are they really that bad? (Iron ride quality)

[bp626indamix]

Was doing a search on the iron 883. And i found this (http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=143555). Are they really that bad? Whats top speed on an iron 883 before the wobble?

[lfvc77]

Was doing a search on the iron 883. And i found this-http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=143555
Are they really that bad? Whats top speed on an iron 883 before the wobble?

That´s the opinion of one person used to sport bikes, sure he won´t like it if he expected something similar at what he is used to.

Better try it yourself and make your own opinion.

If you asked me, then I tell you the low suspenssion is hard but a lot of people seem to love the look of it.

Sure is underpowered, is a 500lb bike with like 40hp, thing is do you need more?

[chardhin]

easy enough to give it more hp, I have almost doubled my horse power @ 76hp. wobble is easy to fix as well, simple fork brace and new springs, do it fine.

[DG_Sportster]

If the guy is used to riding an SV...then i am sure it was quite a different feeling for him.
I've never had a wobble on my 1200. It certainly doesn't have the precise, buttoned-down feel of a good sport bike...but going around corners like ape-shit, or smokin' 1/4 mile times isn't the reason to buy one of these things.

My .02 about the slammed suspension...
I have the custom. With progressive 412's it rides surprisingly well, but there is no way hell I'd go with any less travel. The "low" bikes look awesome, but the first thing I would do is jack the thing up to at least Custom specs ( preferably to R specs ) and get cool looks and a nice FUNCTIONAL machine.

Is the 883 underpowered? Compared to what...a GSXR1000RR? Yep...way underpowered...but then again, so is the 1200, and about 99.99% of the motorcycles out there. I stepped off a CBR1000RR, and when riding my 1200 in the manner which it was meant to be ridden, it rarely, if ever, feels underpowered in real world operation. I would imagine the 883 performs adequately in it's proper environment as well.

My first ride on the sporty was eye opening as well. It felt very....raw....rude...crude. These bikes are about the ride...not how you ride. About going out on a sunny day just to cruise around with no place to go, and in no hurry to get there. That sort of satisfaction doesn't take tons of power. If none of this sounds interesting, then i definitely suggest you try and get a ride on one before buying, because you may decide you want something else.

[vlmuke]

I have an 883 iron I have ran it up 90 and never experienced a wobble it has all the power I need. They are great Bikes, I love'em, I don't knock other people for what they ride its a shame that a few people gave everyone else a bad rap, its a cruiser its not a touring bike its not a crotch rocket either, try if you like it great if not keep looking till you find the kind of bike you like, I had a 550cc Yamaha Seca it has way more power than it
Different strokes for different folks

[Desertfox]

The speed limit most places is 60 mph. Most of these super duper sport bikes are ticket magnets. As for "wobble" I have no idea WTF he's talking about. Speed wobble has moreto do with rake and trail more than anything else. I'vehadmy 883 Custom conversion up to 100+ MPH with no problems. However the front end tendsto get very light at that speed.

[Folkie]

Never had a wobble on my 883 either (at speeds much higher than he mentions). Never thought the front end felt light either.

[Tattoo Tony]

I've had my iron running down the parkway at 75-80 mph and it felt smooth as silk. After a few mods to rider position the bike is very comfortable. Ride one and decide for yourself.

[khaskins]

My 883 is fast and has upgraded suspension. When I bought this Sportster I knew the suspension would need to be changed by the time I arrived home.

[frenchandy]

lol,
Anyone stepping off a jap bike is going to feel a Harley very different.
This is why my 883R felt so blinding after my ironhead and Triumph T140.
I will say that the newer evo sportsters seem to lack a little in the build quality of chassis/suspension parts but they are easily upgraded.
Its a shame that these bikes are so strangled by emission controls when they leave the show room too.
Once again an easy fix.
The great thing about our bikes is that they are an open canvas when we buy them and we have loads of options to make our ride speciel.
Jap bike owners will never get that owner in put.

