riding double with 883
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: riding double with 883
At a buck 20, passenger weight, the 883 will be fine for short rides. Around town, afernoon type of thing. If ya wanna take a road trip, probably not good. But then some people tell me "you can't travel on a Sportster". hummm...seems someone in Kansas City forgot to tell my Sporty is aint a touring bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
RE: riding double with 883
Back in "the day", the biggest harley was a bagger and it was onlt a 750. People rode 2 up all the time on them. The 883 is by no means a highway troller, but, neither is the 1200. Either bike will ride all day going 2 up.With an 883, you might need to drop a gear when going up steep hills when riding 2 up vers the 1200, other than that, you'll hardle notice a difference. My sportster was an 883 when i got it, rode 2 up all the time, I weighed in at 235, she ( a friend ) weighs 135, no problems keeping up with anyone I was riding with. Think about this, do you plan on going bigger in the future? Like bigger motor or bigger bike. If you want a bigger motor, them get the 883 and do a "complete" 1200 upgrade on it, it will eat a stock 1200. Good luck in your decision.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: riding double with 883
I used to ride two-up on a SX175 back in 1975. I was 150# and passengers ranged from 100 to 150#.Had a lot of fun back then. I now weigh 195# and don't think any Harley would be too small.
I saw a couple on a Sporty today. Don't know if it was a 883 or a 1200, but these folks weren't small. I estimate he was around 250 and she had to be close to 180 or better. They did just fine on the highway.
I saw a couple on a Sporty today. Don't know if it was a 883 or a 1200, but these folks weren't small. I estimate he was around 250 and she had to be close to 180 or better. They did just fine on the highway.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood TN
RE: riding double with 883
ORIGINAL: Zimbob
Back in "the day", the biggest harley was a bagger and it was onlt a 750. People rode 2 up all the time on them. The 883 is by no means a highway troller, but, neither is the 1200. Either bike will ride all day going 2 up.With an 883, you might need to drop a gear when going up steep hills when riding 2 up vers the 1200, other than that, you'll hardle notice a difference. My sportster was an 883 when i got it, rode 2 up all the time, I weighed in at 235, she ( a friend ) weighs 135, no problems keeping up with anyone I was riding with. Think about this, do you plan on going bigger in the future? Like bigger motor or bigger bike. If you want a bigger motor, them get the 883 and do a "complete" 1200 upgrade on it, it will eat a stock 1200. Good luck in your decision.
Back in "the day", the biggest harley was a bagger and it was onlt a 750. People rode 2 up all the time on them. The 883 is by no means a highway troller, but, neither is the 1200. Either bike will ride all day going 2 up.With an 883, you might need to drop a gear when going up steep hills when riding 2 up vers the 1200, other than that, you'll hardle notice a difference. My sportster was an 883 when i got it, rode 2 up all the time, I weighed in at 235, she ( a friend ) weighs 135, no problems keeping up with anyone I was riding with. Think about this, do you plan on going bigger in the future? Like bigger motor or bigger bike. If you want a bigger motor, them get the 883 and do a "complete" 1200 upgrade on it, it will eat a stock 1200. Good luck in your decision.
The 1200 sportster has a ton more torque and is geared to use it. The 883 is a great bike and just has to work a little harder. Two up wouldn't be a problem.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: riding double with 883
ORIGINAL: Zimbob
Back in "the day", the biggest harley was a bagger and it was onlt a 750.
Back in "the day", the biggest harley was a bagger and it was onlt a 750.
The EL Knucklehead was introduced way back in 1936, and it's standard size was 61ci (1000cc). In 1940 it's displacement was increased to 74ci with the release of the FL.
In 1948 the Panhead replaced the Knucklehead, and was used in most models, with an engine size of 1200cc.
The Shovelhead replaced the Panheadin 1966, and it's displacement was increased from 1200cc to 1340cc in 1978.
In 1984 the 1340cc EVO was introduced, and on and on and on.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane , QLD Australia
RE: riding double with 883
Me and the dragon go close to 400lbs, then add 4 man tent, sleeping bags and a backpack full of womens stuff plus a change of grungies and shirt for me it handles it very nicely and kept up with the bigger bikes at 140ks on a 4 hour run.
As was said before no one would ask the question if it was a honda 750 or a qwack 900.
Just buy what you want and can afford comfortably but most of all ENJOY IT !!!
As was said before no one would ask the question if it was a honda 750 or a qwack 900.
Just buy what you want and can afford comfortably but most of all ENJOY IT !!!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From:
RE: riding double with 883
My 883 can run all day long just fine. Wright of around 310 with both of us. Not a single problem. I can't understand hy anyone would say you NEED a 1200. May be a bit easier on the bike and save you one or two shifts a trip.
Whatever ya wanna spend I guess
Whatever ya wanna spend I guess
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
RE: riding double with 883
The 883 will handle 2-up just fine, althoughyou would want a more comfy seat. My wife and I rode 2-up for 30 years on a Bonneville 650!!!
Highway for extended periods would be OK, but not as smooth as a heavier bike.
If handling the weight of a bigger bike is your concern, it's not a big deal. We went from my Triumph to a Low Rider and my biggest issue was getting used to a left side shift.
The weight difference between an 883 and 1200 is less than 20 lbs.
Either way you can't go wrong.
Sammi
Highway for extended periods would be OK, but not as smooth as a heavier bike.
If handling the weight of a bigger bike is your concern, it's not a big deal. We went from my Triumph to a Low Rider and my biggest issue was getting used to a left side shift.
The weight difference between an 883 and 1200 is less than 20 lbs.
Either way you can't go wrong.
Sammi
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