Soon to be new Harley Rider
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,193
From: Maryland
I've never seen so many people complain about somebody else buying an 883, and I hang out with all jap bike builders. The OP didn't ask if he should get a 1200, he's asking opinions on intake and exhaust, who cares where he spends his money. No matter what bike he gets, guess what he'll want to do first, you got it, intake and exhaust.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Other than that, most people aren't going to notice the "big" difference between a 2-1 or 2-2 exhaust, no matter what they say. Your best option is to get what looks and sounds good to you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,528
Likes: 12,142
From: Indianapolis
BTW, in my post where I said "run away from" I assumed everyone would realize I was talking about acceleration, NOT top end.
there's a big difference between 2-2 and a quality 2-1. Junk like the v&h/rsd slant and sik pipe 2-1s arent worth boxes they ship in other than looking cool to the uninitiated.
i, personally, think a stage 1 on an 883 is a waste of money. Spend that on a 1200 upgrade. You'll see better results with the same money. Why spend 1000+ for 5%-10% more when you could get that and more for the same bacon? Not everyone want to hear or do that so.... and not every stage one needs to cost 1000+. A big sucker cost 100, a decent tuner is 350-400. 2nd hand pipes are all over. Really depends on the person.
Last edited by cvaria; Sep 7, 2017 at 07:15 AM.
Nothing wrong with being happy with the power the 883 has but, be real and honest. It will do 120+ but, will take a while to get there. The guy in the video gave up at 103.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 13
From: Midwest, USA
I say ride it stock for a while and then decide.
I did the 883/1200 thing, ended up sticking a lot of money into it, and ended up losing a lot when I sold it.
I rode it for a long time, so the money wasn't really lost. It was used for fun over a period of years.
I also think a 1200 conversion will give you more bang for your buck.
You'd be quicker than a stock 1200 that way because of the gearing.
No advice for you on pipes here, because I think loud pipes suck.
Be sure to post some pics when you get the bike.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
😏 look at the needle in that vid.... where does it start struggling? That's the reason i hopped mine up. It was unsafe on i95 where folks are averaging 90+ where cops arent sitting.
Nothing wrong with being happy with the power the 883 has but, be real and honest. It will do 120+ but, will take a while to get there. The guy in the video gave up at 103.
Nothing wrong with being happy with the power the 883 has but, be real and honest. It will do 120+ but, will take a while to get there. The guy in the video gave up at 103.
no disagreement here.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,528
Likes: 12,142
From: Indianapolis
😏 look at the needle in that vid.... where does it start struggling? That's the reason i hopped mine up. It was unsafe on i95 where folks are averaging 90+ where cops arent sitting.
Nothing wrong with being happy with the power the 883 has but, be real and honest. It will do 120+ but, will take a while to get there. The guy in the video gave up at 103.
Nothing wrong with being happy with the power the 883 has but, be real and honest. It will do 120+ but, will take a while to get there. The guy in the video gave up at 103.
I have very limited experience with Harley Davidson, I will admit that but... From my experience with my 883 and my son's 883, that bike in the video is a slug. Either it's been flogged to death, it needs tuned, something...
The little 234cc Rebel I had would do 80 mph, it took a while to get there but it would do it. I just don't buy a 883cc bike will struggle to go much faster than a Rebel. My experience doesn't bear that out either.
As far as traffic, in the 40+ years I've been riding/driving, I never have let traffic dictate my speed whether I'm in a cage or on a bike. You don't like the speed I'm riding/driving, go around me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,193
From: Maryland
i, personally, think a stage 1 on an 883 is a waste of money. Spend that on a 1200 upgrade. You'll see better results with the same money. Why spend 1000+ for 5%-10% more when you could get that and more for the same bacon? Not everyone want to hear or do that so.... and not every stage one needs to cost 1000+. A big sucker cost 100, a decent tuner is 350-400. 2nd hand pipes are all over. Really depends on the person.
Once that 1200/1250 conversion is done, don't you think he'll want new pipes and intake to go along with it? So really in that regard, buying it now or later doesn't really matter. Same goes for a tuner if opted for. Sure, it will probably need a re-tune after conversion - but so what? If he gets to have some fun (enjoyment) now with new pipes and intake, then it's probably worth it. Who knows, he may decide to never do a conversion and leave it as is.