In much of the world, a 250cc bike is 'big'. An 883 is only as small as your ego lets it be. No matter how much power you have on a bike, you'll always think that a bit more would be nice - that's what keeps the aftermarket going. I'm 5'9" and 170 lbs and my 883 suits me just fine - and it'll take my wife or one of our kids on the back without any complaints.

 

Don't know if I'm an appropriate "expert" or not, but having ridden mine for 2 weeks and putting on 999 miles, the 883 is an awesome machine! I dropped it off at the stealer for the 1,000 service, and I'm having V&H slip-on's, rejet and a/c put on at the same time. The sound should be much more "Harley" like, and time will tell what performance changes are evident. Don't get me wrong, nothing the matter with the stock package!

Go for the 883 and you won't be disappointed!

 

well, my 883C has nearly 10,000 miles since last July. I love to ride it to work and do so almost every day. I took it on a 1400 mile road trip to Utah about a month ago. It made it with no problem....not the most comfortable ride, but I will do it again.

 

Most of ya'll know this. Made a big mistake and rode my 883c down to Austin in December and back. 40 degree rain without gear and 30 degrees coming back. The bike was a trooper the whole time. No windshield. 470 miles round trip.

 

Dude, i bought an 883 evo sporty the first year they came out in 1986......Don't EVER let anyone tell you that an 883 is not this, or that, can't do this, or that, etc.......NO BIKE can do everything well........And of all of the harleys, the 883 sporty is probably the funnest intown bike, country road curves bike to ride......[ never rode a vee rod ]...I use to ride my 883 sporty from northwest fla to chattanooga tenn fairly often during the summer and fall.....It handled this 400 mile trip with ZERO problems.....I did have highway pegs on it for cruisin.....After shifting thru the gears, just lift the ole boots up on the highway pegs and lay on back and let er run....Had buck horn bars on it also.....Perfect set up for my 6ft 185lb frame back then

Would a dyna, or road king be a little more confortable on longer trips......YEP ! Prolly so.....
BUT that don't mean it would always be more fun, or more adventureous......An 883 sporty is also one nastalgic lookin motorcycle if there ever has been one.....Absolutely begs to be looked at........Classic no nonsense harley look.....I will always like the harley davidson sportster...especially that wolf in sheeps clothing......the 883...

I'D get on one in a minute and ride it from florida to california and im almost 50 yrs old.......without even for a moment wondering if it could handle it......Geez, i rode a yamaha 650 across the usa.....no problem on the highway......none at all.....IF YA WANT TO BE PERFECTLY CONFY......FLY OR DRIVE YOUR CAGE........No adventure in that though !One other thing, after awhile, if you want a little more thump.....put a 1200 big bore kit in it.....i did to mine, and it ran excellent.....and kept that883 sporty nastalgic look that i have always liked.....883 IS A FUN BIKE......best bang for the buck.....mine cost 3995 new in 1986....can't beat that...

 

Dude..listen..these guys are all right. To me, the Sportster has the most beautiful classic lines. Its so lean. I'm partial to the "R" models since I like the original shaped Sporster tank. I think the gas tank on the other modelsgive it a "squashed" down look. I have a '06 883 and '07 FXDC. I love them both! I will always have a Sportster. I addedscreamin eagle II slips ons, rejet, and hi-flow air cleaner. It sounds great and is a blast to ride.

I've heard a fewcomments from the Big Twin brothers...I just tell em to follow me down this country road..

Its a great bike...no doubt about it.

 

I have had my 05 883xl for almost two years now and honestly, I have nothing bad to say about her. I bought the 883 mainly because of money, and because I got such a great deal. When I bought it in 05 the dealer had to sell it used because someone bought it, puta fewchrome coversinto it, rode it for 19 miles and decided they wanted a bigger bike. I went to the dealership with a relative and 4 prospects for their club, they were all buying big twins and the sales manager obviousley wanting their sales over mine, looked at me and said 4500.00 out the door. They even installed the forward controls on for me. Needless to say I jumped all over that deal and figured with the money I was saving I could eventually do the 1250 conversion. I haven't done that yet, did the stage 1, and a few other things but this bike is great and I may or may not do the conversion. 2 up riding has never been an issue, and I have done 300-400 mile trips with no issues to report. Good luck in your decision.

 

As far as trips go, I bought my 1200 C on eBay. It was located in Cookville, Tn. I figured it was a good opportunity to have another adventure in life so I bought it andflew there from Az to pick it up and bring it back. It was 1700 miles bringing it home. That was more miles than the bike had on it when I bought it (1300). It was a neat experience. Would it have been more comfortable on a bigger bike? Yes. Two of the days coming back were 10 hour days and as I've said before you might figure in the fact that I'm 72.

 

Nothing wrong with my 883

 

NO!!!! the original XL was 883cc. I know the old ones were a bit different. I agree it is a marketing ploy. When I bought my 1200 I was looking at all the sportys they had. I wanted a carb all the 06s were the customs and I dont like the new tank. I bought a used 06 1200R with 1400mi for about the same $ as an 07 883L. If they didnt have the one I got I would have taken the 883, it was sharp chopper blue with spoked wheels.