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Im thinking of buying a 883L for my wife. My local dealer has a 2005 with 17k miles on it. I could get it for $6000 out the door, (taxes,doc fees, and a 1 year extended warrenty included). It looks to be all stock. I took it for a test ride, It runs well. This will be my first sporty, I have always had full size bikes. I currently have an 06 Street Bob. Does this sound like a good deal? Is there anything particular I should look for on this bike? Any common problems? It was kinda funny riding this bike, because it was so small, felt like a moped. But, I think it would be a good bike for my wife. She is a new rider, and probably wont really ride it that much. Im thinkin if she gets tired of of it and it sits around too long in the garage, ill chop it. Its got a carb, and stock mufflers with the baffles taken out. Do you think new slipons and and air cleaner kit would give it some more power? Would I need to re-jet the Carb. Any help or comments would be helpfull, Thanks.....
6K out the door with the1 yr warranty added sounds like a fair deal.. Would hold back on the Mods for a bit and ensure there are no problems and will be less hassle warranty wise that way.. Bigger Slip Ons and a High Flow AC should gain you a little HP but not a heck of a lot.. I did a Big Bore 1200, SE AC, and V&H Pipes and gained about 25 HP over a Stock 883... Will More than likely have to Rejet the Carb with AC and Exhaust both modified.
An 883 might not be enough power for you, an experienced rider but it'll be plenty for your wife. I've ridden an 883 and I weigh about 270 and it'll jerk me around must fine. My wife has one and let me be the first to tell you it's not a begginer bike. I think they've given you a good price on it and if you're in the market for a bike and it sounds like you are, I'd buy it. Put her an engine guard on it because almost certainly she'll drop it, it'll help save the tank maybe. After she gets proficient you can take it off and sell it.It'll also help to keep it off her feet or legs if she was to drop it. they're sweet bikes but a little awkward for a novice. but she'll catch on quickly.wifey did. My wife LOVES her sportster. I think they are about sharpest bikes I ever saw. Strictly business. lean and mean
yep they are much much smaller than a street bobaccording to harley there is 1.7 inches difference in legnth 4.2 inches in wheel base , half an inch in seat height and a whopping 84 lbs difference in weight. I bet before long circus monkeys will be doing tricks on sportsters.
Slip on mufflers and air cleaner will give about 10 - 12% increased power. Yes you will have to re-jet the carb. It's a pretty simple process. I assume with 17,000 miles it has new tires? Price sounds fair, not great. Not knowing your state tax rates, etc etc, it's kinda difficult to know with an "out the door" price. I bought my 06 883L new for $6,250, plus tax, title, freight etc. From what I've read here, I must have gotten a pretty good price though.
If it still has the stock seat, she'll probabaly want to replace that. The stock seats SUCK!!!
I've put almost 30,000 miles on my 883L. I love the bike. Very few problems.
yep they are much much smaller than a street bobaccording to harley there is 1.7 inches difference in legnth 4.2 inches in wheel base , half an inch in seat height and a whopping 84 lbs difference in weight. I bet before long circus monkeys will be doing tricks on sportsters.
LOL... I was wondering how I got duped into buying a bike that "wasn't a full size".
yep they are much much smaller than a street bobaccording to harley there is 1.7 inches difference in legnth 4.2 inches in wheel base , half an inch in seat height and a whopping 84 lbs difference in weight. I bet before long circus monkeys will be doing tricks on sportsters.
LOL... I was wondering how I got duped into buying a bike that "wasn't a full size".
lol those stinking bastards at the dealership can convience a person of anything . on the other hand I think I might have talked my wife into letting me get one of those little monkeys like the one on the taco bell commercial . it would be pretty cool to put him in chaps and a doo-rag and ride around town.
yep they are much much smaller than a street bob according to harley there is 1.7 inches difference in legnth 4.2 inches in wheel base , half an inch in seat height and a whopping 84 lbs difference in weight. I bet before long circus monkeys will be doing tricks on sportsters.
Awesome. I'm going to cruise on over to the moped forum and make fun of Vespa riders now. [sm=biker.gif]
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