I can't stand all the grey on the nightster so I'm going with an iron and converting it to a 1250.

(minus OTD price)

$8,000 + 700 = 1250 iron for $8,700

$10,000 = 1200 nightster covered in grey for $10,000

My issues were this, save money and have a 1250 in the end but ride an 883 until then, or spend more money and have a 1200 right away and paint the grey black myself. HOPEFULLY that **** doesn't start peeling like spray paint jobs almost always do. And at this point spending the money and putting in the time to make a 1200 a 1250 would be hard to justify, and I've already spent more money anyways. So I'm stuck with a 1200 more than likely.

And when I was young (13-15) my friends and I used to ride around on my 500 yamaha virago all day. It had no problem getting us around. First day I got the bike I had it up to almost 100mph in no time. Back in the day sporsters were 883s and that was it.

Obviously my opinion is get an iron and convert it to a 1250 when you can! Do it yourself or see how much they'll charge to install. Prob around a thousand but you still saved $300 for a better looking (IMO) and now quicker bike. It will be like getting a new bike all over again once it's done.

 

You don't have to do anything. Buy the Iron with the HD 1200 conversion, have the dealer do the work. 8,000 (Iron) + 1,200 (conversion) is $9200 + labor, which is still less than the sticker of the Nightster. Plus you get the mag wheel and all black looks AND if you don't change the gearing, the converted Iron is faster off of the line than a stock Nightster (but loses a little top end, how often will you go over 100mph?). Also the carrying capacity of the Nightster and stock Iron is the same, 435lbs, according to the Sportster owner's manual.

 

^ I asked my dealer and they said around 1k for parts and 1k for labor.

 

From HD's website: 883cc -> 1200cc

My dealer charges $90/hr for labor. If they took over 11 hours ($1000 for labor) to do this work, I would go to a different dealer.

 

I have a 1990 Sportster with a SE 1200 conversion (4 speed) and a 2009 Nightster (5 speed), one thing I notice is the gearing on the 1990 feels strange... like it doesn't match the 1200, or maybe it is just the 4 speed vs the 5 speed.
Both fun bikes


Enjoy your new bike!
Rod

 

It actually was 1200 for parts (it's been a while) and whatever they said for labor was basically 2k total... Maybe it was like $1900 but I walked away saying so basically 2k.

Then I came home and found the 1250 NRHS kit with do it yourself instructions for $700.

 

Hey, after the winter we have had, I would not be shocked to see you all riding in shorts and tee shirts complaining about the heat.

 

another thought...if riding 2-up, the suspension on both the iron and nightster arent very good...consider new fork springs and oil and replacing the rear shocks

 

If youre stuck on a sportster. 1200 is the way to go if your ridin a passenger regularly. Good thought on the suspension. I have progressive lowering springs, the standard were not heavy enough for 2up. upgraded to the heavy duty. seatwise, im a huge fan of mustang. I currently have the vintage solo with removable passenger pad and detachable sissy bar. looks good riding solo (after I trimmed the frills off), and on the occasion, one bolt makes it great for ridin my girl.

 

the iron looks a little nicer , but the nightster is a better all round bike , i wish they did a 1200 iron , i think that would be pretty cool , but to be honest and i know you don't really want one , but a street bob is a much better bike than both of those sportsters , there better for 2 up riding , better suspension as standard and a much nicer ride in general , you will trade up if you buy a sportie with the intention of 2 up riding , there just not up to the job ....sorry