MY dad LOVES his 883

 

What are you going to use it for? I got my 883 back in the begining of June and I love it! I got it specifically as a commuter bike. I'm in Orange Couty, Ca and only have a 20 mile round trip drive, but it's MUCH more fun now! I've also found that it's perfect for my weekend rides all around. I added the V&H Striaghtshot so, the V&H FuelPak and the SE Air for maybe another 13% power boost and some GREAT sound.

I've already put over 2500 miles on it so you can see that it's been out of the garage a lot on the weeekends. I have no plans to do the upgrade to the 1200 at this time. For now, my 883 is everything I need. I haven't had anyone mention "chick bike" yet. In fact since I put the new pipes on it, I've gotten a lot of people coming up and asking me all about the bike. Non riders have no idea what an 883 is verses a Road King and real riders aren't ever going to knock any Harley.

 

I know a few that own 883's and for commuting or just 'cruising around' they will take you anywhere you want to go at any legal speed limit.

But if you are looking for more power the 1200 is the way to go, as in stock condition a 2004+ 1200 has 30% more horsepower than the 883 (70 vs 53) and about 40% more torque than the 883 (79 vs 51).

This is some information Harley released during the introduction of the 'new improved' 2004 models;

"The XL Evolution 883 engine is rated at 53 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 51 ft. lbs. of torque at 4300 rpm. The XL Evolution 1200 engine is rated at 70 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 79 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm, an increase of more than 15 percent over the previous XL Evolution 1200 engine."

 

My 883 has plenty of power even with the wife on the back.

 

My wife sold her Heritage and now rides an 883C. For every kind of riding except multi-week touring she likes it much better. With some good bags on there now, it suits her for 99% of her riding. As she says, "It's just enough bike: it's fast enough, it's big enough, it's efficient enough, it's Harley enough."

And she always gets over 50mpg.

I ride a 1200, and it does have a little more ummph. One other difference is the clutch: I can use one finger to pull the clutch lever on the 883.

 

these new late model 883s are kinda wimpy, i can easily see why their called girls bikes.

 

Cola, just get the 1200. You won't regret it. I don't think there's really anything else to say. Sure, you might like the 883 too, but has anyone ever gotten on a 1200 and felt they wanted an 883 instead?

 

I'll pretend I didn't read that

 

I love my 883C..If I want more umppp and I do I am thinking of a VROD! But right now I can't even fully utilize the power of the 883 yet.. not yet at least.This 883 vs. 1200 IMHO is just like the 9MM vs. 40 cal. ammo. They both get the job done. All a question of personal preference and situational needs... OK, my two cents woth..

 

I bought a 1200N, but I'm trying to get my lady friend to purchase an 883C for her first bike. She wants it badly, so then I'll have two to cruise around on if need be (laugh). Seriously, though, those bikes are sweet and have more than enough power.