harley 883

[T2urtle]

I'm never really into that whole Harley scene, if i was to pick up a bike it would most likely be a sportsbike.

My idea of a harley would be SUPER loud pipes and CHROME. Today i saw one that i would say is completely bad ass. Now i know nothing of bikes in terms of names of parts and etc. But this was a all black bike, minus the exhaust pipes and small stuff. Handle bar was black, more flat like a T than the normal harley handles i'm used to. It had 883 on the side and i completely love it.

i just found it online.... http://www.smartcycleshopper.com/mo...on-iron-883-model-is-dressed-for-a-dark-ride/

anyone of you guys ever rode this? I think i would rather get this vs a 600cc sports bike. Sadly these things look like they cost more then a 600cc cbr/ninja.. I assume insurance might be cheaper for the harley.

But now my main question is, are their any bikes that look like the harley 883? Looks like to get this all black trim i would need to go for the newer 09+

 

[madeuce]

I saw a flat black 883 at the local Harley dealer a while back. I'm not big into Harley but I think that particular bike is pretty sweet looking.

I think you can get them for around 8k MSRP, which isn't far from the price of the 600cc bikes.

 

[Greenman]

The Iron is a sharp bike. Nothing at all like a sport bike, but still loads of fun.

 

[T2urtle]

so its nick name is "the iron"

i wanted to see how the seat was on it. I've been on a 600 cbr once and drove around the block, thats about it but i dont see myself as the sports bike guy. I just want to cruise around with a female on my back. But i didn't like the looks of the normal chromed harley, but i love this 883 thing like no other.

almost got a chubby =)

 

[RiDE]

I don't know who would cross shop an iron and a supersport but i think it's a nice ride too. I would just put V&H supershots and call it a day. Without the tank bra of course...

...or you can go a little farther:

If this isn't your first bike you might be longing for a 1200 sooner or later if you like riding 2-up.

 

[Tsavo]

Rough riding bikes, these.

 

[angry hampster]

Rough riding bikes, these.

That's the price you pay to be so low to the ground.


OP, it'd be cheaper to find a busted 883c and put some short springs/shocks on it, then paint everything black.

 

[Greenman]

If you really like the blacked out look, check out the Night Rod Special. Lots of black, very low, and a little more pep than the iron.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The 883 Iron is a horrible motorcycle for two-up riding. Firstly, as you can tell from the photos it comes with a solo seat, so you'll have to buy a different seat if you want to be able to carry a passenger. Hell, it doesn't even have foot pegs for a passenger, you'd have to buy those too. Secondly, the rear shocks are so short that even with maximum preload you'll end up hitting the bump-stops if you ride with a passenger. Even going with firmer springs and slightly longer shocks I've still heard of riders having issues with bottoming out 883 Irons and 1200 Nightsters when riding two-up.

I agree that the Iron is a great looking bike, but it's absolute shit for two-up riding. It's a solo bar-hopper, a sort of factory "rat bike"; it's not something to go running two-up on.

If you like the blacked-out look but want something that will be much nicer for two-up riding, Honda's Shadow Phantom is a great option.

ZV

 

[BUTCH1]

Get the bike but please, skip the 'SUPER" loud pipes, why must one disturb everyone else in the neighborhood just to enjoy riding a bike..

 

[Tsavo]

That's the price you pay to be so low to the ground.


OP, it'd be cheaper to find a busted 883c and put some short springs/shocks on it, then paint everything black.

Yes, I know.

I was all set to buy a base new 883 this spring, until I rode it. The Iron is even worse. I'm not a lard monster by any stretch of the imagination (200 LBS, 5'10) and the base 883 was exceedingly harsh over moderately rough pavement...pavement that I didn't perceive to be rough on my Honda.

The bike is gorgeous to look at in any trim (can't say the same for the 1200, and especially the 1200 XL). But a cruiser it isn't, and a sporty bike it ain't.

People would love them to bits if they put a real rear suspension on them.

 

[Tsavo]

get the bike but please, skip the 'super" loud pipes, why must one disturb everyone else in the neighborhood just to enjoy riding a bike..

+1, +10, +100, +1000, +10000

 

[T2urtle]

i dont know too much on bikes, never owned one but i was considering getting one this summer. but it passed and i'm planning to pick one up next spring.

This would be my first bike, hence why i dont know what i really want. Reading on the 883, some say its not the bike for taller people. I'm not tall but i feel a little above average at 5'11 and 170. all my friends at sport bike riders and well yea thats cool and chicks come to it. I would not want one, due to abuse your body takes when you go on 3+ hour rides, the stories my friends tells me make it seem like such a horrible bike.

reason why i didn't pull the trigger on one in the summer was because i didn't like any of them, of course i was mainly shopping sport bikes in the 250-650 ranges.

