IMHO, unless you want to go thru this again in a few years buy an 07 1200 now regardless of the up charge and keep it for life.

 

I've heard that the 07 is much more driveable than the 06. Couple guys told me it was much quicker down low and it wasnt as rev'y from a dead stop.. I dont know if thats right or not, we'll have to wait for a responce from someone who rode both.

 

My wife has on 06 883 and I have an 07 883- her 06 is piped and jetted and runs stronger than when it was stock. My 07 is only a couple of weeks old and is all stock and it will flat outrun her 06 all day long. The 07 pulls much harder off the line and seems to generally be snappier at all rpms. If I had known the 07 models were going to be injected when I bought her 06 I would have waited and bought her an 07 model. Embrace the technology- don't fear it.

 

The F/I bike is more responsive. The carbed bike sounds better at idle..

 

The 2008's are going to have gold plated pistons and stealth paint that absorbs RADAR. The "next year's" model will always have something the previous years didn't. You'll never get a bike if you constantly chase after the newest and the best.

I've got both carb'd and EFI. Plusses to both. One example: Sure the EFI has a fuel light. I like it and its cool to have that visual indicator. But carb'd has a reserve. When you run out of gas on a carb bike you just hit the reserve. On EFI, when you are out you are walking.

You said you are fairly new to motorcycles. So it really won't make a difference to you either way. You are only buying one or the other. You'll never know how the other one runs compared to yours. Even a test ride of both won't really give you a good comparison. Only time and experince will really give you that. In any case they are both solid machines. They will both put that stupid grin on your face when you ride them.

That said, I think the only real difference that should be important to you as a buyer is price. Get the 06 and save your money.

If it were me I'd try to weasel even more out of them on the 2006's; money off, extended warranty, 1000, 5000 miles service, parts discounts, accessories, whatever. We are only a couple months away from the 08's hitting the street. You'll certainly be able to start finding some deals on the 07's but I'd bet you'll get more off an 06. Not good for business to have old model years sitting around next to the new ones. They are all new from the dealer so miles and warranty are the same.

Ask just about anyone and they will tell you the bike is just the downpayment on accessories. No matter how much bling is on it the day you buy it within 24 hours you will find something you want to add on. Save bucks on the 06 bike and buy parts.

Oh yeah..... you have to post pics when you get it and also let all of us ride it. Forum rules and man law.

 

Reasons for trading in the 883 for the 1200.

1. I Like chrome.

2. The 1200 is much quicker than the 883. I was riding the other day and nailed the bike in 3rd gear and lifted the front tire off the ground without trying. It blew my mind. The torque is incredible.

 

Goin' back to the catalytic converter question for a minute, I just picked up my 2007 883R yesterday & it says in the 2007 H.D. International Owners Manual (I live in England, U.K.) that 'all international (HDI) and destination Japan model motorcycles are equipped with catalytic converters'. Lucky us!

 

1) The'06 is almost 2 years old now.
2) Buy a 1200 and you look back.

 

You don't have to warm up a carbed bike any more than you have to warm up a F/I bike. The choke (enricher) **** goes in and out and is adjustable. Once the carburated model is started, you push the **** in to an appropriate spot and ride off. As you proceed and as the bike warms up a little more you push the choke in all the way. All accomplished usually in appx 1 to 2 miles.