This is my first post, been lurking about for a bit and am spreading my wings now. Owned over 100 bikes over the years, many Harleys, some sportys. Just sold my latest ride and am going back to a Sporty, that rubber mount and new engine mods are what I have been waiting for! But--883 or 1200? This is where I am stuck now. Do I need the xtra horsies? Probably not, do a long trip once a year or so, lots of day rides here in sunny Arizona. Gettin older and the testosterone level is dropping off but still feel the need for speed on occasion. What about an 883 with a stage 1? Help me make the decision!

I'm bias having a 1200 :D But either is a great choice for a fun ride.
Welcome to the forum! :tour

twinsdaddyo

Welcome to the Forum!!!

I bought a 883 and getting ready to do the conversion to 1200.

Different people here have Different opinions on this subject, some will say get the 883 then do the upgrade. Then some will say just get the 1200!!!

I'm happy with what I bought you need to be happy with what you buy!!

The 883 is a great Bike, but I hadn't rode in 20 years!!! Now I want more horses, so now I'm going to do the 1200 conversion..

If your looking for some good power and two up riding, get the 1200. If your going to just be riding solo and don't need the extra power, get the 883..

Hope that helped!!! :D

Keep us Posted..

Owned over 100 bikes over the years, many Harleys, some sportys. !

Welcome Twinsdaddyo to the XLforum! There are a lot of experts that can help you with your questions. I'm a little perplexed, however, with your question regarding indecision on engine size. Your post indicates you have owned many H-D's and your profile shows you own a 04 Roadster and a BMW 1100.
Billy

Welcome to the forum, Twinsdaddyo.

My advice is similar to txsporty's, however if you have a hard time deciding, err on the side of the 1200. Happy riding.

Personally, I find the 883C to be a really fast bike with lots of nertz...

My dad owns an '89 4-speed, and he was shocked the first time he rode it. Said it was a "really fast bike". I paid the taxes, did some suspension upgrades, and have found it to be a really fun ride.

All that being said, I do a good deal of 2-up right now....I will do the conversion, but not much more...........

I agree with both txsporty and RedRider. I am biased toward the 1200, simply because it's what I own. I ride it for the distance and because I'm often on highways tooling along at 70+ mph. The extra horses are needed in this kind of traffic, and the staying power is needed for the distance, because commutes in Texas can be a 100 miles one way. I'd say try them both out, feel the ride, feel the throttle and handling, and make your decision from there.:tour

Just remember this...no matter how big your engine is or how much horsepower you have, it will eventually not be enough.

I bought a 1200 in May and I am already thinking about a 88ci kit...

Oh Dar.............your so level headed :laugh

My Sportster is my first bike. The 883 was fine for a few months, then in May I decided that I needed more power, so I converted it to 1200 using the SE kit. Since you are a seasoned rider, I would think that the 1200 would be better, but the 883 might be fine if you only ride solo. I take passengers on weekends so I really needed the extra power. I've got over 9000 miles on it now, 5000 on the 1200 conversion.

The factory 1200 has the XB heads, so that is worth a lot right there. The 883 has the older style heads. My conversion does pretty good but XB heads would give me more options in the future for further performance improvement. Also, if you are going with the Custom model, the 1200 comes with a lot of extra chrome on the engine. If you went out and bought all that chrome you would almost come up with the price difference. My bike looks pretty dingy parked next to a 1200 Custom.

Another thing to consider, my particular insurance company bases the premium on engine displacement. A 1200 would have cost me a lot more. Since my VIN still is an 883, I pay the lower premium. Other companies do things different so it might not effect you that way.

Doug
2004 883>1200 Custom

nc5p,

Great point on the Insurance!!! :D

Hey Mike.............no 9 letter words here! :laugh

Thanks for all the input. My profile does day a 1200 and an 1100 BMW-have since sold the beemer and the 1200 deal fell apart as I couldn't deal with the local harley shyster shop. They were like dealing with the slimiest of the slimey used car dealers so this weekend I go to Phoenix to shop at the store there. We grew up in an era when a 650 Triumph was a big bike ya know? We piloted those scoots all around the western U.S. Now things are headed north of 1500cc and sub-1000 size bikes are small. Maybe it is just some nostalgia creeping in that makes that 883 size motor feel right-- but those high flow heads are pretty enticing.

I have an 883/1200 conversion..97 Hugger..I've ridden a few factory 1200's and if I were to buy a new bike, I would go 883 and do the 1200 or 1250 conversion (Wiseco).All my buddies w fac-1200's have a bitch of a time keeping up with me.