i guess experienced riders need a lot of crap on their bikes to make it above us entry level riders. they just don't get what the sportster is all about. i'd like a rolling couch too and am looking at used street glides. my iron won't be leaving the garage anytime soon though. the only way i would ever sell it is if one of my friends was interested in it. then only if i thought that friend would baby it. then again probably wouldn't sell it to him anyway.LOL.

i think harley should start a new brand just called sportster and have dealerships with only sportsters, then when us serious bikers want to go look at motorcycles we wouldn't have to deal with the posers and salesmen pushing couches on us!

 

much different atmosphere in the forums. when i want help with something i go to xl and when i just want to chat about sportsters i come here as there seems to be more things to chat about here. definitely a lot of good conversion and modification info over there.

 

Last week at work i was asked (by a non rider) if i will eventually get a bigger Harley...

I don't know what to think. Was he assuming that i'd need a bigger bike *once* i'd be a more experienced rider? (been riding since a year)

People are clueless.

 

Question for you conversion guys. I'm going to look at an 87 sporty 883 that has the 1200 kit. The guy said he's had it for 3 years and it was already converted, and he had it checked out at a dealer after he bought it to make sure everything was right, and it is. Is there any visible way for me distinguish if this really does have the conversion done other than the guys word if he has no receipts? He says the bike is in really nice shape, could use an oil change, rear tire, and a chain. But he says its never been down, no dents or scratches, and it was owned by a nurse since new just before he bought it for his wife, he's only asking $2800 for it. For that price I'd be a fool not to buy it. But the last sporty I looked at was titled in Florida, the VIN said it was an 883 but the Florida title said 1200, and I just walked away because of all the mismatched numbers. I want to make sure I'm not getting into the same thing here.

 

I can almost guarantee if your buddy did the cam job you did it wouldn't be "light years" difference. Also since your sitting with 883 gears your working your engine harder and have less top end so at speeds I doubt your running rings around him. To the people saying there isn't any real difference between an 883 and a 1200 I call BS. I just traded a 06' 883C for an 05' 1200C and you will definitely notice the difference. I am sure there is a little increase with the 50 extra cc's the 1250 provides but really put 883 gears in your buddies 1200 and do the same cam job you did and then tell us

 

And then put on 1250 pistons/jugs and I bet you won't be able to see any difference at all!!..But with out those 2 or three things the above 1250 will run circles around a stock 1200...My 883 to 1250 conversion (1250, cams, and big valves, new spark controler, exhaust, intake ) spins the tire in first, and when it bites in and starts going, I hit second and it lifts the front about 6-8 inches for 10 feet or so..needless to say its a blast to ride...

 

I always hear this argument about the extra in Insurance, So what are we talking savings wise?

I have a 2013 1200 Full Coverage, uninsured motorist, Two year full replacement if totaled or stolen, road service and $3500.00 modification replacement and I pay $20.00 a month ($240.00 a year) with a $500.00 deductible through Farmers Ins.

 

not sure but i would look at the base of the cylinders on the left side as you sit on it. mine say NRHS there. not sure what a harley upgrade would say however. maybe just 1200 or something?

 

Conversion if done correctly and professionally is the "ONLY" way to go. I can't think of any serious Harley rider who hasn't modified, improved their engines. Also, you have endless possibilities with what you can do. Of course, if you have the funds to do so. You can also do what I did, I purchased a bike pre-owned with all the work already done to her. She's an 883 but converted to a 1200 w all SE parts, Woods cams, dyno and tuned, exhaust, etc etc etc. Now keep in mind that I purchased a bike from someone who had proper documentation, receipts, maintenance history, project work pics, etc etc. Sometimes people buy things and invest handsomely in them and then something happens. Wether divorce, financial or whatever other reasons that they don't want to keep the bike so their lost is your gain.

I would consider to "always" look at "used/pre-owned" private party sells. Screw the "STEALERSHIPS" and their BS. But honestly "Conversion" is the only way to go sometimes but not always. Just study your options, desires, performance needs and that will guide you in the right direction.

Good luck

 

most of us pushing the 883-1250 conversion are not talking about just converting to 1250. we are interested in headwork, cams, exhaust, air cleaner and getting it tuned right. 1200 vs 1250 is a waste to compare. if that is all you want go with the 1200 and save your time. there is no winner here it's all in what the person doing the conversion wants. the 1200 and 883 are so close to being the same thing it is a foolish argument because a lot of us are going to tear them a apart and build them anyway regardless of what they were stock.