Hey guys, this is my first post so have some patience with me.

I purchased a 2013 iron xl883n last year before the winter season, around September. It's my first motorcycle and was a college graduation present to myself.I have put about 5,000 miles on the bike since then.

Here is what I've done so far: V&H sideshots, V&H air cleaner, power commander 5. Some cosmetic changes

Heres my problem, I think I'm ready for a bit more power.
I love the bike don't get me wrong its beautiful, it fits me perfectly (im only 5'6 on a good day).

At highway speeds though anything past 70 and the bike just feels sluggish compared to other things on the road. I can ride it at 70 all day. Sometimes, though, id like to know I can pull away if i have to.

I don't know much about the true mechanics of the bike but would love to learn from the more experienced riders. Here is what I'm hoping to find out.

Question 1) It has been suggested to me that replacing the cams could help. Will doing just that make a big difference?

Question 2) if I replace the cams in the factory 883 engine can they still be used when I upgrade to the engine with the 1200 kit? (I dont want to invest in a modification that could limit further upgrades down the road.)

questions 3) This is more of a shopping list. The two upgrade kits Ive seeen most frequently are the screaming eagle kit from harley and the NRHS kit.

So my question is :

If someone here has bought the harley kit or any other kit, where you required to buy any other parts to have the kit operational? Im looking for strictly the extra parts needed to make the bike operational again.

Thanks in advance. Feel free to drop any knowledge on me you can. I'm all ears.

 

This is a very costly undertaking to do it right..

 

Be careful not to have the wool pulled over your eyes by some of the threads here. Although the kit itself isn't super expensive, the time and mechanical know how is not cheap. This is not as simple as a plug and play gig, and you have to be certain that your expectations are reasonable. I have a 929rr as well, and my 883 will never touch that bike.... No matter how much money I invested into that motor... Never. So mod away just make sure you know what you're in for.

 

Welcome to HDF from the UK.

1) You will get more performance with more cubic inches IMHO. I wouldn't change cams except for a high performance bike, the stock ones are quite good!
2) Yes. There are not many cams available for Sporties. I suspect you've been given advice that works fine for the big twins, so ignore the cam stuff for your Sporty.
3) There are several options available for you, including the 1200 SE kit comes with new cylinders and pistons, cams and electronic tuner. It is the most complete kit available, but is expensive simply because it includes more than any other. There are also 1250cc kits from NRHS and Hammer which are a great option IMHO. You get bigger cylinders and pistons, but will also need a tuner, which is extra.
4) Read Mich's 1250 thread, which gives an excellent description of what is involved. You can then decide if you want to try doing it yourself.

 

The best bang for buck is to install a 1250 kit yourself. Like grbrown says, you can pick up new jugs and pistons and install them. That alone will give you a huge performance increase over the stock 883. There really is no need to do heads and cams unless you really want to push the limits of your engine and want to spend a lot more cash for the headwork, cams and pushrods. Many people do the basic conversion and are very happy with the results.

Roughly, the costs are $800 for the piston, jugs and gaskets, $300-500 for a good tuner, a HD service manual and a few shop supplies. Since you are already at stage 1 there will be no more costs for that.

Check out the link grbrown put in his last post and you will see the basic conversion is not that hard to do yourself.

 

I got the SE Stage 2 kit on my '10 Iron. Ummm... LOVE IT!!! As gbrown mentioned, it seems to be the most complete kit on the market. So far it is performing well. Now... For that 2-1 pipe... lol!