Should i buy a 2002 883 custom?

2995 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by ronf, Feb 4, 2002

Phil2

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2002

I just wanted to ask you guys that own this bike if i should get it.

it been 6 years since i have had a bike (ninja 600 unfortunatley) an now i want another bike for cruising. I am looking at the 883c for several reasons; i am not looking for speed and i dont want a japanese bike ever again and i dont want to spend a ton. i chose the 883c because when i get bored with it i can make it a 1200 for little $. i wanted to know from the owners here how you like the bike and how much you paid (not to be nosey). Does it sound as throaty as the bigger h-d bikes?

any input would be appreciated

thankyou

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

bub

· #2 · Jan 18, 2002

I had a 1999 883 Sporty. I don't know your size but I'm 6'0 and 240lbs. and I felt like I was on a dirt bike. The ride was a little rough and extended highway rideing caused my hands to go numb.As far as the good things, the price $6,000, and the bike handled pretty good in the twisties. You will get bored with the power very quickly. If you don't plan on doing a lot of traveling you will like it. As far as the sound I think the Sporties sound better than the new Twin Cams.
Good Luck !!

Phil2

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 18, 2002 (Edited)

bub said:
I had a 1999 883 Sporty. I don't know your size but I'm 6'0 and 240lbs. and I felt like I was on a dirt bike. The ride was a little rough and extended highway rideing caused my hands to go numb.As far as the good things, the price $6,000, and the bike handled pretty good in the twisties. You will get bored with the power very quickly. If you don't plan on doing a lot of traveling you will like it. As far as the sound I think the Sporties sound better than the new Twin Cams.
Good Luck !!

thanks for the input

i am 5'10\190lbs and it feels comfotable just sitting on it so hopefully i will like it.

BTW

are the screamin eagle pipes worth it?

bub

· #4 · Jan 18, 2002

The S.E. pipes are a good pipe but I recommend Cycle Shacks.They are almost half the price and are louder. I got my Cycle Shacks through the Dennis Kirk catalog for $102.99. Happy Riding!!

ronf

· #5 · Jan 19, 2002

Congrats on the soon to be new 883. Good canvas to start with.

Angus

· #6 · Jan 19, 2002

I have a 99 883C. I bought it in July '99 from a dealer with 1000 miles on it for $6900. It came with the balance of the factory warranty, HD saddle bags, SE slip-ons, SE air filter, and the carb re-jetted. I've been happy with the sound and handling, but the power, especially roll-on, is lacking. I'm 5' 10 and 175 pounds. The riding position is fine for me. I'm at the point where I'm considering trading up to a dyna, or doing the 1200 conversion. I'm just not sure about putting anymore money into the bike, and I don't want to take out a loan for a new bike.

Bottom line, it's been a good bike, but I wish I would have gotten the 1200C.

Phil2

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 19, 2002

Angus said:
I have a 99 883C. I bought it in July '99 from a dealer with 1000 miles on it for $6900. It came with the balance of the factory warranty, HD saddle bags, SE slip-ons, SE air filter, and the carb re-jetted. I've been happy with the sound and handling, but the power, especially roll-on, is lacking. I'm 5' 10 and 175 pounds. The riding position is fine for me. I'm at the point where I'm considering trading up to a dyna, or doing the 1200 conversion. I'm just not sure about putting anymore money into the bike, and I don't want to take out a loan for a new bike.

Bottom line, it's been a good bike, but I wish I would have gotten the 1200C.

thanks for the input

i really want the v-rod but i just cant justify spending almost 20k on something im not sure of. i am rusty since i havent been riding on a regular basis for the past 6 years. The way i look at it, if i get tired of the 883's power ill spend the 1500 to get the 1200cc conversion and i will still have less $ into the bike that just buying a 1200custom to start off with.

i guess ill get the 883. yeah ill get it!

bub

· #8 · Jan 19, 2002

I wish the best for you with your new scooter.Happy Riding!!!

Phil2

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 29, 2002

well after all of the contemplating i decided to get the 1200 custom instead of the 883. For the little difference in money it definately worth it!!!

i ordered the wide tire kit and fat bob tank along with all of the chrome goodies

pasadenajim

· #10 · Jan 29, 2002

Good Decision, Phil!

And buy a set of shot stems for those mirrors or you won't be able to use 'em.

No joke. Extreme vibration above 50 or 60 mph.

We first went with short stems for the mirrors on Lisa's 1200 XLC. That helped some. Finally, after she changed the handlebars, she was able to use the mirrors almost all the time. The drag bars on the custom look really cool, but a lot of riders have problems with them.

