Hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing an Iron 883 later this year and just wanted input from those who currently own one as to it suitability for my uses...

I basically just wanted something to cruise on (weekends and the odd day to work), solo and with the mrs from time to time.
I'm 85kg and the mrs is 55kg.
So with a 2-up seat and rear footpegs, will the 883 do the job??

Obviously the usual mods would be in order ('zorst, a/c, Thundermax)...and later on a 1200 jobbie.

Cheers for any help,
Mark

Buy a 1200 Nightster, Loads more Power and Better Resale

Yeah, I agree the 883 is underpowered, having had both the 1200 is much better. And let's face it the Nightster is just a 1200 Iron.

what's the Price of the nightster?
Also, does a nightster come in Matte black?

Besides the capacity, what are the differences? Colour (both of bike and engine)....anything else?

Nightster is listed as $16.750, Iron at $13,350. Add forward controls, exhaust it could all be an extra $3k.

Only Iron comes in Matte black, think there's a gloss black Nightster.

It's a cruiser, so if you want more power then go get a Sportsbike or Naked streetbike.

That's the thing, I'm going to add forward controls, exhaust, double seat, etc. regardless of which one I get...
I like the look of the Iron much better, and there is the option to 1200 it later down the track anyway, yeah?

Don't get me wrong, I only wanna cruise on it. If I did the 1200 jobbie on it, it'd be for the extra torque for carrying a pillion, etc. Not for outright power figures.

You could get a 1200/1250 conversion done & dusted with a tuner, if you shop smart for under $2k. - If you are handy with some tools & can read instructions even cheaper.

So, that brings it up to $15350 for a 1200/1250 Iron.

My Iron, as it sits right now with all mods; forwards, V & H pipes, Dark Custom covers, SE PST & Heavy breather & all other mods owes me under $15500 riding down the road.

My NRHS 1250 kit landed here with all prep done by NRHS was just over $850. - I'll have it fitted with the heads tickled sligtly for under $800...

Do the math... It's up to you.

Go the 1200. Unmodified bikes get the best resale. And lets face it, the Iron is just an 883 Nightster?

Solo go the Iron, two up go the Nightster or if you really want an Iron teach the Mrs to ride and buy her a cheap bike to go riding with you just a thought cheers.

haha the mrs isn't keen on riding at the moment, but it's on the cards in the future.

Thanks for the advice everyone.
So it looks like an iron, with all the mods I want and even later after a 1200/1250 conversion, will total around the 17k mark.
Whereas the Nightster hit's just under 17k without any mods (granted it's already a 1200).

So if I were to modify each bike to my liking the Iron would come in at 17k and the Nighty would tickle 20k...both ending up 1200.
Sound about right?
Any other things that the nightster offers that isn't on the IRon?

Cheers,
Mark M

Hi Crackers,
yeah I know there's a wait till November'ish according to Trivett @ Alexandria.
All good, I got other things to take up my time and money till then....

yeah that's cool with me...there are already a couple popping up in the classifieds/ebay, so I'm sure by New Year there will be a few more.
The longer I wait, the more money i'll have for mods! haha

OK,
priced up how I'd want the bike rolling...and have come up with a figure of $16,959.00
That includes:
The bike NEW
Exhaust (something from the V&H catalogue probably)
Heavy Breather AC
V&H Fuel Pack
Forward Controls
Seat (for 2...just)
Pillion footrests.

So 17k basically...

I'm shocked you guys in the south are having to wait so long for your bikes Mackay QLD has black and silvers on the floor....

charade_16v i'd go the Iron, i'm 6'4 and 120kg's while i might be a tad big, it gets me around fine, only mod so far is forwards, it's my daily work hack, my weekend cruiser, my primary mode or transport... and i love it..

Thanks for the review Iron Rat...
I went down to Trivett Harley Alexandria on Saturday and sat on an Iron there.
Spoke to the dealer, had a browse through the parts catalogue, etc.
I've been dreaming all weekend haha
Next month when i get my Open license, i'll be booking in a test ride of the one they have on the floor hopefully.
After the test ride I'll have a long think about it and make a decision.

hahaha that's what i suspect....
The only thing is I can't do the waiting game.
If I bought one, I'd wait till they were available and just go grab one.

 I have no way to compare the 883 to the 1200 but originally intended the conversion anyway. Now I'm enjoying the 883 so much I'm not interested in the 1200 anymore. It might relate though to my skill level since I'm a fairly new rider.  Might change my mind later and do it just for the heck of it. Meanwhile, the Iron is UNBELIEVABLE!!! You are in for a treat.

i would like to think that the 883 is perfectly ample for local riding . madness , i was only asking bout the matt black as i have heard that excessive rubbing with the leg/pants can damage the tank paint and it cannot be fixed

anybody ?

FLSTC, you're correct.
One of my best mates came with me to the dealership to check out the bike....he's a Spray Painter and Panel Beater by trade, and sprays many bikes (tho where he works specialises in prestige cars).
We talked at length about the disadvantages of Matte Black paint.
Main things I got from it:
You can only wash it normally.
You can't buff it.
If it scratches, you can't polish it.
etc etc.

But re-spraying is easy.

So sounds like if you want matte black, be prepared to have it re-sprayed at some point.

damn - so there is not even a clear coat over it ?