883 Iron - does it leak (and should I buy?)
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
883 Iron - does it leak (and should I buy?)
Hi everyone,
I understand that asking whether I should buy a sporty in a sporty forum is a bit funny, but I hope that you'll put yourselves in my shoes and answer to the best of your ability
A little bit about myself: I have Ninja 300 that I use from time to time to commute / trips to the city (15mi from home). This bike is great, reliable, not too fast but not too slow either, comfy enough - but it lacks the looks and sound of an H-D...
The things that are important for me in a bike are:
1. reliability: I don't want to spend time in garages. The bike is a toy (I have an MX5 ND as the main commute tool), and shouldn't be a concern.
2. usability: I'll use the bike for commute, if it means that I'll have to ruin my jeans due to oil leakage that's a big no-no for me...
3. comfort: my lower back hurts from time to time (when I stand or walk for long periods), it never hurts on my miata / ninja. Someone told me that H-Ds are harsh on your back due to the riding position + stiff suspension. what are your experiences? (I'll have a ride to test for myself, but this is a short ride - so I'd like to learn from actual owners)
4. experience: sound and looks (in that order), the Iron 883 pretty much nails it for me.
I'm planning to get a used motorcycle with <10K miles, 2013 model year and above, anything special I should be aware of when looking at bikes?
Thanks!
I understand that asking whether I should buy a sporty in a sporty forum is a bit funny, but I hope that you'll put yourselves in my shoes and answer to the best of your ability
A little bit about myself: I have Ninja 300 that I use from time to time to commute / trips to the city (15mi from home). This bike is great, reliable, not too fast but not too slow either, comfy enough - but it lacks the looks and sound of an H-D...
The things that are important for me in a bike are:
1. reliability: I don't want to spend time in garages. The bike is a toy (I have an MX5 ND as the main commute tool), and shouldn't be a concern.
2. usability: I'll use the bike for commute, if it means that I'll have to ruin my jeans due to oil leakage that's a big no-no for me...
3. comfort: my lower back hurts from time to time (when I stand or walk for long periods), it never hurts on my miata / ninja. Someone told me that H-Ds are harsh on your back due to the riding position + stiff suspension. what are your experiences? (I'll have a ride to test for myself, but this is a short ride - so I'd like to learn from actual owners)
4. experience: sound and looks (in that order), the Iron 883 pretty much nails it for me.
I'm planning to get a used motorcycle with <10K miles, 2013 model year and above, anything special I should be aware of when looking at bikes?
Thanks!
Last edited by oryo; May 6, 2019 at 05:11 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 82
Likes: 15
From: Bristol, CT
Hi everyone,
I understand that asking whether I should buy a sporty in a sporty forum is a bit funny, but I hope that you'll put yourselves in my shoes and answer to the best of your ability
A little bit about myself: I have Ninja 300 that I use from time to time to commute / trips to the city (15mi from home). This bike is great, reliable, not too fast but not too slow either, comfy enough - but it lacks the looks and sound of an H-D...
The things that are important for me in a bike are:
1. reliability: I don't want to spend time in garages. The bike is a toy (I have an MX5 ND as the main commute tool), and shouldn't be a concern.
2. usability: I'll use the bike for commute, if it means that I'll have to ruin my jeans due to oil leakage that's a big no-no for me...
3. comfort: my lower back hurts from time to time (when I stand or walk for long periods), it never hurts on my miata / ninja. Someone told me that H-Ds are harsh on your back due to the riding position + stiff suspension. what are your experiences? (I'll have a ride to test for myself, but this is a short ride - so I'd like to learn from actual owners)
4. experience: sound and looks (in that order), the Iron 883 pretty much nails it for me.
I'm planning to get a used motorcycle with <10K miles, 2013 model year and above, anything special I should be aware of when looking at bikes?
Thanks!
I understand that asking whether I should buy a sporty in a sporty forum is a bit funny, but I hope that you'll put yourselves in my shoes and answer to the best of your ability
A little bit about myself: I have Ninja 300 that I use from time to time to commute / trips to the city (15mi from home). This bike is great, reliable, not too fast but not too slow either, comfy enough - but it lacks the looks and sound of an H-D...
The things that are important for me in a bike are:
1. reliability: I don't want to spend time in garages. The bike is a toy (I have an MX5 ND as the main commute tool), and shouldn't be a concern.
2. usability: I'll use the bike for commute, if it means that I'll have to ruin my jeans due to oil leakage that's a big no-no for me...
3. comfort: my lower back hurts from time to time (when I stand or walk for long periods), it never hurts on my miata / ninja. Someone told me that H-Ds are harsh on your back due to the riding position + stiff suspension. what are your experiences? (I'll have a ride to test for myself, but this is a short ride - so I'd like to learn from actual owners)
4. experience: sound and looks (in that order), the Iron 883 pretty much nails it for me.
I'm planning to get a used motorcycle with <10K miles, 2013 model year and above, anything special I should be aware of when looking at bikes?
Thanks!
1. Reliability: Pretty solid construction but will require tightening and regular maintenance. My two biggest issues are rocker box gaskets and clutch packs. Neither are major and i have seen folks get 20k miles before issue.
2. Usability and Comfort: Great for daily rider, but not a sport bike. Your ninja will probably out corner the iron, but the Harley torque is undeniable from 0-60 mph especially in a straight line. I also have lower back issues and I feel that the riding position is comfortable for an hour or so. I did a 1500 mile trip in 4 days but stopped for many breaks.
3. Looks are very subjective and some folks prefer chrome over black. I am a huge fan of the IRON styling as it resembles the bike club look. The sportster is arguably the easiest bike to customize, so make it your own.
