Hello all new member, first time posting. I am from Australia and recently got my license, but here in Aus we are restricted to low powered bikes for the first year. Pretty much any 250cc and a up to 660cc which do not exceed a power-to-weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne. I currently have a Ninja 250 to get me through this year! its felt like forever! Speed isn't a huge factor for me but I definitely what a little more than what I have now. I love the look of the Iron 883 and everything about it, but with a little bit of research found power may lack a little? and every now and then i do enjoy to hit high speeds. Should I just be going for a 1200 instead? Was also looking at 48 and nightster. Purchasing soon, and this has just been rattling my brain on which to choose, thanks guys! all replies would be a big help

 

Hey, I'm from Aus and recently got my full riders license. I went to a Harley open ride day today and took a few bikes out. I'm personally looking at the 1200c myself. I love the look of the Iron 883 but the negatives outweigh the positives for me. Pop into your closest dealer (if it's not too far away) and sit on both of them, see what feels better, and when you get your full licnese and take an 883 and a 1200 out. After the slow learner legal bikes ANYTHING feels better lol

 

Having "enough power" is such a subjective thing and as FXD mentioned, anything you ride now will feel faster than those other bikes. Sit on all the bikes that you're interested in, and test ride the ones you feel worthy. You could always upgrade the iron to a 1200 or 1250 down the road since you're already loving the look. Either way, you're on the right track and can't go wrong with any of those sporty's!!

 

Go with the 1200 and get it over with. You can always throttle down with a 1200 but you cant throttle up past what an 883 can do. The differance is major.

JonMon

 

I love my iron and it has plenty of power. Even when cruising at 80 mph I still have enough to get up faster in a hurry. I plan on doing a 1250 upgrade to it, but I wouldn't have taken a 1200 over my 883. It's plenty fast as far as I'm concerned.

 

doesn't sound like he knows what he,s talking about to me , if its good enough why do the upgrade to a 1250 .... ?

Chili *****
if you like the iron buy it , if you like the nightster or 48 , then great , buy the bike you like
the 883 doesn't have as much power as the 1200 but it will be fine unless your a fat fella , the 1200 gearing is different to a converted 883 , and even with the 1250 upgrade the iron will only be worth iron money when you change up in a year or 2 ,
so if you think you may need the bigger engine bike , buy that from the start , it will save you money in the long run ,
, apart from the limited tank range of the 48 , i think its the best looking bike Harley make .....JMO

 

If you like the look of the Iron get it and upgrade to a 1250 later if you feel it is necessary. The upgrade is easy to do and will save you a lot of $$$ in the long run. Also your insurance will be cheaper than a 1200 which up here in Canada is a significant chunk if change.

 

I bought my Iron for looks over the 1200 with the intention of doing a 1250 later. My 1250 will be faster and look better than any 1200 off the floor. Also once you hit 1000cc the insurance goes up. Doing the conversion allows me to stay at 883 Ins.

 

IMO, no, it does not have enough power, but you can always upgrade to a NRHS 1250 Kit and then it will be MUCH better.

 

I prefer the iron due to trans gearing compared to the 1200. The iron is a faster bike with the 1200 kit.