I have a 2009 883 Custom and haven't taken it much out on the highway yet, just local freeways (top out at 100-105 km/h). Here's my predicament. I don't want to load it up with accessories unless I'm going to keep it, but if I plan on doing road trips in the future, should I upgrade to the 1200? If I buy a windshield for the 883, will it fit on the 1200 if I upgrade next year? Will the 883 do fine on the highway, long trips type thing? or am I going to regret not getting the 1200....

 

Your 883's fine for road trips & if you stick w/same era Sporty - accessories like shields, seats, etc. will match (interchangeable). Another later option would be adding 1200 kit to your 883 to beef it up...I say load it up...JMO.

 

If you like your bike, you could just upgrade/convert your 883 to a 1200. The conversion is cheaper than buying a new bike, and all of your accessories will fit since you are only changing out a few top-end motor parts with the conversion. The Screamin' Eagle 1200 conversion kit costs about $2200 dealer installed in my neck of the woods. If you're handy with a wrench you could do it much cheaper on your own.

 

If you plan to stay with sporty 883 is great. If you have the larger gas tank you will get better gas mileage than most of the other bikes if not all. 883s have good power so keeping up is not a problem. If you upgrade go to Touring bike like Road King or at least a Heritage. I have not met many people that felt the upgrade to a 1200 was worth it except for the custom gas tank that holds more gas. Sportys are fun :-)

 

I'm a chick...not handy with a wrench...LOL. But I get your point -- cheaper to just upgrade the bike.

Can you put a wider front tire on the 883 Custom? I noticed that the new 2011 1200 Customs have nice fat tires on the front.

 

I agree with the above and if you have a peanut tank upgrade that also. More gas more miles between fillups.

 

Yes with new forks. You just need to find a good wrench that is not at HD so you can save some money on the upgrades. The smaller tires are ok if you want to keep them. They are good for travel.

 

I have a 4.5 gallon tank.....is there a bigger one than that??

 

The 48 and the customs with the fat front tire use the same 39mm forks tubes as yours (and Mid Glide Triple Trees) ... one option is to buy either a Mid or Wide Glide 39mm conversion kit from Vulcan Works, browse the site link below:

http://vulcanworks.net/store_4/home....ction=0&page=1

You will need to buy a rear rim and match the wheel bearing inner diameter to the correct axle diameter.. the kits come with all the hardware (including kits to mount the fender, although I don't believe your fender will fit in a fat front tire application, I am certain one of our expert forum members can clarify this one for us)

 

Yeah But Its alot of money for not much more gas,,
I'd guess this tank Is 5 or 5.5 gallons. It's a Dyna Tank BTW
Looks really cool tho,,,would definatly turn heads XD