Ok, I'm a fairly new rider but i think handling the 750 should be fine. However I've lusted after an iron 883 for some time. Is that a big step up as far as weight and size and weight distribution? Is an 883 cc too big for me as a beginner? When i ask friends they all tell me to go to the 883. When i asked a fellow rider friend he says get the 1200 lol. I don't think i need 1200ccs I am currently riding a 300cc and love it but its not exactly highway friendly and is unreliable. I am saving up for a new bike and have really narrowed it down to the street 750 and the 883. The price difference between the two is not a big gap so the decision is tricky. Splurge a little and get the 883 or stay with the 750? Another possibility is a used 883 but i don't know if I wanna go the used route. What i have now is used and problem after problem. Any input is appreciated, Thanks.
Street 750 vs. Iron 883
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I think that as a beginner you will be happy with the Street 750. If you can find something on the used market I would go for it, but otherwise I would just stick to the 750.
Nothing wrong with an Iron 883. The Evo engine in the Sportsters are very reliable. I can't say about your area, but there are literally hundreds of Sportsters on Craigslist within short driving distance, at any given time. Most have very few miles. I just bought a 2006 XL1200C last August with 6,000 miles. Just check NADA or Kelley Blue Book for values before buying as most are listed for way more than they are worth.
Thanks guys. I think I'd be fine with a 750 too just have to test drive one I guess. Thats the only thing I worry about, no one can actually review them yet and I'm not sure if I wanna wait to get one. I know harley guys are gonna give street riders a hard time cuz they give sportster guys a hard time. But if I really gave 2 $#!+$ what people say I wouldn't be on 2 wheels in the first place. I value people's opinions on here though. Ya'll are just trying to help.
Sorry, i hadn't seen it or i would have posted there first. I found it now, thanks for the heads up, reading that thread now.
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Get what ever bike that feels good to you. Best to wait and take them out for a test ride both the same day, side by side. Go home think about it then go back and ride them both again.
If you ride mostly in the stop and go traffic the Street would be my first choice. If not I do like the look of the Sportster.
I do own a black XR1200x Sportster.
If you ride mostly in the stop and go traffic the Street would be my first choice. If not I do like the look of the Sportster.
I do own a black XR1200x Sportster.
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If you already have experience on a 300 then either the 883 or the Street 500/750 are an easy transition. The primary difference will the the Street 500/750 are slightly smaller and easier to handle but it won't be a significant difference from the 300. Slightly heavier with more power but something you'll quickly adapt to.
As for performance the Street 500/750 and the Sportster 883/1200 all have more than adequate power for riding on the streets, highways, and freeways. It's been a long time since I've ridden a 500cc motorcycle (a Honda 500cc four-cylinder) and it had no problem at freeway speeds of up to 75 mph and still had enough power to go faster.
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I agree. Nothing beats test riding the motorcycle and then get what you like the most.
I also like the looks of Iron 883 but haven't ridden one (yet).
As much as I like the looks of the Street and the Iron that are belt driven and sweet looking, my mind keeps going to something disturbing that would make buying any one of them brand new a hard pill to swallow...2014 Honda CB500F; 47 hp; 430 lbs; 70 mpg; $5495 MSRP.
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It sounds to me like if you get a 750, you will always be wondering "what if" and kind of wanting that 883. I haven't rode an 883, but I hear it's not as quick as the 750. I love the 750's flat torque curve though; flat and hard acceleration no matter where your RPMs are in that gear. I also expect better things from the engine than I would from an 883 when it comes to durability and vibration.
A coworker of mine has a CBR-500 that she let me ride today. It is of course better in the corners than my 750, and it sounded like it was taking off like a rocket when I went wide open, but it wasn't as fast. I knew this before by looking at the 0-60 times, and on it I never felt like the bike wanted to rocket out from underneath me like I do on my 750.
So if you want something you can flick around, get a CBR-500. If you want to go fast on the straights and gentle bends, get the Street 750. And if you want to feel good about what you're sitting on when you ride, get the Iron 883.
A coworker of mine has a CBR-500 that she let me ride today. It is of course better in the corners than my 750, and it sounded like it was taking off like a rocket when I went wide open, but it wasn't as fast. I knew this before by looking at the 0-60 times, and on it I never felt like the bike wanted to rocket out from underneath me like I do on my 750.
So if you want something you can flick around, get a CBR-500. If you want to go fast on the straights and gentle bends, get the Street 750. And if you want to feel good about what you're sitting on when you ride, get the Iron 883.
Yes put a pipe on that bad boy and it goes
When I was working at a Harley-Davidson dealer, I found they had a nice used 2006 XL883 standard model, and would give me a nice employee discount. At the time I was about 55 and the XL made about number 25 of motorcycles I'd owned. My boss told me to get a 1200 at least, if I wasn't going to buy a big twin. Since my wife rides her own bike (a potent scooter), we don't ride two up any more. Well, the 883 did just fine for me. It was not underpowered, and easily handled freeway riding.
