883 is it for us
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
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RE: 883 is it for us
First hand experience here...
Took the G/F for a New Years ride on my 883 Low and the ride was ok for a 30 mile ride. I'm 200, she is 150... Dressed heavy for the cold and to be honest, I wasn't that comfortable. Power of the bike was ok, but I don't think I will be making any long trips 2 up.
With warm weather coming and we don't have to dress like Eskimos, it might be more comfortable, but again, I don't think I'll be going on any 200 mile ride 2 up with this bike.
I would look into something a little bigger if you plan on taking any trips...
Took the G/F for a New Years ride on my 883 Low and the ride was ok for a 30 mile ride. I'm 200, she is 150... Dressed heavy for the cold and to be honest, I wasn't that comfortable. Power of the bike was ok, but I don't think I will be making any long trips 2 up.
With warm weather coming and we don't have to dress like Eskimos, it might be more comfortable, but again, I don't think I'll be going on any 200 mile ride 2 up with this bike.
I would look into something a little bigger if you plan on taking any trips...
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 147
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RE: 883 is it for us
I'll add my $0.02
A while back, I had a '93 1200 Sporty, put a nice wide two-up seat on it, and did quite a bit of riding with my wife on the back. Back then, we weighed about what you say you're dealing with.
The 1200 Sporty handled it just fine, and we never had any complaints.
I think the 883 would do it, but you definitely wouldn't have much power to spare. Doing 65mph highway runs, or steep grades might be pushing it's limits though.
A while back, I had a '93 1200 Sporty, put a nice wide two-up seat on it, and did quite a bit of riding with my wife on the back. Back then, we weighed about what you say you're dealing with.
The 1200 Sporty handled it just fine, and we never had any complaints.I think the 883 would do it, but you definitely wouldn't have much power to spare. Doing 65mph highway runs, or steep grades might be pushing it's limits though.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 278
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From: Lafayette, LA
RE: 883 is it for us
You may what to have a look at this thread (on another forum) http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=20912
My sporty got a good 57 mpg before I put new pipes on her (now its down to 54). With my 3.3 gal tank I get around 130 miles before I hit reserve.
You will need to upgrade the seat, especially for your wife, but some great deals can be found on ebay.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
My sporty got a good 57 mpg before I put new pipes on her (now its down to 54). With my 3.3 gal tank I get around 130 miles before I hit reserve.
You will need to upgrade the seat, especially for your wife, but some great deals can be found on ebay.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 899
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From: South Carolina
RE: 883 is it for us
There are lots of people riding around (short and long distances) 2-up on Sportys. Paula and I used to be two of them.
Like so many things in life, whether or not you and your wife would be happy on a Sporty depends on who you and she are. To some people, comfort means something different. One persons comfort is another persons pain.
I was quite happy on the Sporty both when we rode 2-up and when I was solo. Paula was not...though we gave it a good go ( 6 months and lots of miles) we ended up with a Heritage.
Cost wise...it's hard to beat the value of a Sporty. I got an easy 50+ on the highway with the Sporty...I get low 40's with the Heritage. It's funny, I have to stop for gas just about as often as I used to!
Like so many things in life, whether or not you and your wife would be happy on a Sporty depends on who you and she are. To some people, comfort means something different. One persons comfort is another persons pain.
I was quite happy on the Sporty both when we rode 2-up and when I was solo. Paula was not...though we gave it a good go ( 6 months and lots of miles) we ended up with a Heritage.
