New member needs advice
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Mass
New member needs advice
Looking to get my first bike and need some recommendations from the vets.
I'm looking at the Iron 883 but am wondering how long it generally takes for a beginner to outgrow the 883 and want the 1200. My plan is to pay off the bike in 3 or 4 years and then do the 1200 conversion along with all the overhaul stuff that it would need at that point. Does that sound like a good plan? I really don't need big power since it'll be about 80% city and 20% highway with no passengers.
I'm looking at the Iron 883 but am wondering how long it generally takes for a beginner to outgrow the 883 and want the 1200. My plan is to pay off the bike in 3 or 4 years and then do the 1200 conversion along with all the overhaul stuff that it would need at that point. Does that sound like a good plan? I really don't need big power since it'll be about 80% city and 20% highway with no passengers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,456
Likes: 57,015
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Welcome To The Forum From The Great Lakes State.
This is the area to introduce yourself and get an idea on how the Forum operates. Get familiar with the site.
This is the area to introduce yourself and get an idea on how the Forum operates. Get familiar with the site.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,456
Likes: 57,015
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Welcome To The Forum From The Great Lakes State.
This is the area to introduce yourself and get an idea on how the Forum operates. Get familiar with the site.
This is the area to introduce yourself and get an idea on how the Forum operates. Get familiar with the site.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
3 weeks. Not even kidding.
If you have it in your head now you will out grow it, then you already have. Get the 1200 now.
FWIW you would never outgrow the 883 if you rode everywhere for everything every day. My retirement bike is an 883. Better mileage, goes 100+ just as fast as a 1200 goes 100+. but yeah, skip the 883 going into it with that mind set and save yourself the trouble.
If you have it in your head now you will out grow it, then you already have. Get the 1200 now.
FWIW you would never outgrow the 883 if you rode everywhere for everything every day. My retirement bike is an 883. Better mileage, goes 100+ just as fast as a 1200 goes 100+. but yeah, skip the 883 going into it with that mind set and save yourself the trouble.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Mass
3 weeks. Not even kidding.
If you have it in your head now you will out grow it, then you already have. Get the 1200 now.
FWIW you would never outgrow the 883 if you rode everywhere for everything every day. My retirement bike is an 883. Better mileage, goes 100+ just as fast as a 1200 goes 100+. but yeah, skip the 883 going into it with that mind set and save yourself the trouble.
If you have it in your head now you will out grow it, then you already have. Get the 1200 now.
FWIW you would never outgrow the 883 if you rode everywhere for everything every day. My retirement bike is an 883. Better mileage, goes 100+ just as fast as a 1200 goes 100+. but yeah, skip the 883 going into it with that mind set and save yourself the trouble.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
Dont worry about the outgrow. If you see a bike that you want to have buy that one.
BUT, if you have no experience riding at all then you need to be VERY VERY careful, and start VERY VERY SLOWLY.
Like I did, my first ever bike a 1200cc. Now I am riding for the second month and still have not shifted out of 4th gear.
I got the bike I wanted, I am not a fan of starting at 250 or 500cc then move up, If you know and trust yourself enough, that is.
BUT, if you have no experience riding at all then you need to be VERY VERY careful, and start VERY VERY SLOWLY.
Like I did, my first ever bike a 1200cc. Now I am riding for the second month and still have not shifted out of 4th gear.
I got the bike I wanted, I am not a fan of starting at 250 or 500cc then move up, If you know and trust yourself enough, that is.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
Dont worry about the outgrow. If you see a bike that you want to have buy that one.
BUT, if you have no experience riding at all then you need to be VERY VERY careful, and start VERY VERY SLOWLY.
Like I did, my first ever bike a 1200cc. Now I am riding for the second month and still have not shifted out of 4th gear.
I got the bike I wanted, I am not a fan of starting at 250 or 500cc then move up, If you know and trust yourself enough, that is.
BUT, if you have no experience riding at all then you need to be VERY VERY careful, and start VERY VERY SLOWLY.
Like I did, my first ever bike a 1200cc. Now I am riding for the second month and still have not shifted out of 4th gear.
I got the bike I wanted, I am not a fan of starting at 250 or 500cc then move up, If you know and trust yourself enough, that is.
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Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
I'm actually planning on it being my only vehicle. I'm more concerned with just being able to keep up with traffic and having enough power to get up to speed when I get onto an on ramp. The other half drives a Hyundai Accent so I'm used to having a sense of panic when I pull into fast moving traffic from a stop. I'm just trying to avoid that fate with this bike.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
I got an 883 about 3 years ago. Everyone told me I'd want a 1200 within a few months. 32,000 miles later I couldn't be happier with my 883. It does great in town, on the highways, and on the interstates. I figured when I got mine I'd do a 1250 upgrade eventually, I've just never felt the slightest need to. Lots of folks prefer the 1200's, and that's fine, they're great bikes. Lots of us love our 883's, because they're great bikes too. To me, it's sort of like people telling you that you will get bored with the sportster and want to get a bigger bike. Some people get bored with 883's. Some people get bored with sportsters. That doesn't necessarily mean that you will get bored with either. Buy what you want, ride what you want, and enjoy the hell out of it.