About the only thing I dont like about my 2000 1200 is the front tire.

The wide slots,I dont know what else to call them, in the local interstate highway scare me to death. I have to make sure to hit them sidwize. The $ is big to set mine up that way.

If I was buying new a Sport like the 48 with the 1200 motor would be perfect. Well almost perfect I would add the big tank.

JonMon

 

The stock dunlops are often blamed for tracking/stability Issues.
They do have that deep center "Sipe" and people blame that for
Crack "Hunting".
A different type tire often cures some of this.
I cured It with a fork brace and by setting proper "Sag" front and rear.

Most people also go with the owners manual on tire pressures,,
Thats fine If yer a 160 Lbs rider,,,Most are not.

Still on my stock dunlops and have no tracking/traction Issues at all
And I got real skinny chicken strips XD

Most guys who have not ridin with a fork brace don't know how much
a front end flexes..
All who ride with one won't go without,,,ever.

 

An 883 Sporty will do upwards of 180km/hr or maybe a hair more. I personally had mine going 115mph (185-ish km/hr) although I wouldn't recommend running that speed as the bike feels somewhat unstable. It will handle 80mph (130km) pretty easily for however long you want to go that speed.
Point is, if you're happy with your bike there is no need to go 1200. An 883 will run highway speeds all day long w/o trouble.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with the bike. I just want to get COMFORTABLE on this bike and know the ins and outs of it. Still a bit unsure at low speed drills, but am going to take a one on one course as last night (with hubby's help) figured out what I was doing wrong. I know...it's just a practice, practice, practice thing, but dang, I wanna get it!!
Went out on the highway last night for a bit, and was comfortable at 110 km/h WITHOUT a windshield..LOL. Going to pick up my windshield today, so hopefully that will help!!
Thanks guys for all of your help and advice!

 

The 883 is just fine on the open highway. With the 4.5 gallon tank it wiould probably outlast most other bikes between stops. For the longer rides, I opted for my Road King. As much as I loaded up my Sporty (saddle bags, sissy bar, luggage rack, suitcase, windshield, etc., it just never cut it for me as a tourer. The extra power, weight, storage, cruise control, 6th speed, is just a luxury to have. $'s dictate usually.

 

Your 883 will be fine on the highway I ride on it every time I commute to school, I ride at 80-85 mph without any problems and it sounds solid ... Ive topped it out in 5th gear with throttle pinned for a few miles on a straight away and it stops according to the speedo at 115 ish so the engine can def handle cruising on the highway

 

I love how the windshield takes away the feeling of being blown off the bike on some windy days but not enough to tolerate the head shake most have while riding with a shield. The only time i do tolerate windshield buffeting is during early spring *COLD* weather riding. I'm 200lbs and the 883 will get go from 0-70mph very quick. I love 50-55 miles per gallon something you won't get with the 1200. My only complaint on my 883 is the 3.3 gallon tank. 4.5 would be nice!

You can't test windshields regretfully so one may be just right for you and the other will give you headaches from the buffeting. I think i would stay away from any HD windshield. Go aftermarket.

 

Thanks My Man,,,There is no problem requiring a fork brace,the frount end is fine no movement at all during some fancy speeds here and there I am not talking about wobble.

Fork barce was ment for entended front ends anyway your basic Sport will never be enhansed installing one. I just dont like ridding over a road with 2'' expansion joints where the pavement has fallen in. My damm frount tire could fall into that !!!!

Anyway its all good, just wish I had that 48 front fork is all with the wide tire My Bud with an FXD lets me get on His and there is a Big differance in my mind anyway. Probley just me I hate that feeling going into those things although nothing has ever happened.

Again if I was buying New the 1200 motor would be my only choice

JonMon

 

One of the best tires for tracking on rain groves is the Bridgstone Excedra's and they are modestly priced. I bought a set for $325 shipped and no sales tax.

 

Your second statement,
"your basic Sport will never be enhansed installing one."

My stock 1200R was greatly enhanced by the Superbrace.
Fork stiction was reduced alot.
The test was simple.
I sat on the bike and compressed the front shocks,,,
I put the brace on and did that again,,felt like I had lighter springs
and Oil..
There was no wobble once I got the tire pressure correct.

There was a need for small steering inputs on the bars during hi speed
corners before the brace,,after,,,only one steering Input on corner
entry then maintenance throttle to arrest and hold the lean angle,,
no more steering inputs at all.

The crack hunting 19" dunlop no longer hunted cracks,,the difference
was very noticable.

Again those that do not have one on a stock bike will not know how
much It will Improve the bike.
And most riders do not ride hard or fast enough to ever really need one.

I'm talking about running corners 10-20 or more MPH faster than Is
possible on a custom or a low model.
Customs and Low models drag hard parts long before the stock suspension
reaches any real stress level.
Stock Roadsters have 32 degree's lean angle both sides..
Other models,,29 at best, most often 26,,lowerd bikes,,far less.

The stock roadster suspension Is the same as the customs but far greater
loads are placed on that model if riddin to Its limits.
Plus there Is 11 Lbs more unsprung weight up front,,the extra disk and
calipur of the dual front brakes wich adds to fork flexing.

If a rider has any other model and has no wobble or tracking Issues
then the brace could be a waist of money.
Untill the day comes when that rider has to really ride at the bikes edge
to stay alive.

Also the Brace should never be mounted untill all other adjustments are
done to correct any handling problems.
You would not want the fork brace covering up something.