ride the883L ?
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Stage III
Joined: Sep 2005
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ride the883L ?
anyone own the sportster low? i saw one at the local dealer-the bike looks great and the price is right- i'm an average size guy,about 5'10 i've heard these bikes are geared more for the smaller rider but to me low doesnt=short. i dont know anyone that owns one so any comments from anyone that does ride one would be appreciated.thanx in advance
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Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: ride the883L ?
My 883L is 9 weeks old and has almost 3000 miles on it. I am 5' 10", 210 lbs. I've replaced the stock seat with a sundowner and a medium height sissy bar. I did this to get my wife on board. At highway speeds we can chug along at 80 mph with no problems.
Love the bike. Absolutely, Love the bike.
Complaints? The neat thing about owning a Harley is that most of the complaints you have about the bikes can be fixed. I've waited long enough to make sure - but I don't like the center controls and plan on moving them forward in the near future.
(Begin Rant) I'ld like a bigger tank (it comes with a 3.3 galleon already), but not at the exspense of losing the peanut tank. (Anyone know of 4.5 gal. peanut tank?) I love the peanut look. Nothing says Sportster more than the peanut tank. (Rant Over)
The first thing you will need to do is stiffen up the springs in the back end. Harley sets them to their lowest setting, and I was hitting bottom, especially with passenger on board. The ride got hard at slow speeds, by helped the control at faster speeds.
Speed..... The 883L is 1 full inch closer to the ground than any other Sportster. I had to get used to right hand turns - I have dragged the muffler bolts on the front pipe in tight turns. I just had to adjust my driving a little (I lean more than the bike does when I turn right). My wife is right to when she says that if I slowed down I wouldn't have this problem. I have ridden the bike enough to know when I am getting close to the ground now .... But then come to think of it, I have also scraped the foot pegs on the ground in left hand turns.
Maybe I do need to slow down. 
My bike is the black pearl color. I'm going to upload some pictures when I get the SE II's on her. Until then I'm adding the miles.
Love the bike. Absolutely, Love the bike.
Complaints? The neat thing about owning a Harley is that most of the complaints you have about the bikes can be fixed. I've waited long enough to make sure - but I don't like the center controls and plan on moving them forward in the near future.
(Begin Rant) I'ld like a bigger tank (it comes with a 3.3 galleon already), but not at the exspense of losing the peanut tank. (Anyone know of 4.5 gal. peanut tank?) I love the peanut look. Nothing says Sportster more than the peanut tank. (Rant Over)
The first thing you will need to do is stiffen up the springs in the back end. Harley sets them to their lowest setting, and I was hitting bottom, especially with passenger on board. The ride got hard at slow speeds, by helped the control at faster speeds.
Speed..... The 883L is 1 full inch closer to the ground than any other Sportster. I had to get used to right hand turns - I have dragged the muffler bolts on the front pipe in tight turns. I just had to adjust my driving a little (I lean more than the bike does when I turn right). My wife is right to when she says that if I slowed down I wouldn't have this problem. I have ridden the bike enough to know when I am getting close to the ground now .... But then come to think of it, I have also scraped the foot pegs on the ground in left hand turns.
Maybe I do need to slow down. My bike is the black pearl color. I'm going to upload some pictures when I get the SE II's on her. Until then I'm adding the miles.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
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RE: ride the883L ?
I just bought a 2005 883L 3 weeks ago and its a nice bike. It was a new / used bike, 1300 miles 4 mos old and already dressed and modified with SE intake/SE stage 1 carb and with V&H pipes. But he also had a engine guide bar too where I installed a set of highway pegs.
You might find the center controls a little cramping on your longer rides. I plan on installing forward controls ($450) and a more comfortable seat, like maybe a sundowner or a saddle. I'm also finding the rear shocks to be a little stiff, but I was told a good pair of progressive shocks will soften the ride a lot as well.
On a better note, I like the low ride feel and the ease of manuverabillity.
I bought this bike because I haven't ridden in 20 yrs and never had a HD before, so I didn't want to get too much bike until I got my wheels back under me. For me, the sporty will be light enough and easier to correct my mistakes so I don't dump it, unlike a bigger , heavier bike.
You might find the center controls a little cramping on your longer rides. I plan on installing forward controls ($450) and a more comfortable seat, like maybe a sundowner or a saddle. I'm also finding the rear shocks to be a little stiff, but I was told a good pair of progressive shocks will soften the ride a lot as well.
On a better note, I like the low ride feel and the ease of manuverabillity.
I bought this bike because I haven't ridden in 20 yrs and never had a HD before, so I didn't want to get too much bike until I got my wheels back under me. For me, the sporty will be light enough and easier to correct my mistakes so I don't dump it, unlike a bigger , heavier bike.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,082
Likes: 8
RE: ride the883L ?
I bought the 883C in June and have logged 7,000 miles. I drag the pegs at times when I ride the curves by myself. The Sportster has a higher seat height than most of the "bigger" bikes. I'm 5"8" the C has forward controls, but I added footpegs with heel rest for more comfort, the factory seat is he Low is the lowesst of the Sporty's but at your height none of the Harleys will be a problem for you. The 883 has enough power unless all out fast is wht you want, if that's the case get a metric bullitt bike
I haven't put 7000 on mine because I don't love it!
I haven't put 7000 on mine because I don't love it!
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 25
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RE: ride the883L ?
As for widening your tank, if you can't do it, you can get a sheet metal mechanic to take a grinding disc on an end grinder and split your stock tank down the middle and add sheet metal to increase the width for more fuel capacity. However, you may have to add risers to your bars so that they have clerance of the tank when turning. Or... you could probably find one already done on E-bay or at a swap meet. And... there maybe an aftermarket tank with the classic sportster sides, not sure about that one...
Bill in SC
Bill in SC
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: ride the883L ?
I just bought a 96 883 Hugger im 6 foot 1 at 230lbs and it it feels fine to me as far as everything goes the bike has an engine gaurd and i just use the bottom of that as my highway pegs. I am looking into the forward controls so i see no reason to by highway pegs now and slow my savings for the forward controls allthogh it is hard not to buy the highway pegs now and have some instant adjustabilty in foot placement for the custom feel for my riding style instantly and since they are afordable imediately . I think you will love the bike
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 737
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RE: ride the883L ?
Bought my 06 883L the day the dealer got it in. Have had a blast with this scooter. Bought the Sundowner 2 up seat and the ride was much, much better. Also bought the mid bar back rest to make Momma comfortable. I weigh about 165, Momma weighs much less. We can ride at 75-80 with no sweat. I added the SE High flow intake, carb mods and Rush Slip Ons, this made it even more fun. I like the mid controls but highway pegs help you stretch your legs (if you don't want to spring for the forward controls). I am trading up to a 1200C this week for several reasons, none of them take away from the 883 L. Ride it, you will like it, HEY, it's a Harley !
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