Any advice about a H-D 883

[woodlands]

I am thinking of buying one of these, and see a lot of them (new and secondhand) available for sale.
They are also very reasonably priced for a H-D.

Any owners available to provide some real world experience/guidance.

Do most people buy these, and then tire of them quickly for some reason. Most of the ones in dealers are probably less that 1 year old.

I am getting this, because I have been away from bikes for so long, that I am not comfortable with getting on a pocket-rocket. I am also trying to get some H-D experience for Route 66 next year.

Any honest opinions of the 883 will be appreciated.

[Mon Ami Mate]

Honestly? It's the worst bike I've ever ridden. Horrendously agricultural, slow, awful gearbox. Desperately uncomfortable, non-existent suspension, nasty handling and dodgy build quality. I had more fun on an Enfield India that I rode for a couple of days around Goa a few years ago.

[mtbr]

Mon Ami Mate said:

Honestly? It's the worst bike I've ever ridden. Horrendously agricultural, slow, awful gearbox. Desperately uncomfortable, non-existent suspension, nasty handling and dodgy build quality. I had more fun on an Enfield India that I rode for a couple of days around Goa a few years ago.

Harsh but fair!

[rsvmilly]

woodlands said:

I am thinking of buying one of these, and see a lot of them (new and secondhand) available for sale. They are also very reasonably priced for a H-D. Any owners available to provide some real world experience/guidance. Do most people buy these, and then tire of them quickly for some reason. Most of the ones in dealers are probably less that 1 year old. I am getting this, because I have been away from bikes for so long, that I am not comfortable with getting on a pocket-rocket. I am also trying to get some H-D experience for Route 66 next year. Any honest opinions of the 883 will be appreciated.

I've heard that the 1200 sportster is a far better bike. Those 883s make something less than 50hp at the wheels. You'll have a bundle more fun on an ER5, at a fraction the cost or weight. If you fancy a stylish naked then look at Ducati Monsters.

I think the reasons for lots of 1 year old bikes on the market are;

1. Desperately slow
2. HD used to run an offer whereby they'd take a used Sportster against a new 'bigger' Harley and give you back what you paid for it, or something like that.

[woodlands]

Thanks for the advice.
I must admit that I thought there would have been something causing the apparent surplus of 883's on the market.

I assume that the bigger models are much more balanced, and smoother. I am not particularly worried about the acceleration thing, I have the car for that, I am more worried about getting H-D experience in preparation for 2700 miles on Route 66 on a bigger H-D.

I could go the Bandit or VFR route, but in reality, I need to get more comfortable with a much heavier bike.

[Wacky Racer]

My previous bike was a new 1200 sportster, I decided not to go for the 883 as I thought it may be a bit underpowered. I had no complaints about the quality, in fact it was first class, chromework, welding on the frame, paintwork, OK the gearchange was a bit agricultural but if you want to ride like a maniac get an R1 or a fireblade....

I now have a new unfaired 1200 Bandit that is roughly the same price as a new 883 Sportster, if you are bothered about performance go for the Bandit.. but if you are still considering an 883 ask for a test ride first before you commit yourself....