883c vs. 1200c
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 1
From:
883c vs. 1200c
Hi gang, I'm fairly new to the forum and getting ready to buy my first Harley. Price is a major consideration. Would you all give me your opinions on these two bikes. As far as I can tell, they're the same except for the engine size. It woould be a 2005 so it would have the rubber engine mounts. Any difference in vibration, handling, etc. I will be riding almost exclusively one-up, but do plan on doing some touring. I have been in love with Sportsters since a friend got one in 1968.
I have done a lot of riding on rice burners earlier in my life, but have not ridden for nearly 20 years. Now the kids are out of college and it's Harley time.
A lot of people tell me that I will soon outgrow the Sportster and should just go ahead and buy a bigger bike now. Some of you may suggest the same thing, but since this is the "Sportster" section, I think you'll understand the fascination, lore and love that I have for Sportsters. I just can't decide whether to spend the extra 2 grand dressing her out now and do engine mods later or to go with less goodies and the bigger engine now. I am 56 years and speed is not near as important to me now as it once was, but highway and interstate driving are a big cinsideration. TIA for any advice and/or opiniions. Art
I have done a lot of riding on rice burners earlier in my life, but have not ridden for nearly 20 years. Now the kids are out of college and it's Harley time.
A lot of people tell me that I will soon outgrow the Sportster and should just go ahead and buy a bigger bike now. Some of you may suggest the same thing, but since this is the "Sportster" section, I think you'll understand the fascination, lore and love that I have for Sportsters. I just can't decide whether to spend the extra 2 grand dressing her out now and do engine mods later or to go with less goodies and the bigger engine now. I am 56 years and speed is not near as important to me now as it once was, but highway and interstate driving are a big cinsideration. TIA for any advice and/or opiniions. Art
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
Thats a hard one to weight out. Seems you may be happier with a dressed out harley, and perform engine mods later. This is prob the least expensive way to go. An 883 can be punched out cheaper than you can buy a 1200, should you buy a used one. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
I had a Sportster for several years and loved the bike. However, I do a lot of long distance riding and camp out a lot, so with the Sportster, when I loaded my kit, short of granny and the rockin' chair, I looked a little like the Clampets when they moved to Beverly Hills. Last year, I traded for a Softail and have enjoyed having a little more room for my gear. I'm not really familiar with the new Sportys but if you travel a lot, I'd go with the one with the biggest gas tank. Sometimes an extra 50 miles of capacity makes a difference. The new Sportsters are hot as are the rest of the HD line. So, you can't go wrong with whatever you decide on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
The gas tank is a consideration...stopping for gas all the time does get old, and depending where you are, there are places that you won't be able to get to.
Mac
Mac
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
Hey Mac, I looked at the HD website for 2005 Sportsters and both the 883 and 1200 "C" models have a 4.5 gallon gas tank. The rest are 3.3 gallon unless I misread something.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
At least look a some Big-Twins before getting a Sporty.
If your going to do any serious touring, I think you owe it to yourself.
Buy your second bike the first time.
I had an 04 Sportster 883 for less than a year before trading up to a Dyna SuperGlide.
If your going to do any serious touring, I think you owe it to yourself.
Buy your second bike the first time.
I had an 04 Sportster 883 for less than a year before trading up to a Dyna SuperGlide.
Trending Topics
Novice
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
My wife just went from a '93 1200 to a '04 1200 custom. Really great bike. Big tank, rubber mounted, big tire in back, forward controls. Really sharp, lots of chrome. Don't buy the 883. 1200 has much more power and is worth the extra money. I did a stage 1 hop-up and I can't catch her on my '00 FXSTS with same mods. (Thinking of a 95" and cam for the Softail, have to be able to keep up)
She rode Fatboys, lowriders Vrods, kept going back to 1200
She rode Fatboys, lowriders Vrods, kept going back to 1200
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
Kind of a falacy that everyone that buys a sportster is moving up some day. There are MANY that never move "up" but rather continue to ride the sportys.
Thanks for the info on the tanks, I learned that one today! I would go with the 1200...
$.02!!!
Mac
Thanks for the info on the tanks, I learned that one today! I would go with the 1200...
$.02!!!
Mac
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 2
From:
RE: 883c vs. 1200c
I need to chime in on the fascination with the Sportster.
It's the difference between a Road Bike or a Roadster.
I personally choose the Hot Rod at 48 years old.
And a old 1 at that.
It's the difference between a Road Bike or a Roadster.
I personally choose the Hot Rod at 48 years old.
And a old 1 at that.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WVICEMAN
General Harley Davidson Chat
83
Mar 7, 2010 07:40 PM
