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People who say things like "It's a girlie bike" are just trying to get under your skin and put you down. It's an 883cc bike for crying out loud, that's not a small bike. Sportsters are a damn nice motorcycle. Don't let anyone put down your bike.
I had a 750 Honda back in the late 70's That was considered a big bike back then.
How tall are you and (roughly) how much do ya weigh?
I'm not gonna blow sunshine up your ***: the 883 is designed for smaller people. But if it fits, it fits.
I was at a local dealership yesterday and I sat on one. I'm 6'2" and close to 300#. It felt like a mini-bike. And people were laughing and cracking jokes about how silly I looked on it.
A couple of people have mentioned loved ones that are my size riding 883s and, without forward controls, I cant imagine why they would put themselves through that.
But, if it fits, feels right and makes you smile when you look at it - then its the right bike for you.
I think the 883 Iron is a very cool bike and I seriously considered buying one. However, being 6 feet tall I found the 883 to be rather uncomfortable...very much a "knees under chin" sort of feeling. Forward controls would perhaps be an option, but I prefer mids as they give me a greater sense of control. So, for me, the Dyna was the way to go.
If the 883 fits you, however, it's perfectly appropriate. And as someone above noted (or at least implied), 883 CCs is only a "small" engine when compared to other Harleys. By any objective standard, it's a pretty big engine for a motorcycle.
Back in the '60's, other than a "Harley 74", an 883cc, 55 cubic inch Harley-Davidson Sportster was one of the biggest motorcycles in the world.
Today, at 575 pounds, it's 120 pounds heavier than a 180 BHP 180 MPH BMW S1000RR, and a higher center of gravity than an 815 pound Road King. Anybody who says a Sportster is a beginner's bike is an idiot, and anybody who says it's a girl's bike is a tool.
Unless they're a friend of yours, and then you get to smile and tell them to go eff themselves.
Obviously, you shouldn't give a rat's patoot what anybody thinks. Buy what you like, and they can all STFU. If you want to bow to peer pressure, get a 1200.
I run an iron 883, I love it. I don't care what over people think about it. One day I plan on pushing it out to a 1250, but I'm no speed racer so I'm in no rush. Ride what makes you happy.
This was my first HD. Sportster 883 I bought in 1987 for $4,400 when I was 19. Back in these days it was a chain drive 4 speed tranny.
Rode that bike all over the country east of the Mississippi back in those days. Had to stop to fill the tank every 102 miles. 112 on the highway if I was lucky.
I love Sportys. Always will and I never gave a **** about who said what about them. I logged more miles on that bike then most of the people I knew who were riding FLs and FXs.
Last edited by dgdamore; Feb 15, 2015 at 11:00 PM.
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