[/quote]
The frame is different...
[/quote]It is also much, much heavier. The rubbermounts added about 50 lbs to our lightweight bikes...making them a heavyweight?

 

Any post 04 will suit you well. For your purposes, the 883 should be fine... sink the extra $ into a good seat and grips.

 

I own and ride an '04 XL883C and a '05 XL1200R. Both are totally acceptable as far as being free from the hand/feet numbing vibrations that a non-rubber mount Sportster can develop. But, the 883 is noticeably smoother all thru the acceleration range over the 1200. The degree of vibration of the 1200 varies with the degree of acceleration. The 883 picks up the vibration from ridged road surfaces and amplifies them more than the 1200; I think because of the 21 in. dia. front wheel and its much stiffer side wall of the tire.

Both bikes will develop a vibration in a narrow rpm range on acceleration if the drive belt is the slightest bit loose. The 1200 will do it from 2600 to 2900 rpm. My impression (no tach) on the 883 is that the rpm range is slightly higher where the loose drive belt vibs hit at. ................. BC

 

Hay thanks guys, I've had a 1960XLH and a 1980XLCH. I loved both and rode both about 50K before I moved on. They were very easy maintained and rode about as good as one could ask for that size bike. And vibes were'nt something I would run from but a day at the Dragon is arround a 300 mile day from my house so I don't want any hand killers. I know the 883 power and it is fine for my easy going style.
And I have been thinking more an more about another one.

 

Regardless of what ANYONE tells ya, the 883 is fine in the Twisties, there are no problems that I have encountered and I put 18k on mine this past year and 99% of that was in the Twisties of Upstate SC and Western NC, even one trip to the Dragon. I have absolutely 0 problems with Vibration, is there some Vibration? Sure is, but ANYV twin vibrates, IMHO, My 883 vibrates less at idle than the 06 St Bob I test rode, that aint no BS. Power? ha, I'm about 220lbs and it pulls my fatass thru the hills as good as any Bike.

 

I'd say get a rubbermount 883 and enjoy. No vibration issues with mine. If you want to flog it in the twisties I would suggest upgrading the suspension. Progressive springs and shocks are not expensive and make a big difference. If you decide you need more power, you can always punch it out to 1200 later. You will still have less$$$ in it than if you bought a new 1200 with the extra bling that goes with one. And performance will be better.