What is that handle bar style, i really like it. That honda phatom has it too, i do not like the handle bar of the shadow aero. A friend has a somewhat new honda rebel small engine, got for really cheap, it just looks cheap like something is missing off the bike.

edit, just quoted me a 05 883 LOW and its $466 a year. Its a HELL of a lot cheaper then a sportsbike.

 

[Zenmervolt]

What is that handle bar style, i really like it. That honda phatom has it too, i do not like the handle bar of the shadow aero. A friend has a somewhat new honda rebel small engine, got for really cheap, it just looks cheap like something is missing off the bike.

edit, just quoted me a 05 883 LOW and its $466 a year. Its a HELL of a lot cheaper then a sportsbike.

The handlebars are probably described in marketing materials as "drag bars". They're flatter and don't pull back towards the rider as much. I've also seen a version that puts the grips in the same position but still has some curve to it called a "dirt-track" or a "flat-track" handlebar.

The style on the Shadow Aero are called "buckhorn" handlebars and I'm not much of a fan of that style either.

As for insurance, yup. Full coverage on a cruiser is a hell of a lot less than on a sportbike.

ZV

 

[T2urtle]

so i'm going to be in the market for a used crusier with the drag-bar style handle bars and the least amount of chrome on there ( i know i can get everything chrome powder-coated but that just cost more). I want less chrome from the factory if i can. Hoping to get something like a 05 model in the $3500-4500. Also prefer one that can "2-up"

Anyone throw me out some names, models of cruisers that might work for me. Use that 883 as a template, i find nothing wrong with that 883 other then the lack of 2-up in the picture. I'm sure the ride is completely different.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Get the bike but please, skip the 'SUPER" loud pipes, why must one disturb everyone else in the neighborhood just to enjoy riding a bike..

+1, +10, +100, +1000, +10000

+1000000

There's a reasonable limit to how loud a motorcycle can be. A lot of bikers exceed that limit and make their bikes painfully loud. I just wish cops would go after these assholes more often.

 

[angry hampster]

+1000000

There's a reasonable limit to how loud a motorcycle can be. A lot of bikers exceed that limit and make their bikes painfully loud. I just wish cops would go after these assholes more often.

It's not illegal in most states. Here in Iowa, a bike can be ridden without any type of muffling device legally.

 

[BUTCH1]

It's not illegal in most states. Here in Iowa, a bike can be ridden without any type of muffling device legally.

Well that's just stupid, why the fuck can't people enjoy themselves without shaking windows, setting off car alarms and waking up every living organism within 1/4 mile range. "Hey!! look at me!!, I've got an ear-splitting machine!!, ain't I bad ass!!"..

 

[DivideBYZero]

Nice bikes. Two feet off the tarmac is pretty fucking low, though.

 

[Greenman]

Nice bikes. Two feet off the tarmac is pretty fucking low, though.

That's probably higher than the seat of your BMW.

 

[Zenmervolt]

It's not illegal in most states. Here in Iowa, a bike can be ridden without any type of muffling device legally.

Wrong. From the Iowa Administrative Code:

450.4(10) Exhaust system.
Motorcycles shall be equipped with an exhaust system incorporating a muffler or other mechanical device for the purpose of reducing engine noise. Cutouts and bypasses in the exhaust system are prohibited.

Additionally, Federal law, 40 CFR §205.152 mandates that motorcycles manufactured after 1983 emit no more than 83db, while motorcycles manufactured after 1986 are limited to 80db. The Federal law supersedes state laws.

ZV

 

[angry hampster]

Woops... I was misinformed.



However, my 1983 has no mufflers. LOL

 

[DVad3r]

Get a V-Rod. They are 14 g'z new now and you could probably talk the dealer down lower. Bad ass price for a bad ass bike.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

That's a bad choice for two up riding. I can't recommend a Harley to you because of the very high prices and the very high cost of ownership. You will pay out the nose to get a Harley then parts, labor, etc. is also very expensive. The models that are affordable are the sportsters and they are not very good bikes. I have nothing against harley's. They do have very good resale value.
Here's some bikes I believe would be good for a beginner and would make a good two up bike and still be plenty fun for a spirited ride. I threw in some cruisers even though I wouldn't own one but just because you seem to like those bikes. 3 and 4 are my choices for you.
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/653/0/home.aspx
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/22/0/home.aspx
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?scid=6&id=433
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=429&scid=6
http://powersports.honda.com/2011/shadow-phantom.aspx
http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2010_Bonneville_Overview_2010Bonneville.aspx
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Product-Specifications.aspx?scid=7&id=425

 

[Greenman]

It's all about what moves you. Personally, I wouldn't own a sport bike, they have nothing I want and everything I don't like. Some bikes, like the V-Max, are nothing short of awesome, but so damn strange looking that I could never own one. The trick is to figure out what you really want before you buy it.