I'm a sucker for the black/chrome harley engines, and for some reason I just can't "bond" with the silver cases.

Passed up a super deal on a Softail Standard not long ago, and the main reason I didn't buy it was because of the 'silver engine'. Yeah, that's stupid, but oh well. LoL...

 

Old Fender, I'm the same way. I don't know which model my "next" Harley will be but I do know the engine will be black and chrome.

 

I test rode a 96 ci a few weeks back. It was WAY slower then my 1200. I was thinking the bigger engine of the 96 would offset the extra weight of the Street Glide 200 lbs (love the look of the SG). I think the difference is in the gears. The 6 speed is geared very high compared to my 1200R. When you add weight+high gears it makes the bike slower.

In other words, I vote for the 1200 because the weight is the same of the 883, but the power is much better.

 

It really depends what you are looking for.

I have an 883 - Its plenty quick for my purposes - no problems on the highways (it is an 883 (which is a pretty big engine for a nimble bike) - we tend to forget that) and I had heard (I guess 1200 owners could chime in) that the 883, at least in prior years, was smoother with less vibration than the 1200. My 883 is still quicker, I think than most softails (and a lot nimbler). Cost was not an issue when I was deciding- I just liked the 883 and the 883 low is lower than the 1200 low - I liked the feeling of it. That being said, the 1200 is clearly a more powerful bike, and is considerably quicker. If you will ride 2 up (other than with your kids), then I would suggest the 1200 - but if that is really a plan, you should think about a Dyna or Softail anyway (much more comfortable for 2 up).

Now the confession - sure- I thought about whether I should have bought the 1200 after I bought my bike - so I take the point of the earlier post But then again, I'm already starting to think about a softail for those longer trips (I guess I just have the HD bug now).

Regards

 

Well, I don't know if I would go far when talking about the power output of he 883, unless you are talking about the pre 2000 Softails that came with the Evolution engines.

Since purchasing my 100th Anniversity Softail Fatboy last week (it's still in transit, hasn't arrived yet) I've talked to a number of tuners I know around the country to get some actual horsepower figures for the Sportster Evolution engines and Twin Cam engines used in the Big Twins.

The average figures they gave me from actual dyno runs were kind of surprising.

Harley rates the 883 at 53 net horsepower, but at the rear wheel they put out approximately 43 to 45 horsepower. Of course a 'Stage 1" setup would increase this figure.

The 1200 has a net horsepower rating of 70, and puts out between 60 to 63 horsepower to the rear wheel. This is in stock condition before any modifications.

It looks like the horsepower figures of the 1450 TC engines (in stock form) are just slightly higher than that of the 2004+ 1200's, with rear wheel figures in the 63 to 66 horsepower range.

But of course the additional weight of the larger bikes need to be taken into consideration. The large touring bikes (Road King, Electra Glide, etc) weigh 200+ pounds more than the Sportsters, but the Dyna's and Softails are only 100 to 125 pounds heavier than a newer Sportster.

The original owner of my FLSTF/I sent me a printout of when they had the Stage 1 completed and everything tuned correctly on a dyno.

It shows 81 horsepower to the rear wheel (at 5,500 RPM) and 84 pounds of torque to the rear wheel (at a low 3,750 RPM). This is with a air/fuel ratio of 13.1.

Those are some potent rear wheel horsepower and torque figures, even though the bike weighs in at about 125 pounds more than my Sportster.

I'm not sure what kind of figures my modified 1200C is putting out, as I've never bothered to have a dyno run completed. I might do that this winter though as I'm interested in comparing the numbers against my Fatboy.

 

Just an FYI, One of my buddies who works in back of Patriot HD in FFX Va... Bought a 2006 (black) 883R... I have a 2005 XL1200R...
For the records either is a great buy and a great ride...<long distance riding...well...>
1. For the Money XL1200R is a great performer and not too pricey to modify
2. For little more than a XL883L the XL883R is great too
3. IMO...All of the sporties are nimble and quick for HD bikes
3.1 the 1200 Stock is obviously a bit more money and a bit quicker

Don't look speed or size if Fun is the ticket you wish to punch !!!

Really Base Specs 2006 -XL 1200R Roadster offers a harder-edged, performance-oriented interpretation of the Sportster legacy. Its high-performance XL Evolution 1200 engine delivers 70 hp and 79 ft. lbs. of torque for responsive performance across the powerband. Wide, polished handlebars give the rider leverage in turns, and dual front disc brakes and tachometer are standard.

Engine:
Type: Rubber-mounted air-cooled Evolution® 45 degree, OHV, V-Twin
Displacement: 1200cc(73.2ci)
Bore and Stroke: 88.8mm X 96.8mm (3.50 in. X 3.81 in.)
Fuel System: Carburetor
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
MPG: 52 hwy / 45 city

Drivetrain:
Transmission: 5-speed
Final Drive: belt

Brakes:
Front: Dual piston caliper, 11.5 in. x 0.20 in. disc
Rear: Single piston caliper, 11.5 in. x 0.23 in. disc

Suspension:
Front: 39 mm telescopic
Rear: coil over dual-adjustable preload shocks

Wheels and Tires:
Front: 19 in. silver 13-spoke cast aluminum wheel with D401F 100/90-19 57H tire
Rear: 16 in. silver 13-spoke cast aluminum wheel with D401 150/80B16 71H tire

Dimensions:
Length: 90.1 in.
Seat Height: 28.1 in. with 180 pound rider
Rake and Trail: 29.6 degrees / 4.6 in.
Wheelbase: 60.0 in.
Weight: 557.0 lbs. dry
Fuel Capacity: 3.3 gals.

Miscellaneous:
Colors: Vivid black, brilliant silver pearl, black cherry pearl, black pearl, chopper blue pearl, fire red pearl, mirage orange pearl, yellow pearl
Price: $8,595 - $8,815

 

If I were to do it all over again a 1200c would be my choice. Soooo I converted my 04 883c to almost a 1200c.......cams & heads next year. But for right now my baby is running sweet (and loud)

Olesalt

 

Wrong on the 1200, the 883 built the rep, you had many variations of bigger cc bikes before the 1200 came to be.

 

Actually both the Evolution 883 and 1200 are the 'nicky new guys' on the block when it comes to Sportsters, as they were both introduced in 1986.

The original '57 XL Sportsters (which became XLCompetitionHot in 1958) had 55CI engines. They were actually 901cc, but most refer to them as the 900cc Sportsters. These engines were totally different monsters than the current day 883/1200 Evolution engines.

In 1972 the 61CI (1000cc) replaced the 55CI (900cc) and was used in the regular Sportster up until the release of the EVO 883/1200 engines for the Sportster.

 

Really depends on what you want. I wanted a 1200 motor in the 883R frame...so I had to buy the 883R and will build a 1200 stage 1 motor.