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A lot of good feedback , thanks to all who replied. I like my 883 and have a Super Glide for extended highway rides, I may do the 1200 conversion one day when I get the time. I always said that I want to put some miles on the 883 jugs before I tear into the engine, but I am frugal like that, I use things until they are used up LOL! Im thinking I should ride a 1200 on Demo day at the dealer, but if they don't let me out on the highway with it, I wont get the full gist of the 1200.
Last edited by Super Glidester; Jun 5, 2015 at 08:20 AM.
After owning a 05 XL1200C and selling for 09 FLHX, I always yearned for another Sportster. Ended up taking a 2012 Iron883 for demo and wasn't impressed at all (sorry 883 owners). It was sluggish and gutless...I rode on interstate, highway and back-streets for an hour and decided it wasn't for me. Ended up finding the 03 XL1200S and, other than riding a tad rougher, pulls like my former 05 1200...couldn't be happier. Of course I could've bought 883 and added 1250 kit, but why when I found a semi-rare XL1200S for fraction of price...it's all in what "you" want and find. Enjoy!
Numbers don't lie. Power = torque x RPM, and one gets torque by increasing the force (~bore) or moment arm (~stroke). Oh and bore x stroke equals displacement. So, one can increase power by increasing either torque or RPM or both.
HOWEVER, 883 vs. 1200 is an apples to apples comparison, and I stand by my statement.
Traded a '13 Iron for my '14 Custom. Pre-stage 1, I noticed the difference in power pretty quickly. Comfort on the highway was better with Custom as well. Post-stage 1, no comparison.
My firat bike was an 883 hugger and i learned to ride on the road with that bike. I also had the full opportunity to ride my mother's 1200 something low. My father (who has a lowrider) and I both agree, independently that the 1200 seemed to have less character. It will get you up any hill you need no questuons asked but you felt the piston hit every time. After my hugger got stolen i bought an iron and i love it to death. There are a few times where i thing "man i wish i had a bit more" like when i ride with people from work. But when i rode by myself on windy rodes (not highways like people from work) i get to work that motor hard and i am glad i dont have the 1200. One day ill do the swap but they both have their charm. But i only know the side of the 883 because i didnt enjoy the 1200, it scared me because i knew what i would do with a bike that powerful being 19. I wrote this on my phone so excuse the errors.
I went through Hammer and got a 1250 with new cams and headwork for my 883.
She's even more fun now. I recommend it to anybody that has an 883 and some cash lying around. I'll buy a BT in late 2016 or 2017 or so, just for something different, but this bike is a blast. I have no plans to ever sell it.
My 06' Stage 1 883C I rode until I paid it off. I was offered a 05' 1200C even up for it because of a mileage discrepancy on the title that would be a pain to fix here in PA when my bud was trying to trade it. The guy he traded it to was worried about that and was afraid of the 1200c because it was his 1st cruiser. So he asked me to swap when we delivered the 1200. Let's just say I won't be going back to an 883 ever....I use to think I didn't need anything else. I live on the border of PA & WV and ride the mountain hills. It's a night & day difference. I was just fine on my 883C & would swap with my bud who had a different 1200c because of my seat set up (Sundowner/wide backrest) so he could ride his son on mine and didn't think I really needed it. Now that I own one and ride it a lot there is no way I would go back.
My ex 06' 883c
my current 2005 1200c
Last edited by twisty571; Jun 6, 2015 at 01:20 AM.
Ive had both at the same time and cHarley is spot on. Around town just cruising around, really not that much difference. Even on the interstate, it can easily keep speed loaded or not. Its when you go to pass someone thats doing 58 in a 60...........thats when the grunt of the 1200 is most noticeable to me.
Blue was my 883, if I had kept it at some point I would probably put a 1250 kit in it.
That's the same argument that I've been having with myself. I have a 2009 XL883L that I have set up exactly the way I want it. In terms of performance, the only things I have added was a set of V&H Straight Shots and a Screamin' Eagle Air Cleaner. I thought about the 1250 conversion but my 883 does everything I want/need it to do. If I still lived in South Florida, I would probably have the 1250 conversion done, but I don't think it makes much sense here on Maui. Just out of curiosity approximately how much did the conversion kit cost and did you do the work or have a Harley mechanic put it together? In the meantime:
Ride Safe - Ride Smart
"He Who Lives in Joy does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca.1750's
Owned an 883 for 3 years and test rode several 1200's and about to own one shortly. Night and day difference to me. The 883 really needs to be revved up to get any power. The 1200 just wants to take off at any RPM.
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