My friend has an iron and mine is a nightster so we swapped, and paint is cheap(ish) lol. no matter what you get your bound to change a few things.

 

get yourself with an 883, unless you have to try to impress people with the, "yeah, its a 1200" line.

ive had an 883 for a while and ive had no problem keeping up with those big twins or 1200s on rides. yeah, 1200s obviously have more power, but its like a sport bike rider getting a 1000cc bike instead of a 600cc. unless youre planning on going drag racing, how fast on the road are you really going to go? ive pushed my "little" 883cc to 106 mph on my way to Las Vegas from san diego and only layed off just because im a bitch and got spooked. i, myself, am more of a cruising kind of a guy, but i can still beat almost any car off of a light with my 883.

for looks, in my opinion, the 48s have the best styling of all the new sportys out there, but i hear from moto enthusiasts that the bike just isnt that comfy compared to other sportys. you obviously can change the suspension, switch to mids, swap the bars, buy a cushy seat, and the whole nine yards to get that comfort you may want, but you can also spend less total money getting an IRON and have a sweet looking bike and just get your self a 1200 or 1250 kit and blow past those stock 1200s.

just my opinion...

 

Buy a used Nightster http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...item1e6ed58bba You will have no problem finding someone to trade you Iron mags for those nice spokes.

RAL

 

Though the tourer's tease my senses i'm a minimalist. I love 52-54 mph highway and i can get from 0-70 in no time at all on an 883R and i weigh in just over 200lbs. I could ride 400 miles a day or more easy on it, more actually with Sundowner seat and stock suspension. Just need to rest my a$$ on fuel ups at 125 miles or so.. If i could change anything i would of got a custom for the bigger fuel tank.. I have no power issues or need to upgrade to 1200cc

Even the 1200 will be murdered by any 600cc sportbike even lower.. Hd's are not speed demons or do most buy them to be such. The 883 could go coast to coast with ease and have plenty of power. 2 up would of course require a bigger motor long range and up the mountains but solo 883 is just awesomeness. My bike is a bike and if i want a ride like a cadillac i'll drive the cage.

 

Love the looks of the 48, but for me the tank size is a deal breaker. Most of my riding is around town, but when i get a chance for a full day out with the boys, stopping for gas every 90 miles would get old. If you get out in the sticks a bit you may need to stop more often, since you may risk no fuel available for a while. Just got my Iron. Did 3 long days and averaged 65 mpg. That range lasts longer that my ***. Put on a 48 seat and it really brings out the lines nicely.

 

My indy will do the 1250 install for $400. Plus the tune. I'd say $1000 for the 1250 installed is a good deal. Add about $450 for the filter and tune. So under $1500. For my scoot, which I got a hell of a deal on, it's a no brainer. I just need to save up the funds because I still have to add a backrest, highway pegs, Progressive shocks and springs and the Kury Panacea system. Which will take priority.

 

having just bought a new iron 883 i was glad i did not get my dealer to install the 1200 kit. after riding the bike i find the riding position ideal for 883cc and the torque power delivery very adequate for almost all occasions. I dont see where it makes much sence getting more speed out of this bike as the upright position is more suitable for leisurely cruising than a fast pace and it does what it was designed for just great. Some folks here says harley should drop the 883 well i think its the best thing they ever did and i do hope they continue as i dont see it as an entry level bike but as an entry level harley. my other bikes are ZRX1100 kawa, GPZ1100 kawa and gsxr1000 suzuki so if i want exteme speed the latter delivers. The harley has a lot of scat for an 883cc twin and i would not regard it as a gals bike either as there is nothing soft or feminine that i can see. Harley has a winner with the 883. i fitted 12" mini apes and 13"rearshocks for more ground clearance other than that i will leave it stock.

 

I picked up a new Nightster (1200) this year...I had been looking for an Iron in denim black and got impatient waiting, so I ended up taking taking the Nightster in the same color. Apart from the 1200, the only other real difference is the spoked wheels. These were both something I eventually wanted anyway, so it was worth it to ME.

Based on what you've indicated and my experience of replacing all kinds of crap in the first 2 months, I'd say save the money and get the Iron. Ride it for a bit and then decide what changes you really want - you'll have the leftover money you saved to start playing. Maybe you'll be surprised and find a bunch of other things to spend that money on before the conversion kit.

 

I originally wanted a 883 but the wife said no, get the nicer one, 1200XLC it turned out to be right, no problems except what I made for myself, 50K on the clock, got tons of torque and keeps going to 100+. Whats the problem, a Harley that goes and goes and goes. PS: No leaks either and everyone drools over it.