is an 883 enough?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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RE: is an 883 enough?
ORIGINAL: pjweber
Whatever you decide, sign up for a safety course, it will be the best money you ever spend.
Whatever you decide, sign up for a safety course, it will be the best money you ever spend.
So it looks like the 1200 would be the better bet, after all. Just wasn't sure. Thanks for all the input, guys.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
RE: is an 883 enough?
All very good points, however, you can get an 883 that will keep up with your buddies for less $$$ than a 1200. ( may take a few ticks more to get there though, but who cares ) If you spend the extra difference in $$$ on a 1200 kit, you'll have a 1200 that will eat the other 1200's at will. ( ask me how i know ) As for the 883 hauling you around, sure, it will take you anywhere you want to go. It will have enough power, comfort is another matter though.
Either way you go, 883 or 1200, there are so many products on the market that you can make it into whatever style bike you want, long distance ... no problem, bar hopper ... got it covered, show stopper ... yes you can, rat bike ... can do that too, or anything inbetween.
I wouldn't worry about an 883 hauling you, it will with no trouble. If you're going to buy a bike, get the one that YOU want, not the one that makes others happy, they don't have to ride the thing, or pay for it.
Get what you like, take the MFS course, ride happy.
Either way you go, 883 or 1200, there are so many products on the market that you can make it into whatever style bike you want, long distance ... no problem, bar hopper ... got it covered, show stopper ... yes you can, rat bike ... can do that too, or anything inbetween.
I wouldn't worry about an 883 hauling you, it will with no trouble. If you're going to buy a bike, get the one that YOU want, not the one that makes others happy, they don't have to ride the thing, or pay for it.
Get what you like, take the MFS course, ride happy.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Oro Valley, AZ
RE: is an 883 enough?
+1 on the safety course. I bought my 1200n as my first bike. Basicly I broke all the rules, I bought a big bike that was brand new. I love it, it has great power and smooth acceleration. Buy one, take it out in a vacant parking lot and get used to the clutch/throttle and you will be good to go. Hope you enjoy what you pick, and let us know which way you went.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: is an 883 enough?
The various "Basic Riding Courses" are a good starting point, much like the Drivers Ed course they offer to beginning drivers in High School.
You will learn the basics, but common sense and actual on the road experience will teach you to become a better rider.
The first new Harley I ever purchased was a 1972 FX SuperGlide, and back in those days the various MSF training courses were not available. You learned to ride one way, by riding with some of the 'old timers' and soaking up things they learned over the years.
Common sense and time on the road will go a long way in allowing someone to become a better rider.
The most dangerous riders out there are the people that have a little riding time under their belts, feel that they know everything, and ride beyond their limited abilities.
You will learn the basics, but common sense and actual on the road experience will teach you to become a better rider.
The first new Harley I ever purchased was a 1972 FX SuperGlide, and back in those days the various MSF training courses were not available. You learned to ride one way, by riding with some of the 'old timers' and soaking up things they learned over the years.
Common sense and time on the road will go a long way in allowing someone to become a better rider.
The most dangerous riders out there are the people that have a little riding time under their belts, feel that they know everything, and ride beyond their limited abilities.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 2
From: Appling GA
RE: is an 883 enough?
wow! I am 165 and 5-7 and the 1200sporty barely has enuff **** to keep me happy, I guess its all relative
ORIGINAL: mid_life_crisis
Im 6' 1' and weigh in about 300 and my 883 hauls butt and can keep up with the bigger bikes. We ride in the mountains here in Va (actually the foot hills) and I dont have to gear down anymore than anyone else. They might win the drag race off the line or get to 60mph 1/2 second faster than I do but who cares.........Only regret I have and its not much is.........wish I had of got a dyna or something a lil bigger than a sporster for the longer trips......but we try to stop every hour or so its not too bad
wayne
Im 6' 1' and weigh in about 300 and my 883 hauls butt and can keep up with the bigger bikes. We ride in the mountains here in Va (actually the foot hills) and I dont have to gear down anymore than anyone else. They might win the drag race off the line or get to 60mph 1/2 second faster than I do but who cares.........Only regret I have and its not much is.........wish I had of got a dyna or something a lil bigger than a sporster for the longer trips......but we try to stop every hour or so its not too bad
wayne
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From:
RE: is an 883 enough?
