883 Acceleration
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, OH
Sheesh, I've had all different size bikes including 130hp Kawasaki 1000cc bikes. I don't think the 883cc is underpowered at all. Telling someone that their 883 is going to suck because it's a small motor has to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.
Does it appear to be a slow releasing throttle or just slow revving? I'm fairly new to Harleys so the throttle does seem a little different. It doesn't seem to snap back like I'm use to. I've tried the throttle tension **** and played with the cables. I may have cables that are to long since I've installed my clip-ons though.
Does your throttle snap back shut when you twist it?
Does it appear to be a slow releasing throttle or just slow revving? I'm fairly new to Harleys so the throttle does seem a little different. It doesn't seem to snap back like I'm use to. I've tried the throttle tension **** and played with the cables. I may have cables that are to long since I've installed my clip-ons though.
Does your throttle snap back shut when you twist it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 3
From: Houston, Texas
Just walked out to my bike and twisted the throttle, yes it does snap back. If you have replaced your throttle cable, then you did something wrong and it needs adjustment. Either that or you put to long of a cable on.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Springfield, Ohio
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 213
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From: SoCal
best thing to do is to convert it to a 1200, cams, ignition, thunderheader and fuel management. Or take adantage and trade up but defeats the purpose if you bought it for value. definetly would look into 1200cc's
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Denver, Colorado
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Springfield, Ohio
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From: Ozark Country
Nothing at all wrong with the 883's, but I've ridden well tuned 883's and 1200's, and have seen both run at sanctioned events (Tulsa), and there is no way a 883 should "beat" a 1200.
With a good rider the tuned 883's will run quarter mile times in the low to mid 14 second range, with the 1200 models running approximately 1 second quicker.
Might be different if there was a weight advantage between the 883 and 1200 Sportster, but in fact the 883 weighs a couple pounds more than a 1200 (more engine weight because of the smaller bore size).
Here is information from Harley themselves comparing the horsepower and torque of the 2 engines;
"The XL Evolution 883 engine is rated at 53 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 51 ft. lbs. of torque at 4300 rpm. The XL Evolution 1200 engine is rated at 70 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 79 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm, an increase of more than 15 percent over the previous XL Evolution 1200 engine."
With a good rider the tuned 883's will run quarter mile times in the low to mid 14 second range, with the 1200 models running approximately 1 second quicker.
Might be different if there was a weight advantage between the 883 and 1200 Sportster, but in fact the 883 weighs a couple pounds more than a 1200 (more engine weight because of the smaller bore size).
Here is information from Harley themselves comparing the horsepower and torque of the 2 engines;
"The XL Evolution 883 engine is rated at 53 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 51 ft. lbs. of torque at 4300 rpm. The XL Evolution 1200 engine is rated at 70 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 79 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm, an increase of more than 15 percent over the previous XL Evolution 1200 engine."
I have a 99 883 with se A/C, se cams, Santee 45 cal duals 48 and 170 jets. From a stop it will keep up with anything. Where it is anemic is long steep grades. MO was a bi@@h last summer trying to stay 70mph in 5th on the grades. It will get a 1200 conv when the lowrider is paid for. Other than that the 883 will fly as fast and quick as I ever want to go.