Hi guys, I"m new to the forum and am looking into getting licensed / taking classes / and buying a bike, after browsing for years (yes years!) I decided to stop putting it off :P Procrastination kills........or save lives, depending on how u look at it ..

I"ve been reading this forum for the past few days and the wealth of information here is just amazing, really appreciate what you guys are doing here.

My question is this. I saw a 2003 sportster anniversary edition, with less than 4000km (sorry I"m canadian), for I think I can get it for $6800 - 7000 cdn, I was wondering what's the major difference between the 2003 and newer models (cosmetics don't count, they look virtually identical anyways).

oh and.... even though I"m asian, harleys rocks!!! (can you imagine? my previous choice was kawi 636 but decided cruisers fit my lifestyle more.)

Thank you for any information provided.

 

06' was the last year for the Carb. Now all Fuel injected.
04' the 4.5 gallon tank became available I think.
04' up have rubber mounted engines and it is suppose to not shake as much but I call bull$hit on that because I didn't notice a big difference between my 89' 883 & 06' 883.
Good luck and the 03' has the nice badging to!

 

tjl,
You could probably buy a brand new 833 for around $8000 cdn. I know you mentioned $6000-$7000 but with a new bike you will also have warranty.

 

wow you guys are fast, I only posted this like 10min ago, thanks for the information, I"ll take all comments into consideration.

 

I just sold my 03 883XLH for $5,800 USD ($5,469 Canadian). It was in mint condition with some extras: K&N filter, SE pipes, 100th Anniversary seat, leather throw over saddlebags, highway pegs, tach kit add-on and some other anniversary medallions. Great bike, but wanted to move up into a cruiser.

 

I looked, 07 nightster with 120km is 12,000cdn, and a 2005 883 with 1200 conversion and some airbrush is also 12,000 cdn and has 17,xxx km....

something doesn't sound right but.............shrug. it must be cheaper in the states or something........... if only I know how to import it

 

Why oh why do people use the term "move up" when they sell their sportster and buy another model of Harley? They never decide to "move on" to a different model, as if a sportster is this inferior form of Harley life.

 

04 and newer have the rubber engine mounts. It's been argued that it doesn't make much difference but the point is that it does make a difference in the amount of engine vibration. I have an 05 1200 C and love it. What ever you get will be a joy.

 

The wife had an '03 883 Hugger, she just traded for the '07 Nightster....It is like NIGHT and day...She had all kinds of handling issues with the 883, we sunk well over $1K to help the bike (new lower seat, lower shocks, and windshield, running lights) nothing helped with the handling characteristics (top heavy and short wife) motorcycle was top heavy not the wife!!! LOL

Now that she has the Nightster she is putting miles on it quite quickly, the power and the handling are absolutely GREAT!!

Go with a Nightster and the WARRANTY!!!

 

Whistle - my apologies. By move up, I meant in engine/bike size to a cruising ride, not "mov'in on up" on the snob scale. A Sportster is a Sportster and I thoroughly enjoyed mine. I bought a Dyna and it's a Dyna. I may "move up" to a Road King next year.
And, yes, I still wave to Sportie riders.
Ride safe. Ride often.