I have rented them both and there is a huge difference in the seat of your pants power feel.
I would do the 1200

 

I like you owned Ninja 6R,don't think you will hit 95 mph in 3rd in no time on either of sizes you are looking at. They are not that style of sport bike. I love my bike and it gets up for a cruiser. Only have stage 1 done and really don't feel the need to swap. I have driven a 1200c a bunch of times,a bud use to want to use my bike to ride his kid around since I have the sundowner set up so we would swap for a couple days. There is a power difference but my bike will go 80 all day and other than some extra torque and a little different gearing there is no difference in the 2 so cruising the twisties isn't much different.

 

I bought a 2005 883c with 7700 miles in mint condition. for 5k. I thought it was a 1200 and was heart broken when I insured it and found out it was an 883. I know, you should have known or shot the guy and all that. In the last month I put some W carbs and a #48 slow jet and there is a huge difference in performance. Anyway I love it now and rarely touch the 09 road king. It sounds and handles so great it is a great bike. who would have known. Plus it is the correct motorcycle color, black.

 

Someone remind me again why the extra 6 horsepower or so you get with Harleys "bigger bikes" vs 1200 sportsters makes people more satisfied? More money for a few more horsepower and more weight for a bike that goes slower and handles worse.
Anyway......coming from a 600c sport bike any harley is going to seem painfully slow, but you would be better off with the 1200 if you don't want to do engine work. If you want to tweak the engine just buy the 883 and put the 1250 kit in with other work and get it near 100 HP and you may be semi satisfied. If you want anything near your sport bike look elsewhere and get a metric cruiser or Vmax honestly.
Also I purchased my 883 new in 07' and have had no desire to ever trade it in or want more power. I've ridden on just about everything from the R6's to a Busa. The 883 does just fine for what I like. If I ever want a good performing bike there will be an R1 sitting next to my Sportster. The sportster will not be going anywhere though, small girly engine and all. I get nothing but compliments on the bike.

 

The 883 has more than enough power and performance to get what needs to be done out on the road IMO.. Anything more would be a waste that rarely would get used sensibly. I'm new to this but for me I'm barely using any throttle through the gears to get her up to highway speeds way faster than any cage with plenty to spare.

883 is Cheaper to run, cheaper to insure and if years from now you still want the extra cc's you can do that.

The intake/exhaust upgrade will make it seem much bigger than it is if that's what you want. That's likely what my first upgrade to "Piglet" will be.

 

I think ultimatley it falls into the cashflow category. I would have got the new Blackline if I had the cash right now, instead I got the Iron. I like both styles, but I mean, faster is better right? And yes I freaking love my Iron. I have 310 miles on it now and it has been a blast.

 

[quote=Saltwaterwop;8243528]The 883 has more than enough power and performance to get what needs to be done out on the road IMO.. Anything more would be a waste that rarely would get used sensibly. I'm new to this but for me I'm barely using any throttle through the gears to get her up to highway speeds way faster than any cage with plenty to spare.
883 is Cheaper to run, quote]

We are all different,,I use every pony my 1200R can muster. Don't NEED It
but LOVE It,,

Same principal as a condom,
I'd rather have It and not need It,, than need It and Not Have It XD

There have been a few times that IMO 1200 power got me away
from a stupid cager just In time,,,,,

As for cheaper to run,,,If the slightly lower MPG of my 1200 was a
factor that would mean I could not afford a "Toy" like a motorcycle
In the first place.