I'm not degrading the 883 C, because I own one and I love my bike, but I will tell you that you'll have more throttle with the 1200. I was with our group of friends all last weekend at the HOG rally and I was riding at the tail of our group and unless I really hammered my 883, it took a while to catch up to the rest of them. My wife was giving me heck, but with the 883, you have different gearing and as you are gearing up to fifth, the rest of the group is way up ahead. I'm quite happy with the 883, it fits my style of riding just fine. But like others here will say, like my wife, who has a 1200C, you'll enjoy the extra power.

 

I am also biased. There are lots of $$$ goodies on the 883 if you are interested in them but I'd have to go for the 1200 especially if you like thechrome.To me themileage difference isn't really a big factor if they have both been taken care of..

 

Make sure it's the exact color that you want and the exact bike you want, or you will regret it later on. There are plenty of used 1200Cs around, so shop around until the bike you see tugs at your soul. You'll know it's the right one, and you won't even think of posting up a poll like this when the time comes

 

1200 all the way. You'll love it!!!!!!!!!

 

Looks will make you buy the bike...how it rides will decide whether you keep it or not... Go with the 1200.

 

For me, it's the 1200 just based on engine size (read: better resale down the line and more punch off the line). I may be biased because I have a 1200 with Stage 1 and I can't imagine anything less at the moment.

As far as taxes, in NJ sales tax is paid to the state at the time of registration so there's no way to avoid it here...

 

As another 06 1200C owner I would agree here. Beyond that it seems like the decision is this. Do the accessories and EFI matter to you? It seems like, with the 883, you're paying more and that's what the extra money is getting you. You can pay less for the 1200C and throw on what accessories you want down the road (and with the $800 difference you can think about what accessories you REALLY want for that amount).

 

Both are great bikes...Don't be scared off of the 883....Get what YOU want.....The 1200 is a better DEAL......

 

Unless there are a few states that I'm unaware of, it's generally accepted that when you buy a used vehicle from an individual owner you do not pay sales tax on it. When you buy from a dealer you do. If you're in a position to write a check, get the he!! out of the dealership. Those are the most expensive bikes you will ever find. Try being a little patient, start shopping and look for the 1200 that "is" the color that you want and go from there. I bought my 05 a year and a half ago on eBay. It had 1300 miles on it. It was and still is like new. I had to fly 1700 miles to Cookeville, Tn to get it but I had one he!! of a neat adventure riding it back and it was still cheaper than if I had bought one from a dealer here in Tucson.

 

My vote goes to the 1200. You might wind up outgrowing the 883 after a while and you'll be lookin' to get another bike at some point. You don't really outgrow a 1200. You might decide you want a different style, but you won't outgrow it. I have a '08 Softail Custom and my wife just handed the keys over to me on her 1200 Low. I have to say that the Sportster is more fun to ride, but the Softail is more comfortable. So I learned Sportsters are always fun to ride. I had a '01 1200C as my first bike, then traded for a Deuce, now I have my Custom. And I still think the 1200 is the most fun to ride. Resale on the 1200 is going to be quite a bit higher than the 883. There's a bigger market for the 1200. That's why they are so close in price even with all the goodies on the 883. Another thing to think about is you said the 1200 was mostly stock. That means you have a clean slate to work with. You can put the things on it YOU want, rather than having to use the stuff someone else put on it. You might decide that you don't think you need the extra power of the 1200, but the bike will only go as fast as you make it. You'll be thankful you have that extra power if you ever did find that you needed it. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. I don't think you'll regret one bit getting the 1200, even if it isn't your favorite color of the two. There are numerous custom painters out there if you ever wanted to change the color. Go with the 1200.