Unless something happens and the deal falls through, I have finally sold my Buell XB12 and plan on promptly replacing it with a Sportster. I have regretted buying the Buell ever since I took it out for an extended spin. I did not test ride it before I bought it. I was a new rider and was afraid that I might crash if I had tested one at the local Harley dealership. The Harley salesmen felt pretty much the same way.

The power that the XB12 packs is truly exhilarating. But I didn’t get into this thing to be a speed demon. People tell me not to get a low powered bike or I will want to trade it in six months. But I love Sportsters. The style is very cool. They are lean and fun to ride. The original power cruiser. At this point I have test ridden three – two 1200s and today an 883. The 883 was the most fun. It doesn’t corner like the Buell but I felt like I was riding a classic bike instead of a bullet on two wheels. Rather than applying throttle in short bursts, the power delivery is long and smooth. Maybe because I wasn’t expecting much, the torque down low was suprisingly powerful. I understand that the 883’s top speed is low but I went a hundred miles per hour once on the Buell and felt like a damn fool afterward.

I’m looking for a bike that will be fun on mountain roads and also be comfortable cruising at seventy with my buddies all afternoon. How many of you regret your 883 purchase and wished you had bought something else instead? How many of you still love your 883 after many miles down the road? Thanks ahead of time for any response. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

The 883 will be fine. If you need more power than the 883 offers, then you can get a 1200 and have both comfort and power.

 

I loved my 883. It was a great bike. Again the main reason for trading it is was I love chrome. Lot's of chrome! The added horses was a bonus going to the 1200.

 

I got my 883c the end of August... I have put 2500 miles on it since then... I love it... but... in May I am doing the 1200 conversion to it because I want more power... At 75mph... (I live in MT. that is the speed limit almost everywhere, and most people go WAY faster than that) I fee like it is topped out. I kind of wish I would have started out with the 1200... only because of the speed limit in MT. being what it is....

 

Mine is a 2006 883C. it will carry my fat azz up to 85 with no problems...maybe beyond...I don't try it. I use it to go back and forth to work. It is fun and dependable. I used to think that I wanted a bigger sportster, but I have decided that the 883 is enough...besides, I am an old man now and don't need to be flying around.

 

Speed limit up here is 70 and was out on a nice 2 hour round trip the other day and I was averaging 70-80 but had it to 90 no problem,I am 5'10" 185lbs,I backed off but there was more left,I don't want to push it yet[8D]I am at 499 milesand we are getting a wintery mix for the weekend[:@]I also travel up the mountain to work when I ride and it does awesome,I love it,will get a 1200 upgrade next winter maybe,but working on the loot for stage 1 and AC unit so when it goes in for it's 1000 mile check up it can be done To get my Shadow to 80 it seemd like a takes foreverand that it was gonna blow up[&o]

 

Took my 883C at 80 through hills, passes, what have you; it delivered plenty of nut. Twisters were fun, too. I don't have a lot of experience on a bike (this is my 1st), but it seemed to do great for even my low corner abilities. With practice, I think it would really surprise me.

 

I'm not exactly thin at 250 lbs but I've had my 883C up to 100mph a few times. I normally cruise around 70mph and it does fine. I ride solo and don't need anything faster to be honest but I wanted the 1250 kit thatI am installing just to have evenmore fun.

 

Remember. It's a 883. Not a 250 or 600. It will pretty much handle what you can put it through.

 

okay I will be the killjoy here you have a buell XB12 that thing has I believe 105 hp a 883has about 50hp you need to REALLY think about that... with this being your primary ride I am willing to wager you will be alot more used to that power than you think... the superior handling and braking of that Buell aside realize that you are going from one of the MoCo's premium offerings to its most barebone... I would recommend you look strongly at a 1200, yes you can upgrade a 883 to a 1200 but this costs and the one thing to keep in mind is an 883 even converted will never have the resale value of an 1200. And yes, I used to own a 883 sporty

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