Iron 883 Test Rider Makes Humorous Case for Not Modding Your Bike

Blank Canvas

If there's one thing that Harley is better at than most, it's creating a solid blank canvas of a motorcycle on which owners can then create their artistic masterpiece. And that's really the goat these days because exactly no one leaves their bike stock after bringing it home. But thankfully, at its core, the Iron 883 is a pretty darn good two-wheeler, as The Mirror recently found out on a test ride.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Something for Everyone

Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of this review, however, is that the rag's test rider spends some time on a modified Sportster and, well, hates it. He isn't a fan of the modifications made by the owner of the bike, which he feels just makes it worse. But that's what's so great about this hobby of ours - there's literally something for everyone.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join the conversation with your thoughts on if the Iron 883 needs any mods right here at HDForums!

Can't Resist

"It’s remarkable how changing one small thing can ruin a perfectly good bike," our tester said. "Harley owners, who are all individuals, have no sooner ridden their brand-new bike around the block than they’re back in the shop drooling over an accessories catalog which is the size of a Salman Rushdie novel, but much more interesting."

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join the conversation with your thoughts on if the Iron 883 needs any mods right here at HDForums!

Unwelcome Mods

The first customized Iron 883 our test rider took out had a handful of mods on it, including forward pegs and bars, a short-travel rear suspension, mirrors located under the handle bars, and a hard seat. Needless to say, the riding experience wasn't the best. "I found myself moaning and groaning as I rode around southern Spain," the test rider said.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join the conversation with your thoughts on if the Iron 883 needs any mods right here at HDForums!

Humorous Observations

Our test rider does make a few humorous observations about some of the more popular Harley mods, however. He says that fat front tires  "give the bike the handling of a hippo," notes that fat rear tires are aesthetically unpleasing, says moving the pegs forward "stops you getting your weight forward for precise cornering," and that  ape-hanger bars "are great - if you’re an ape."

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join the conversation with your thoughts on if the Iron 883 needs any mods right here at HDForums!

It It Ain't Broke

Once our test rider slid onto a stock Iron 883, the experience changed drastically. "The difference in both comfort and handling was remarkable and, after a happy hour of bombing around corners, I got off with a smile on my face and no aches and pains," he said. "Note to Harley owners - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join the conversation with your thoughts on if the Iron 883 needs any mods right here at HDForums!

Comfort Last

Of course, there are many thousands of people out there that disagree with this one person's opinions on mods. But we also found them to be both interesting and humorous. Ultimately, most of us perform mods not for comfort, but rather for aesthetic or performance purposes. Besides, that's what chiropractors are for anyway, right?

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join the conversation with your thoughts on if the Iron 883 needs any mods right here at HDForums!

For maintenance and repair guides for your Harley, browse our technical How-to articles right here on HDForums.