A bit tempted to go a Fatty Lo with 103 upgrade but Ductor mentioned that it might be too big a jump. For riders who moved up from an 883 to a big twin, what was your experience first up? What's going to get me unstuck? Natch I'll be taking a few for a ride but at the moment (other than 250s) the Iron is the only bike I've ridden. Stop laughing you dicks.
I went from an 883 to a big twin within a year. First upgraded my 883 to 883/1200 then bought the Street Bob six months later. The jump from 883 to either 1200 or big twin is reasonable, but not unmanageable. Don't forget the bigger bikes are heavier so the bigger engine is offset slightly by the extra weight.
I think Sportsters are very under rated in some Harley circles. The 1200 Sportster is a good match for any big twin. You've also got better handling and lighter weight than the bigger bikes.
Satisfy your temptation Taffy,,,, there's no substitute for cubes !
If you were going from a 250 to a litre jap sports bike I would offer caution.
From an 883 to a 103 is still a far smaller step power and speed wise than most make going from a 250 to a 600cc jap sports bike.
A sportster is 260kg so you should be fine with the weight.
If you want it go for it I say.
cheers Surly
I went from riding 250 trial bikes for 20yrs to 650 jap cruiser for 2 yrs then went to my delux 1584 which I've had for 2 weeks. Took me a week to get used to the weight going around roundabouts!!! And now I'm used to the power when opening up from 2nd gear. I suppose like anything it takes time to adjust and know the bike. Getting to know the charataristics is important.
I'll be adding S/E slips ons with power commander and high airflow filter and that will do me. Service guy says stock 96 delux gives out around 62HP with the add on should give me about 67 to 68HP.
Curious to know whats the difference from 96cube to 103 in horsepower or any other gains?
Hey Taffy the question should be 1 to yourself and whether u have the confidence to ride a bigger bike. My 13yo son was riding a CR80 in competition and had no second thoughts when jumping onto a Husaberg 550 (grad prix equivalent to what he rode then) To get on the bike he had to start it then click into first then while letting clutch out, jump on and ride.To stop he would go to first gear swing his leg over then while braking step off the pegs. He rode around for half an hour getting used to balance, braking and then power. An hour later he was pullin wheelies and bigger jumps than the experienced 40 yo owner.
What I am saying is that jus cos there is extra power, learn to use it SLOWLY. I am sure u have ridden previous bikes well under their respective powers, and the true beaty of riding is gettin to know ur bikes limits within ur own. Have a f&^%n ball. Burnzi
Burnzi and Evil: Informative AND funny
Thanks fellas.
Ok - here's the crunch question: I presently have a pretty cool bike that gets more attention than any of the big twins I've ridden with, sounds great, goes like the clappers (by my standards), is nimble if you don't mind heart-starting scraping sounds on tight corners, and costs half the price of a Softy. SO: what's my justification for paying twice the price? At the moment it's because I just plain want it, and as far as I'm concerned that's enough. However am I going to say after the hard-earned has gone, that something bigger is so much better that it's worth it?
Not asking a lot I know (and thanks for all the valuable feedback)...
Taffy,
Comparing an 883 Sporty to a big twin is a no brainer, the big twin wins. 6 speed gearbox over the 5 speed is much better, accelleration of the big twin is shit hot compared to an 883. The big twins generally look better. I'd say for twice the price you are getting twice the bike. However, if you chucked a 1200 kit in your Iron, you would get a bike that's not much different to a big twin in terms of performance and still has the light feel of the Sporty. And I wouldn't say that a big twin is twice as good as a 1200 Sporty. Having had and 883, a 1200 and a big twin that was my experience. I like the Street Bob a little better than my 1200 Sporty, but I wouldn't say twice as much. Still I'm glad I've got the Bob, I like the look of it much better than the sporty and over all it is a more fun bike to ride. I'm glad I did it.
I"d only ever ridden dirt bikes 20 years ago,and only a few times maybe 50 or 100 hours worth of rideing,my mate was selling this thing to buy new bike and told me i could have it at mates rates,after 3 months of apprehension and chipping away at the wife i bought it.I took too it like a duck to water and have had it for 2 years now and love the thing,now i"m not boasting here I think if you've ridden a bit you will be fine,I stared at it in the garage for a month wondering what i had done and the mate told me to 'get on the fuckin thing" Go for it dude.
Yeah,I can relate to that ,I dread dropping the thing every time I fuel it up,I just take things real steady.My mate"the guy I got the bike off"gives me advice all the time.My next problem is the wife wants one now 1200 custom,she grew up on the farm so thinks she will be fine but and I no it sounds hypocritical am a bit concerned.Good luck and keep it upright.
Don't stress,I like em and so does she but we won"t be looking for a bit yet cause she's pregnant and due in 5 weeks so she won"t be going anywhere for a while.Maybe we can grab it and i can chug around on it until she"s ready.ha ha.
