883 or 1200?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
RE: 883 or 1200?
Keep an eye out using http://www.craigslist.com. Its a FREE website of classifieds, covering the whole country. Pick a city, search on "harley" or "Sportster" or "Sporty" and then select if you want only ads with pics or not... then, shop away! I made my deal via email, got my questions answered, got more (bigger, better) pics... When I was satisfied, I sent $200 downpayment via paypal and the pickup was scheduled. It all went like clockwork, and I have a bike that I absolutely love.
I got bit by the bug after renting a new Sporty in Mesa, Az for three days last month. Sunday afternoon I picked upmy AWESOME 1996 XL1200 Sporty ~~cost$4000. It alsocame with about $750 worth of additional parts to go with it. Deals are out there, you just have to look around. You are NOT going to find a 'real deal' (low-buck beauty) in a dealership showroom. You have to beat the bushes.
Just as background, (you HAVE to know what stuff is worth in order to know if you're getting a good deal or not.) I had been to the dealer in St. Paul Minnesota a couple weeks kicking tires(before I found my deal in the Milwaukee, Wis. Craigslist...)... Talk about sticker-shock! yikes... The same exact bike as I bought wasin the dealership ~ and itwasselling for $7495! I could not believe it.
The bottom line: There are a LOT of bargains out there. And, I bet there are two 883s listed for every 1200.... Not sure why, but I have heard of a lot of people upgrading 883s to 1200 after they ride them awhile. There must be a reason for that.
But, either version will get you going, and (trust me) I wanted a 1200 when I was looking. But again, there are a BOATLOAD (and I do mean BIG BOAT) of 883s on the used market in the $4000 price range... Get the biggest and best YOU CAN AFFORD and be HAPPY!
Here is a pic of my bike.... good luck and happy hunting!
[IMG]local://upfiles/30019/185BCB9ACEA748468B7AFCFDF6DB8B08.jpg[/IMG]
I got bit by the bug after renting a new Sporty in Mesa, Az for three days last month. Sunday afternoon I picked upmy AWESOME 1996 XL1200 Sporty ~~cost$4000. It alsocame with about $750 worth of additional parts to go with it. Deals are out there, you just have to look around. You are NOT going to find a 'real deal' (low-buck beauty) in a dealership showroom. You have to beat the bushes.
Just as background, (you HAVE to know what stuff is worth in order to know if you're getting a good deal or not.) I had been to the dealer in St. Paul Minnesota a couple weeks kicking tires(before I found my deal in the Milwaukee, Wis. Craigslist...)... Talk about sticker-shock! yikes... The same exact bike as I bought wasin the dealership ~ and itwasselling for $7495! I could not believe it.
The bottom line: There are a LOT of bargains out there. And, I bet there are two 883s listed for every 1200.... Not sure why, but I have heard of a lot of people upgrading 883s to 1200 after they ride them awhile. There must be a reason for that.
But, either version will get you going, and (trust me) I wanted a 1200 when I was looking. But again, there are a BOATLOAD (and I do mean BIG BOAT) of 883s on the used market in the $4000 price range... Get the biggest and best YOU CAN AFFORD and be HAPPY!
Here is a pic of my bike.... good luck and happy hunting!
[IMG]local://upfiles/30019/185BCB9ACEA748468B7AFCFDF6DB8B08.jpg[/IMG]
RE: 883 or 1200?
With the older model Sportsters it's worth noting that they don't have rubber engine mounting pre-2004. Not having rubber mounts makes for a vibratious (is that a word?), rough ride. Also they will most likely be carborated which is good or bad depending on how you stand on the issue.
Keep in mind, engine size isn't a huge factor, make sure you get a bike that fits you stylisticly and physically.
I'm 6'5" @ 205 lbs and the '900' has more than enough power, hell not winding out the gears my 883R does 0-80 in 4 gears with one to spare in about 1/8-1/4 mile. So really cranking on her I bet I could hit 100 in 4th gear, and probably 120+ through 5th.
Keep in mind, engine size isn't a huge factor, make sure you get a bike that fits you stylisticly and physically.
I'm 6'5" @ 205 lbs and the '900' has more than enough power, hell not winding out the gears my 883R does 0-80 in 4 gears with one to spare in about 1/8-1/4 mile. So really cranking on her I bet I could hit 100 in 4th gear, and probably 120+ through 5th.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883 or 1200?
I would make sure I at least went 04 or later for the rubber mounted thing. If you read pwnzilla forum you will see for some reason poeple look down on 883 owners always asking when your going to move up. It's a Harley either way. I am 5'2 about 115 pounds and have a 06 1200 LOW . The bigger gas tanks are a BIG plus on the newer Sportsters as well.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Gray, Ga
RE: 883 or 1200?
Thanks everybody for the replies. I looked at several more883s and another 1200yesterday. The 2000 883 for $4k needed some work. It had a pretty good oil leak on the head, valves were raising he**, and had NO upgrades. The others I looked at just didn't do anything for me for their prices. I have been looking for a while and decided on the 1200 Custom as the stealership. I payed $5800 + 500 for the warranty (since its used and I don't know anything about the bike) and taxes...its a nice bike. The controls are moved forward, has a two-up seat with back rest, extra chrome, windshield, custom HD paintand more.
I love it so far......
I love it so far......
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883 or 1200?
Keep looking for a 1200. Your price is too high. The 883 is nice but you will want the 1200 very soon. 883 is less because its an 883 and has poor resale value. I bot. a 97 1200 with 4000 miles for 4800.00 and its cherry. Keep looking in the local paper.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
RE: 883 or 1200?
Don't worry about the resale value unless you plan on buying a bike just to sell it. Never understood why anyone cared about that but then again I usually always keep my vehicles until they fall apart.
RE: 883 or 1200?
I just bought an 883R last week and got to ride it for two days until an oil leak started and its back in the shop, but in the mean time the dealer loaned me a used 1200C with SE II's, forward controls, and some extra chrome trim...so I've had the "privllage" to ride both bikes in the last two weeks. I honestly like my 883 better than the 1200, the 1200 does have more power but I dont think it's enough to warrant making or breaking your purchasing decision off of (and this 1200C is ugly...).
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 2
From: central WI
RE: 883 or 1200?
On the Mustang analogy big and small v-8 isnt even accurate since the difference is more than just bore. I have a 67 with a 289 and a bored and mildly built 390 in a 4x4, I considered putting the big block in the stang but the 289 is plenty quick and much lighter I want to keep my handling. For sportys I say either 883 or 1200 even though I got a 1200.
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