Have both, the '04 1200 is much smoother, but not metric sewing machine smooth. I can tell the difference in the mirrors at 70 between a semi and a car with the 1200. The '00 883... there's something back there. Weight and handling, to me there's more difference between forward and mid pegs, it's going to feel more nimble with mids. I like the larger bike better in twisties because it pulls out of curves better with more power, but otherwise not much difference in handling. What I don't like about either of them is factory shocks; I put some used Road King air shocks on the 1200 and I'd match it against a lot of bigger bikes for comfort now. Still handles fine, too, but I seldom grind the rear muffler on corners. Nearly all used sportsters I've looked at had the same incredibly old Dunlop 401 series tread style, and you'll get an improvement in ride and handling with almost any other tire model whether it's frame bolted or rubber mount. I've never ridden my 883 much over 100 miles, and felt a little buzzed from it, but 100 is just a nice afternoon ride on the rubber mount 1200, even before the air shocks.

 

I had a 1997 883 Sportster up until this august when it had a catastrophic failure on a cross country ride, I replaced it with a 2006 1200C Sportster and continued my ride. My daughter has a 1997 883 and one of my son's has a 2001 1200C. So I have a pretty good basis for comparison.

I think the rubber mount is much smoother, but I really didn't mind the rigid mount engine even on 600 mile days at 75-80 mph on the highway.

if you are planning on spending a lot of time on ling road trips id say the rubber mount is the way to go. I would also go EFI in that situation.

I think the older rigid mounts with the trap door transmission are easier to work on.

so if you like wrenching on your bike and want it mostly for shorter rides get the rigid mount.

 

Thanks so much for the input, EVERYONE! I think ill be going solid mount! Sounds like a little more fun, it will be an even stronger contrast to my fatboy, possibly cheaper to insure, easier to wrench on. Purely for fun bike. Thanks again everyone

 

Next thing is we will need to see photos of your 'new' bike - so don't forget us.....

 

it won't be anytime too soon but I sure will post some pics here.

 

Now is the time to buy a bike. Cold weather, no riding, just after Christmas, people have bills to pay. Two or three months from now will be getting spring time, people will be thinking about riding, prices will go up.

 

My solid mount Sportsters had vibration issues: the tach & speedometer mount cracked, I had trouble keeping highway extension pegs from vibrating loose, and my battery box cracked on my '91 1200. Anyhow, the first time I rode across the railroad track crossing, I fell in love with the heavier rubber mount Sportster.

 

Every bike seems to have it's own personality, and that's true of the vibrations as well as other things. But generally speaking, I've always found the solid mount bikes are pleasant up to 3500rpm or so. 3000-3500 is where they like to be operated. The vibration you get in that rpm range is mild and what little is there, is actually kind of pleasant. Makes the bike feel alive. However, when you get up around 4000, the bars really get to buzzing and you can't see out your mirrors anymore. And it only gets more unpleasant as you go up from there. Again, I'm speaking in generalities, an individual bike may be different.

So for just cruising around at moderate rpm's, the solid mount bikes are fine. In fact, I might even prefer them.

The rubber mount bikes on the other hand are pretty much pleasant all the time. You can wind them up without feeling like your hands are going to vibrate right off the grips. You can see out your mirrors no matter how fast you're going.

And take to heart what hammer6315 says above. The vibrations cause things to crack and come loose much more so on the solid mount bikes than the rubber mount bikes. From that point of view, the rubber mount bikes are a reliability enhancement.

Now that there are very good tools for the Delphi EFI, I've come to appreciate it and actually prefer it. It's a good system. It's well proven.

 

I only seen one post about the '03 & earlier transmission door, sure the '04 & later Sportster with it's rubber mount motor is nice & all, but do you know that on a '04 & later Sportster you have to remove the motor and split the cases in order to work on the transmission? Basically Harley made a throw away bike, a gasket kit alone will run you about a $100 just for the gasket's & at around a $100 per hour for a dealer to work on your bike, we;; you might as well throw it away and buy a new bike! A '03 and older you can still remove the transmission with the motor still in the frame! I'm old School and would like to be able to work on my bike!