I posted the below in a cafe thread in Gen Chat, but figured this is where the question should be:

What do you guys think of the 02-07 883R's? I really like'em and would love to have one as a second bike. Not a cafe bike; more dirt track. But would make a nice cafe if you could bring yourself to tear one down.

Where do you think they'll fall in the history of the Sporty? Too new to be collectable, but to me they seem to have a niche/ cult-bike feel to them. Or do you think they will be remembered as just another flavor of the Sporty?
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The Rs are the sporty sportys

 

I have one for sale. In the for sale section.. an 02

 

Great bikes, but be aware of the frame transition between 03 and 04. Hard mounted vs. rubber … very different machines.

 

I've been riding one for 6 years. I'm 6'1 and 240 and have never had any power issues personally. I will say i've upgraded just about the entire bike from seat to suspension to bars, grips and pegs making it a one of a kind. R models have dual front calipers which make a huge difference when it comes to braking. I'm gonna pimp mine out retro style with white walls next time i have the tires replaced.

 

I'd love to have one. I missed out on one 2 or 3 years ago and I haven't seen one for sale locally since.

In case your not up on your sportster:
'02-'03 have solid mounted engines and are carb. (least preferred)
'04-'06 have rubber mounted engines and are carb.
'07 have rubber mounted engines and are fuel injected. (preferred)

I don't know about anywhere else but they are somewhat rare locally so I would say a newer collectible.

 

Least preferred ... That's Funny

 

Definitely not least preferred, at least not to a serious enthusiast. I've had both an 03 and an 06. I hated the 06. Felt slower, mushier, heavier and all around worse than the 03. Both with the identical mods, in fact I took parts off one and put right onto the other. Pipe, intake and cosmetics. Some may argue it's a collector item, but I highly doubt they're XR750 or 1200S territory even. I love the R's all done up dirt tracker style, check out Phil Little or Storz websites and you'll get hooked. Scoop it up and get busy.