883 vs 1200

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Sep 11, 2008 | 10:00 AM

#21

brenn

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 4,933

Likes: 11

From: Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Vikan

Going to buy my wife a used Sportster. I was leaning toward a 1200 but came across what appears to be a pretty good deal on an '03 883L, low mileage, very good shape. My wife is pettite so the the lowered Sportster is a plus. What other tradeoffs, good and bad, am I making if I go the 883 vs 1200? Tradeoffs that really matter.

Todd

Even an 883 is pretty powerful if she is a new rider - it's a big step up from 125's and 250's that she might use at a MSF safety course. I wouldn't even consider talking my wife into a 1200; she doesn't want one bigger than her 883 and I can't see any reason she needs anything else.

Also, I have a '97 and an '04 and the '04 rubber mounted engine is great - it's very smooth at higher speeds, compared to my '97 1200. I'd go for the '04 and newer 883 for smooth ride and less maintenance issues - I'm not sure what people are talking about regarding power - I ride my wife's 883 at highway speeds all the time - it will pass anything a lot fatser than I need to go or the law allows. It's a 500 lb. bike with more power than some Honda is putting out as dressers.

Last edited by brenn; Sep 11, 2008 at 10:07 AM.