SamBlob

· #11 · Feb 3, 2002

Phil2 said:
I just wanted to ask you guys that own this bike if i should get it.

it been 6 years since i have had a bike (ninja 600 unfortunatley) an now i want another bike for cruising. I am looking at the 883c for several reasons; i am not looking for speed and i dont want a japanese bike ever again and i dont want to spend a ton. i chose the 883c because when i get bored with it i can make it a 1200 for little $. i wanted to know from the owners here how you like the bike and how much you paid (not to be nosey). Does it sound as throaty as the bigger h-d bikes?

any input would be appreciated

thankyou

It sounds like you had a really bad experience with that Ninja! What turned you so completely off Japanese bikes? I ask because I ride one (1988 Honda CM200T TwinStar) and I want to know what I should look out for.

When I mention that I am 6'0" and weigh 300 lb., I am told that I would probably not fit too well on a Sportster (in stock form, at least). I find it strange 'coz I currently ride a 200cc bike. The only complaints I have with my current bike are that my ass hurts after about an hour in the saddle (usually when riding through the hills; straight roads are more comfortable) and that my throttle wrist cramps whenever I lean forward for a long time (giving me some incentive to sit back and cruise...)

The H-D model I would most like to try out is the XL883R, the least expensive current Harley with a stock dualseat. The dual front discs sound appealing, too; maybe they'll give the Sportster an edge over the Nighthawk 750 in braking performance.

Anyway, if I were to swear off Japanese bikes here in Jamaica I would be $#!+ outta luck 'coz the only non-Japanese bikes for sale here are Korean and Taiwanese...

See less See more

sheepboy

· #12 · Feb 3, 2002

883's

I don't think you can go wrong with an 883. I too had been out of riding for 6 years when I bought my Hugger last spring.(it's a 29" inseam thing) and I have been real happy with it. It got me back into biking and that's all that counts. It is true that it is not the most powerful bike, although I'm no speed demon, but for cruising back and forth to work(12 miles each way) and the occasional club rides it has been great. I did buy an "02 Dyna in November since I now want to do some longer distance trips and the Sportster would do it but not quite as comfortably. When the riding style changes, the bike changes, hence its' posting in the classified section. I love the bike tremendously and would like to keep it forever but when the boss says sell, I humbly say"O.K." (man am I whipped or what?) I say go for the 883 in your situation and enjoy the hell out of it!!!!!
Sheepboy
'01 Sportster
'02 Dyna

Angus

· #13 · Feb 3, 2002

Sheepboy,
Which dyna did you get? I like the looks of the FXDL and I am thinking about selling my 883C and getting an 02 lowrider. It's just that money thing that's stopping me!

sheepboy

· #14 · Feb 3, 2002

Hey Angus

I bought a Superglide. I originaly planned on getting a Low Rider but all my friends with the black and chrome engine always seem to have crappy looking black on the motors. Also there are some things I would do differently as far as chrome, bars etc. I went with plan "B" and have been extremely satisfied. I thought that the difference in the front end rake wouldn't appeal to me as much on the Glide but it is growing on me. The difference in seat height still works out for my short legs. If I want it lower at a later time I can change shocks. So far I have put on a chrome battery cover, electrical panel cover and coil cover. Just enough for my tastes. I am changing the risers and speedo housing to chrome and will put drag bars on. The combination I chose should help me retain all the stock cables. Other than that, since I have a small custom paint shop, I will indeed trick out the sheetmetal! All in all I will have a lot less invested in the bike than if I had bought the Low Rider and I will end up with exactly what I want. Good luck with your purchase.
( I have to admit I saw a stock LR at the dealer the other day that looked awesome stock! We all want something different, lets keep it that way

)
Baaaaaa

See less See more

ronf

· #15 · Feb 4, 2002

Coming from UJM cruisers last year I bought my first HD. Wife and I went looking and they had quite a few bikes on the floor, all at MSRP. Always liked the look of the Sportster. The narrowness, that big twin motor, the sound. Anyway the wife said your choice between the Sportster and the Dyna Sport. Decisions, decisions.

Got the Sportster (had to finish the dream you know) and have been very happy with it. 1200 standard with all the taxes paid. Scoots pretty good. I did all the upgrades (very easy bike to work on) myself, but kinda wish I would have got that TC88 motor instead. After talking with the wife, she said we could get one next year (as I still want to keep the Sporty also, I know greedy) when her Mustang is paid off. Think I'll shoot for the RK or FLHT then.

Anyway good luck with your new 1200 and hope you have great times with it. I did and do.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.