Thanks for your input. Street Vibrations is in a few weeks and I will have plenty of time to test ride both the 883 Iron and the 1200 Custom. Looking forward to mounting two wheels again and cruising some mountain roads in the high Sierras.

 

So they said the faster of the two was a chicks bike?

 

No, they thought the 883 was underpowered and the 1200 was a chicks bike. Since I posted I have been settling in on a used 1200 Nightster. It's got the Iron look but the 1200 performance. Finding one locally will be the problem.

 

Thats a perfect choice, though I prefer Iron since its a very easy bike to get along with.

 

No experience with 883 but I have. 1998 1200 custom and I am loving it!! More than enough power to whatever riding you have in mind..

 

Nightster, is a good choice, love mine. you will scrap on the twisty's, and you will want to upgrade the suspension.

 

I say find an older ( 95-2003) sportster that has not been molested and make it what you want, you come from the time of carburetors so you understand how they work and the older bikes don't have all the electrical extras that seem to give people fits when they act up...an you can get one for pretty cheap..(I bought a 00 sportster 2 years ago with 3k miles, garage kept for $3 thousand), that should keep a good amount of change in you pocket for whatever you what to make it what you want it to be...i.e., forward controls, handle bars, 1250 kit and hot cams, seat, shocks etc....the sportster family of bikes are light nimble animals that like to be rode hard on country roads, but are still good on the highway...

 

WOW! I hope I'm still riding at that age in 9 years. LOL

 

I'm with Mrfisker on getting the older Sportster. I bought a 2002 883 and did the 1200 conversion and couldn't be happier. I ride my Sportster most of the time and leave my 2012 Goldwing in the garage (unless I am crossing state lines). I have bought several seats off of Ebay and found one that is perfect for me (Mustang wide touring solo with backrest). I am 67 years old and am planning to still have the Sportster when they put me in the home many years from now.

Robert