Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

acceleration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:27 PM
  #1  
dragonfiregirl's Avatar
dragonfiregirl
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From:
Default acceleration

My 883R has great acceleration when i need it. the other day a truck pulled out in front of me, i nailed it and shot past him. Thank goodness for my peppy engine
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:31 PM
  #2  
mpaquette's Avatar
mpaquette
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 56
From: Ypsilanti, MI
Default RE: acceleration

I have a XL1200C and I know what you mean. I love being able to gun it to get around someone in a hurry.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 04:14 PM
  #3  
OldFenderGuy's Avatar
OldFenderGuy
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Default RE: acceleration

Most of the published quarter mile figures I've seen (along with verify timeslips from Tulsa Raceway) show the 883 Sportsters running low 14 second ET's with a good rider and in a good state of tune.

That's quicker than the majority of cars and trucks you see out on the highway, and plenty of power to get out of the way of many 'problems' before they happen.

 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 06:34 PM
  #4  
SportyPig's Avatar
SportyPig
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Default RE: acceleration

Agreed there OFG, but to me what is really helpful is the torque, not the quarter mile speed. You can give the right wrist a twist, and be outta the way. Usually more quickly than you can fumble around and find the button for that sissy little horn.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 06:57 PM
  #5  
Batley's Avatar
Batley
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 2
From: Central, Wisconsin
Default RE: acceleration

Its good to know when you need it....You got it!
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 07:19 PM
  #6  
OldFenderGuy's Avatar
OldFenderGuy
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Default RE: acceleration

ORIGINAL: SportyPig

Usually more quickly than you can fumble around and find the button for that sissy little horn.
Yeah, I know what you mean....

I use the horn so infrequently that there is a 50/50 chance (especially at night) that if I tried to use it the person it was meant for would end up getting an angry 'left turn signal'.. [8D]

 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 07:57 PM
  #7  
STEG's Avatar
STEG
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Valatie NY
Default RE: acceleration


ORIGINAL: dragonfiregirl

My 883R has great acceleration when i need it. the other day a truck pulled out in front of me, i nailed it and shot past him. Thank goodness for my peppy engine
You have an 883R? good choice! Im whole-heartedly jealous, What color?

any pics of it?
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 08:03 PM
  #8  
Dallastx's Avatar
Dallastx
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 3
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default RE: acceleration

Sporties Rock!!!!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 08:05 PM
  #9  
xxxflhrci's Avatar
xxxflhrci
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Default RE: acceleration

Yep, a Sporty is quick by car standards, but slow by motorcycle standards.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2008 | 08:17 PM
  #10  
Kolni's Avatar
Kolni
Banned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,292
Likes: 13
From: Sacramento California!!!
Default RE: acceleration

ORIGINAL: OldFenderGuy


That's quicker than the majority of cars and trucks you see out on the highway, and plenty of power to get out of the way of many 'problems' before they happen.

Yeah, but the problem is so many riders are afraid to use the throttle to get away from danger IMHO.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE