883 good choice for bike for me?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
Your whole question boils down to why you want a bike and how you intend to use it. If you want a bike for around town riding, commuting, and weekend-day rides in the country the Sportster (883 or 1200) is a great choice. If you want something for touring or weekend-long rides then the Sportster's not for you. The difference between a Sportster and a Dyna, or any "big twin", is night and day from a riding standpoint - in fact the ride among the different BT's are all different. The Sportster fits my riding style and embodies all the reasons I own and ride a bike. You can "flick" a Sportster pretty well and a whole lot better than any of the BT's, and that's what I like to do.
You just need to know the kind and style of riding you want and intend to do to make the right choice. Answer that question and the choice among H-D models, or even other brands and bikes becomes clearer. That's the best advice I can give anyone.
You just need to know the kind and style of riding you want and intend to do to make the right choice. Answer that question and the choice among H-D models, or even other brands and bikes becomes clearer. That's the best advice I can give anyone.
Last edited by Thumper26; Sep 3, 2012 at 12:37 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
The 883 will be fine. I put 65,000 miles on mine before I did 1250 conversion, and that was more because of a gasket leak than a need for more power.
If you decide you want to grow into a larger bike.....do what I did. See sig pic.
If you decide you want to grow into a larger bike.....do what I did. See sig pic.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: A bit west of Dodge,MA
Add in the 883 is a 54" engine, pan and knucks from the late 30's 40's and 50's were only 45" engines, had 2 to 3 speeds, and guys 2 up'd on them all the time.
I say go for it, but go with an '04 or later, they ride a whole lot smoother.
I say go for it, but go with an '04 or later, they ride a whole lot smoother.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Central Indiana
I am 5 foot 10, and weigh 165. Was trying to see if the 883 would be a good first bike for me, or if I am going to want to grow into something bigger like a Wide Glide or Fat Boy later on.
Opinions? Was looking at the Iron 883 Mainly, but didnt want it to be too small of a bike for me
Thanks
Opinions? Was looking at the Iron 883 Mainly, but didnt want it to be too small of a bike for me
Thanks
My two cents....Buy a bike you feel comfortable with. If you are not comfortable you will not be happy and you will not ride it. Therefore you will have wasted a ton of money. If eventually you want to get something bigger...then go for it. But if you like the 883 Iron (which IMHO is a cool looking bike) then go for it. You can do upgrades down the road too that will give you more power and personalization.
Bottom line...get what makes you happy. If that is an 883 Iron then AWESOME!!! If that is a Fatboy...then Awesome too!!! No matter what...you are buying the bike for you....you need to be happy.
JUST FYI...i wanted a Fatboy Lo and I saw the Forty Eight and fell in love. I am extremely happy with my Sporty...once I pay it off I might get something bigger to add to the Garage, but I will not get rid of my sporty.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: ohio
3 weeks ago I traded my 05 883 for a 96 Evo Heritage so no balancers or rubber mount still a "real" motorcycle in my eyes. Wish I could of kept the sporty. Wife is happy again and asks to ride all the time again and we're going to do more trip on the bike now (my sporty had sundowner, air shocks, tall sissy bar), but those still only improved things for a short time for her. Softail is a great bike, sounds great, runs on highway great, but not nearly as fun as the sporty, can't "flick" it around, and doesn't feel as quick. I'm in the market for another sporty for me solo. If you want a big twin get one and skip the sporty cause if you get a sporty you'll never have that much fun and it won't be everything you hoped for once you get that big twin.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