The 883 should be fine - I took mine on a 700 mile weekend last month and had no problem keeping up with my buddy on an Ultra Electraglide.I bought the 883 thinking I'd use it mostly for local riding (I'm planning to buy a touring bike for longer trips - although the sportster did fine on the last 1 up trip). Either sportster (883 or 1200) can go pretty much anywhere 1 up, and eventhe 883 can handle 2 up for short rides (1200 would be better2up). That being said, if the money isn't an issue, buy the 1200 - it will handle much like an 883 but give you more juice. If you plan longer trips 2up, then consider adyna/softail or touring bike.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: southern Va
RE: is an 883 enough?
ORIGINAL: x2lee
wow! I am 165 and 5-7 and the 1200sporty barely has enuff **** to keep me happy, I guess its all relative
wow! I am 165 and 5-7 and the 1200sporty barely has enuff **** to keep me happy, I guess its all relative
ORIGINAL: mid_life_crisis
Im 6' 1' and weigh in about 300 and my 883 hauls butt and can keep up with the bigger bikes. We ride in the mountains here in Va (actually the foot hills) and I dont have to gear down anymore than anyone else. They might win the drag race off the line or get to 60mph 1/2 second faster than I do but who cares.........Only regret I have and its not much is.........wish I had of got a dyna or something a lil bigger than a sporster for the longer trips......but we try to stop every hour or so its not too bad
wayne
Im 6' 1' and weigh in about 300 and my 883 hauls butt and can keep up with the bigger bikes. We ride in the mountains here in Va (actually the foot hills) and I dont have to gear down anymore than anyone else. They might win the drag race off the line or get to 60mph 1/2 second faster than I do but who cares.........Only regret I have and its not much is.........wish I had of got a dyna or something a lil bigger than a sporster for the longer trips......but we try to stop every hour or so its not too bad
wayne
wayne
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From:
RE: is an 883 enough?
I've gpt am 03 883 custom and never had a problem keeping up with the pack. I ride alot with the Patriot Guard and then one day on a whim,I gave it to my son so he could ride with me. He is 6'2 240 lb. Recently went on a long trip and he had no problems keeping up with the 1100. Honda Aace. and he Got around 52mpg. Thats my 2 cents!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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RE: is an 883 enough?
If you want a real Sportster with accurate historical implications, get the 883. If you want a larger motor, why get a 1200? get a Super Glide instead.
I know I'll probably get a lot of flack for saying this, but IMO they shouldn't even call the 1200's "Sportsters" anyway, as far as I'm concerned. A "Sportster XE" or something like that maybe, or perhaps even a "Sportster Glide" or something like that, but not a Sportster, IMO. The 1200's are bigger than the 1100's that came stock with some of the 'Big Twins' of the 70's, and they take away from the original concept that a Sportster was supposed to originally be, IMO.
If you think yougot a small dinkus and you think you therefore have to have a bigger motor all the time to try and compensate for it, well thenget the 1200 if you'll feel your manhood is threatened with the 883.
That's the way I feel about it, and for now anyway, I'm sticking to it.
Okay, line up and take yer shots, 1200 owners...
I know I'll probably get a lot of flack for saying this, but IMO they shouldn't even call the 1200's "Sportsters" anyway, as far as I'm concerned. A "Sportster XE" or something like that maybe, or perhaps even a "Sportster Glide" or something like that, but not a Sportster, IMO. The 1200's are bigger than the 1100's that came stock with some of the 'Big Twins' of the 70's, and they take away from the original concept that a Sportster was supposed to originally be, IMO.
If you think yougot a small dinkus and you think you therefore have to have a bigger motor all the time to try and compensate for it, well thenget the 1200 if you'll feel your manhood is threatened with the 883.
That's the way I feel about it, and for now anyway, I'm sticking to it.
Okay, line up and take yer shots, 1200 owners...
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
RE: is an 883 enough?
My 883 has some engine mods over stock and it has a bit more go than stock, and it's no powerhouse...but - I ride with big twins all the time - mostly new Ultra Classics and Fat Boy's and keep up no problem at all - sometimes even lead. I jump on the highway and throttle right up to 75 mph - not even breathing hard. Do I wish I had more torque sometimes? You bet, but what would it gain me in the real world? Nothing since I would likely want even more than it had.
In the airplane world, we fly single engine piston airplanes that go 160 MPH and wish we could go 200. Then we strap into something that goes 200, and wish we could go 250.
Then I get into a jet that humps along at 380 knots and wish it had more go yet....the point is, no matter what you have for speed and or power, you'll always want more.
Get what you like in a total package and you'll be happy.
In the airplane world, we fly single engine piston airplanes that go 160 MPH and wish we could go 200. Then we strap into something that goes 200, and wish we could go 250.
Then I get into a jet that humps along at 380 knots and wish it had more go yet....the point is, no matter what you have for speed and or power, you'll always want more.
Get what you like in a total package and you'll be happy.