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  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    Hello team,

    Got made redundant at start of COVID (work in IT, boring).. and only now getting to start a new job next week.

    I live on Central Coast but this job, unfortunately, is in Parramatta.  Using public transport it will take 2 hrs to 2 1/2 hours each way, so I am looking at getting another bike to ride to work, and hope to find free motorcycle parking (lol, tell him he's dreamin') as it is 1 hour 15mins to 1 hour 30mins (barring traffic, which some can be negated on a bike I am hoping).

    I have not owned a bike for +6 years, and my last bike was a Triumph Daytona 675, which I really liked.  I am 48, 176cm and 96kg (lol.. being a stay at home dad didnt agree with me over last 2 years ;p)

    I do not really want to be on a ricer every morning and afternoon, I mean, i do.. but dont.

    Just like when finding a partner, i feel you (well, me) have to have that initial physical attraction when buying a vehicle..  and I really like the Iron 883's appearance.  I wish the 1200 had the exact same appearance, then my choice would be easy peasy.  The Fat Bob is also a nice bike, but out of my budget (no salary for last 2 years).. I am also hoping I can get a "deal" on the 883.. is that even possible on Harleys?

    I am off to the local Harley dealer on Central Coast tomorrow to have a sit on the 883, but I guess I am a little hesitant due to some comments online about it's performance on the motorway.

    I am not overly concerned about racing people from the lights anymore, and do just want to "cruise" to work and back.. but I want to be able to do the speed limit comfortably, and not have to sit in left lane the whole way ;p~

    Would an Iron 883 with the 1250 (or whatever it is) kit in it be suffice?

    Alternatively, I am looking at a Ducati.

    p.s. sorry for long post.


  • Daffy
    Daffy
    2 years ago
    Just to throw in an alternative. I bought a Honda CB500x after a couple of glasses of wine. Absolutely love it. Perfect commuter   Great fuel range   Comfy. My Harley is a new Heritage Classic and that is great. Honda is a lot of fun. Sits on 110-120 easily. Maybe not your cup of tea but in my opinion perfect for what you’re describing. Unless you really want a Harley. Can’t blame you for that. 
  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    Quoting Daffy on 20 Jan 2022 09:39 PM

    Just to throw in an alternative. I bought a Honda CB500x after a couple of glasses of wine. Absolutely love it. Perfect commuter   Great fuel range   Comfy. My Harley is a new Heritage Classic and that is great. Honda is a lot of fun. Sits on 110-120 easily. Maybe not your cup of tea but in my opinion perfect for what you’re describing. Unless you really want a Harley. Can’t blame you for that. 

    Yeah I am sure the CB500X is good, but I don't find it appealing at all 

    :p

    Probably get flamed, but I want a good looking bike that is also suitable for me haha
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    2 years ago
    I had an "02" 883 for a few years the my wife and I would cruise for days, it was very capable as we were both in excess of 100kgs, I like the new Sportster S, tall, thin and power, will do the highway easily and traffic (filter) if I had to buy a commuter, that's were I would go,
    there is no such thing as "limited" budget, if you buy cheap today then upgrade later, you have just paid twice as much, get what you want first time, plan for the future, live for the day

    he who dies with the most toys, is still dead

  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 20 Jan 2022 10:54 PM

    I had an "02" 883 for a few years the my wife and I would cruise for days, it was very capable as we were both in excess of 100kgs, I like the new Sportster S, tall, thin and power, will do the highway easily and traffic (filter) if I had to buy a commuter, that's were I would go,
    there is no such thing as "limited" budget, if you buy cheap today then upgrade later, you have just paid twice as much, get what you want first time, plan for the future, live for the day

    he who dies with the most toys, is still dead

    Cheers...

    If it was as easy as "buy whatever you want now" life would be good :)

    Actually, I see the Iron 1200 & 883 have same RRP...

    Might be able to get different handle bars/tank to replicate the 883 look :p
  • OlChesnut
    OlChesnut
    2 years ago
    Quoting wid on 20 Jan 2022 09:29 PM

    Hello team,


    Got made redundant at start of COVID (work in IT, boring).. and only now getting to start a new job next week.

    I live on Central Coast but this job, unfortunately, is in Parramatta.  Using public transport it will take 2 hrs to 2 1/2 hours each way, so I am looking at getting another bike to ride to work, and hope to find free motorcycle parking (lol, tell him he's dreamin') as it is 1 hour 15mins to 1 hour 30mins (barring traffic, which some can be negated on a bike I am hoping).

    I have not owned a bike for +6 years, and my last bike was a Triumph Daytona 675, which I really liked.  I am 48, 176cm and 96kg (lol.. being a stay at home dad didnt agree with me over last 2 years ;p)

    I do not really want to be on a ricer every morning and afternoon, I mean, i do.. but dont.

    Just like when finding a partner, i feel you (well, me) have to have that initial physical attraction when buying a vehicle..  and I really like the Iron 883's appearance.  I wish the 1200 had the exact same appearance, then my choice would be easy peasy.  The Fat Bob is also a nice bike, but out of my budget (no salary for last 2 years).. I am also hoping I can get a "deal" on the 883.. is that even possible on Harleys?

    I am off to the local Harley dealer on Central Coast tomorrow to have a sit on the 883, but I guess I am a little hesitant due to some comments online about it's performance on the motorway.

    I am not overly concerned about racing people from the lights anymore, and do just want to "cruise" to work and back.. but I want to be able to do the speed limit comfortably, and not have to sit in left lane the whole way ;p~

    Would an Iron 883 with the 1250 (or whatever it is) kit in it be suffice?

    Alternatively, I am looking at a Ducati.

    p.s. sorry for long post.


