I'm just gonna throw this out there... and I'm kinda surprised no one has had the ***** to say it yet. Buy a bigger bike and be happier
in the long run. Sporties are not that comfortable for guys your size. Just being realistic.

Now everbody else... go ahead and throw bottles at me for tellin it like it is, I can take it.

 

At my whopping 5'7" 155 I wouldn't want under the 1200. Never ridden an 883, but my bonnie was 800 and I wanted more sometimes. I've never felt there was a lack of power in any situation with the 1200.

And go with what the guy above me said. Go with a big twin or bagger at your size. For what you're gonna drop on even a used iron, nightster or 48, you could get an older dyna, or for a few grand more an RK. I want an RK, but I'm concerned I'd feel like a flea on the the back of it...

 

Well, I got a 1200 Sporty because I rode sportbikes for about 19 years before I thought about going Harley and before I sunk in the money for a big Harley, I figure I would test the waters with the Sporty and I can always move up afterwards. Then I did... because it is just a natural evolution for me. But you might not like it.

 

Take the advice from someone that owns both, get a bigger bike. I'm 6' 215lbs down from 230, I feel big on my Iron. I ride the Iron back and forth to work, around town, and sporty trips through the country. It does fine and it has enough power mainly due to being geared lower than the 1200. But I can't stand riding it on the Interstate and not because it's a 883, it's just a small bike. I've also owned a 2000 XL1200S so I'm well aware of the power differences. I'd look at the Dynas if I were you. They're not that much more than the Sportys you're looking at. My dad owned a '06 Dyna Low Rider and it wasn't as nice as my Street Glide on the Interstate but a lot better than the Sporty.

 

Don't even think about the 883, get the 1200 and your sure to be happy.

 

Well, I have both the Sporty 1200 and Heritage FLSTC but they are for different purposes. I would take the Sporty on short hops and cruises around town but the Heritage goes across towns and for long rides. The Heritage does not split lanes well and it sure doesn't work well in the city with all the stop and go while the Sporty is perfectly fine with it.

I am not that big of a guy but I can handle both. The Sporty 1200 is definitely the most powerful, manueverable and fastest Harley, when you calculate weight to power and handling all together. (Not counting the XR which is not a cruiser)

 

Even more than the V-Rod? You sure about that?

 

I am going to go in the other direction...

Whats the price difference between the 1200 and the 883?

What the cost of converting the 883 to a 1250?

...also what is the cost of full coverage on the 1200 versus the 883?

I chose the 883 because it'll save me money and when I covert it to 1250cc's it will still be titled as an 883 paying 22 dollars a month for full coverage...

 

I know the V-Rod has tons of power but it certainly is not as manueverable as the Sporty which can handle the turns like nobody's business. The V-Rod's wheelbase and heavier weight is what I counted against it, even though it has way more power, in its water cooled non-Harley engine.

 

5'9" is about average isn't it?.. Maybe just in Nebraska. I'm 6'4" 270. Never had a problem with the 883, and it gets up around 110MPH if I ever want. That said, most people tend to get tired of it, it seems... I'm one of the few that really loves the 883. I'll get another bike someday, but something about the eight eight three makes me real happy. Z-I-P-P-Y. Since you are asking, you probably would be happy with that 48 over the Iron. It's a bad *** bike. Have fun.