883 = Red Headed Step Child??
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883 = Red Headed Step Child??
I hear you on the comparison of the 883 & 1200. I have an '06 883C and I enjoy it. I intend to get the conversion for it also.The bike is proportioned with my height and weight but I want more power out of it. By the way, how does that La Pera solo seat feel? I have been looking at getting it or the Corbin.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883 = Red Headed Step Child??
I have an 883 xl as my only ride, and I'm happy with it. One of the overlooked differences is the gearing. The 883 has pretty short gearing compared to the 1200, (The primary ratio and the final drive ratios are shorter.) This makes for a bike that always sounds and feels like it can use a 6th gear. To prove the point in my feeble mind's thinking, I purchased a 30t engine belt pulley (stock is 28t) for about $65 (WORTH IT!) and then did a before-after with my GPS mounted on the bars. Before- bike would rip right up to 103mph and the rev-limiter would kick in. After- Bike hits 110mph and it alters the speeds at which the engine buzzes. Now I can do 75 with everything rock steady. It's NO harder to take off from a light, and on a whole, the bike feels like it has longer legs. IF I did the 1200 conversion, I would also up the primary drive ratio to 1200 spec- right now, I'm happy with it. To sum up, the bike now goes 1.07 times as fast at a given engine rpm, OR the engine rpm has been reduced by 7% at any given MPH.
I think of 883s as teasers. I probably couldn't afford a Sporty unless the 883 xl existed, so now I'm in the fold (HAPPILY)- I'm sure the same is true for a LOT of people. 883's say, "Go ahead... TRY me!" Who can resist? I am MOST definitly NOT ASHAMED of owning an 883. Nope.
I think of 883s as teasers. I probably couldn't afford a Sporty unless the 883 xl existed, so now I'm in the fold (HAPPILY)- I'm sure the same is true for a LOT of people. 883's say, "Go ahead... TRY me!" Who can resist? I am MOST definitly NOT ASHAMED of owning an 883. Nope.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883 = Red Headed Step Child??
I have an '05 883C and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for any other model. I usually get 60 m.p.g. I read an article last week about Sporster history that said when H-D came out with the Model K in 1952, they later upgraded the engine size to 883. Kind of interesting that even though they designed the new overhead valve engine for the new 1957 Sportster , and they could have made it a different size, they stayed with 883. 883's rock.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: 883 = Red Headed Step Child??
ORIGINAL: jedsporty883
I have an '05 883C and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for any other model. I usually get 60 m.p.g. I read an article last week about Sporster history that said when H-D came out with the Model K in 1952, they later upgraded the engine size to 883. Kind of interesting that even though they designed the new overhead valve engine for the new 1957 Sportster , and they could have made it a different size, they stayed with 883. 883's rock.
I have an '05 883C and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for any other model. I usually get 60 m.p.g. I read an article last week about Sporster history that said when H-D came out with the Model K in 1952, they later upgraded the engine size to 883. Kind of interesting that even though they designed the new overhead valve engine for the new 1957 Sportster , and they could have made it a different size, they stayed with 883. 883's rock.
Here is a little history;
The 1952 "K" engine had a displacement of 45.12 CI (739cc) and produced 30 HP.
In 1954 the engine stroke was increased to 4 9/16" in the "KH" model, giving a displacement of 54.2 CI (888cc).
When the Sportster was introduced in 1957 the Ironhead engine had a displacement of 55 CC. Although the actual size was 901cc it is commonly called the "900cc Ironhead".
In 1972 the Ironhead was increased in size to 61 CI (999.6cc), was is commonly known as the 1,000cc Ironhead.
The first 883cc engine was introduced in 1986 when Harley scrapped the Ironhead and started using the 883cc and 1,100cc EVO engines in the Sportsters.
In 1988 the 1,100 EVO engine was increased in size to it's current 1,200cc size, and up to the current day Sportsters are still available with either the 883cc or 1,200cc EVO's.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: 883 = Red Headed Step Child??
ORIGINAL: squintbo
The Sporty is the oldest contining model Harley produces, so I guess you could say it's the only 'true' Harley. [8D])
The Sporty is the oldest contining model Harley produces, so I guess you could say it's the only 'true' Harley. [8D])
But what about the "FL" series bikes, which are still in production?
They were first introduced way back in 1941, long before the Sportster.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 1
From:
RE: 883 = Red Headed Step Child??
ORIGINAL: RedSquid
I hear you on the comparison of the 883 & 1200. I have an '06 883C and I enjoy it. I intend to get the conversion for it also.The bike is proportioned with my height and weight but I want more power out of it. By the way, how does that La Pera solo seat feel? I have been looking at getting it or the Corbin.
I hear you on the comparison of the 883 & 1200. I have an '06 883C and I enjoy it. I intend to get the conversion for it also.The bike is proportioned with my height and weight but I want more power out of it. By the way, how does that La Pera solo seat feel? I have been looking at getting it or the Corbin.