I would definitely buy the bike used and save yourself a few thousand dollars. Do not be surprised if you find 5 year old bikes with under 6k miles for 6 grand or less. Craigslist and FB marketplace has ample stock, be aware for scams. A $2000 2014 iron is too good to be true.
My last note: Unless you are 100% sold on the Iron for looks, consider buying a 1200 sportster. You can buy and install the 1200cc kit, but you will save cash buying a factory 1200 bike. You could get lucky and find a 883 already with the 1200 upgrade.
I cant wait until the new Iron 1200's are 5 grand on CL. I am going to scoop one up!
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Thanks for your reply!
The iron's looks is tailored to my personal preferences - I love the matte black scheme. I thought of getting a 1200 sportster (a colleague of mine is selling his), but I figured that the entire premise of H-D, for me, is the experience from the sound & look prospects. I think that with this considered, I'd rather go down the 883 path and increase to 1200cc if I feel like it down the road.
I don't mind the fact it'll be slower, I'm beyond my "speeding" phase - on the contrary, one of the H-D's pros for me is its lack of performance (compared to a similarly priced sportsbike), Heck, that's why my Ninja is only 300ccs and my car is a Miata and not m240.
The iron's looks is tailored to my personal preferences - I love the matte black scheme. I thought of getting a 1200 sportster (a colleague of mine is selling his), but I figured that the entire premise of H-D, for me, is the experience from the sound & look prospects. I think that with this considered, I'd rather go down the 883 path and increase to 1200cc if I feel like it down the road.
I don't mind the fact it'll be slower, I'm beyond my "speeding" phase - on the contrary, one of the H-D's pros for me is its lack of performance (compared to a similarly priced sportsbike), Heck, that's why my Ninja is only 300ccs and my car is a Miata and not m240.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 57
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
If you've got back problems I'd reconsider the 1200. I rode my buddy's 883 to Sturgis from LA and it damn near vibrated the teeth out of my head. Had to keep it at about 60 for comfortable riding. My 2016 48 doesn't do that unless I'm doing 80 not 60. My bike also has a mustang wide seat with backrest and the backrest is worth its weight in gold for me. I often ride all day on weekends with no discomfort. Get a test ride on both models if at all possible. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
I have 245,000 miles on my 2006 Sporty with 206,000 on the original engine, and any issues I have had were caused by me including the death of the original engine. I feel they are reliable
Mine did have a leaking base gasket and I was losing oil out the breathers so I did have an oil issue, however with over 200K on it I probably could have benefited from new valve guides
Clutch length varies by rider and riding style. I ride mostly highways and get about 65,000 miles out of a clutch. I do know several that got 20K and a few less
If you have mid pegs rather than forwards the riding position is "normal" If you buy a bike with forward controls you can easily install mid controls.
Curious about Kuri's comment regarding the 883 and vibration as I used to tour with a friend with an 883 and he never had those issues. The 883 is geared different but not by much
Mine did have a leaking base gasket and I was losing oil out the breathers so I did have an oil issue, however with over 200K on it I probably could have benefited from new valve guides
Clutch length varies by rider and riding style. I ride mostly highways and get about 65,000 miles out of a clutch. I do know several that got 20K and a few less
If you have mid pegs rather than forwards the riding position is "normal" If you buy a bike with forward controls you can easily install mid controls.
Curious about Kuri's comment regarding the 883 and vibration as I used to tour with a friend with an 883 and he never had those issues. The 883 is geared different but not by much
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 521
From: USA
Its only # 3 comfort.
The stance of an Iron is "special" and to increase comfort you need longer rear shocks, maybe some fork work and maybe even a seat.
They are dependable and don't leak oil.
I treat my 1200N as a rigid frame and put up with the lack of "comfort" so to say.
Good luck with your decision...and makes an excellent commute bike!
The stance of an Iron is "special" and to increase comfort you need longer rear shocks, maybe some fork work and maybe even a seat.
They are dependable and don't leak oil.
I treat my 1200N as a rigid frame and put up with the lack of "comfort" so to say.
Good luck with your decision...and makes an excellent commute bike!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 47
From: Oregon
I just turned 54 years old today and consider myself "beyond my speeding phase". With that being said. I had an 883 that I did some trading to get a 1200 Nightster. While the 883 was a fun bike to ride, I always felt like it lacked power, especially on the freeway. Now thanks to the Nightster I don't feel that way anymore. I'm sure whatever you go with will give you that wind in your face feeling that we all enjoy so much.
Advanced
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 67
Likes: 15
From: Oregon
I've got a 99 Miata and a 883 Sportster so I get the chick car/bike thing The 883 isn't fast, but I really don't feel like I "need" any more power. I may upgrade it at some point just for fun, but it's not a priority. My last bike had double the horsepower and weighed 100 pounds less and I still don't feel like the 883 is under powered for solo riding. Comfort is subjective, but stock was awful for me. I changed out the seat and pegs and I've got plenty of room now. The good news is that you can do just about anything you want to fit it. I mean, there are 6 different peg positions just from Harley without even getting into the aftermarket.
The 883 isn't fast, but I really don't feel like I "need" any more power. I may upgrade it at some point just for fun, but it's not a priority. My last bike had double the horsepower and weighed 100 pounds less and I still don't feel like the 883 is under powered for solo riding. Comfort is subjective, but stock was awful for me. I changed out the seat and pegs and I've got plenty of room now. The good news is that you can do just about anything you want to fit it. I mean, there are 6 different peg positions just from Harley without even getting into the aftermarket.