its not your fault..that question is asked here all the time and most of the time it turns into an 883 or 1200 battle...by the way welcome to the forums you will like it here..

 

Okay, after digging more I see more info than I originally thought. One question tho. Why all the flaming and arguing over which bike is better? I thought they were the same sans displacement and gearing. The only real thing I am looking for is whether or not highway speeds make them the engine seem too busy. I understand that either one can handle the speed. However I had a V-Star 1100 that could handle highway speeds too. The real reason I went from it to my Electra-Glide at the time was the V-Star just seemed to be turning a lot of revs at 70 mph. It was not going to hurt it because it was made that way but it did not make for a comfortable day of riding if you rode most of the day. All that being said if I get her a bike and she determines the same about it as I just mentioned I will end up trading again. So.... I am just researching in advance to try and avoid that potential problem. So how much real difference is there between the two in regard to the revs at 65 mph??? Is it real noticeable?? I know the 883 is geared somewhat lower.

 

i cant speak for the 883 because i never rode one,but a friend of mine has an 05 vstar 1100 and it revs like crazy around 70 mph..i rode it one night and i think it needed a 6th gear maybe even a 7th or 8th gear..it revs way higher than my 1200..i dont think the 883 is too much different in revs from the 1200..although i cant be too sure since i never rode one..

 

My 883 can handle 70 and 80 mph just fine as that is whereI normally cruise at. It does rev kinda high at those speeds but it doesn't bother me a whole lot. Your wife might be bothered about it, buton the other handshe might even like the sensation.

 

Seldont, I am the perfect person to answer this question for you. I recently purchased a 2005 883L for my wife. I was thinking the same as you. She won't ride it, it will just sit, is it beg enough...Let me tell you, this is her first bike and she loves it. She had to have a harley as well. We have had it about 3 or 4 weeks, and we have ridden everyday that it was possible to, meaning that the weather permitted. She rides everyday or night, as time permits. I took her to the local biker hang for the first time today, and she did great. We got an 883L with about 5000 miles on it for about 5K. It was in perfect condition. It also had some extras such as screamin eagle slip ons, progressive rear shocks, corbin seat, winshield, etc...I was searching for a bike for her for about 3 months, and this was the lowest priced newest model I could find that entire time, and it is flawless. I really think we scored a great deal. They can be found...Good luck...

 

..deal.i just offered a good deal,for a 2003 100th ani,bike
with tons of add-ons,it has not one bit of troulble holding
70mph,1672 miles blue-books everwhere for more than im asking
..thanks

 

Hmm. No problem holding 80-90. Great bike!

 

to answer your question about engine speed acording to my tach the 1200 is turning 3,000 rpm at 70 mph.

 

Don't forget that the first Sportster, the one designed specifically to match a Triumph, was an 883 and those inspired Triumph to increase their engine size. And, the newer 883 pulls a good deal better than the old one. If your wife is short on experience the 883 is, by far, the better choice because the 1200 has enough power to get into trouble too easily.

As for keeping up at normal highway speeds, depends on what you consider normal. Reasonably close to the speed limit, it will run along all day and ask for more. Keeping up with a modified big twin running WFO might be a bit of a strain.

 

Rent one of each and try them. I have never ridden a 883, but my 1200 will run over 100 mph with no problem and you will still have a good amount of engine left at thatspeed if you want to gas it and bury the speedo.