Total Motorcycle Community Forums

grussem wrote:Get the stage 1, you'll be happier cause it performs a lot better.

That's pretty much the norm for any Harley these days... they strangle the life out of them at the factory in order to meet EPA regs for noise/emissions and performance suffers greatly because of it. An air filter and exhaust change (and I'm not talking about LOUD pipes here, just ones with better flow and a little more noise) can net a 10hp increase for a fairly reasonable price.

On the subject of Victory, I took an '03 Touring Cruiser out for a ride last year. Impressive bike - well sorted out FI (except for a slight stumble in the 4,000RPM range which I'm told has been cured on newer models), very good handling and awesome brakes. The only thing I didn't like was the speedo being wayyyy out there on top of the headlight bucket, which forces the windshield too far forward for my liking. But if I ever get tired of Harleys, the Victory is on my short list as a replacement.

For starters, I don't know why anyone would buy an 883 Sportster, when you can get the 1200 for a few bucks more. Perhaps for some, there a physiological factor there.(?)
But....if you do buy an 883 or 1200, make the suggested Mods below & that will improve things considerably.

An 883 is not really suited to freeways but with the right mods can be ridden on them, it's around Town & or the Suburbs that it's great.

The first easy Mod to do to a Sporty (883 or 1200) is the Airfilter, Pipes & the Ignition Module which will free up quite a bit of well needed revs.

My 1997 1200 Sporty will do 160KPH/100MPH easy with those additions, however I rarely do this speed. Torque-ing around town is great fun & going on longer rides cruising at about 100KMH (60MPH) or so is just fine.
I really Love this bike, it's just so much Fun!

&

It's NEVER broken down....EVER.

It does vibrate, has no rubber mounting like the new ones & it's not a problem
However if your a delicate flower you better get a smoother machine.

I have owned 7 Harleys & they have all been excellent. Don't knock-em until you own one.

Perhaps you don't want to own one? Great! buy what you want, but don't sound off on bikes (any make or model) that you have NO experience with, otherwise I'm sure you'll be 'classing yourself' as a Hot Winded

CentralOzzy wrote:buy what you want, but don't sound off on bikes (any make or model) that you have NO experience with, otherwise I'm sure you'll be 'classing yourself' as a Hot Winded

Careful, Oz, they don't like to be told that.

There is always some wet behind the ears yuppie who's all of a sudden an "expert" on a subject they really no nothing about.

And some very sensitive poor-spelling boys too...