883 or 1200
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
If you're looking new I'd go 1200. 883's go pretty cheap used, maybe cheap enough to go 1200 and still be ahead. If you're gonna ride 2 up I'd go 1200. A 883 gets 10-15MPG better mileage which means pretty good cruisin range....
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 282
Likes: 2
From: Las Cruces,NM
I started out with an 883. It was a great ride and I loved it, but after about 6 months, I wanted something bigger. My wife (girlfriend at the time) rode a couple of times with me and then refused to cause the seat didnt work for her very well. My question to you is does it "have" to be a sporty or are you "wanting" it to be a sporty? I'd say go big twin right off the bat if you're wantin to tour two up. Just my .02
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From:
I started out with an 883. It was a great ride and I loved it, but after about 6 months, I wanted something bigger. My wife (girlfriend at the time) rode a couple of times with me and then refused to cause the seat didnt work for her very well. My question to you is does it "have" to be a sporty or are you "wanting" it to be a sporty? I'd say go big twin right off the bat if you're wantin to tour two up. Just my .02
but I agree with Miami Veith;
2 up...Highway... go big twin.
at over 6' ...if you really want a Sportster ( and they are a 'beauty') then for sure get a 1200 ...and with forward controls.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Middle River, MD
Hey,
I am about to buy my first HD, and i am set on a sportster. I have been riding for over a year, on a smaller bike, and am now ready to make the jump to a real bike. Is an 883 enough power, or will I grow out of it and be disappointed? I would like to cruise at higher speeds, for 100+ miles, and possibly with a passenger. I am 6'1", 175lbs, should I go with an 883 or a 1200? What do you think?
I am about to buy my first HD, and i am set on a sportster. I have been riding for over a year, on a smaller bike, and am now ready to make the jump to a real bike. Is an 883 enough power, or will I grow out of it and be disappointed? I would like to cruise at higher speeds, for 100+ miles, and possibly with a passenger. I am 6'1", 175lbs, should I go with an 883 or a 1200? What do you think?
I'm also 6'1" and 175 pounds. My bike is an '08 xl883C, and I love it. Solo rides of 200miles round trip are fine, in the back roads it's a blast, and I'm comfortable at highway speeds for a few hours. 883 can still cruise at 80 for as long as you want to. Unless you are a marathon athelete, you won't want to do it for days at a time.
Power for 2-up isn't the issue, as I can still cruise at 85+ with a 125 pound passenger and put the fear of GOD into them, but... more than an hour on the pillon is probably in the same fetish category as ball gags and bondage -- real S&M stuff. Plus, theres no storage for gear, clothing, food, tents, etc.
IMHO, there's no better bike than a sportster for daily commuting and tearing up the twisties. It has tha capability to run highway to get you to the fun. It is NOT a touring bike. If you are going to add a windshield, saddlebags, sissy bar, luggage rack, and mustang 2-up seat, just buy the Heritage Classic instead of making the sporty something it wasn't meant to be.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
My wife would agree with the S&M of ridin on that lil bitty ole passenger pillion on my XL883C. The 1200 won't be much dif. I am lookin for a more comfy seat for the passenger right now. If you do have to have the Sporty, the 883 is fine, but the 1200 has better gears for highway.
I'm also 6'1" and 175 pounds. My bike is an '08 xl883C, and I love it. Solo rides of 200miles round trip are fine, in the back roads it's a blast, and I'm comfortable at highway speeds for a few hours. 883 can still cruise at 80 for as long as you want to. Unless you are a marathon athelete, you won't want to do it for days at a time.
Power for 2-up isn't the issue, as I can still cruise at 85+ with a 125 pound passenger and put the fear of GOD into them, but... more than an hour on the pillon is probably in the same fetish category as ball gags and bondage -- real S&M stuff. Plus, theres no storage for gear, clothing, food, tents, etc.
IMHO, there's no better bike than a sportster for daily commuting and tearing up the twisties. It has tha capability to run highway to get you to the fun. It is NOT a touring bike. If you are going to add a windshield, saddlebags, sissy bar, luggage rack, and mustang 2-up seat, just buy the Heritage Classic instead of making the sporty something it wasn't meant to be.
Power for 2-up isn't the issue, as I can still cruise at 85+ with a 125 pound passenger and put the fear of GOD into them, but... more than an hour on the pillon is probably in the same fetish category as ball gags and bondage -- real S&M stuff. Plus, theres no storage for gear, clothing, food, tents, etc.
IMHO, there's no better bike than a sportster for daily commuting and tearing up the twisties. It has tha capability to run highway to get you to the fun. It is NOT a touring bike. If you are going to add a windshield, saddlebags, sissy bar, luggage rack, and mustang 2-up seat, just buy the Heritage Classic instead of making the sporty something it wasn't meant to be.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 3
From: Bel Air Md
Most important is get a bike you like. I had a 883 for 3 years and did many 500 plus mile days with guys who all had big twins and had no problems at all, both sportsters will do 85 all day long and I think they both have a top end of about 105. I'm 190 and my wife is about 130 and two up was no problem. My wife actually liked riding the sporty better, she says she is too far away now. If I didn't see the Cross Bones I would still have the Sportster. Get the one that you like the most.