After owning several dirt bikes and dual sports through the years, I decided this year was the time for a "real" street bike. I just graduated college in December and figured now's the time to get what I want before house payments, wive(s) and kids come along. So I bought myself an 883R in black, which should be here in the next couple days.

I went and spoke with my local dealer about several models and prices. I was after the 1200N Nightster but since I'm 6'6" and 210 lbs it just sat too low to the ground and wouldn't have been very comfortable, and it was 2k more than what I had intended on spending. So after looking at a used 883R I decided that she was the bike for me and ordered a new one in black with a few extras. I sat on the 883R and it fit me well, but I am still curious if I'm going to look; as I call it "like Grape Ape on top of Beegley Beagley's van" so I was wondering if any of you guys have 883Rs and if so what is your body type? I'm investing a relatively large amount of money into this and don't want to have an under sized bike (frame wise).

Thanks for any info

-Pwnzilla

 

The 883R is not a very hot seller ofr HD. In fact, I htink it is being discontinued in '08.
The htinking is that most who are into 883s, do not need the "R."
Most who are into the "R" would prefer the 1200.

FWIW, The 883R is a great bike. Of all the Harleys int he line-up the 883 is probablt the most overbuilt and durable. You can readily upgrade the engine wiht a 1200 kit for reasonable cost.

You have a cool mike - enjoy it!

 

I agree most people would go for a 1200, but all the 1200 chassis's that I liked were too low excluding the 1200R but I didn't care for the styling of it, they changed some trim and emblems, so I decided to go with the 883R and eventually upgrade (5-10 yrs) or bore her out to a 1200.

Maybe if they discontinue the Sportster R's it will have a better value down the road, who knows.

 

Some choose poorly, some choose well. Your reasoning sounds as smooth as that 883R looks and runs.

Enjoy.

 

You have chosen wisely grasshopper! Being your a little on the long side, you might want to consider forward control, highway pegs at the very least. On the mid pegs, you are going to be bunched a little, but unless your purple you won't look like Grape Ape (haven't heard that one in awhile, used to watch him when I was a kid). Only thing you could have done better was get an orange one. Dave

 

Thanks for the input, I intend on getting forward controls in the near future. I didnt get them out of the box because every bike I have every ridden has had mid controls, and I want to get familiar with the new bike before getting the different controls.

cheers
-The Zilla

 

Ive had two 883 R'sthey are a really fun bike. I bought them as salvage bikes and rebuilt them. Gave one to my dad who is 6' and sold the other. Still wish I had kept the one I sold. Forward controls and a set of 12' apes make for a cool ride. If I remember right I had to change the exhaust to install fwd controls. May be different for 07. Mine were 02 and 03. Enjoy your ride.
JL

 

6'1 230lbs 34 inch inseam , no problems here with mids . I have the three way highway pegs to stretch out when needed.

 

Love Sporties!! 5'11 210 lbs. The 1200C fits right to me.

 

i agree it is a sharp bike...i like the orange/black.But, you mentioned you had a dirt bike and a dual sport, do you intend to set this bike up for trail riding? if you do, the forward controls adjustment for height might not work(buell has a really nice dual). if you looking for street use only IMHO just make sure you dont find yourself outgrowing that engine sooner than you might like toremember at the end of the day you'll probably still be in close to $10k.

We (the misses and I)own a 883C (which reminds me, consider the differ from 3 gallon - 4 gallon tank) its faster thanmy 1450cc, very sharpandan awesome ridebut, i'm much smaller than you 5'9 180lbs and shes 5'4' 130.will you be riding a passenger?

just my 2cents... in any case as long as your happy thats all that matters...