Ok, been looking for some info on the 883's I am looking to purchase.
I love the stripped down look of the Iron but also love the look of the Superlow. Need help to see if my ideas will work.
Most here talk about dropping the Iron, not usually my thing as I like a bike to handle and not touch the ground in corners.
How about raising the superlow? Using aftermarket 13"performance shocks, heavy front springs and standard profile tyres (whitewalls for looks) be better for handling?
Just my opinion but 13" shocks are too high. I swapped out the 13's for 11.75 on my sporty and it still handles great, but it looks heaps better. For my money, I'd go for the Iron, I much prefer the look to the superlow.
Looking at the same two bikes. Prefer the IRON look but dont like the matt black finish, dont like the chrome yellow either. Theres a guy on the forum who purchased a blue superlow and put some forward controls on in that may help with the clearance issue. Go to the sportster photo gallery some nice bikes.
Looking at the harley website and having a quick onceover at the bike show a few months ago, the superlow gets "Superlow" by using very short rear shock, very low profile tyres and a low seat.
If I get a Superlow I will be immediatly be changing the rear shocks to performance aftermarket, preformance front springs, changing to standard profile tyres and fitting drad bars.
I am not a big fan of mat paint of any kind, I do love black bikes but just hate the cheap unfinished look of mat black. Having had a Jap bike with this paint finish it can get very tatty after only a few years.
As you can tell, my preference does lie in the Superlow (In black or that very deep red), but only if I can make it handle at least as well as a Iron.
Am I on my own with this idea?
I have owned in no order, 2 x cbr250rr, ZX7r, CBR600rr, GSXR600, SV650, Scooters and more.
I know any Harley other than a XR1200 will handle like a wheelbarrow compaired the the above. All I want from a Harley 883 is something that can go around a corner without draging pipes and pegs.
I am thinking about using a high mount 2 into 1 pipes also
I was under the impression that the superlow handled better than the iron anyway? (clearance issues aside)
Why get a harley if you dislike the handling so much?
Worth it for the cool?
Not sure how many more answers you will get about an entry level HD comparison when you just labeled some guys from here with a 30k "wheelbarrow".
heh
Yes I think some of the big Harleys do handle like wheelbarrows,,,, But they are way cool compaired to the bikes I owned before. Resale does not get better than a Harley as long as you don't over do the mods. Just because I called them a "Wheelbarrow" in the handling department does not mean I dont like or hate them.
I have always wanted a big Harley softtail for a long time, over 25 years now Maybe when I get the "Kids" part of my life over with I might still get one.
As I have mentioned above I will still most likely go for a harley Superlow with the mods I have mentioned above. Great value for the money.
In no way am I against any Harley model, but does any Harley rider think their bike will out handle a jap bike. (Again excluding the XR1200)
Only ribbin ya Rich.
Doubt anyone could claim a Harley out nimble a jap bike.
From the riding position, plastic panels and alloy frame of a Jap how can you compare this for example -
YAM R1 (very fast large (?) jap bike) - 172kg wet.
IRON 883 (a small harley) - 256 kg wet!
Sport v Cruize.... different machines for different jobs.
I challenge you to ride my jap bike on the highway for 6 - 8 hours and then the Harley advantage may be more obvious
SJ.
I wouldn't say a sportster is great for highway, I enjoy the trip more in hindsight, once I have done 1000km I can't wait for the day to be over.
