Hello all,

I have had my Iron 883 for about 3 months now and have just done my first service. I have realised that I need a bit more power than what the bike offers, especially on long rides on the motorway, because I ride 2-up most of the times and am not very light... (thankfully the mrs. is).

One option was to sell this bike and upgrade to the 1200 custom - but then it is ridiculous to trade in a bike within 3 months. I do have the option of selling it privately but not sure how the market is. Meanwhile, I did not want to do the 1200 conversion yet. This is because I am not sure if I want to spend another 3.5-4K on the bike if am not even sure if I will own it for too long. 

So considering all options, I thought let me at least get a Stage 1 upgrade (pipes, heavy breather and tuner) and see how much that improves the performance. I am hardly a mechanic so went to the dealer who suggested I get V&H Big Radius with a SE heavy breather and tuner.

Does anyone else have the same combination and does it increase performance by a lot? Is it worth spending the 1.5 - 2K on? Also does this make the bike far too noisy? Will it attract attention from the coppers? Is it even worth it or should I just consider trying to sell private and upgrading to aa more powerful model?

Thanks guys.

Just go the 1200 conv, it's the only way you will get any decent power out of it, I fucked around for ages doing other shit, Best thing I did was do the conversion and upgrade the brakes. 

it will add a few horses and she will sound a heap sweeter. but no, it wont give you the power you are looking for. do the conversion or trade up.

 

edit :   and welcome.

 

 Thank you Bartikus and killerchef. Yes I am considering the 1200 conversion but it costs 4k... Could have just bought the 1200 custom to begin with. Does anyone know of any place it costs cheaper?

also the big radius...will it get me into trouble with cops?

yep. if you go through with the stage 1 tell the dealer that you will be taking your stock pipes. you may need them.

Mate, even with my 1200 I still know I have a passenger. If you really want to take the misses, cut your losses and get a bigger bike. I don't think they were ever made for two up. You can pour heaps of coin into what you have but you will always wonder what the larger ones are like.

Did the V&H big radius / Arlen Ness air filter and tuner. Have a referral to the Dept. of environment, water and climate change (or something similar) as I got pinged for excessive noise.

Upside a little more power - don't know about how that works with the pillion.

SmartPartz Hard Kore is where you go should you get the big radius unless you live rural.

 Good advice boys. I had a doubt I will get into trouble if I put the big radius on. I live in a quiet residential neighbourhood so would have had some issues with the loudness of those pipes.

might just get a 1200 conversion I guess. But does that make it too loud as well? Anyone recommend a setup that is not too loud and borderline legal? Slap... Mate are slip ons any better?

would love to just get a bigger bike instead but love the look of the sportsters and can't bring myself to accept the big loss on trade in.

 Erazorx, if the 883 is not meeting your needs and you are really thinking of more power, I suggest traiding up to a second hand Dyna. Even a new Street Bob is $21,500 ride away. My 2 c worth. Free advice is worth all you pay for it....TC

Ok so I enquired about the 1200 conversion and I got a quote of $4200 (Labour $1600) supplied and fitted - The kit, SE slipons, EFI super tuner, etc. That seems a ridiculous amount of money. Can anyone shed some light on this? I had asked for the SE slipons because I wanted something that is quiet and close to legal. They insist this is legal...

And Slap... I also enquired about the new speedo and a fuel level sensor kit. Quote is $900 fitted.

I wish I friggin knew how to do these things myself!

TC883 - I did check the Street Bob but I really like the smaller tanks and look of the sporties. I just wish the conversion was cheaper. Dont really want to sell and upgrade to a bigger bike yet. Only 3 months old and cant justify it to myself...

I guess I have no option but to just get things done one by one instead of trying to do everything at once. But I thought if I did that it would be cheaper!

Sounds like you're gettin quoted RRP for everything. Funny how the labour can vary from shop to shop as well. When I first made enquiries about a 1200 conversion before I bought my sporty, I was quoted 6 hrs labour @ $100/hr, then another dealer quoted 12 hrs @ $135/hr which sounds around what they're quoting you. And that quote for the new speedo etc sounds a bit over the top too. Figure about $500-$530 for parts RRP & that leaves 3 hours labour to fit the speedo & sensor kit? Even with my limited skills it only took me about 40 mins (with the kids bugging me) to swap my speedo over & set it up (speedo unit only - no fuel sensor kit).

Slap.