    If you're set on getting an Iron, I would suggest going for the 1200.  The 883 has a great look, but the performance of the 883 is disappointing.  Whereas the 1200 you won't tire of.  Don't take any advice of doing an engine upgrade, it's expensive, it's a hack job and you'll never see that money again.  I would do the opposite, get an Iron 1200 and then tweak the look of it to what you want.   The two bikes are not that much different in terms of styling.  That will be cheaper and you'll have a factory 1200 with the look that you want.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    2 years ago
    Test ride all the options you’re considering and don’t be afraid to test ride them for a while on freeways. Once you know what you want, look at private sales as lots of well looked after second handers with some mild performance improvements available for lower cost. 

    The post from chestnut is what I’d do. The 1200 has better/taller gear ratios for freeway riding which imho is a must for what you’ll be doing 
  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    Is insurance difference between the 883 and 1200?
  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    What's the bike in your avatar?
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    2 years ago
    Also take into account some sporties, like the 48 have these little fuel tanks that you’d be filling very regularly with your commuting from central coast to Sydney. Go for the bigger tank unless you want to fill up every day 
  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    Quoting fatbat on 21 Jan 2022 05:52 AM

    Also take into account some sporties, like the 48 have these little fuel tanks that you’d be filling very regularly with your commuting from central coast to Sydney. Go for the bigger tank unless you want to fill up every day 

    Does that mean if I buy one of those bikes, I can upgrade the tank as part of the purchase process?

    Or you mean... Buy a bigger bike?


  • fatbat
    fatbat
    2 years ago
    Different sporties have different tanks. There are two types. I’d go with a 1200 with the bigger tank (ie. not a 48)
  • wid
    wid
    2 years ago
    thinking of going second hand for now, see how commute goes then get something new.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    2 years ago
    I commute every day (about 90km round trip - well I did prior to COVID).  With 60% of the trip on the motorway and the rest in main streets I needed the following - 
    - Lightweight so it could be turned quick + shorter brake distances needed = Sporty
    - Belt drive as a chain is good for High Power engines but i just want to ride the bike without chain maintenance or swaps every 10k
    - EFI as I cannot be bother tuning a carb and its the most efficient for mileage (21km per litre) - it just keeps going!
    - Rubber mount engine as its a smoother ride for a commuter and the open road.

    So the obvious choice was a Sporty (883 or 1200).  I got a second hand 09 883 Low in pretty much stock condition with Screaming Beagle pipes.
    - Added a Thundermax Tuner with Autotune and Wideband O2 sensors as soon as I could.
    - Added a Healtech quick shifter so now the clutch is only used when Im at a full stop and the quick shifting means the bike will blow away a big block even though its down on power as I do not need to wait 30 mins to change gears...lol

    That was 125,000km ago and the bike is still running like new!  Albeit it now a chopper with a radical custom paint job, but thats just me. 


  • OlChesnut
    OlChesnut
    2 years ago
    Quoting fatbat on 21 Jan 2022 08:11 AM

    Different sporties have different tanks. There are two types. I’d go with a 1200 with the bigger tank (ie. not a 48)

    I completely agree there.  As cool as those Sporty's like the 48 look, they're impractical.  I've got a 1200C with the 17 litre tank.  The tank still looks great, but most importantly it gives a really decent range. I've done interstate trips on mine and never been concerned about running out of fuel.
  • OlChesnut
    OlChesnut
    2 years ago
    Quoting wid on 21 Jan 2022 09:13 PM

    thinking of going second hand for now, see how commute goes then get something new.

    I'm not sure what new ones are going for, or if they're even available with the supply issues at the moment.  The used market has  gone crazy as a result.  Getting a used bike is a good idea if you can find a good deal.
  • UltraPete
    UltraPete
    2 years ago
    Mate at your height and weight I think you will be too big for a sporty. I had a 1200 custom and even with the bigger front wheel and the forward controls I had my knees out at a 45 degree angle to ride the thing. Don't get me wrong I loved my sporty, it was fast and agile, loved the snotty little engine, but I looked ridiculous on it and felt like I was on a kids bike.  You can do it but you will grow tired of it real quick. And a Ducatti will be far, far worse. 

    For similar money you could get onto an older dyna or soft tail, or a tourer.

  • tussuck
    tussuck
    2 years ago
    Quoting UltraPete on 22 Jan 2022 08:12 AMedited: 22 Jan 2022 08:17 AM

    Mate at your height and weight I think you will be too big for a sporty. I had a 1200 custom and even with the bigger front wheel and the forward controls I had my knees out at a 45 degree angle to ride the thing. Don't get me wrong I loved my sporty, it was fast and agile, loved the snotty little engine, but I looked ridiculous on it and felt like I was on a kids bike.  You can do it but you will grow tired of it real quick. And a Ducatti will be far, far worse. 

    For similar money you could get onto an older dyna or soft tail, or a tourer.

    I'm 6'2" and find the 883 Low fine.  I have forwards on but she is comfy to ride.

  • UltraPete
    UltraPete
    2 years ago
    Quoting UltraPete on 22 Jan 2022 08:12 AMedited: 22 Jan 2022 08:17 AM

    Mate at your height and weight I think you will be too big for a sporty. I had a 1200 custom and even with the bigger front wheel and the forward controls I had my knees out at a 45 degree angle to ride the thing. Don't get me wrong I loved my sporty, it was fast and agile, loved the snotty little engine, but I looked ridiculous on it and felt like I was on a kids bike.  You can do it but you will grow tired of it real quick. And a Ducatti will be far, far worse. 

    For similar money you could get onto an older dyna or soft tail, or a tourer.

    Quoting tussuck on 23 Jan 2022 01:15 AM

    I'm 6'2" and find the 883 Low fine.  I have forwards on but she is comfy to ride.


    That's all that matters mate. 
    No way I could go back to one, personal opinion.
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