Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
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safe speed for 883

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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 01:14 PM
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Default safe speed for 883

Stupid question. i have the 883, i find myself crusing at 70 MPH on most roads, but the engine sounds like it is running at a pretty high rpm. i know the 883 gears are a little shorter than the 1200. but how fast do you all cruise at? i dont want to blow my motor up
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 01:30 PM
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Its all in your head. You can run that bike between 80-95 with some room to play. You are correct on the gears but your bikes top speed is still 110 stock.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 01:44 PM
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I've run mine on the highway for an hour at a time at 85 for several days in a row. She might scream, but she secretly loves it.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 01:49 PM
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depending on what year your 883 is, you're under 4 grand at 70 MPH. It feels like you're revving the snot out of it, but you aren't.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 04:04 PM
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just ride it like ya stole it - thats how they like it
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 04:10 PM
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Sporty love to be run in the higher RPM's....you ain't going to hurt it as long as there is oil in it...enjoy
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 04:46 PM
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 04:56 PM
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I was thinking about putting a larger transmission pulley on my bike to gear it more like a 1200 but I that was before I realized how much my 883 loves high rpm's. I would be "lugging" the engine too much if I put a taller gear in it.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by dtaylor00
I was thinking about putting a larger transmission pulley on my bike to gear it more like a 1200 but I that was before I realized how much my 883 loves high rpm's. I would be "lugging" the engine too much if I put a taller gear in it.
As much as I'd like to drop the rpm's on the interstate, I have too much fun jumping off the line to go screwing with the gearing just yet.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 05:27 PM
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Taller gears in an 883 and you will have a higher speed in 4th gear than 5th.

Bwana
 
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