Hi guys, i'm pretty sure this is the most popular question here, but nevertheless I need your advise.
There are 2 bikes I choosing between:
1) 883 iron (2010)
It's just a perfect looking sportster for me and it's almost new (only 5000miles). Has a lot of additional stuff such as front brake from heritage, double seat, black engine caps and so on. But it's 883... The price here in Russia is 9100$


2) 1200 nightster (2007)
It's cool looking bike too, but to be honest I like the first one more. It's not in perfect condition: 26000 miles, a little bit of rust/some small scratches (nothing serious, but not perfect). The main advantage of course is more powerful engine and also it's a little bit cheaper (8000$)

So I need Your advise and opinion. Most of the time i will use bike for commuting, but this summer i have plan to make a round trip from Russia to France and it's pretty long way (4400 miles). That's why i'm afraid of the lack of power of 883.
p.s sorry for my not perfect english

 

Sounds like you know which one you want.
Wouldn't worry too much about the power, just have fun riding!

 

I think the power of the 883 will surprise you. And it's a great looking bike.

 

If it were me, I'd go with the Iron. Just my opinion but, it's a much better looking bike, has cast wheels and doesn't have those ugly whitewalls. UGH...

If on your trip to France, or anywhere for that matter, if you have a flat tire with spoked rims you're screwed because of the tubes needed to run them. Kind of hard to pull a wheel and replace a tube on the side of the road. At least with cast rims you can plug the tire and continue on. Not the 'safest' thing but you're not stuck somewhere along the road.

Oh and as mikerunsjax said, and the 883 is more than capable of hauling you down the road.

Good luck with whichever one you choose, and ride safe!

 

I'd go with the Nightster - assuming that it's mechanically sound - every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

Ditto T. Being in Russia he probably has less access to stuff for modifying engine and suspension. I think the 1200 would be way more suitable for long distance travel. I rode an 883 to Sturgis and it rattled my teeth from the vibration. Now if he lived here he could fix all the stuff he wanted but there maybe not. Only drawback I see is the spoke wheels unless he likes the look. With the $1100 price difference maybe he could find some cheap cast wheels. Unless the bike was beaten on then 26,000 miles is not a big deal. Plus the guy who owned it first probably fixed any problems that came up.

 

I like the stance of the nightster but not the grey engine covers.
The Iron will do everything you want it to do and I find the gearing better for low speeds as well.
I have the 1200 at home and trying to do 50km I am jumping between 2nd and 3rd.
If I ride my girlfriends Iron 50km is easily managed in 3rd

The Iron is not a small bike, it's just a smaller Harley...people seem to forget that sometimes

Looking at that Iron it hasn't been messed about with too much either which is a good thing

 

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. I have a 2011 883 and the power is fine. I also have other more powerful bikes, but enjoy the Sporty. It is perfectly capable of cruising at 70-90 mph, although I have a windshield which makes doing that more comfortable.

 

I think my opinion might be a little biased.

 

Thanks, guys, for Your advises. Appreciate Your help!