Cost wise...it's hard to beat the value of a Sporty. I got an easy 50+ on the highway with the Sporty...I get low 40's with the Heritage. It's funny, I have to stop for gas just about as often as I used to!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,021
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RE: 883 is it for us
here's my .02 from an experienced Sportster rider -- I had a 2001 Sporty for 3.5 years, put 16,275 miles on it- - I rode two up on occaision, and it did the trick just fine as it was a 1200 Custom- -I put the touring seat on it, and that made a big difference (HD Sportster premium leather touring seat- 275 bucks)
for the power - - get a 1200- -
If you ride two up for long distance, make sure your both comfortable - -get the touring seat for both of your buTTs...for you, you'll want to be able to stretch out using the forward controls, so I would suggest set it up for touring (yes, you can dress a sporty!) by that I mean highway pegs on an engine guard to stretch out farther....for her, you can get adjustable pegs for the passanger, or install aftermarket floorboards - -
I did that for a while until I could pull the trigger and buy a bigger bike - -
I still miss that bike, wish I could have kept it for hopping around town though! - - take a moment to look at my old Sporty in my gallery!
for the power - - get a 1200- -
If you ride two up for long distance, make sure your both comfortable - -get the touring seat for both of your buTTs...for you, you'll want to be able to stretch out using the forward controls, so I would suggest set it up for touring (yes, you can dress a sporty!) by that I mean highway pegs on an engine guard to stretch out farther....for her, you can get adjustable pegs for the passanger, or install aftermarket floorboards - -
I did that for a while until I could pull the trigger and buy a bigger bike - -
I still miss that bike, wish I could have kept it for hopping around town though! - - take a moment to look at my old Sporty in my gallery!
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 584
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RE: 883 is it for us
I'll put my/our experience in,
I bought an 04 softail standard, it was great once we got a sundowner seat for it. BUT, after 6 months of riding on day trips the wife really loved riding. And we wanted to be able to just do some longer touring. So we ended up trading up and got a nice Roadglide.
You do know Harley will finance ANY Harley new or used. 4K as a down and you can probably find a harley you can both live with. A Dyna or Softail with a BAR king queen seat and you"ll be stylin.
[IMG]local://upfiles/2160/131DEF694ED4466CB4FA1F91478503B7.jpg[/IMG]
I bought an 04 softail standard, it was great once we got a sundowner seat for it. BUT, after 6 months of riding on day trips the wife really loved riding. And we wanted to be able to just do some longer touring. So we ended up trading up and got a nice Roadglide.
You do know Harley will finance ANY Harley new or used. 4K as a down and you can probably find a harley you can both live with. A Dyna or Softail with a BAR king queen seat and you"ll be stylin.
[IMG]local://upfiles/2160/131DEF694ED4466CB4FA1F91478503B7.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 382
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RE: 883 is it for us
I was a Passenger on a few Sportys over the last 25 years. My friend has had severl 1200's and I have done 500 plus miles a day on the back. I was alot younger then. Now I ride my own 1200 Sportster and it is great. My other half and I have ridden 2 up on it and he is 275 and I am 135. We have done a few 6 hour rides and I survived. If you can stretch the dollar go for the 1200. Beware bikes on eBay as I have one and I got 600 miles on it before I had to do a total rebuild. If they are close enough see if you can try it out before you bid.
Penny
[IMG]local://upfiles/4130/1C8ED53884B44C43B3528EF594903CDF.jpg[/IMG]
Penny
[IMG]local://upfiles/4130/1C8ED53884B44C43B3528EF594903CDF.jpg[/IMG]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 2
From:
RE: 883 is it for us
The Sportster is a great bike as is all Harleys. For two up when we stop for gas approx 135 miles , we take a break, and that is on a 1995 1200XL with no rubber mount anything. Tim
Tim
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: Dewey, AZ.
RE: 883 is it for us
If your on a tight budget and still want a Harley, I would get the 1200 custom and equip it to work for you at this point in time. Later on when your ready to upgrade to a bigger and more comfy rig, you will be glad you went with the sporty because it will bring more money back to you when you sell it or trade it in.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: 883 is it for us
OK, here's an off the wall thought. Split your available $4,000 and use it on a down payment for a couple of used 883's. That way, you and your wife can both ride your own bikes. You'll have plenty of power, plenty of room and probably both enjoy the experience more. My wife learned to ride her own scoot a couple of years ago and it has been tremendous for both of us. Good luck in your decision.