I have a question for you Sportster riders. My wife is considering a Sportster. She was looking at the 1200 Custom. But then I had a thought to save @ $2000 and go with the 883 Custom. Then if the 883 wasn't enough for her then maybe we could spend another $2000 later towards upgrading the engine to 1200cc. Does anybody know a rough cost to have the engine upgraded? Also, how does the 883 compare to the 1200 in terms of power, and RPMs at highway speeds?

 

JT, I have a 2007 1200C and after riding a 2009 883C yesterday for a bit I doubt that she'd ever want to upgrade. People tend to forget that the 883 is for all practicle purposes a 900.

 

I have the 883 Custom (since August of this year) and recently found the speed vs. rpm chart and found that it will do 106 mph when redlined at 6000 rpm in 5th gear. I have no intention of ever getting anywhere near that and the acceleration is better than most cars on the street, so don't see a need to upgrade the engine (at least not yet).

The latest figure I saw from the Harley dealer is $1550 to move it up to 1200.

Go with your heart but I'm happy with my 883C.

 

As far as doing a 1200 coversion, it will depend on the year. If it is an EFI bike, then it will need a power commander or similar, and that will increase the cost.

Yes the 883 is "almost" a 900......but using that train of thought, a 1200 is "almost" a 1217.

For some people, the 883 is plenty of power. I was OK with it the first year I owned my bike. But during the winter I decided I wanted more.

 

My advice to your wife is to leave you at home when she goes bike shopping. My advice to you is to brag on whatever she wants.

 

I'd get the 1200 right up front, it will only go as fast as she wants it to go and the 1200's have way more good looking parts on them (chrome).

 

If I could buy from the start would go with the 1200 .. Have had 2 883's in the past 5 years and did the 1200 Big Bore on both of them .. Not enough power for me .. although for some it's more than enough ..

 

well i havent been in the bike seen for very long. I have recently acquired my dads bike that my wife bought for me. I ride is and she does as well when i am unable to ride it. It is a 04 883 custom. She says it is plenty power for her. When she rides it she rides on the highway to school. Just a fyi from one wife to another. She says that its plenty of power for her. I enjoy it as well but like i said its my first.

 

Yeah, but your train of thought lacks thought.

 

Save the money and buy the 883. Its pretty cheap to upgrade down the road to the 1200. Itll cost you about half that $2k you save to do upgrade later. Thats all assuming that the 883 isnt powerful enough for her once shes used to it. If shes fine with the power then thats $2k you can put into your bike!!