might add I am extremely happy with, I would say go test ride them, take it down a long street and OPEN her up, if the 883 works for you- buy it, if the 1200 works for you- buy that one instead. If money is a problem then the chick bike might be best..

 

Going to have to agree with this one. If you get an 883, you will always wonder what the 1200 is like. Get the 1200 and you wont care what the 883 is like