Which one?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 29
From: Green Country,Oklahoma
I would go with the 2003 last good year for Sporsters in my opinion.Still has the trap door on transmission,solid mount,carberated.See if you can get them to come down on price.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
I tries to give him 4500 cash for it and he wouldnt take it today he was firm on 4900 for the 1200. It has more chrome and the already taller bars which would be one of the first mods I would do to get comfortable
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
1200!! No question. I agree with Fast Hoss. 2003 and down are great bikes. I have an 06' and I wish I had an older one. When I bought mine I didn't know what I really liked yet. As for the vibration, if you've rode a rubber mount its a noticable difference. But if you havent, you'll never know. If you look in a parts book there are tons of parts for 03' and down. Not many for 04' through 06'. Its already got apes?! Hell yeah bro! One less thing to worry about. You could buy the 883 and you might do the 1200 conversion one day, MIGHT. I'd rather just buy it that way. The 1200. When you buy the 1200 show us some pictures. Good luck and congratulations.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Yea I wish, but if I get a Sportster and decide to go bigger down the road ill do my best to keep both. My favorite Harley by far is a Road King with the Fatboy a close close second
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
I absolutely agree with Razorback Rob. I have both a 07 rubber mounted XL883 fuel injected Sportster and a 99 ridged mounted XL883 Sportster with a carburetor and until I rode a rubber mounted Sportster I did not know how much less vibrations were felt when compared between the two bikes. I know a lot of people who say they are going to do the 883 to 1200 or 1250 conversion but just never seem to get around to doing it. Usually its about the money and not having enough or not having the time to do it or not wanting to be without a bike while doing the conversion. Its always something and they never seem to get it done. As for the vibrations, the stock 883 has a smaller Transmission pulley than the 1200 so at the same highway speeds the 883 will have a higher RPM and that results in more vibrations. Rob is also correct on the after market issue. Tons of stuff for the older 1200 Sportster and it may take a while for the aftermarket world to catch up to the fuel injected Sportsters so that is something to think about too! A wider tire may look nice but I doubt that you would really notice a performance difference and a wider tire may cost more to replace as well. In this case I would maybe lean more toward the XL1200 (IMO). Easier to CHOP in the future too! Im just sayin
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Pre 04 Sportster motors are the best they ever made. There are a few recent posts in the Sportster and General Chat areas about how desirable the pre 04 motors are. 
Bash me all you want, but I understand how much the truth can hurt.
Bash me all you want, but I understand how much the truth can hurt.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
I think that the rubber mounted Sportsters are about around 50 LBS or so heavier than the rigid mounted Stportsters because of the rubber motor mounts and frame changes and may be a tad bit longer too! As far as horsepower goes, the stock 1200 has VERY much more noticeable horsepower than the 883 has. Remember, there is no substitute for inches. Cubic or otherwise! I have always liked the look of drag pipes on a Sportster but you can get a lot more horsepower with a 2 into 1 set up if thats what you are looking for, but just get the bike first. You can do whatever you want to later.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
I think that the rubber mounted Sportsters are about around 50 LBS or so heavier than the rigid mounted Stportsters because of the rubber motor mounts and frame changes and may be a tad bit longer too! As far as horsepower goes, the stock 1200 has VERY much more noticeable horsepower than the 883 has. Remember, there is no substitute for inches. Cubic or otherwise! I have always liked the look of drag pipes on a Sportster but you can get a lot more horsepower with a 2 into 1 set up if thats what you are looking for, but just get the bike first. You can do whatever you want to later.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 722
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas
ummm maybe you should do some research on that. anyways i would go with the solid mount just because all the aftermarkert frames that you can drop it in compared to rubbermount. get the 1200. ive never heard anyone with a 1200 say "gee, i wish i would have got that 883".
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