883 or 1200

As I approach 50 with two ducati's (Gods motorcycles) one BMW and a dirty
Yamaha in the garage/lounge Rm. I feel the need to get a tattoo , but
only a little one.

Yes as I like to "ride my motorcycles" I've decided to consider a Sportster
..

Now I realize that " Real Harley riders wouldn't piss on a skirtster"
However the thought of "heavily tattooed overweight animals" urinating on
me, is not all that appealing has swayed my opinion, so my problem is which
Sporty?

As 883's are considerably cheaper than 1200's ,Is a 1200 worth the extra
over a baby sporster + a bore job and a couple of pistons

Are the heads different ? or the cams? what about the G/box internals or is
it just the rear wheel pulley

I realise there's an extra disc , tacho pillion seat and a paint job

All witty / informative replies welcome

Thanks in advance( got the fire suit on)

 

bloke in our club had one for a while, range was a REAL problem if you
like riding it.. His had some work done to the donk etc, but 120klms
was all he got out of a tank..

 

"> Why would you waste money modding the bike?

You're not lisneing Clem ,I'm asking about the diff. between an 883 and a
1200 .
I've allready got a Yamaha, Don't want another.

 

HD offer larger tanks
Its the Diff. in the motor's that I'm enquiring about

 

HD have a alt tank set up avaiable
It's realy the diff. between the two donks I'm interested in

 

Only difference is bore, (Same cylinders, more meat in the 883) and
combustion chamber is a bit larger in the 1200. 883 to 1200 conversion kits
supply pistons and a template for modding the 883 heads.

Toosmoky
Ride the Penguin...
http://toosmoky.d2.net.au

 

In aus.motorcycles on Wed, 15 Jun 2005 23:27:26 +1000

Ask the shops what they'll charge for the extra.

I believe that the 1200s will always have better resale value and harley
cred, no matter what you do to the 883, unless you really get energetic
on the 883.

Poverty pack bikes are never as nice as the full blown version even if
you add bits.

Zebee

 

Fundamentally the same engine, piston/bore change to go 1200, easily
available from several suppliers, would suggest the small price
increment for the 1200 would be money well spent - the extra disc alone
is worth it - the brakes on the 883 are straight out of the 70's, and
resale will be better for the 1200.

JL

 

He had a tank off some other model in the end, **** knows it looked
different shape, but range was not much better.

 

Sportster

Ive owned 2 Sportys, a 94 and 98 model, my wife has a 2003.

All were great bikes, pre 97 models have smaller tanks and very poor range
(abt 120K's from mem) post 97 get the larger tank with 200+K range.

From 2002 I think all were rubber mounted engines like the dyna which made
them alot smoother to ride.

The 98-883 I had converted to a 1200, this involved new barrels, pistons,
minor head work (although there is a kit with special pistons where no head
work is required) and a new ignition module. In hindsight I think it was a
waste of money, I found the 883 (with pipes/cleaner mods) while not exactly
fast was quite adequate and a great town bike. It (and the 94 before it)
was 100% reliable and I had both bikes approx 4 years each clocking up lots
of distance with no money spent other than cost of consumables before
selling and finally buying a new big-twin. The 1200 conversion didnt make
all that much difference to me.

Resale was great too, the 98 cost me $9500 (it was 12 months old) and 4
years later I sold it for $8900 with no shortage of buyers from the trading
post.

I found the single disk brake setup ok but like most bikes a braided line
made a huge difference, all up after years of riding jap and german bikes Id
never again park a japper in the shed but for longer trips (eg Melb to
Cairns) would rather a BMW.

 

Aw c'mon. It's a Harley. You owe it to yourself to get the biggest,
loudest, dirtiest one you can afford. Don't forget to budget for a
tassel vest, paper-thin bucket and fingerless gloves too. And if I
catch you nodding to a sportsbike rider, I'll have to confiscate your
bike.

Seriously though, I think it'll make a fun "other" bike for you, go for
it!

 

A friend of mine is on his second 883... but he does almost all of his
riding around town. He did put different pipes and a carb (kit?) on
them which he reckons makes em much nicer to ride. He reckons the
1200's don't last as long...

FWIW the bikes are fun to ride around town if you like agricultural (yes
more agricultural than my guzzi).

Ride them and see if you like!


G-S

 

Don't worry about Birdbrain. He's still living in the decade before last. I
wouldn't piss on one[1]!

 

I wouldn't piss on one[1]!
He isnt asking about their urine capacity, hes asking about the
engine.

 

"Thanks fellas' for all the input ,as usual more questions than answers but
a lot to consider and research

I'm probably still some way away from purchase day ,but I reckon It"ll
definately happen this time . Last time I came close, but I blinked and
brought my 748( and very glad I did ) but with a couple of sport type bikes
a tourer and the chooky I feel the HD would compliment the collection nicely

Oh and thanks to the bloke who forwarded the" Onga Pump" site to my Inbox ,
no mention of a big bore kit though

 

I rode both of these bikes back-to-back a few years ago (at one of Robbo's
ride days). The 883 was OK, I think the "Sportster" tag refers to the small
bars and the comparatively low weight. But the 1200 put a smile on my face,
it had gobs more go and as others have mentioned, is definitely worth the
price increment (I daresay far cheaper than you could bring an 883 to a
similar spec). I would choose one over just about any chain drive
"squirtster".

Gary

 

ROFL!!