Yeah, when it comes to 'power' the amount you require is more of a 'want' than a 'need'.

Doesn't take very much horsepower to run at 60 MPH if that is the only requirement. Girl I know has a Honda Rebel, and it will cruise at 55 to 60 all day long.

Still, I wouldn't want to have a Honda Rebel as my main bike for cruising from coast to coast.

 

My Shadow 600 will do 60 all day long to,the 883 does it easier and I'm sure the 1200 does it even easier,well I know that for a fact since I drive my buds 1200 every once in a while.Dawn & I go riding and pass plenty of cars doing 60+ going up the Mountainsto Ohiopyle.these Mountians aren't the Rockies but definately not a hillI think with having the 1200 conversion it would be for cruising speeds above 60 but you need to add the gearing along with it IMO which I will be doing if Dawn rides her ownWe find out today if she likes it or not[8D]

 

IF I were worried about Hiway Cruising I'd be looking at changeing the Sproket..that'd give me more power at Hiway speeds and reduce engine revs to give smoother ride and quieter one too.
[sm=gears.gif]Different folks want different things.I find I can run circles around MOST riders on my 883 because I know how to run it to its limits..and I know where those limits are.MOST Riders dont know these things as they just run fast from a red light in a straight line and think they've done something.For others its a kinda ***** Envy..does'nt matter what they have or how well it works...they still want A BIGGER ONE. If yours works,and your happy with it..dont worry over anyone elses opinion.

 

Don't let anyone tell you that a Sportster and or 883 can't run with the rest. I was in a big herd today, the only Sporty in the group among Fatboys, Softails, etc and for one leg of the ride lead the pack. At other times, kept up with the group hauling *** along back roads going 75+.....way too quick if you ask me but my Sporty was doing what it does best - carving the twisties and not even close to breathing hard....
Sportster, even a 883,is a very well-rounded ride.

 

I had been riding a Suzuki Intruder 800. Traded it in for a 2007 883 Low and loved it ... "but" ... I just felt like it was lacking "oomph". Yes, I could cruise at average highway speed and keep up with bigger bikes .. yes,I could pass a car at 75 or even 80 ... it's hard to to explain ... and I am still a fairly new rider ... 3rd riding season this yearso I'm no speed freak, or anything. Went to the White Mountains and just felt like it did NOT like being on those inclines, was constantly shifting trying to figure out where the bike was happiest ... came back and three days later traded in the 883 for the '08 Nightster. That "but" at the end of "I love my bike" is no longer there. I just feel it has the "oomph", and yet it still is a "small" bike (stature wise), which is great for me and why I originally went with the 883 low.

 

I can't speak for newer bikes...

My 1994 bone stock XLH 883 w/me on it solo and all my gear, clothes, everything (in those days) no more than 200 lbs but I had to downshift to 3rd to getup even moderate hills even on cold days.

Bumped it w dealer installed1200 kit w/K&Nairfilter, SE pipes, Lockhart oil cooler and flew up hills w/power to spare. No lie, it was also way less loud unless I used cheap gas.

I understand new 883gots way more power than older ones, but I've not ridden one yet.

Test ride time?

Bud

 

Any comments from anyone with an 883 of newer vintage who got astage 1 kit (freer intake, Street eagle or Scream eagle exhaust, re-map).

If so, can you report lotsmore power and/orany power issues totally cured?

Bud