After considerable introspection, I decided against converting my 2008 Nightster into something more traditional. Instead I'll be trading it in on a two-tone '14 883 Superlow with ABS, my third purchase from Eastside HD in Bellevue, WA.

Now I need to figure out what to do with all those parts I assembled for the conversion.

 

Good choice! Decent tank size, nice paint and good looking as well. It will be interesting to hear your impressions of it. Like most Sporties these days they come with precious little suspension, at least my 2011 did.

 

The 883 2014 Superlow is a nice pick, I will also be waiting for your review on the power drop from the 1200 to the 883 and the difference in running through the gears..

 

Congrats!!that's where I got my 98 sportster too..

 

I'm actually coming from a Dyna, my second bike. It cruises effortlessly at 80, but it's less stable than what I remember of the Nightster.

I remember the Nightster sorely needing a 6th gear on the highway (the Dyna doesn't for ordinary freeway cruising), and I assume the 883 will have issues here, too. Still, folks here rave about their Irons, so highway cruising isn't the be-all.

 

I think the styling of the Iron's is mostly what everyone loves so much, blacked out engine etc. If that is primary reason for going with the 883 superlow why not choose the new 1200 touring if your looking for a sporty more along the "classic" line?

I came from a 13' Iron and now have a 14' 48 and the power difference is pretty drastic between the two bikes. I would certainly suggest taking the 1200 Touring out for a ride as well as the superlow before you make a decision.

Power may not be everything, but there is a noticeable difference from the 883 to the 1200, that being said my blacked out Iron was almost exactly where I wanted it, from a styling aspect I miss it as well as the 3.3 tank but the 48 and its forwards are surprisingly more fun that I expected previously while owning my Iron.

Just food for thought.

 

I would have liked a 1200T, but Eastside doesn't have one with ABS and won't be getting any in anytime soon. They tell me it's not a popular option.

If the 883L is too underpowered, I may have to have a 1200 kit installed.

 

Get them to dealer trade for one with ABS shouldn't be a problem?

 

Interesting observation. How did the Dyna exhibit the lack of stability? I'd think the Sportster would be busier at speed.

 

Both bikes have rubber-mounted engines, with the swingarm attached to the rear of the engine. However the Sporty has Erik Buell's system, with lateral stabilizers, like all the Buell bikes, which gives excellent control and stability at speed. The Dyna system is very different and doesn't have lateral stabilizers on the front and rear rubber mounts, hence the difference between the two bikes. True-Track make a stabilizer kit for Dynas and I had one on my FXDXT, which dramatically improved that bike.

Hope that helps!