883 vs 1200 longevity
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 17
From: Florida
883 vs 1200 longevity
Obviously the 1200 has more power, but does that come with a price?
1) The 1200 has thinner walled cylinders and larger pistons.
2) pushes more power through the clutch and tranny.
3) Possibly runs hotter.
The 883 is geared lower, so at any one speed the 883 is probably running at a higher RPM.
Maintenance I know is key, but assuming everything is absolutely the same for both bikes, is it safe to assume the 883 will have less wear?
at 70MPH the 883 is turning ~3,500 rpm
At 70MPH the 1200 is turning ~3,300 RPM
The 1200 can go 124 MPH where as the 883 can hit 108 at redline
The 1200 is obviously more fun, but does the thicker cylinder wall and smaller piston equate to a more durable engine in the long run?
1) The 1200 has thinner walled cylinders and larger pistons.
2) pushes more power through the clutch and tranny.
3) Possibly runs hotter.
The 883 is geared lower, so at any one speed the 883 is probably running at a higher RPM.
Maintenance I know is key, but assuming everything is absolutely the same for both bikes, is it safe to assume the 883 will have less wear?
at 70MPH the 883 is turning ~3,500 rpm
At 70MPH the 1200 is turning ~3,300 RPM
The 1200 can go 124 MPH where as the 883 can hit 108 at redline
The 1200 is obviously more fun, but does the thicker cylinder wall and smaller piston equate to a more durable engine in the long run?
Last edited by 1HD4CJM1X4K; Aug 23, 2016 at 02:09 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,644
Likes: 1,385
From: North Central WV
Rode a 1200 for 31K before trading.
Ran just as strong as the day I bought it.
ZERO ISSUES!
You are OVERTHINKING as mentioned above.
99% of 883 owners I've known wish they had bought a 1200 instead.
Ran just as strong as the day I bought it.
ZERO ISSUES!
You are OVERTHINKING as mentioned above.
99% of 883 owners I've known wish they had bought a 1200 instead.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Blue printing an engine: thinner sharper edges get hot spots.
Valves: New, thicker valves run cooler, but once you grind the valves they get hotter (Especially at the edges).
Headers: Thinner chrome headers discolor.
Opinion: thicker cylinder walls will take more heat, not heat more.
Opinion: Thicker walls should run cooler and dissipate heat more evenly.
But, I was asking for opinions and yours is just as valid..
Have heard of more high mileage 883's, even though the 1200 is more popular.
I really do not have an opinion, but sometimes it is good to ponder your decisions, weigh your options and consider the possibilities..
Been riding my 883 a lot.
Took a couple of joy rides to Tallahassee from the gulf coast panhandle just to check mileage and have some fun.
Just a tad over 60 MPG
New bike to me, testing out the fun factor.
~ 320 miles round trip.. ~6 hours per trip
Last edited by 1HD4CJM1X4K; Aug 23, 2016 at 06:56 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 48
From: North Carolina
I'm the 1% happy with 883, and I've owned a 1200 custom, a 96 twin cam and a 103 twin cam ... On my second iron and I love the 883 more the second time around
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 853
Likes: 19
From: Melbourne
I'm part of the 1% that loves the 883 I bought and would never swap or trade it for a 1200. If I want more speed I'll bolt a turbo on the side which will then allow me to blow away 883's and 1200's and most Twinks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,087
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I don't think cylinder wall thickness matters much here. It's more a matter of proper maintenance that's the key.
The cylinder wall thickness is probably very close between the 883 and 1200. I don't think they're the same jugs with different bore.
The cylinder wall thickness is probably very close between the 883 and 1200. I don't think they're the same jugs with different bore.
Last edited by RKZen; Aug 23, 2016 at 08:20 PM. Reason: Typo
Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 359
Likes: 56
From: Dallas
Brake Rotors: Thinner gets hotter, brakes fade.
Blue printing an engine: thinner sharper edges get hot spots.
Valves: New, thicker valves run cooler, but once you grind the valves they get hotter (Especially at the edges).
Headers: Thinner chrome headers discolor.
Opinion: thicker cylinder walls will take more heat, not heat more.
Opinion: Thicker walls should run cooler and dissipate heat more evenly.
But, I was asking for opinions and yours is just as valid..
Have heard of more high mileage 883's, even though the 1200 is more popular.
I really do not have an opinion, but sometimes it is good to ponder your decisions, weigh your options and consider the possibilities..
Been riding my 883 a lot.
Took a couple of joy rides to Tallahassee from the gulf coast panhandle just to check mileage and have some fun.
Just a tad over 60 MPG
New bike to me, testing out the fun factor.
~ 320 miles round trip.. ~6 hours per trip
Blue printing an engine: thinner sharper edges get hot spots.
Valves: New, thicker valves run cooler, but once you grind the valves they get hotter (Especially at the edges).
Headers: Thinner chrome headers discolor.
Opinion: thicker cylinder walls will take more heat, not heat more.
Opinion: Thicker walls should run cooler and dissipate heat more evenly.
But, I was asking for opinions and yours is just as valid..
Have heard of more high mileage 883's, even though the 1200 is more popular.
I really do not have an opinion, but sometimes it is good to ponder your decisions, weigh your options and consider the possibilities..
Been riding my 883 a lot.
Took a couple of joy rides to Tallahassee from the gulf coast panhandle just to check mileage and have some fun.
Just a tad over 60 MPG
New bike to me, testing out the fun factor.
~ 320 miles round trip.. ~6 hours per trip
People that buy the 883 probably have a more laid back temperament about riding and therefore bought the 883 (although these are just my personality analysis).
I learned about running lean the hard way (after letting the dealership tune the bike after a 1200 conversion) and seeing the plugs ash white. Didnt hurt as thing after 2-3 thousand miles as such (didnt help and probably hurt a bit but I dont notice anything except more power after a new tune that I did) and I fell these motors are pretty durable. Sure they may need to be rebuilt every so often but I never hear of them permanently being damaged.
My 2 cents but I am not an expert by any means. I just appreciated your thought process approaching the question. Although i think you may have underestimated the built in longevity to these motors.
My dad worked at Mack Trucks and always said everything was overbuilt because American engineers dont want their part to break in a design. Just food for thought.