[bud095]

wobble?.rode sportsters for 10 years never heard of this......bud

[michaelmartin]

I've had my iron running down the parkway at 75-80 mph and it felt smooth as silk. After a few mods to rider position the bike is very comfortable. Ride one and decide for yourself.

If you mean the Garden State Parkway, I agree. I've done the same on my '09 Iron. With that said, I've also changed out the rear shocks for a set from a '10 Street Glide, changed the fork springs to Progressive's (non-lowering) and use a RSD fork brace.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/atamichimpo/june1hdforumsig.jpg

[frenchandy]

i thrash the hell out of R on all roads down here.
never had a speed wobble on my evo or ironhead.
Having said that my T140 is fitted with progressive springs from the states and the ride quality on that bike is greatly improved

[mr.coffee]

Stock suspension, I've been up into the high 90s with no wobble, although road conditions make a difference.

-m

[polaris0352]

Been to 115 once or twice. I won't lie, it just BARELY got there. No wobble, but it was a straight line. My suspension is stock. The wobble apparently only happens during high speed cornering. I've only cornered aggressively up to 70 or so, no issues. As for comfort, your first mod should beat seat. Thought the stock seat was fine till I switched back after a few months on a mustang vintage solo seat. I truly believe they modeled that stock seat after a 2x4. But, after almost 9000 miles, I have no regrets. Don't expect it to be faster than everything else, expect a raw riding experience, and get used to compliments.

[bp626indamix]

Been to 115 once or twice. I won't lie, it just BARELY got there. No wobble, but it was a straight line. My suspension is stock. The wobble apparently only happens during high speed cornering. I've only cornered aggressively up to 70 or so, no issues. As for comfort, your first mod should beat seat. Thought the stock seat was fine till I switched back after a few months on a mustang vintage solo seat. I truly believe they modeled that stock seat after a 2x4. But, after almost 9000 miles, I have no regrets. Don't expect it to be faster than everything else, expect a raw riding experience, and get used to compliments.

I can get used to the compliments part

[SGT.NICK FURY]

im running stock suspension on both of my sporties ....never have had a wobble on either bikes ....although my XL1200N is the one i ussually take up over 100 .....yea the suspension is rough ...and the seat is crap ...thats a given though ...i mean its common sense to me, that if your rolling round with a 24.5" seat height its gonna be a tad rough ...personally i dont mind feeling everything on the road....sure it could handle better if i was to raise the bike up ...but for my style of semi-agressive riding, its suits me perfect....i will say though a new seat is definatly on my "next purchase" list...nothing like clocking 3-400 miles and feeling the frame rails below the seat lol.....does put a whooping on my ass....otherwise i dont mind feeling the road...
just my 2 cents...everyones is different ...go out try one on for size ...you be the judge

[IronDan-O]

I love the look of my Iron, and no kidding, people love it wherever I park.
The rear suspension, like everyone says, sucks.
I have a set of progressive 412 shocks on the rear and I still bottom out. Front suspension benefited greatly with the Progressive non-lowering springs.
I need to raise the rear suspension. I will sacrifice some of the 'look' for a little more rear travel. I can bottom out the rear just sitting in the garage, small bumps on the road are spine numbing.
I weigh 185# and I don't think I should be able to bottom out the rear with a little bouncing, I mean a teeny tiny bit of bounce.

My '77 KZ 650 rides better, but I bought into the HD name as well, it was time.

[shorty]

Had an Iron for 2 years now & have never experienced a wobble. Bike is stable at speed (80+mph) with me & wife on it. must admit that the rear shocks are crap, I would replace them tomorrow, but am reluctant to spend £250+ and find other ones no better.

[Folkie]

am reluctant to spend £250+ and find other ones no better.
Very wise. I went through six different pairs of shocks before finding some really good ones (Öhlins).

