Hi all - very new here. Yesterday I test rode my first HD an Iron 883. Loved the bike in the streets however doing 90-100 km/h I found it wanting another gear etc. I understand it's not a tourer but given where I live I will be on freeways a lot. I have been reading quite a lot about performance upgrades (stage 1 2 3 etc) however do these performance upgrades equate to a better ride at 110 kmph? Will it still be the same ride or not? Will the upgrades just increase accelleration / note etc but still be a bike wanting more legs on the freeways? Are there other mods I need to look at or should I consider a 1200 with an 883 front sprocket etc  I don't know that I would want a 1200 at this stage as the 883 is heaps of fun in the streets. I guess I don't want to purchase the wrong bike for my needs - local roads / streets and freeways.  Thanks

 

 

Go to the intro section and start again.

Isn't an Iron a 5 speed? And you wanted another gear? Suppose I've never ridden one, but that sounds odd.

You want another gear? Got a 1200 and except on the freeway hardly ever use 5th.

Thanks guys. I guess I expected a bit different. Don't get me wrong it does the speed however at 100 it made me think that to go faster still it would be interesting. Need to book another test ride eh.

Just get a 1200.

Point taken - yeah I was expecting a different ride hmmmmmm

 

I really like the style of the 883 - the black denim is very appealing to me - a real mean look. 1200 is a cool option however to get the black denim I need to purchase a seventy-two??? (different riding position). Having a history of Japanese road bikes and dirt bikes I really prefer the 883 riding position. And after a bit of YouTube research I am looking forward to opening an 883 up on the freeway - yes they can really move

If all else failed I presume you could always add a 1200 kit to the Iron anyway. As far as riding position goes it can usually be changed - foward to mid controls or back, etc.

Hi mate,

Having just come from maps myself realise they are different. Personally I love the change, as Bonkerz said you don't need to rev the shits out of them to enjoy. Last bike was a Z1000 and needed to be hammered to feel like you were having fun, the nightster at 140 feels fast. Personally, if doing again, would buy a second hand 883 and put a 1250 kit in it, and decent suspension back and front, good brakes and a decent exhaust (which I did on the 1200).

Cheers,

Howard

Japs not maps!

Mate, Just ride it again, and see if you can get a ride on a stage 1 modified bike. This means air cleaner, exhaust and a remap. It helps them breath better at the higher RPM. My 883 is fine at 100-160kph. Above that it just gets too tiring to hang on against the wind blast! If you get an 883 with stage 1 it will be fine, provided you are not a big bloke. TC

boy oh boy you need to get onto other Harley's if you think the 883 really moves............I sold mine in under a year as I was bored with the performance (V&H pipes and heavy breather fitted too)

If you are wanting another gear on the freeway then the 883 isn't for you................personally I didn't think the 1200 conversion was worth the money, having already spent about $20k on the Iron (had a lot of mods) and what 1200 conversion was around four or five grand

Hell stock Breakout is $29k new..........so I got a Breakout and I've never looked back!

Really appreciate all the advice, feedback and experience. I am going to test another 883 and get busy with it. It is a pain when they go with you from the dealership tho.. Definitely try other bikes as suggested - will e an interesting comparison. The sales guy did agree with me that the Iron is not necessarily the most suitable bike for the freeway - I think doing a few hundred kms up the coast will be not so much fun

I got ape hangers, not high ones, just 14" and forward controls. I'm 6ft 1" (185cm) and close to 100KGS and the Iron was just too small for me

It felt like a BMX............I'd go up to the Goldie, probably a 45 min ride and I'd be cramped to hell..........

Same 100 kgs / 185 cms - will be interesting to get on other HD's then.

Daryl, at 100kgs and 185cms I agree with the others above now. Try a bigger Harley, like the Street Bob, Slim or the Low Rider. The Iron 883 works for me...at 70kgs and 173cm......TC

Thanks guys - the advice is great. No point owning your first HD only to want to change it after a while. I have some great options now. ??????

The Iron isn't for you...

Get it right first time............unlike me, spent over $20k customizing and after a year I got $11k trade in!

I couldn't' give it away selling privately.............there are a million Iron's out there, so if the Iron is for you, stick with it....

6'2" and 100kgs and love my 883 Sporty Low. Ride her everyday to work and back... Very comfortable