Test rode a Nightster and an 883 Low today. Both bikes I rode were at a Harley Demo ride day. Pretty long ride , some twisties and higher speed sections. Some impressions......found the Nighster to be fairly quick and fun to ride but really uncomfortable. The seat has no padding whatsoever and the lowered suspension creates a pretty harsh ride. Any irregularities in the road and you feel it right up your backside. The 883 Low was a bit more comfortable but seemed lacking in hp after the Nightster. The bike I am really interested in is the 883r which is no longer made. The 883r is a good looking bike without the lowered suspension and it also has a dual front disc setup . I also found the brakes on the Sporsters to be on the weak side. The 883r also has what looks to be a more comfortable seat. Anyone with riding experience on an 883r or who owns an 883r your comments are appreciated. I have a very short inseam and would probably lower the 883r a bit...hoping that won't affect the ride too much. I was a little disappointed in today's ride and wonder if buying a new 2007 883r if I could find one or a slightly used one would work. On the plus side the fuel injection, light clutch and fun factor on the two Sporties was definetely there.

 

I was looking at a Nighster today. They look so sharp i really like the way they look. There my fav. sporty. If i hadn't just got mine (04 883C w/ 1200 converstion) I would looked at getting one. I never expect to keep the stock seat on any bike so it being umcompfortable isn't one of my worries. But i didn't know they were umcompy. How did they sound?

 

Thanks for the writeup and comparison. You could find a used 1200R for less than the price you'd pay for a new 883R (if they were included in the '08 lineup).

Any Sportster is going to come with an uncomfortable stock seat (although some people don't have a problem with them), so it's no biggie if the first upgrade is a new seat. They install in 2 minutes. Only one screw to take out.

 

I currently own a 2007 1200R, and I just owned a 2007 883R (orange)about two months ago. I actually owned them at the same time, but traded the 883R in on credit for another bike. Anyway, the 883R is what you're looking for. It is an excellent ride, but the 1200R beats it by far. I found the 883R was comfortable everywhere the Nightster is not. I've only sat on a Nightster, but I can tell you: the handlebars are wider on the 883R, and the seat height is quite a bit higher, too, making the whole bike more comfortable to sit on/ride compared to the Nightster. I liked the 883R, but since I had a 1200R, there was just no point in keeping it. Oh, and it started burning oil after 1 month of owning it. The dealership doesn't know that LOL

 

We currently have a new black '07 883R.... I also took in a black 1200R on trade... It only has 700 miles and is in mint condition... The owner added: Road King shocks (air adjustable), different controls,some extra black to the engine. Let me know if you are interestedin either of these bikes.

 

I have an 883R and am having great fun with it. Short in-seam is no problem with the mid-mount controls.If you're convinced it's the right model for you, I say you wouldn't go far wrong pickingup a new '07 (if you can find one) or a low milage second-hand one.

The 883R is still available as an '08 model over here in Europe and also some other countries (e.g. Brazil) but I guess that's not much help to you in the US.

 

if your heart is set on a bike with a more agressive stance like the 883r , I would take a long hard look at a used 1200r , you will get triple disk brakes longer suspension travel than a low , custom or nightster. more ground clearence and mid controls and a tach.

 

I thought the 883R was discontinued in 08. I haven't seen it in Harley's line either.

 

Yaeh, what they said on the 1200R.