How Do Others View 883's??
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
Funny thing, this subject reminds me of an experience we had at the Cherokee Fall Rally of 2003, in Cherokee, N.C. We were crawling down the street toward the parking lot at the fairgrounds, there are hundreds of people lining the street watching the bikes of which 95% are Harleys, when I hear some guy say "Get that thing off the road". About what we expected at Cherokee, so we weren't bothered by it. To date, no one has commented negatively about my 883. I've heard plenty of compliments, just last week a guy was going by me in the fast lane and he rolled down both his passenger side windows when he went by , then I saw them go back up after he was ahead of me so maybe he liked the sound. I'll take it as a compliment anyway. There are plenty of guys at work that are always wishing they had a bike, in my opinion life's too short to wish for one. They see me riding in when it's cold because I love to ride. I'm in a better mood at work when I get to enjoy that 38 mile ride on my Sporty. Then when I head for home in the early morning around 4:30 , that 883 gets me back to the house. 883's may be the smallest Harley but they still rock.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 651
Likes: 1
From: South Plainfield, NJ
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
I love my 883L, it's plenty fast for me, never been much of a power or speed freak. I just like the fun of riding it. Ride what you like not what other like.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
ORIGINAL: PigInaBlanket
The only people I've been around that have said anything about my 883 have been a couple of people at work that don't own a bike.
The only people I've been around that have said anything about my 883 have been a couple of people at work that don't own a bike.
All of my other friends who ride Harley's (a couple of them have been riding Harleys for over 50 years) NEVER knock my bike. It's a Harley man, a H-A-R-L-E-Y. That's what I wanted as my first street bike, even if it was the smallest one on the line. It's still a harley.
Learn the "Who cares what other people think" attitude and have fun riding. They're all just jealous.
Like the rocking radio station 101-KLOL use to say back in the day, "If it's too loud, then you're too d#mn old!"
Banned
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 4
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
Maybe the dude was talking about that metric that slipped in at the light? [sm=signs007.gif]
ORIGINAL: krdsporty1200
Funny thing, this subject reminds me of an experience we had at the Cherokee Fall Rally of 2003, in Cherokee, N.C. We were crawling down the street toward the parking lot at the fairgrounds, there are hundreds of people lining the street watching the bikes of which 95% are Harleys, when I hear some guy say "Get that thing off the road". About what we expected at Cherokee, so we weren't bothered by it.
Funny thing, this subject reminds me of an experience we had at the Cherokee Fall Rally of 2003, in Cherokee, N.C. We were crawling down the street toward the parking lot at the fairgrounds, there are hundreds of people lining the street watching the bikes of which 95% are Harleys, when I hear some guy say "Get that thing off the road". About what we expected at Cherokee, so we weren't bothered by it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
Well, I am not a bike snob. So I pretty much find something to admire in most bikes -- and pretty much all of the Harley lineup.
But I have had one Asian girl (who rode a crotch rocket of all things) tell me my xl1200 was a girls bike. So I suppose she'd say the same about your 883.
Funny, no one but that girl told me that. And before she had seen my bike she was all talking about how we should go riding sometime etc when she learned I had a bike. THen 15 minutes later she says that. And when I brushed it off, she persisted -- like she was making some point to a friend who was with her. She was serious. To say the least I told her to find someone else to ride with. I don't ride with anyone who acts like that.
But I have had one Asian girl (who rode a crotch rocket of all things) tell me my xl1200 was a girls bike. So I suppose she'd say the same about your 883.
Funny, no one but that girl told me that. And before she had seen my bike she was all talking about how we should go riding sometime etc when she learned I had a bike. THen 15 minutes later she says that. And when I brushed it off, she persisted -- like she was making some point to a friend who was with her. She was serious. To say the least I told her to find someone else to ride with. I don't ride with anyone who acts like that.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
The 883 is at the present time, the most fuel efficient Harley made. They will go 110 mph or so, and are decent if not commanders off the line.
I use mine to commute and am saving $6 per day ofer my Toyota Tacoma (which is NOT a bloody gas guzzler either).
It keeps up nicely with the big twins except off the line, yet this means nothing but a little pride shot. You can catch up pretty quick unless a stop light gets you. No-one I know likes to cruise above 80, and I never did even when I had a much larger bike.
If it falls over it is not so heavy that it breaks on its own weight, and you can pick it up easily. The 1200 fits here too.
If you are looking for long distance comfort in a Harley, well that's not Sportster terrritory. They will go the distance, but you better be tough.
There is one fellow I know with a Herritage Classic that just put reverse on it. It'a bitch to push around, so that's understandable. I bet no-one puts reverse on a Sportster.
I use mine to commute and am saving $6 per day ofer my Toyota Tacoma (which is NOT a bloody gas guzzler either).
It keeps up nicely with the big twins except off the line, yet this means nothing but a little pride shot. You can catch up pretty quick unless a stop light gets you. No-one I know likes to cruise above 80, and I never did even when I had a much larger bike.
If it falls over it is not so heavy that it breaks on its own weight, and you can pick it up easily. The 1200 fits here too.
If you are looking for long distance comfort in a Harley, well that's not Sportster terrritory. They will go the distance, but you better be tough.
There is one fellow I know with a Herritage Classic that just put reverse on it. It'a bitch to push around, so that's understandable. I bet no-one puts reverse on a Sportster.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
If you like her otherwise, just let her take a ride on it. I bet she shuts up then.
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
RE: How Do Others View 883's??
Well, "back in the day", I used to race all manner of motor bikes in the dirt, including a Rickman with a 500 Triumph engine in it. I used to love to watch the old XR750 Harleys run. Nothing like the sound of those bad boys broad sliding around the turns, sending rooster tails of dirt into the air! THAT is part of the heritage of the Sportster - The original street fighter!
When I decided to get back into riding last year, I bought an 883 - not because I could not afford a BT, but because I WANTED a Sportster 883. The only complaint I have is dragging the pegs in the twisties!
Can't wait for the XR1200 to make it to this continent! I might have to trade up to a bigger Harley!
When I decided to get back into riding last year, I bought an 883 - not because I could not afford a BT, but because I WANTED a Sportster 883. The only complaint I have is dragging the pegs in the twisties!
Can't wait for the XR1200 to make it to this continent! I might have to trade up to a bigger Harley!