[DG_Sportster]

Had an Iron for 2 years now & have never experienced a wobble. Bike is stable at speed (80+mph) with me & wife on it. must admit that the rear shocks are crap, I would replace them tomorrow, but am reluctant to spend £250+ and find other ones no better.

I don't know that the damping on the 412's is any better or worse than the stockers. The main reason for my getting them was the heavy duty springs rated for heavier riders. At 250 LBS+ and a bag full of stuff, they only bottom on pretty big hits.

When i bought the bike i was at around 200 LBS, and the stockers would bottom over bubble-gum wrappers. The HD 412's were purchased mainly because i wanted to do 2-up riding with the wife, but in retrospect, considering my newfound girth, I'm really glad i got them. Considering how little travel is back there, they do a pretty good job.

[Gohot]

Guys, we don't need to explain ourselves, we ride Sportys because we like the feel, look and sound and because it's American and because we don't have to have a damn reason. Yea Sportbikes are bichen for a speed rush, but that becomes old after the first few blasts. Sportys are a bike you can live with and in a few years will apreciate, not get stuffed between the garages in 5 years and rot or spend the rest of it's life transiting in Craigslist from owner to owner till it's junk.

[Gohot]

Wait I got some wobble today, I was going down the road where they had ground down a layer and it had the 1/2" grooves going mostly straight but wrigeling a bit, and I felt squirrily on that piece of road. When I got back on good pavement it was fine again. I'v been to 90 mph, I just haven't had the urge to top it out. yet. Maybe one day I will. Mine's an 883. I had a 105 HP Buell Cyclone with all the build goodies and it topped out at 140 coming back from Palm Springs on HWY 111 past the black tar tower at Whitewater

[cguth]

I have a 1200n with a few engine mods, no suspension mods. I will and can say that without a doubt, mine does wobble at anything over 115. That is a fact, and it has happened numerous times. I dont know what causes it, but it will get your attention fast when it happens.

[airborne33]

Guys, we don't need to explain ourselves, we ride Sportys because we like the feel, look and sound and because it's American and because we don't have to have a damn reason. Yea Sportbikes are bichen for a speed rush, but that becomes old after the first few blasts. Sportys are a bike you can live with and in a few years will apreciate, not get stuffed between the garages in 5 years and rot or spend the rest of it's life transiting in Craigslist from owner to owner till it's junk.

Agreed. I might add that any sport bike you can own will get old and outdated. Sportsters only become classic. They way they ride is the way they have always been. You don't buy a Sportster to have the latest bells and whistles. They are raw and that is what makes them beautiful.

[XLXR]

The 883 is probably the slowest 600 lb bike made. But some people think it's fast enough.

Stock Sportster suspension is pretty bad, but was improved after 2009.

Read the "7 Pages of Suspension" in the Suspension Sticky Section. It has a link to the famous "Wobble" thread. We figured out how to fix the rubber mount suspension and cure the wobble years ago.

Note that lots of SV riders end up trying to upgrade their suspension by switching to better components like adding Ricor Intiminators to the forks. Their stock suspension has basic problems similar to Sportster suspension.

I imagine the Sportsters out sell the SV's, and our website is far more active.

[Crosshairs]

There is a lot of ignorance in that thread......with some plain old stupidity mixed in .

squids...what can you do.....

[Osco]

The seven pages,,XLXR's work,, Yeah I read It all,,Ton's of Info It was.
I had the dreaded Roadster wiggle when I was Balls to the walls,,
I got a rock stable bike that tracks like It's on rails and It don't beat me up.
I can ride most of a day now, gotta stop and hydrate an fuel up as needed.

Ricor Intimidators and a Super brace up front with the correct rider "Sag"
and a set of perfectly performing Works performance street trackers on
the ass end.
My 1200R Is now IMO the perfect Urban bike and the Perfect Day tripper.
Speed tested to 104 mph...no more needed...
Gets thru a fast 75 mph sweeper just right...

