Just to start off, I'm in love with the Iron, but I'm open to help swaying my decision.

I was offered a 2010 Iron for what the guy owes on it, which would be about $6500 or so by the time I have the CASH to pay for it.
I was also offered a 2004 883R for $4000.

I have never owned a motorcycle before, and this 883R is the same I practiced on in a parking lot last weekend.

There are probably pros and cons to each, but I'm such a n00b I don't really know them that well.

The fuel-injected 2010 Iron is bone stock other than forward controls. The carbureted 2004 883R has mini-apes, upgraded intake and exhaust, removable windshield, gel grips, and dual gas tanks.

My goal, was to mod my bike into more of a bobber style. I love that look and seeing so many Iron's done that way is what initially made me fall in love with them. I also like the Iron for the fact it is fuel injected. That just seems like less to work on, and I'm no gear head. I also liked the all black look of the Iron, and while the 883R has a black engine for the most part, it has a lot of chrome on it too.

As for the money, a $2500 difference is pretty big. With the Iron, it's stock so there's a lot I'd want to do with it, which means even more money. The 883R has a lot done to it already and wouldn't need new bars, intake and exhaust, even if they aren't my preferred color.

So in the end, I'm not sure if $2500 is worth having a newer model Sportster with less miles and wear, and the personal peace of mind of having fuel injection.

Please, do you have any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

imo, I would go with the Iron.
BUT, If you can swing it, I would look for a custom or a nightster. I think the 883 will be great, but chances are you will be looking for the next step by next season, and prob wish you went with a 1200.
again, jmo...

 

EDIT: Just re-read your post and saw the part about you liking EFI and not being a gearhead...maybe you should ignore this post then. :-)

I think the decision of carbed vs EFI is a big part of this.

Carbs are pretty easy to work on, while EFI requires more equipment to tune.

If you want to do a retro build, while I LOVE the iron....I would suggest you get the carbed 883.

For example: You can manually adjust the carb a bit to run a bit more rich. Sure, major changes will require a jet kit, but you can make small tweaks easier on a carbed bike.

If you get one with EFI, you can install VIEDs from Nightrider, but that is another $100 just to get some basic tunability that you would have with a screwdriver on the carbed bike.

I love my Iron883, but if they built a non EFI version, I would have bought that.

 

Iron. Definitely the iron.

 

Well you did not post the mileage on both bikes, but for me this is easy. I would take the 2010 Iron all day long over the R for $2500 differance. I hate cabbed bikes and the Iron is 6 years newer and not messed with. The forwards are a must IMO so you are good there and with having not mods done it's a black slate. The R is a cool looking bike, but it sounds like he took off the best looking part of the stock R-the tank. Go with the Iron and you will be happier in the long run.

 

A big factor is what condition they are in, how many miles, etc. Since you are not a gearhead I would find a mechanic you TRUST and have them check them both out. That may go a long ways in making a decision.

Have fun with whatever you get!

Kevin

 

I miss my 883r.
It had all kinds of cool stuff, which the insurance company took when they totaled my bike.

Now I have a stock bike that I'm having to start "fresh" again with.

Add up handlebars, cables, brakelines, aircleaner, jet kit, pipes, and everything else and you come up with a BIG number.

I get where folks are coming from when they say "get the newer stock bike", but as someone who is going through this RIGHT NOW, the cheaper bike with more mods you don't have to PAY for sounds like a great deal.

I really miss my 883r, so I'm probably a little biased.
But, daaaaaamn, I'm really tired of what buying parts has done to my bank account.

 

Ide go with the iron, I love mine and 2500 is less than buying the cheaper bike than wishing you had bought the iron imo

 

I was prepared for a debate, but it doesn't seem like much sway towards the Roadster. I love them Iron's... so that's where my heart is. The 883R's also seem to get a lot of love on here, and I really didn't know why other than the dual rotors.
It's going to be an easy $3000 - $4000 difference when it's all done, with the price difference between the bikes and the addition of intake/exhaust/reprogram, etc.
But on the other hand, having the newer more modern bike definitely gives me a lot more peace of mind, for whatever reason. And I'll probably never second guess that decision.

 

Well, I LOVE my Iron and I know you will love yours too!!!