The Iron model, though, unlike my 2006 XL883, is a lowered motorcycle. It uses shoretened fork tubes and shock for that lowered look. That's lovely, but it also lowers cornering clearance. A coworker with an XL1200N Nightster, tried to keep up with me on my XL883 oen morning on the way to work, and could not. That's because I could lean my XL way farther in the corners. He couldn't believe I could corner that much faster than he could.
I understand the street models have better cornering clearance than virtually ANY of the current line of Sportsters. I love to ride, and always have, but I do like to be able to lean!!
The Iron model, though, unlike my 2006 XL883, is a lowered motorcycle. It uses shoretened fork tubes and shock for that lowered look. That's lovely, but it also lowers cornering clearance. A coworker with an XL1200N Nightster, tried to keep up with me on my XL883 oen morning on the way to work, and could not. That's because I could lean my XL way farther in the corners. He couldn't believe I could corner that much faster than he could.
I understand the street models have better cornering clearance than virtually ANY of the current line of Sportsters. I love to ride, and always have, but I do like to be able to lean!!
Never do this! That Honda has such poor torque that it is just a flat out boring ride.
As for the 883, the only reasons to buy that over the street are...
1. The Engine can be upgraded to a 1200
2. There are more aftermarket parts available
3. You like the looks better
4. You can use car oil in the bike
5. Pretty much every good and bad thing is known about the engine
Now reasons not to buy it
1. Sportsters leak oil onto their air filter by design.
2. They use a dry sump so you don't always have Oil sitting in the lower end of the engine.
3. Maintenance is more expensive
4. They flat out hurt to ride for distance and it isn't just the seat
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HD 883 = 1950's Hot Rod, balls to the wall rugged (image and sound wise), TOP HEAVY, Classic, open it right up!
HD STREET 750 = 2016 Ferrari, Smooth and FAST, PERFECTLY BALANCED, Racey, Urban streets to open roads, Batman would ride this bike!
I never considered the 883 due to many different reasons. I was actually looking at a couple triumphs. The moment I got on the Street 750 I KNEW it was the right bike. I was SHOCKED at how fast it was...be careful. I love it but everyone has their own needs/wants. When you test drive both, ONE will stand out and just make sense. For me it was the Street 750.
HD STREET 750 = 2016 Ferrari, Smooth and FAST, PERFECTLY BALANCED, Racey, Urban streets to open roads, Batman would ride this bike!
I never considered the 883 due to many different reasons. I was actually looking at a couple triumphs. The moment I got on the Street 750 I KNEW it was the right bike. I was SHOCKED at how fast it was...be careful. I love it but everyone has their own needs/wants. When you test drive both, ONE will stand out and just make sense. For me it was the Street 750.
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"Now reasons not to buy it....
1. Sportsters leak oil onto their air filter by design.
2. They use a dry sump so you don't always have Oil sitting in the lower end of the engine.
3. Maintenance is more expensive
4. They flat out hurt to ride for distance and it isn't just the seat "
Sportsters do not leak oil in the air filter by design. It does burn blow by, but does not leak oil. It will leak oil from the air filter it its over filled with oil. I've had several sportsters including two right now ('08 883 and '11 1200) and they don't leak oil. Maintenance more expensive? More expensive than what? It cost me 2.5 qts of oil in the engine, oil filter, and 1 qt in the primary, quad ring when removing derby cover to adjust the clutch and that's about it. No valves to adjust, tires much less expensive than the big twins...5000 mile intervals, I just don't see it as expensive. They will hurt if you ride any distance but there are easy fixes, from touring bike rear shocks, set of progressive fork springs and change fork oil ...will be much improved in the ride. Seat are subjective as one may be comfy to one person and suck to another. Not trying to be cause any issues, but the sportsters are very dependable, after market is plentiful and most issues are minor (like comfort) which can easily be addressed. I rode my Sportster over 1700 miles while on vacation a couple months ago without any comfort issues or leaks of any kind. My seat is not the stock seat, but the suspension is stock. I am also interested in the Street models and truly hope they are good reliable bikes.
1. Sportsters leak oil onto their air filter by design.
2. They use a dry sump so you don't always have Oil sitting in the lower end of the engine.
3. Maintenance is more expensive
4. They flat out hurt to ride for distance and it isn't just the seat "
Sportsters do not leak oil in the air filter by design. It does burn blow by, but does not leak oil. It will leak oil from the air filter it its over filled with oil. I've had several sportsters including two right now ('08 883 and '11 1200) and they don't leak oil. Maintenance more expensive? More expensive than what? It cost me 2.5 qts of oil in the engine, oil filter, and 1 qt in the primary, quad ring when removing derby cover to adjust the clutch and that's about it. No valves to adjust, tires much less expensive than the big twins...5000 mile intervals, I just don't see it as expensive. They will hurt if you ride any distance but there are easy fixes, from touring bike rear shocks, set of progressive fork springs and change fork oil ...will be much improved in the ride. Seat are subjective as one may be comfy to one person and suck to another. Not trying to be cause any issues, but the sportsters are very dependable, after market is plentiful and most issues are minor (like comfort) which can easily be addressed. I rode my Sportster over 1700 miles while on vacation a couple months ago without any comfort issues or leaks of any kind. My seat is not the stock seat, but the suspension is stock. I am also interested in the Street models and truly hope they are good reliable bikes.
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