Looking for new a bike, i want a HD sportster but cant decide on the 48 or the 883.

The 48 is hot but dont know about the small tank and the mirrors below?.

The 883 looks hot also but i have heard its under powered and youll want to upgrade later?.

If anyone who ownes one of these bikes has any advice it would be great.

 

 

 

get the 48 and swap the tank and mirrors if they bother you. welcome.

True, thanks for the advice.

I heard the nightster tank is a good fit on the 48 if you want to change.

^^ what Scouser said. The undermount mirrors are fkn great.
The Nightster tank bolts on, but just MHO, I reckon it looks shit. I personally dig the peanut tank. Ya just gotta nut it out. I mean, I live in Brisbane, so I don't really give a toss about distance. I can make it to the Goldy, Sunny Coasts or out to Toowoomba before a re fuel, so that sits sweet with me.
Also, ya gotta take into cosids how ya gonna custom it up and which canvas is best for the project.
Either way, enjoy whatever ya go for...ya can't go wrong.

I have seen a 48 with a nightster tank and i think your right M ickO, How many km do you get from a tank, a HD dealer told me you get about 50 min.
I will test ride a 48 soon so i will check out the mirrors underneath thanks (Scouser)

After market gear on the bike & I get about 105 k purely city riding and about 130 odd k freeway riding.

Each to there own. I love the look of my 48 and 1200 is enough power 883 to me now does not feel likeenough.

Welcome. The whole iron 883/Nightster/48 comparison thing has been done in some other threads. I know I am biassed, but the 883 is fine for power. I only weigh 70kg myself, so the 883 gets along just fine. Like the others have said, it comes down to which style of bike you want. Sportsters are like lego, so you can interchange bits to make any one of the them exactly as you like. And on the under bar mirrors - it was the first thing I did on my Iron, flip the mirros under the bars. After years of sports bikes and riding around with the mirrors in their stock position, I was amazed to find that with the flipped mirrors you can actually see behind you. TC

Get the 48 , you get use to the mirrors,i rather the mirrors below now ,tank pissed me off at first but you get use to it , I considered the same swapping tanks to an iron tank ,but decided to keep the peanut tank, you can always carry a primus fuel bottle which will give you an extra litre of fuel , I think the peanut tanks looks better anyhow.
That's my 2cents worth , good luck both are great choices .

had a 48 sold it and dont miss it, look great ride like shit cant beat a dyna!

Thanks for the tips and advice.

When i purchase from dealer i want them to ad some custom parts, depending on $$$$.
I'm thinking of Vance & Hines Big Radius Exhaust, and not sure about air filter.
Some say go Screaming Eagle but i also like Kuryakyn Hypercharger, anyone know which gives the best performs best with the 48 or are both equal.
Anything to watch out for when buying either one.

Just don't forget to factor in the dollars for a tuner if your doing those mods.

Just don't forget to factor in the dollars for a tuner if your doing those mods.

 

I think I already said this...damn computer

Do you recommend any.

Iron 883 is enough for me! Mirror flip is great, can see everything. Mirrors on top can only see elbow to shoulder.

When the 48 was released, I was determined to get one. As I do heaps of country rides the tank would have been way too small. After checking out the different models and possible changes, I decided on the custom mainly for the 1200 motor, forward controls and a good size tank. As others have said you can change a little or a lot, but start with something close to what you want to end up with.

 My "big" Sportster custom tank is too small sometimes, don't think I'd like to do big rides with one of those little peanuts.

I have looked long and hard for a new larger peanut tank for the 48, but have found it hard to find one that looks like a real peanut and is for EFI. Came close with one from debrix in the US.

I haven't ridden an 883, but after owning a couple of 1200's, I would guess the 883 wouldn't be enough for me. Depends on what you are used to as well. I mean, if you've just gotten off your p's, then the 883 would be fine. A lot of people do buy the 883.
However if you've come from a higher performance background, then just buy a 1200... Maybe the new 72 coming out might be better suited? I dunno...

I've had a 2005 Roadster and loved it. Now got a Nightster and find the riding position awkward, cramped... might have to check out a 48 soon.

just put forwards on your nightster. No need to sell an entire bike for the sake of footpegs.