883 converted or 1200?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
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From: Phoenix, AZ
883 converted or 1200?
Maybe someone with knowledge can help this friendly disagreement a co-worker and I are having. Which bike overall would be faster 1. 1200 sportster or 2. 883 converted to a 1200. I don't know but I seem to think the 1200 would be but he (the co-worker) does have a valid point saying that the 883 would be lighter therefore making it faster? We called two different HD dealers and got two different answers so I hoping someone here might have the answer rather than guessing like us..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Depends on what you define fastest as. If you keep the stock gearing, the 883/1200 will have much better acceleration. If you run the stock 1200 gearing, it will have a higher/equal top speed to a stock 1200.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Yep, a 1200 has bigger pistons which means bigger holes in the jugs, which equals less weight.
Assuming all mods are equal;
An 883 upgraded to 1200 but with the stock 883 gearing will typically beat a 1200 in the 1/8 mile, but the stock 1200 will reach higher top end speed and will win a longer race because of its higher gearing.
Assuming all mods are equal;
An 883 upgraded to 1200 but with the stock 883 gearing will typically beat a 1200 in the 1/8 mile, but the stock 1200 will reach higher top end speed and will win a longer race because of its higher gearing.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I agree with the three experts before me. But I'll try and add a little bit.
1st - the bikes basically weigh the same.
2nd - the gearing for the 883 is better for 0-60 acceleration.
3rd - there are a number of different 1200/1250 conversions. So every converted bike would be slightly different
4th - It would probably come down to the riders anyways.
1st - the bikes basically weigh the same.
2nd - the gearing for the 883 is better for 0-60 acceleration.
3rd - there are a number of different 1200/1250 conversions. So every converted bike would be slightly different
4th - It would probably come down to the riders anyways.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
I agree with the three experts before me. But I'll try and add a little bit.
1st - the bikes basically weigh the same.
2nd - the gearing for the 883 is better for 0-60 acceleration.
3rd - there are a number of different 1200/1250 conversions. So every converted bike would be slightly different
4th - It would probably come down to the riders anyways.
1st - the bikes basically weigh the same.
2nd - the gearing for the 883 is better for 0-60 acceleration.
3rd - there are a number of different 1200/1250 conversions. So every converted bike would be slightly different
4th - It would probably come down to the riders anyways.
i/e put on 1200 heads , or machine 883 heads to fit the "new bore"
883 heads can be modified with a different "squishband" , cc displacement etc etc.....
there is no hard and fast answer for your question
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 67
From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
Don't open this can of worms, even two carbed stock bikes won't run exactly same, it's closer with EFI.
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I kind of wish I had gotten an Iron 883 with the 1200 conversion instead of my 48. the deciding factor was engine size but with the mods that I have made, I would have been better off with the Iron
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Tx
Why do you say that? I made the same decision but I'm more than happy with my choice. Head and cam work will be done next year
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
Lets see,, well a stock 1200 roughly 63 hp, ? My 883 1200 conversion with 1200 gearing and .497 bolt in cams, different tuner and 883 heads redone HD heavy breather air cleaner ,, dynoed 93 hp and 90 lbs torque, no comparison
Last edited by camcarvin82; Dec 5, 2012 at 06:02 PM.