Iron 883 Observations
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Iron 883 Observations
Took out my lady's new 2013 Iron 883 yesterday to get the inspection sticker. What a delight to ride it is. Very flickable, easy to manuever and quick. Feels quicker than my 06 Low Rider, although I'm not surprised given the difference in weight and gearing. It was a pleasant experience. I did notice the following and thought that I'd ask any knowlegeable owner if they have experienced the same:
1. Rear view mirrors can't be positioned to see behind, only out to the side. Must have something to do with the handlebar type that is installed.
2. Higher level of mechanical/valvetrain noise than I hear with my Low Rider. Maybe because I have a full aftermarket exhaust and because of the differences between a Twin Cam and an Evo motor.
3. Tough to find neutral; either going from first to second or second to first. It never really wanted to drop in easily. It took numerous attempts to get it to slip into neutral.
Will the valvetrain/mechanical niose decrease somewhat after break-in?
Will the problem with finding neutral not be as pronounced as she wears in?
Thanks!
1. Rear view mirrors can't be positioned to see behind, only out to the side. Must have something to do with the handlebar type that is installed.
2. Higher level of mechanical/valvetrain noise than I hear with my Low Rider. Maybe because I have a full aftermarket exhaust and because of the differences between a Twin Cam and an Evo motor.
3. Tough to find neutral; either going from first to second or second to first. It never really wanted to drop in easily. It took numerous attempts to get it to slip into neutral.
Will the valvetrain/mechanical niose decrease somewhat after break-in?
Will the problem with finding neutral not be as pronounced as she wears in?
Thanks!
I picked up my bike with 1500 miles, I've only rode it once so far due to the weather but on my way home I noticed the noise as well. Makes me feel better you heard it also. Maybe thats just how the motor is?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
My bars are swept back a bit and I do believe this contributes to MY not being able to see much behind. I just position them as favorably (to the rear) as possible and look over my shoulders a lot in traffic.
Valve train/topend noise is business as usual with the sporty. Best thing I've found for that is louder pipes. At idle in the driveway after a ride you could swear it's falling apart but she always starts & runs great every day.
Valve train/topend noise is business as usual with the sporty. Best thing I've found for that is louder pipes. At idle in the driveway after a ride you could swear it's falling apart but she always starts & runs great every day.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Difficulty finding neutral? Mine usually does that when it's time for an oil change. Only other time was when my clutch spring platewas going out - but since yours is new I'd doubt you have a problem there - yet.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I'm a new 2013 XL883N owner and have observed similar characteristics during the first 330 miles:
The XL883N Iron's narrow handlebars and mirror mount locations, make it difficult to see directly behind; as mentioned in several posts, most riders "flip" their mirrors and mount them below the original locations. However, for me, taking my eyes away from the front view (above the handlebars) and further down below me, then back up on the road (which takes more time), can be a safety issue. Therefore, I mounted HD's extended length mirrors in place of the original mirror mounts, which give a wider view; I can see clearly behind me with the right-side mirror, and the left-side slightly leaning. I can hardly notice the difference of the mirrors physical appearance "wider stance" on the bars; however, both give wider, usable views on either side.
I can hear valve tap in the forward cylinder, and as in many of the posts here, this is a normal operating condition of the evolution engine; I've not put enough miles on my bike to notice any decrease in valve train noise. Perhaps, following my first oil change, that this may make a difference.
Neutral was difficult to find, one-up or two-down during the first few hundred miles; however, I'm finding it much easier following three hundred miles. I mentioned this to my dealer when I first purchased the bike, they said it will become more pronounced as it wears-in. Also, I've read in some post, gear change noise may be reduced with certain transmission oils, e.g. Red Line; I'll be looking into that with my first transmission oil change.
Took out my lady's new 2013 Iron 883 yesterday to get the inspection sticker. What a delight to ride it is. Very flickable, easy to manuever and quick. Feels quicker than my 06 Low Rider, although I'm not surprised given the difference in weight and gearing. It was a pleasant experience. I did notice the following and thought that I'd ask any knowlegeable owner if they have experienced the same:
1. Rear view mirrors can't be positioned to see behind, only out to the side. Must have something to do with the handlebar type that is installed.
1. Rear view mirrors can't be positioned to see behind, only out to the side. Must have something to do with the handlebar type that is installed.
Last edited by PNut007; Jan 15, 2013 at 02:58 PM. Reason: insert bike picture
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...I did notice the following and thought that I'd ask any knowlegeable owner if they have experienced the same:
1. Rear view mirrors can't be positioned to see behind, only out to the side. Must have something to do with the handlebar type that is installed.
2. Higher level of mechanical/valvetrain noise than I hear with my Low Rider. Maybe because I have a full aftermarket exhaust and because of the differences between a Twin Cam and an Evo motor.
3. Tough to find neutral; either going from first to second or second to first. It never really wanted to drop in easily. It took numerous attempts to get it to slip into neutral.
Will the valvetrain/mechanical niose decrease somewhat after break-in?
Will the problem with finding neutral not be as pronounced as she wears in?
Thanks!
1. Rear view mirrors can't be positioned to see behind, only out to the side. Must have something to do with the handlebar type that is installed.
2. Higher level of mechanical/valvetrain noise than I hear with my Low Rider. Maybe because I have a full aftermarket exhaust and because of the differences between a Twin Cam and an Evo motor.
3. Tough to find neutral; either going from first to second or second to first. It never really wanted to drop in easily. It took numerous attempts to get it to slip into neutral.
Will the valvetrain/mechanical niose decrease somewhat after break-in?
Will the problem with finding neutral not be as pronounced as she wears in?
Thanks!
2) I don't have anything to compare the noise to, since my Iron is my first bike, but I have V&H Short Shots on it, so mine may not be the best to compare to noise-wise.
3) YES! I have trouble finding neutral quite often - I thought it was just me! It does seem to be getting better as time goes on, so maybe I'm just getting used to it.
Be safe out there!
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Joe Kucinski
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Reminds me of when I bought my first sporty used. It was a great running bike but made a lot of valve type noise, so before I bought it I called a freind at the harley dealer and he just laughed and said, yep, thats a sporty, they are loud.
When you do your 1K service change to synthetic oils and adjust your clutch per specs when its cold. It will shift just as well as your low after that.
When you do your 1K service change to synthetic oils and adjust your clutch per specs when its cold. It will shift just as well as your low after that.