Thanks XLXR and who ever else I missed XD

[Old rider]

The 883 is probably the slowest 600 lb bike made. But some people think it's fast enough.

Stock Sportster suspension is pretty bad, but was improved after 2009.

Read the "7 Pages of Suspension" in the Suspension Sticky Section. It has a link to the famous "Wobble" thread. We figured out how to fix the rubber mount suspension and cure the wobble years ago.

Note that lots of SV riders end up trying to upgrade their suspension by switching to better components like adding Ricor Intiminators to the forks. Their stock suspension has basic problems similar to Sportster suspension.

I imagine the Sportsters out sell the SV's, and our website is far more active.

I have had a couple of SV's and they are nice little pretend crotch rockets. They are reasonably fast without feeling fast. Light flywheels, quick reving and lightweight. They just dont have the solid feel and low down tractor grunt of my 883C. I don't need fast, I have been to 170 and it is over rated. I much prefer my 883 power band, if that is what you call a pool table flat torque curve over any crotch rocket I have ever owned. It gets me to speed plenty fast and cruises efortlessly at or above the legal speed limit. Perhaps I ask to little of it, but I find it very satisfying.

[iron fist]

To the OP, you have nothing to worry about. If you buy new you will have a very good warranty. If you run into problems the people on this site will get you fixed up in no time. Suspension fix is easy. 4 bolts removes the rear shocks ( with proper jacking and supporting) ....don't ask me how I know... and you can put on some better shocks. I have the short street glide air shocks and I am satisfied. I guess the front springs drop in real easy too. Seats are simple to change out and fork braces are a simple cheap add on. No worries....I've had no wobbles, and it's fun to customize. I get ALOT of compliments and I bought nearly the lowest costing Harley.

[Lud]

There is a lot of ignorance in that thread......with some plain old stupidity mixed in .

squids...what can you do.....

+1 ..
x12n on long sweepers @90+ you can feel the forks "walking" but then that coulda been setup by the surface.. on smooth tarmac no worries.

@125 mine was solid but I was more concerned with the engine going pop (was not used to the valvetrain clatter at that point)

SV/ Sportster - chalk n cheese.. I've ridden jap bikes for 25+ years.
The sportster reminds you why you got into bikes in the first place.. raw/agricutural and you have to RIDE them to get them to perform.

Jap sports bikes are too easy at sane(ish) speeds & getting to where you feel like your riding is a prison term over here..

ride it & enjoy it for what it is ...

[krowmagnum]

Opinions are like assholes....everybody has one and they usually stink. :D

If you reverse the bikes and riders you'll get the same kind of reaction. I rode one rice rocket and it sucked beyond belief. It was as uncomfortable as it could possibly be and the riding position was horrible. I don't hate Japanese bikes.... I grew up on Japanese bikes before they made them out of plastic and they were much better. Not as fast but how fast do you really need to go ? The 883 is fast enough to kill ya....

[Folkie]

The 883 is fast enough to kill ya....
Good point.

[mr.coffee]

But remember, it's not the speed that kills, it's the sudden stops!

-m

[bjvettenut79]

have had my iron up to 90 with no problems then took to 100 yes i know stupid but cager pi$$ed me off so i twisted thorttle!! at 100 i did get woblle but what can you expect with a narrow front tire and no fork brace. i love my bike and yes the rear suspension is a bit hard but i have had worse on other sportys so you just deal with it lol

[bjvettenut79]

i love my iron. yes can be a it harsh to ride at times as the suspension is very tight and the seat doesnt have the most cushion but i still love it. i have had my iron to 100 and the front end did feel alittle light which could also be called speed wobble but again why do you need to go 100 on the hwy lol. i agree you just need to ride one and decide yourself but i would totally recommend a iron. my girl friend bought a 883 super low same night i bought my iron and i will say the ride is night and day and i pretty much hate riding her bike after riding mine!!!!